
Residential Property Sale
The Town of High River is selling fourteen residential properties located on Riverside Drive and High View Park. Details on the properties and the sealed bid process are below

Details on the residential property sale are accurate to the best of the Town's knowledge. This page will be updated frequently throughout the project with an anticipated completion of July 2022.
As of May 5, 2022 there have been changes to the bid process requirements for inclusion of:
• Additional means of proof of financing
• An extension from 5 days to 10 days to execute the purchase and sales agreement to allow for additional time for financial lenders to perform appraisals (if so required)
• The template agreement to include legal representation for the purchasing parties
• Deposit forfeiture if you are the successful bidder and the proposed sales agreement is not executed within the allotted 10 days
• Proof of funding documentation guidelines, to include an expiration date as per the funding provider or legal counsel
Resources
- How to Bid (Bidding Package)
- Real Estate Sale Agreement
- Property Tour Waiver Form (Revised May 3, 2022)
- Insurance Letter
- Flood Mitigation Network
- Real Property Transactions Policy
- Disposition of Surplus Real Property Procedure
- **NEW Safety Codes Permitting Requirements Package (Added June 24, 2022)
Bid Openings will be live streamed through the Town's YouTube channel for each property's bid opening date and time (MDT), as posted in the table below.
Please ensure you fill in and complete all documents in the Bidding Package. We've provided a Bidder's Checklist in the package that we encourage you to review to ensure you've completed each step of the process properly. If you have any questions or require further clarity, contact Legislative & Advisory Services.
*Notes:
- Minors will not be permitted inside the homes for the Open Houses or Home Inspections.
- Inspection Appointments MUST BE MADE A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.
Address | Starting Bid | Open Houses | Dates Available for Property Inspection | Accepting Bids Starting On | Bid Submission Deadline (MDT) | Bid Opening Date & Time (MDT) via Live Stream | Status |
626 High View Park | $217,660 | April 19: 9am to 12pm | April 21 By Appt Only* | April 19 | April 28: 2pm | April 28: 3pm | SOLD for $267,777 |
400 Riverside Drive | $332,860 | April 19: 1pm to 4pm | April 21 By Appt Only* | April 19 | April 28: 2pm | April 28: 3pm | SOLD for $414,000 |
627 High View Park | $217,660 | May 3: 9am to 12pm | May 5 By Appt Only* | May 3 | May 12: 2pm | May 12: 3pm | SOLD for $268,779 |
1302 Riverside Drive | $341,410 | May 3: 1pm to 4pm | May 5 By Appt Only* | May 3 | May 12: 2pm | May 12: 3pm | SOLD for $468,800 |
628 High View Park | $219,910 | May 17: 9am to 12pm | May 19 By Appt Only* | May 17 | May 26: 2pm | May 26: 3pm | SOLD for $282,600 |
1310 Riverside Drive | $270,310 | May 17: 1pm to 4pm | May 19 By Appt Only* | May 17 | May 26: 2pm | May 26: 3pm | SOLD for $501,010 |
630 High View Park | $211,360 | May 31: 9am to 12pm | June 2 By Appt Only* | May 31 | June 9: 2pm | June 9: 3pm | SOLD for $302,300 |
1314 Riverside Drive | $335,110 | May 31: 1pm to 4pm | June 2 By Appt Only* | May 31 | June 9: 2pm | June 9: 3pm | SOLD for $561,314 |
632 High View Park | $223,960 | June 14: 9am to 12pm | June 16 By Appt Only* | June 14 | June 23: 2pm | June 23: 3pm | SOLD for $350,000.28 |
1318 Riverside Drive | $304,510 | June 14: 1pm to 4pm | June 16 By Appt Only* | June 14 | June 23: 2pm | June 23: 3pm | SOLD for $434,552 |
633 High View Park | $224,410 | June 28: 9am to 12pm | June 30 By Appt Only* | June 28 | July 7: 2pm | July 7: 3pm | SOLD for $392,601.64 |
1326 Riverside Drive | $364,810 | June 28: 1pm to 4pm | June 30 By Appt Only* | June 28 | July 7: 2pm | July 7: 3pm | SOLD for $567,664.95 |
634 High View Park | $224,410 | July 12: 9am to 12pm | July 14 By Appt Only* | July 12 | July 21: 2pm | July 21: 3pm | Sale Pending at $341,237 |
635 High View Park | $228,910 | July 12: 1pm to 4pm | July 14 By Appt Only* | July 12 | July 21: 2pm | July 21: 3pm | SOLD at $388,758.99 4 bids received |
Background
Following the 2013 flood, the Province of Alberta offered buyouts to property owners whose primary residences were identified as being within the 1992 provincial flood map. The Town of High River has purchased 14 properties back from the Province intending to return them to private ownership to restore a sense of community in these beautiful neighbourhoods.
Each property for sale backs onto the Highwood Golf Course. A sealed bid sale will be used to sell the properties in a fair and transparent manner:
- Identified minimum bid for each property reflects Town’s costs
- Bids will be opened on the date specified in a public process
- The highest qualified bid will identify the successful purchaser of the property
- Sales packages will be available for each property, and open houses are planned for each property
- The houses have had various levels of repairs required to remedy water presence resulting from the 2013 flood
High River is a leader in flood mitigation. World-class protection makes it one of the safest communities in Canada. A mitigation network now protects the Town, including these properties.
To read more about High River’s dike network, see the 2022 Insurance Letter. More information can be found on the Flood Preparedness and Protection, Annual River Monitoring page.
FAQ
Why did the Province buy these houses?
