Valuable Insights, Articles and Reports
During the process of buying or selling a home, you'll unearth countless questions. I know how difficult it can be to sift through all the details to find answers relevant and meaningful to you. I've put together the following series of valuable insights, articles and reports that provide clear, concise and useful information on a wide range of issues related to real estate. Here you'll find tips on how to save money, real estate insider secrets, renovation advice, and much more.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have personally. Remember, I will be here to assist you every step of the way!

Your Address Change Checklist: Who You Should Notify and When
Moving is often an exciting adventure, but it also comes with a long to-do list. From coordinating movers, to picking up the keys, every single task on your to-do list feels important. There’s one task that’s often overlooked, put off to the very last minute, or forgotten completely—updating your address.

Tips For a Great Real Estate Visit: What to Keep in Mind
For first-time home buyers, going to an open house or a scheduled property viewing can be an exciting, but sometimes daunting experience. What are you supposed to look for? How long are you supposed to stay? How do you prepare? While your REALTOR® will be there to guide you through the visit and make sure you’re ticking all the boxes, it’s always nice to do your own research and get an idea of what to expect in advance.

What Sellers Look For In An Offer - Other Than Money
Is buying a home all about the money? You may be led to believe this, but what about factors like conditions, personal offer letters, and the closing date? Sellers often need to consider things past finances when making the decision about which offer to accept.

Optimizing Space in Your Galley Kitchen
Curious how to get the kitchen of your dreams within a narrow space? Here’s the skinny: some careful planning, judicious use of storage and small renovations can give a galley kitchen quite a pop.

4 Reasons You Need a Home Inspection for a New Build
Think you don’t need a home inspection when purchasing a new build? Think again! Here are four reasons you need a home inspection—even if it’s a new build.

Here’s Why You Should Live in Your Home Before Renovating it
Buying a new home is exciting, but depending on where you are on the property ladder, you may not be getting a move-in ready property. Although it can be tempting to jump right in to transform your space, it’s not always a good idea to rip down walls as soon as you close the sale. Here’s why you should put down that sledgehammer and take your time instead.

Going Away for the Winter: How to Secure Your Home
A winter escape is a popular choice among many Canadians. With crossborder travel reopened, many snowbirds are eager to flock south again this winter. The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) estimated 30% of Canada’s more than one-million snowbirds vacationed for the winter in 2020/2021 and predicted that number increased to about 90% during the 2021/2022 season.

Winterizing Your Garage for All-Season Use
Your garage space can be put to many uses, from a study space or a home office, to a gym or an art studio, but as the colder weather hits, it’s not always ideal to be hanging out in an uninsulated concrete room. During these chilly months, cold air can seep into your garage from the doorway, windows, and even from exterior walls. An improperly insulated garage can even lead to damage of your storage items and heat loss from your home, resulting in rising heating costs during the winter. Luckily, there are garage renovations you can do to winterize your space for all seasons.

How to Create a Homeowner’s Journal
Once you become a homeowner, you can forget about calling the landlord or superintendent if something breaks—you’re now responsible for maintenance and repairs. Let’s face it: there’s a plethora of tasks and projects to stay on top of to keep your home in top shape, everything from replacing the furnace filter and cleaning your gutters, to testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and winterizing your lawn. You also have lots of important paperwork to keep track of, such as warranties and manuals for your household appliances and systems. The best way to stay organized is by creating a homeowner’s journal. Here’s how to get started so you don’t find yourself drowning in random reminder notes.

5 Provincial Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
From breathtaking mountains and coastlines, to prairies and tundra, Canada’s landscape is unmatched. One of the best ways to experience our country’s awe-inspiring natural wonders is through its designated provincial parks, where you can experience unique terrains and breathtaking views.

10 Tools Every Homeowner Needs
Even if you don't consider yourself handy - and there's no shame in that - having a well-equipped toolbox is a must for every homeowner. You never know when you'll need to screw a cabinet handle back in, hammer down a floorboard, or tighten a loose pipe until a professional can do a permanent fix. Your toolbox doesn't need to rival that of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor's, but there are some basics you'll want to gather up.

