Many Albertans yearning for that rural experience

As Alberta's major cities continue to grow, it would appear more people are being drawn in by the urban experience.

Yet many Albertans are still choosing the prairie skies over city streetlights. Perhaps unfathomable to urbanites, these rural dwellers are all too willing to cast aside conveniences of the "big city," and instead stake their claim in the hills, prairies and valleys of Wild Rose Country.

"I enjoy the opportunity to do what I want, within reason," said Ray Howell, who's lived on an acreage west of Calgary for the last 22 years. "We have a large garden and have had many animals throughout the years. Overall, you have more freedom to do what you want."

Petition forces secondary suites back on the agenda

Calgary's long-running debate on secondary suites has gone viral.

The latest salvo in the bid to gain wider acceptance for secondary suites comes by way of an online petition backed by the student unions at Calgary's two universities along with Vibrant Communities Calgary, a group dedicated to addressing poverty in the city.

The petition, titled Calgarians for Secondary Suites, began popping up on Facebook and Twitter over the weekend, demanding the City make a plebiscite on the issue part of the 2017 municipal election.

Strong gains in Calgary's condominium apartment and townhouse sectors sparked a 3.4 per cent year-over-year growth in residential resale housing sales activity for August.

A total of 2,267 units exchanged hands in the city during the month, compared to 2,192 during the same period in 2013. The condominium apartment and townhouse sectors saw the biggest gains, increasing by nearly 14 and 20 per cent, respectively, for total monthly sales of 790 units.

Two families share their stories of moving from China to Calgary

This is the first of a four-part homebuying series for new Canadians in partnership with the Epoch Times. Each month, the series will explore hot-topic issues such as understanding market trends, processes for buying a home, determining factors that influence house prices and more.

Like many first-time homebuyers, Calgarian Helen Yao had three must-have items on her checklist: location, location and location.

Yet new to Canada and the  real estate process, she didn't know where to start.

Dealing with real estate's S word

Calgary's real estate industry has come under the microscope recently, with some questioning the degree to which professionals are obliged to reveal perceived flaws in properties up for sale.

While CREB® President Bill Kirk acknowledges there is a "grey area" that exists with stigmatized properties — a point brought to light last week when a Brentwood home that was the scene of Calgary's worst mass killing went up for sale – he emphasized reactions to such homes are as varied as the circumstances surrounding them.

Growth in new listings outpace sales growth in July, supporting double-digit inventory gains

Residential sales in Calgary this month totaled 2,336 units, a record level for July activity, according to CREB®'s latest stats.

However, year-over-year sales growth in the city slowed to 3.18 per cent.

Housing price growth expected to ease in second half of this year

Housing prices and sales have far exceeded expectations in the first half of this year, but improving supply levels will ease pressure on niche growth moving into the second half of 2014, said CREB® in its 2014 mid-year forecast update.

When looking at the full forecast, price growth for the typical home is expected to increase by eight per cent on an annual basis due to strong gains in the first half of the year, said CREB®  Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

Mid-year update shows sales up in Calgary market

The beneficiary of a rental market where selection was less than limited, Calgary's condo market saw sales skyrocket through the first six months of 2014.

According to CREB®, year-to-date condo sales (apartment and townhome) in the city rose by 22 per cent through the first six months of 2014, increasing from 3,698 last year to 4,503 in 2014.

Calgary's million dollar market continues to post positive numbers

Calgary's luxury housing market remained among the top performers in all of Canada through the first half of 2014.

Propelled by a thriving economy, high average incomes and an influx of new Calgarians, sales of homes priced at $1 million or more increased by 18 per cent through the first six months of 2014, according to CREB®'s annual mid-year forecast update.

Mid-year forecast calling for more supply, added choices

Mario DeMarco thought he was prepared for anything after deciding to become a first-time homeowner.

The 25-year-old Calgarian has spent the past two years saving for a down payment, and was recently promoted at work, giving him the financial stability to purchase his own place – ideally a condo in the Beltline.