After the 2013 flood, the Province decided to offer buyouts to all homeowners whose primary residence was touching the floodway, as mapped in 1992.
Why did the Town purchase these houses?
The Town purchased the homes from the Province so they can be returned to private ownership, restoring a sense of community in these beautiful neighbourhoods.
Did the houses flood? Have they been remediated?
Yes, some water did enter these homes during the flood. Each house has had repairs required to remedy water presence.
Are the houses safe from future flooding?
Safety Codes Permitting Requirements packageYes. High River a leader in flood mitigation, with World-class protection in place making it one of the safest communities in Canada. These houses are now well protected by a mitigation network that includes dikes and overland flow areas.
This mitigation network protects the entire town, including the Northwest neighbourhood and these properties, from another 2013-sized event from happening. See more information in the 2022 Insurance Letter.
Are the houses move-in ready?
No, the houses are not immediately move-in ready as all require varying degrees of work. All the properties with existing frames in the basements, will need to pull new building permits before renovations begin. For more information, please read the Safety Codes Permitting Requirements package.
The houses have had holes cut in the drywall for environmental testing to check for humidity and air quality, making some drywall repairs necessary on the main floor. Additional drywall repairs in the basement WILL require a building permit.
Some of the properties will require some utility hook-ups such as gas, electrical, and/or water. These utility hook-ups will also require specific permits from our Safety Codes division. Please read here for more information.
After being vacant for 7 years or longer all need some general maintenance to the interior and exterior with a thorough cleaning and airing out. In some homes, appliances may require replacement.
What do I need to know about the utilities?
All the properties require varying utility hook-ups such as gas, electrical, and/or water. As each property is different, please click on the property address located in the table above to view the full information for that property via the Key Information tab.
Any utility work will require a building and utility-specific permits. Please read the Safety Codes Permitting requirements package here.
Were the water lines blown out?
Water lines were drained and toilet bowls were filled with RV anti-freeze.
Are the houses available for viewing?
Yes. The Town has developed a sales package for each home, including photos of each house taken in September 2021. Open Houses are planned for each property; see above table for the schedule of Open Houses. A waiver will be required to tour each property, and you are welcome to bring it signed to each open house you want to view.
When will the Town begin selling these houses?
The Town took possession of the houses on March 28, 2022 and will start selling them by a sealed bid sale in mid-April 2022.
What is the schedule for selling the houses?
The Town plans to sell two properties every two weeks by sealed bid: one single family detached and one semi-attached home. The goal is to finalize the sale of all properties by the end of July 2022. Please see above table, for the schedule of properties for sale.
How did the Town come up with the asking prices for the the houses?
The minimum bid for each property reflects the amount the Town has spent to purchase each home. These include buying each house from the Province as well as the Town’s legal and land transfer fees.
How can I buy one?
A detailed description of the process to buy the houses can be found here. It will require bidders to provide a qualified sealed bid by the deadline for that property sale. There is no need to register to participate in this sale. Please see the Resources above for more information.
What is a sealed bid sale?
A sealed bid sale is a type of sale where the bids are not viewed until the sale date. The bids are sealed by the prospective purchasers in a physical envelope and are all opened at once in a public process. The highest qualified bid will identify the successful purchaser of the property.
How will the winning bid be decided?
The winning bid will be the highest qualified bid no matter the dollar spread. The amounts can vary by an amount as small as $10 or by a large sum of thousands of dollars as long as they are above the opening bid.
In the event of the highest bid amount being a tie, the tied bidders will be given a new deadline to provide a tie-breaking bid. This process will continue until one winning bidder is selected.
What is a “qualified bid”?
A qualified bid means all requirements are met and included in the sealed bid.
A more detailed, step-by-step process is included in the sealed bid process checklist, found in the HOW TO BID document here.
What will I need to include in my sealed bid?
The Town has created a checklist (page 7) of documents bidders will need to include in their sealed bid. At this time, we can confirm the sealed bid must include:
- The bidder’s legal name and contact information
- The address of the property being bid on
- A deposit, as outlined in the purchase documentation
- Confirmation of funding to finance the bidder’s purchase
- The bid amount
Can I buy more than one house?
Yes. Individuals and/or companies can submit qualified bids for each of the properties they wish to buy and for which they have secured funding.
Can I move the house?
These sales are for the house and the property. All properties back onto the golf course. As with any building, prospective bidders could contact house movers directly for more information regarding future plans, should they be the successful purchaser.
Who can bid on these houses?
Individuals and companies who have funding for the deposit and purchase can submit a sealed bid. High River’s Council has provided direction, at the March 14, 2022 Regular Meeting of Council, for Administration to restrict the bidding on the fourteen (14) Southern Alberta Flood Relocation Program (SAFRP) Properties to align with direction related to Tax Sales in the Municipal Government Act Section 429.1 that councillors, the chief administrative officer and the designated officers and employees of the municipality must not bid for or buy, or act as an agent in buying, any parcel of land offered for sale.
Why were previous owners not given the first right of refusal?
As a municipality, the Town must provide a fair, transparent, and open process for disposition (selling) of properties. Through the sealed bid process, previous owners are welcome to bid on the properties along with anyone else.
Is there a Home Owners Association (HOA)?
Yes, all of the properties are subject to an HOA and bylaws. On High View Park, the monthly HOA fees are currently $145. On Riverside Drive, there are no monthly fees and no services provided, however certain architectural controls are in place through the HOA bylaws. See the attached documents for more information:
We're here to help, contact us!
309B Macleod Trail S.W., High River, Alberta
Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm (Closed on statutory holidays)
legislativeservices@highriver.ca
403-652-2110
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