Home Renovations That Could Be Worth Doing Before Selling
When the time comes to sell your home, an obvious question arises—should I do renovations before I sell? While on the surface it may seem like renos could increase the value of your property, there are a handful of factors to consider before jumping in.

Calgary’s Best Neighbourhoods 2022
We’ve got 197 of them; so where does one even begin in determining the city’s top neighbourhoods? This year, rather than taking a data-driven approach, we engaged a panel of experts to assess the subdivisions, communities and districts that form the best places to call home.

10 Best Restaurants in Calgary 2022
Brought to you by Avenue Magazine, these are the 10 best overall restaurants (unranked) in Calgary this year. Among those 10, you’ll find some perennial list-makers, as well as some that are new to the party.

CREB® 2022 Forecast: Calgary housing market expected to remain strong this year after record-breaking 2021
CREB® has released its 2022 housing market forecast for Calgary and surrounding areas. According to the report, housing market activity in 2022 is expected to moderate relative to record levels of activity in 2021, while remaining stronger than historical levels.

Calgary home prices expected to keep climbing, even as hot market eases from record levels
Calgary's hot housing market is expected to ease from last year's record levels, but prices are forecast to continue rising as the market remains at stronger-than-historical levels, says a new industry outlook.

REALTORS® on screen: memorable fictional real estate agents from TV and film
Recently, production began on a new Syfy TV series centred around a real estate company specializing in haunted or "metaphysically engaged" properties. The series, aptly titled The Surrealtor, might seem like a kooky concept, but REALTORS® have long made for compelling characters on screen.

Under the right circumstances, moving a house can be a win-win for buyers and sellers
Now and then, Calgarians going for a morning walk in their community are stunned to discover that a house on their street has disappeared overnight.

Buying Frenzy Leaves Canada With Fewest Homes for Sale on Record
An unprecedented real-estate frenzy has left Canada with the fewest houses for sale in at least a quarter century.

Calgary clean energy tech accelerator gets $3M from feds
A group of energy and clean tech entrepreneurs along with the University of Calgary and the local and federal governments are hoping Calgary's ample and available downtown office space will make the city synonymous with clean energy innovation.

Seven new Calgary communities to watch in 2022
Calgary is constantly growing - both upwards and outwards - so it’s no surprise there are several new communities in the works across the city as we enter the new year. Here are seven new community projects to watch in 2022...

Calgary real estate caps record year with strong December finish
A strong final month of 2021 capped off a record year of home sales, according to the Calgary Real Estate Board’s monthly report. There were 27,686 units sold in the past 12 months in Calgary, a 72 per cent increase over 2020 and 44 per cent higher than the 10-year average.

Downtown Calgary slowly reviving as tech firms move in
In the nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic forced workers out of Calgary’s downtown towers and into home offices, the city’s core has changed.

Calgary's strong 2021 real estate market expected to continue in 2022
PWC points to strength in Calgary’s industrial real estate as a leading indicator of economic growth, which supports residential real estate

Higher interest rates are coming. Omicron is unlikely to change that
As Canada's federal government prepares for another encounter with COVID-19, Canadian borrowers must face a second hazard: the prospect of a sharp rise in interest rates in 2022.

Calgarians flock to Olympic Plaza for cold-weather fun
With darkness setting in early and COVID-19 still putting many parents in the difficult position of trying to occupy their children in safe ways – often outdoors – the local rink has served as oasis of activity on many cold, dark nights.

Four Christmas light safety tips to avoid falls, fires and shocks
As Clark Griswold’s experience in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” illustrates, installing Christmas lights can be fraught with danger without the right precautions.

City council approves property tax hike as part of 2022 budget adjustments
Calgarians will be hit with a property tax increase of nearly four per cent next year, after city council approved the final adjustments to its 2022 budget.

