CREBNow offers some tips on staying out of your condo board's doghouse

With the many rules and regulations accompanying a condo purchase, it can be difficult to know just what is and isn't allowed. Add an animal to the mix and even the most devout pet lover will have second thoughts about their furry friends.

In addition to city bylaws that govern owning an animal, condo boards often have their own regulations that need to be taken into account. With that in mind, CREB®Now has compiled some helpful tips on making the transition process as friendly – and legal – as possible, both for you and your pet.

Yearly records set as monthly sales see slight decline

It was a record setting year for Calgary's condominium apartment and townhouse sectors, as sales reached new annual highs despite year-over-year residential sales declines of 7.5 per cent in December.

Single family sales totaled 708 units in December, a year-over-year decline of 8.3 per cent. Meanwhile, total condominium sales also declined by six per cent over the same time frame, but overall activity remained consistent with long-term averages.

Improving inventories help ease price growth pressure

Calgary's residential resale housing market posted relatively strong November activity reaching 1,782 units, a three per cent increase over the previous year, and nearly 13 per cent above long term averages.

"Relative to other major centres, economic growth in Calgary remains one of the strongest in the country," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. "Employment opportunities and relatively higher wages have encouraged people to move here, supporting the demand growth in our housing sector."

Meanwhile, new listings growth continues to outpace the gains in sales, supporting a 22 per cent year-over-year rise in November inventories to 3,849 units. While inventories have recorded significant gains, they remain below long-term averages for the month.

City approves building permits for six-storey wood frame homes

The City of Calgary has announced it will be accepting building permit applications for six-storey wood-frame buildings for already approved land use zones.

"We are looking at innovative ways to make housing more affordable for Calgarians," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "Six storey wood buildings are easier and cheaper to build than using other materials, which makes for more affordable homes."

A new luxury condo development is headed for Mission.

The XII includes 14-storeys of suites each spanning an entire level, with the exception of two, two-level suites.

"Research led us to what we have today which is essentially 12 single-family homes that happen to be stacked on top of each other and we determined nothing like this existed in Calgary, just elsewhere like Vancouver, New York and other cities of equal stature to Calgary so we decided to provide that part of the opportunity," said Stanley Yasin, managing partner for The XII.

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.

June brings rise in number of homes sold and listed

Normally associated with a rise in the mercury, the arrival of summer also provided a boost to Calgary's housing market this June.

Driven by continued strong demand amongst buyers, residential sales totaled 2,670 units in June, a 16 per cent increase over last year and 18 per cent above the 10-year average.

Mission resident Kourtney Rylands reflects on the year since flood waters ripped her home upside down

On June 20, 2013, Kourtney Rylands became a homeowner for the first time.

Hours later, her condo in Mission would be submerged in more than five feet of water.