Silverado is a southwest community whose genesis and inspiration was driven by natural beauty. It borders the world-class equestrian centre of Spruce Meadows, along with wide-open farmers' fields peppered with grazing horses and their manes blowing in the Chinook winds.

Sitting just south of Silverado between 194th Avenue and 210th Avenue S.W., the new Calgary community of Belmont is touted as a quiet refuge on the edge of the city and a place for new beginnings.

"It's a bright, modern community with a broad appeal for those looking for affordable quality in south Calgary," said Steve LePan, development manager with Anthem United. "As the first new community in the area, it's focused on affordable quality for first-time buyers or those new to Canada."

Silverado is a community on the upswing of change.

Tucked away on the fringes of Spruce Meadows, Silverado began construction in 2005 and is now nearing completion.

Shovels broke ground in Evanston in 2007, but the community has quickly become one of the fastest growing and most desirable places to live in Calgary's northwest quadrant.

In a market flush with oversupply and lingering economic difficulties, condo builders need to stand out from the crowd to reach potential buyers.

While some offer trips to Las Vegas or New York to seal the deal, two of Calgary's longtime builders say the key to success in today's market is good developments with incentives that help a buyer's financial bottom line.

Developers are teeing up a new community on Calgary's southwestern edge designed to appeal to both golfers and non-players alike.

Tucked away in the Rocky Mountain foothills, Sirocco at Pine Creek is a master-planned community with a prime location, a variety of front-drive and paired homes, and a picturesque golf course that shares its name.

Single-level homes are in high demand among retirees planning for their future

For active senior JoAnn Fetzner, who golfs three times a week and travels widely, one-level, bungalow living was an obvious choice for the rest of her life.

For empty-nester Patti Clarkson, 54, who is easing her way into retirement, her recently purchased bungalow villa will be the perfect "forever home."

For both women, finding a single-level home was a priority – part of their long-term planning for possible mobility issues down the road.

New schools in the works across Calgary

For many homebuyers, especially young families, nearby schools are a major factor when it comes to choosing a house and neighbourhood. While Calgary is full of older, established schools, there are also a number of new schools that have recently opened or are slated to open in the near future – many of them in Calgary's newest communities. Here are the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District's new school projects.

Granary Road will offer more than the traditional farmers-market experience

A new farmers market set to open just south of Calgary city limits is reimagining the traditional market as a family entertainment venue.

Granary Road will have a variety of shops in its public market, but also an active learning park that is a mash-up of a children's playground and an interpretive centre.

"Parents are always looking for something to do with their children and while we have some amazing attractions in Calgary, there aren't enough," said Jane Walter-Lockwood, director of business development for Granary Road.

New homebuyers modify Baywest blueprint with the stroke of a pen

When CREB®Now caught up with Maria Rocha Gil and Javier Gonzalez, they were in the process of doing a final walk-through on their new home. They chose a 2,600 square foot, two-storey home by Baywest Homes in Silverado's Dressage, a southwest community adjacent to Spruce Meadows.

The home is situated beside a landscaped park with flower gardens across from Silverado's new elementary school. The couple, who are in their mid-30s, are expecting their first child in July and are excited to move in and get organized before their bundle of joy arrives.