Market activity could surge before rate hikes, say analysts
Defying warnings of significant correction risks, investors and first-time buyers will likely rush headlong into the Canadian housing market in an attempt to get ahead of interest rate hikes, observers said.

Council committee approves adding two more years to secondary suite amnesty
A council committee unanimously agreed Wednesday to extend the amnesty program to help Calgarians bring their secondary suites up to legal standards.

Plans unveiled for Calgary to Cochrane section of Trans Canada Trail
A long-awaited hiking and biking trail that would run all the way from Calgary's western edge through to Cochrane stepped closer to completion Tuesday, as organizers unveiled details of Stage One of the construction.

East Village continues to mature with proposed new mixed-use project on riverfront
It’s great to see the maturing of East Village as the land is gradually being filled with new developments. What a difference in the area’s skyline today compared with just a few short years ago.

Cheap winter gardening is possible even in Alberta - these residents are doing it
Forget the fancy hydroponics. Shannon Keepch started her winter herb garden with just a $4 grow bulb from Dollarama.

Radon tips for homeowners
November is national Radon Action Month. Radon is a colourless, odourless, radioactive gas that can leach into homes from the soil through gaps or cracks in the foundation, pipes and drains.

Northland Village redevelopment to start in early 2022
Redevelopment of a stagnant northwest Calgary shopping centre will start in early 2022.

Ring reunion: local REALTOR® reunites man with long-lost family treasure
For veteran REALTOR® Kevin Niefer, uniting people with their new homes is a full-time job. However, in a first for him, he recently had the opportunity to reunite someone with a long-lost family treasure.

HomeSpace Society and Inn from the Cold launch fundraising campaign for Sierra Place project
HomeSpace Society and Inn from the Cold have teamed up to launch Project Thrive, a public fundraising campaign for HomeSpace’s Sierra Place project.

Garrison Woods, Garrison Green and Currie embody Calgary's rich military history
With every passing year, the events of the First and Second World Wars become ever more distant parts of our country's history. Remembrance requires work, and any excuse to think about or discuss these conflicts and the sacrifices of Canadian veterans helps keep their memories alive.

Calgary offers ways to warm up to winter
Winter is on its way. Depending on your stance, our city will soon be blessed or cursed with the arrival of colder temperatures, shorter days and, eventually, snow.

Alberta economy must embrace change, diversification to recover from pandemic, says ATB Financial chief economist
ATB Financial vice-president and chief economist Todd Hirsch says Alberta’s economy can’t rely on its traditional strengths as it tries to rebuild in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four ways to finance your next home renovation
Canadians have renovations on the brain. Across the country, a spike in loan applications for home improvement projects shows no signs of slowing down, as homeowners look to reinvest in their properties. If you are planning a renovation of your own, it’s important to understand your financing options first.

interproof patios: how to equip your outdoor space for all-season enjoyment
As summer days give way to cooler weather, good times had on the patio or balcony need not end – especially, when outside is one of the safest places to be thanks to COVID-19. From simple additions to more elaborate fixes, there are many ways to winterproof outdoor spaces for year-round enjoyment.

Calgary warehouses in high demand as Vancouver vacancy rate close to zero
Calgary is in the middle of an industrial real estate boom as high rental prices and low vacancy rates in places like Vancouver drive companies to snatch up warehouse space.

Eight cleaning hacks for a spotless home
House cleaning can feel like an endless struggle, but it doesn't always have to be. The key is to work smarter, not harder, and these eight cleaning hacks will help you do just that.

Five DIY painting tips for professional results
A fresh coat of paint is one the easiest ways to shake up your home’s design and completely change the feel of a room.

Be smart and add locks to your property
With today’s technology, home and job site security can be in the palm of your hand.

Domestic dangers: 12 common household hazards that could kill you
For many, home is the place where they feel the safest and most at ease. However, there are many hazards within the average house or apartment that can have dangerous, and even deadly, consequences if left unchecked. Luckily, most of these threats are easy to identify and even easier to avoid with just a little bit of knowhow.

