With some national media forecasting doom and gloom for much of Canada's real estate market, CREB®'s 2013 Tradeshow and Forecast provided further proof of Calgary's exceptional status.

In a Maclean's article entitled Crash and Burn, substantial downturns in several major real estate markets across the country were shown as evidence that debt-heavy Canadians had "spooked" themselves into a housing crash.

With reports predicting doom and gloom for much of the Canadian housing market, Calgary continues to chug along, and should continue to be one of the country's top performers in 2013.

According to BMO's first housing panel of the year, the word is Calgary will continue to buck national trends while the rest of Canada will experience a "soft landing" after a decade long boom.

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta is looking for up to 25 families interested in partnering with the organization to own a Habitat for Humanity home of their own.

Habitat for Humanity's homeownership model empowers families to invest in homeownership. Through volunteer labour (or sweat equity), and donations of materials and funds, Habitat Southern Alberta builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner (partner) families. In 2012, 16 local families partnered with Habitat for new homes.

The weather outside may be frightful but with a few simple steps you can be cozily ensconced in your home bedecked with colourful strings of Christmas lights during the long winter evenings.

The last two weeks of November signal Christmas light go-time for both DIY homeowners as well as companies that install lights such as Calgary's Bugaboo Landscaping Ltd.

Thanks to a thriving economy, Alberta is looking to lead the way in year-over-year retail spending in 2012.

According to Colliers International's Fall 2012 Retail Report, Albertans are expected to spend almost $70 billion this year – an 8.91 per cent year-over-year increase over 2011. With the holiday season fast approaching, Albertans are also on target to see the largest year-over-year increase when it comes to Christmas shopping as well with forecasted spending for December at $6.99 billion, an 8.72 per cent year-over-year increase compared to 2011.

Originally individual town sites, the Calgary communities of Bowness and Montgomery today have become two of the city's most established neighbourhoods.

In 1911, when entrepreneur John Hextall registered subdivision plans for the framework of a village along the banks of the Bow River, little did he know that village would become one of Calgary's most beloved communities.

CREB®'s highest honor was recently presented to Nick Profeta of Re/Max Real Estate (Central).

Commonly known as the REALTOR® of the Year award, the T.W.H. (Bill) Saunders MemorialAward is given to those who exemplify high standards of professionalism, show remarkable leadership and dedication and recognizes outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and the community.