Calgary, June 3, 2013 – City of Calgary residential monthly sales improved over the previous year, mostly driven by increased demand in the condominium market.

Sales activity in all categories totalled 2,544 units for the month, a seven per cent increase over May 2012 figures.

With lush ravines, lengthy pathways and spectacular mountain views, the community of Tuscany in northwest Calgary has grown to become one of the city's most sought after neighbourhoods.

With access to Nose Hill Drive, Stoney Trail, 12 Mile Coulee and Crowchild Trail, Tuscany has plenty of access, access that's about to become that much easier with the completion of both a new CTrain station and Nose Hill Drive/Stoney Trail overpass.

While May brought plenty of falling rain to Calgary, sales in the city's real estate industry were headed solidly in the other direction.

Driven in part by an increased demand in the condominium market, Calgary residential monthly sales improved over the previous year in May, exceeding expectations, although slowing from 2012's double digits.

Founded by three Calgarians, DIRRT (Doing It Right This Time) Environmental Solutions creates custom, sustainable architecture interiors — including the implementation of recycled blue jeans as insulation.

The company opened for business in 2005 and since then has grown to include manufacturing facilities across North America.

Earlier this year, friends and family of murdered real estate agent Lindsay Buziak held a memorial march in Saanich, B.C.

Five years have passed since the 24-year-old woman was stabbed to death while showing a luxury home in the Victoria suburb. Police believe she was lured to the vacant home and killed by someone posing as a homebuyer.

Fascinated by how people created environments as a child, Jessica Hagel turned that fascination into a business of her own as of January 2011. Fresh Moves Home Staging offers full services for those staging to sell as well as move-in decorating services. Hagel took some time to chat with CREB® Now about the importance of home staging and her thoughts on the best way to spend a day off in the city.

It's the season of home renovations and according to the Scotiabank Mortgage Landscape Study, 46 per cent of Alberta homeowners are planning significant renovations to their home in the next two years.

Albertans are the second most likely of all Canadian homeowners to have a major reno project planned, ranking only behind the Atlantic provinces where 47 per cent of homeowners planned to renovate.