Condos in crisis? The dangers of ageing condos and underfunded reserve funds
Looking at the devastation surrounding the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Florida, it’s easy to wonder if that kind of disaster could ever happen in Canada.

Avenue Magazine: The State of the Residential Real Estate Market in Calgary
Between historically low mortgage rates, changing lifestyle needs, bolstered savings and more competition in the market, there’s a lot factoring into how the residential real estate market has changed over the past year.

Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir approval marks major victory for Calgary’s river communities
The Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) project is moving ahead after receiving federal approval, which is welcome news for the many Calgarians who have been advocating for upstream flood mitigation measures since the 2013 disaster.

New Green Communities Guide highlights benefits of nature-based solutions for municipalities, developers and homeowners
At a time when community stakeholders care more about the environment than ever before, a newly updated Green Communities Guide from Canada’s Land Stewardship Centre highlights the environmental, economic and health benefits in nature-based solutions (NBS).

Five things you might not know about Calgary-and-area lakes
It’s widely known that lakes in and around Calgary provide both recreational opportunities and some highly desirable residential and vacation real estate. However, here are five things you might not know about Calgary-and-area lakes...

New downtown community association gives voice to 8,500 residents and counting
The creation of a new downtown community association, the first from the city’s core in a decade, is a sign of the growth of a healthy city as it emerges from the pandemic, says the executive director of the Federation of Calgary Communities.

CREA report highlights underappreciated benefits of homeownership
It’s no surprise that homeownership can create significant financial benefits over time. What’s often overlooked is the value of the non-financial advantages – to the individual, their community and society as a whole. In fact, the value of homeownership spans the realms of health, education, and civic and socio-cultural spheres.

Municipal Historic Resource program helps homeowners preserve Calgary’s built heritage
Known for its can-do attitude, vibrancy and love of growth, Calgary is a city that’s quick to embraces the latest thing. For the most part, that mindset has translated into new housing and development, but heritage conservation advocates are seeing growing support for a more balanced approach.

Pet bylaw changes open the door to backyard chickens for Calgary homeowners
Recent changes to the City of Calgary’s Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw mean Calgarians will soon be able to raise chickens in their yards.
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Four backyard staging tips to make your home ‘sale-ready,’ inside and out
Most sellers in this day and age recognize the value of staging a home’s interior, but what about the backyard?

City of Chestermere moves ahead with plans for long-awaited civic rec centre
After years of consultation and research, the City of Chestermere is building a new $39.5-million civic recreation centre

Two proposed subdivisions set to create new opportunities for luxury homebuyers in Canmore
Canmore’s sizzling real estate market is about to get a welcome influx of new product for interested homebuyers. Two new proposed phases of the 600-acre Silvertip resort development, perched atop the slopes to the east of the TransCanada Highway, will include more than 100 luxury tourist homes.

New federal grant program offers homeowners up to $5,000 for ‘green’ upgrades
A new seven-year, $2.6-billion program from the federal government will provide financial assistance for up to 700,000 Canadians looking to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Intentional Neighbourhood Associations expand opportunities for cohousing
“Cohousing communities are intentional, collaborative neighborhoods,” said Sarah Arthurs, primary consultant with Calgary-based Cohousing Connections, an organization that establishes and supports partnerships between developers and individuals or groups who wish to live in cohousing.

Calgary rental market struggles with high vacancy, but improvement is on the horizon
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout, a rosier economy and the opening of post-secondary institutions to in-person classes could all improve Calgary’s residential rental vacancy rate by as early as this fall.

Okotoks and Airdrie explore pathway connections to Calgary
Enthusiastic conversations around potential cycling pathways connecting Okotoks and Airdrie to Calgary could open up a whole new way to explore the region. As e-bike access and popularity grows, commuting between the municipalities on two wheels is becoming a practical option for many cyclists.

Latest stress test changes reduce buying power, impact first-time and move-up home purchasers in Calgary
Recent changes to the mortgage stress test designed to cool down hot housing markets across the country may make it more difficult for some Albertans to purchase a home.

Five tips for keeping your home cool without air conditioning this summer
It’s only June, but Calgarians have already gotten a taste of the 30-degree temperatures usually reserved for the peak summer days of July and August. This summer could be a hot one, and it’ll feel even hotter if, like many Calgarians, your home doesn’t have air conditioning.

A brief history of the conversation pit: why interest in this ’70s design staple has skyrocketed in the age of COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an obsession has developed among people who are extremely online with an interior design feature whose heyday occurred more than 50 years ago: the conversation pit.

Five cheap ways to boost your home’s curb appeal
You only get one chance to make a great first impression, so why waste an opportunity to get a leg up on other sellers? Whether it’s for better listing photos or to impress during showings, improving your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive.

Five DIY plumbing tips for homeowners
To the uninitiated, plumbing repairs and maintenance can be intimidating. Major repairs and plumbing emergencies are no doubt best left to the professionals, but with a few tools and a bit of knowhow, smaller fixes can be accomplished by any homeowner.

Moving month: how to choose a mover and avoid common scams
May is national “Moving Month,” which comes during a busy spring for the Calgary housing market, with record home sales so far this year. All those home sales mean lots of people on the move. Unfortunately, there are always epic tales circulating about bad moving experiences, including damaged or missing items, bloated costs and even home furnishings held hostage.

Calgary’s new downtown plan seeks to benefit current residents, and attract new ones
You can always go downtown. At least that’s what the song says. Much has been written about the current woes of Calgary’s Downtown Commercial Core. Office vacancies are approaching 30 percent, and many businesses and commuters are conspicuous in their absence from the area.

Moisture management: the importance of monitoring your home’s humidity levels
Calgary is one of the most unique cities in Canada when it comes to weather. Throughout the year, we can see temperatures span from -40C to 40C in a matter of months, and chinooks can warm our frostbitten city into a springtime paradise in only a few short days.

New homes and renovation services now come at a premium, as lumber shortage drives up construction costs
Anyone who has walked into a hardware store lately is aware of the current price of lumber, a situation that is creating issues for the homebuilding and renovation industries in Calgary and across the country.

Design for dummies: five foolproof themes and colour palettes for the home
Curating the perfect home is no easy feat, especially if you are doing it without any professional help. For all the design DIYers out there in need of a little direction, we reached out to a couple of Calgary designers for their foolproof colour palettes, design schemes and decorative themes that are sure to sizzle in any space. The best part is that anyone can pull these looks together – no experience necessary.

Making a masterpiece: tips for choosing and arranging art
The art displayed in a home provides personality, creates a welcoming atmosphere and offers a glimpse of your unique style to guests. And while there aren’t many unbreakable rules for choosing and arranging art, you still don’t want to fling it all over the place with little thought to how those pieces work with each other or the space.

Repurposing of Calgary’s heritage buildings aims to strike balance between preservation and development
When the shuttered King Edward School was transformed into cSPACE King Edward, an incubator for artists, non-profits and entrepreneurs, it proved an ambitious example of the economic, environmental and social benefits of preserving, rather than demolishing, Calgary’s historic buildings.

Declutter for a cause: where to donate your unwanted household items in Calgary
It’s time for spring cleaning, and while the excitement surrounding the Marie Kondo Method has died down somewhat since its peak, decluttering never goes out of style.

Convenience and productivity converge in the backyard office, with interest among Calgarians at an all-time high
Competing for space with pets, children, a spouse or roommates can steal concentration quickly. As a result, backyard offices have become a trendy way to create a healthy boundary between home and work.

Unearthing the unusual: Calgary home inspectors share their strangest finds
If you ever doubted the need for a home inspection prior to purchase, the unusual finds of some Calgary inspectors might be enough to convince you.

Canmore’s red-hot housing market is seeing “unprecedented” levels of activity, with no signs of slowing down
Right now, there’s no way to describe Canmore’s housing market other than “hot.”

Prairie Winds Park provides unique opportunities for recreation and connection in northeast Calgary
When it comes to crowning Calgary’s most eclectic park, it would be tough to top the assortment of activities and opportunities offered at Prairie Winds Park.

Detached-home sellers are in the driver’s seat, as low mortgage rates fuel demand across Calgary
Enticing discount mortgage rates have helped put Calgary’s detached home market in rare form.

From the ground up: the importance of a structurally sound foundation
The foundation of a home is the basis of the entire structure. Just like a strong foundation can make a happy relationship, a strong foundation beneath your home will keep it standing strong for many years.

First-time, younger buyers driving Calgary homes market upward
A recent affordability survey shows Calgary is among the most affordable real estate markets in Canada.

Give and take: how to navigate price negotiations during a home purchase
Finding the right home might still be about location, but when it comes to getting the best deal, the key is negotiation.

My Neighbourhood: Acadia
The community of Acadia sits in southeast Calgary, nestled between Carburn Park and the Bow River to the east and Macleod Trail to the west. Established in 1960, the community is home to nine schools from the public and separate boards – including the city’s largest high school, Lord Beaverbrook – as well as a charter school and bilingual schools.

Plumbing the depths of history: why some old homes have a random basement toilet
Old homes are often full of outdated features that seem bizarre in a modern context but served an important purpose at the time of construction. With some of these quirks – such as milk doors, dumbwaiters and boot scrapers – the utility is obvious. With others… well, not so much.

Tips for buyers and sellers in what promises to be an active spring housing market
With spring on the horizon – bringing warmer days, blooming flowers, plenty of sunshine and increased optimism – Calgary’s real estate market is poised for a flurry of activity.

Avenue magazine releases 2021 list of Calgary’s best restaurants
You might say that a city is defined by its restaurants — that the quality and variety of dining options reflect what kind of city it is. In this sense, we can say with certainty that Calgary continues to be entrepreneurial, and fiercely and proudly local, as well as resilient.

Four common renovation nightmares and how to avoid them
Making sure your dream renovation doesn’t turn into a nightmare means doing some due diligence before signing on the dotted line.

What were we thinking? The hater’s guide to carpeted bathrooms
For many people, carpeted bathrooms inspire a lot of disdain, as well as a visceral feeling that something is terribly wrong. Modern-day defenders of this peculiar design choice do exist, but they appear to be vastly outnumbered.

What’s old is new again: adaptive reuse one solution to Calgary’s downtown office vacancies
Ongoing economic challenges, shrinking population growth and a pandemic that won’t go away add up to a downtown Calgary office market facing critical vacancy rates.

Home sales shifting towards pricier housing in several major markets, CMHC says
Buyers are spending more money on home purchases in several major Canadian cities, even as the COVID-19 pandemic causes layoffs and income reductions across the country.

The sound of silence: understanding STC ratings can help homebuyers avoid noisy neighbours
Sound transmission class (STC) is the rating system used to measure a partition wall’s ability to reduce the effect of airborne sound. A higher STC rating means less sound will make its way through the partition wall – sometimes called a party wall, common wall or shared wall – creating a quieter living space.

Eight tips for saving money on your home insurance
For homeowners, insurance is an inescapable expense that can quickly add up when stacked on top of other financial obligations like a mortgage, property taxes and utilities. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible - even a few small discounts applied to your premiums can turn into huge savings over time.

Great expectations: the tumultuous past, exciting present and bright future of Calgary’s East Village
The master-planned vision for Calgary’s East Village revitalization, launched in the mid-2000s, is becoming a living, breathing reality, now more than ever.

Backyard makeover: it’s time to start planning your 2021 landscaping projects
Calgary is still stuck in the throes of winter, but many homeowners are already planning their landscape projects for 2021 to ensure they have an outdoor space to enjoy this summer.

True colours: Pantone’s 2021 Colour of the Year and the history of a trendsetter
At the end of 2020, the Pantone Colour Institute announced its 2021 Colour(s) of the Year: Ultimate Gray (17-5104) and Illuminating (13-0647), “A marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.”

Cold calling: Calgary’s outdoor rinks provide much-needed outdoor activity option amid COVID-19 restrictions
With pandemic precautions forcing Calgarians to restructure their lives, the city’s outdoor spaces have become a hot commodity this winter. Among the spots in highest demand have been the city’s many outdoor rinks.

Refreshed Beltline real estate development could become office hub for Calgary’s burgeoning tech sector
While downtown Calgary struggles with an office vacancy rate nearing 30 per cent, a unique “campus” development in the heart of the Beltline is seeing success.

Transit commuters won’t be derailed during upgrades to Victoria Park LRT and 17th Avenue
A major two-part project aimed at improving connections within east Victoria Park should keep interruptions to a minimum when work starts later this year.

Calgary’s 2021 Real Estate Forecast – A Summary
In 2020, housing markets across the country surprised many with a stronger-than-expected rebound in the second half of the year despite record-high unemployment rates and significant job losses.

Safety first: why radon mitigation systems should be installed in more Canadian homes
Radon is a colourless, odourless, naturally occurring gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking. When uranium breaks down in the soil, radon is produced. It can then seep into buildings through cracks, pipes and drains.

Rock-bottom interest rates throughout 2021 could nudge even more Calgarians into the housing market
Historically low interest rates are helping boost the residential real estate market in Calgary and across the country, with the trend expected to continue throughout 2021.

DIY for dummies: how even the least-handy homeowner can keep their property in tip-top shape
Even if you wouldn’t describe yourself as handy, it’s important for homeowners to have the skills and equipment to tackle routine maintenance and repairs. Thankfully, most of those tasks require nothing more than a few basic tools and a little elbow grease.

Brighten up: four easy ways to take your home’s lighting to the next level
Inside the home, lighting does so much more than help you see. The right lighting can improve your mood, create the perfect atmosphere and highlight all the features of your home that you love the most.

10 low-maintenance indoor plants to green up your home
If your home’s interior is feeling a bit drab and lifeless, adding a handful of houseplants to the mix can make a world of difference. This is especially true during the winter, when a little bit of greenery inside can help you forget about the weather outside.

A heated driveway is a creative, albeit pricey, way to eliminate the need for snow shovelling once and for all
It might sound like magic, but banishing snow from your driveway without lifting a finger is a trick that’s within reach for Calgarians.

A pandemic, an oil-price crash - yet an improving Alberta housing market
Take one global pandemic and mix in two business lockdowns, an oil-price plunge and the worst economic contraction in modern Alberta history. You’d think this recipe would have shaken the housing market throughout 2020.

The Property Brothers are looking for Calgary families to appear on new season of “Forever Home”
Twins Drew and Jonathan Scott, better known as the Property Brothers, are coming to Calgary to film new episodes of their HGTV Canada spinoff series Property Brothers: Forever Home. On the show, “the brothers help families whose current property needs a complete makeover in order to make it their forever home,” and the duo is currently looking for eligible Calgary-area homeowners.

16 parts of your home you might be forgetting to clean
The COVID-19 pandemic has, among other things, made many people acutely aware of the importance of proper cleaning and sanitization within the home. However, “out of sight, out of mind,” is often the mantra that informs our cleaning habits, which means many hidden or seemingly clean areas can get neglected.

Fresh start: four design trends poised for a resurgence in 2021
Kiss 2020 goodbye and embrace calm in 2021, with the latest trends from the world of home décor.

CMHC program can save “green” borrowers up to 25 per cent on mortgage insurance premiums
Along with lowering monthly utility bills, green home features can also cut costs for homeowners by reducing their mortgage insurance premium. Depending on the home’s degree of energy efficiency, up to a quarter of a borrower’s premium can be covered by a rebate through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) Green Home program.

New year, new you: real estate resolutions for 2021
In a normal year, crafting a few New Year’s resolutions can be a fun way to identify opportunities for personal growth and development in the year ahead. However, 2020 has not been a normal year by any stretch.

Destination downtown: 2020 pilot to increase safety and vibrancy around city hall could serve as blueprint for rest of city centre
A year-long pilot project designed to ramp up safety in the downtown core winds to a close at the end of 2020, but its effects might be long lasting.

'Unfolding Apartment' Has a Multifunctional, Space-Maximizing Cabinet
Space is scarce in big metropolises like New York City, so it's not surprising that small apartments with awkward layouts are actually quite common. These types of apartments are often a good fit for someone who wants a relatively affordable home that's close to their place of work, while still allowing them to enjoy the cultural and culinary advantages that the big city has to offer.

My Neighbourhood: Acadia
The community of Acadia sits in southeast Calgary, nestled between Carburn Park and the Bow River to the east and Macleod Trail to the west. Established in 1960, the community is home to nine schools from the public and separate boards – including the city’s largest high school, Lord Beaverbrook – as well as a charter school and bilingual schools.

Townhomes see growing demand among new home buyers in Calgary
The new townhouse market is seeing growing demand in Calgary despite a rocky start to 2020, a new report shows.

New report suggests opportunity knocks for investors in Calgary's housing market
Calgary’s real estate market has been an unexpected hot-zone of sales activity despite the pandemic. Yet a new report suggests the market remains mired in a slump from an investment perspective.

Six ways to lower your home heating bill this winter
Calgary’s winters are bad enough without having to worry about the expensive heating bills that often accompany plummeting temperatures. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to limit the damage and save a bit of cash in the process.

New Kensington condo development innovates with commitment to smart technology
Calgary’s condo market may be mired in a bit of a slump, but developers are still finding ways to make their latest offerings stand out.

Stronger together: the surging popularity of cohousing communities across Canada suggests isolation may define our current reality, but it won’t define our future
As Calgarians continue to navigate the challenges of an intense economic downturn and a global pandemic – in addition to the standard curveballs life tends to throw one’s way – many are re-evaluating their priorities in hopes of a brighter future.

Buyer beware: how to proceed when your home inspection turns up serious issues
You’ve found what seems like the perfect home, but before you close the deal, the inspection turns up some problems you can’t ignore: what are your options?

How to make sure your home is properly insulated
With winter knocking on the door, it’s a good time to decide if your home could benefit from some improved insulation.

How to deck your halls, permanently, with year-round LED lights
For many, this is the time of year for decorating the tree, hanging stockings, baking delicious goodies and, finally, climbing a ladder to the roof to complete the most frustrating (and, perhaps, dangerous) holiday task: putting up outdoor lights.

COVID-19 is boosting home sales in Calgary suburbs, surrounding areas – will that momentum last?
With many people trading in their downtown commute for a home office due to the COVID-19 pandemic, proximity to the city centre has been less of a priority for house hunters this year.

Upholstery painting: fun DIY project or disaster waiting to happen?
To paint or not to paint? With upholstered furniture, that is a complicated question. Social media, online blogs and video tutorials show that it can be a fun DIY project, but there are a few key considerations and great results are not guaranteed.

If you build it, they will come: Calgary’s Central Library celebrates two years as burgeoning community hub
Calgary’s East Village has perhaps seen more change over the last 20 years than any other community in the city. Since the idea of bringing East Village back to life resurfaced in 2005, the neighbourhood once known for its vacant lots and neglected buildings has been transformed into one of the city’s more vibrant communities.

The winds of winter: when cold weather arrives, window issues become hard to ignore
The changing of the seasons often leads to window woes in a home, as problems that went unnoticed during the summer months become apparent with the arrival of colder weather.

COVID-19 continues to shift renovation priorities for Calgary homeowners
Space for an office and private Zoom calls, a workout room, a more spacious kitchen – these are all growing renovation demands Calgary companies are fielding from customers working through the pandemic.

Maintenance tips and tasks to get your home ready for winter
Unfortunately, winter is the season that tends to reveal and worsen issues within your home, so there’s no time like the present for some proactive maintenance. A bit of extra effort now could save you countless headaches when temperatures drop.