Prices remain similar to last year, but ease in October

October's housing market conditions closely echoed previous months' trends, with easing sales, rising inventories and downward price pressure. Like last month, the monthly activity was not enough to derail gains that occurred earlier in the year.

Inventory increases and sales drop in September, but overall sales for the year remain higher than last year

Strong gains in the first half of 2017 have put Calgary year-to-date sales at seven per cent above last years' levels and 11 per cent below long-term averages, but challenges remain with easing sales and rising new listings.

Inventories rose across all property types to 6,861 units, while both apartment- and attached-style properties saw the highest inventory on record for the month of September.

Versatile tiny homes provide unique lifestyle on a limited budget

Mark Kirk sold his house, moved to Calgary, and only then realized how much stuff he really owned, and how little of it he regularly used. This revelation – along with his desire for a career change – led Kirk to start his own tiny-homebuilding business, Blackbird Tiny Homes.

These homes are called "tiny" for a reason, measuring between 120 square feet and 420 square feet. Kirk says that while tiny homes have been around for close to a decade in the United States – and are the subject of more than one HGTV series – they're a relatively new option for Albertans.

Market sees modest inventory gains, but overall prices inch up 

Sales exhibited stable growth through the first half of the year in the Calgary housing market, but the number of transactions slowed slightly in July compared to last year.

Citywide sales totaled 1,637 units, six per cent below July 2016 levels. Year-to-date sales activity totaled 11,957 units, nine per cent above last year.

"Sales growth exceeded expectations so far this year. Clients were re-entering the market after delaying decisions until there were some signs of economic improvement," said CREB® president David P. Brown.

Entrepreneurial couple found the right fit for their active family in Harmony

Close to a year ago, entrepreneurs Brian Haydamack and Erin Schneider made the decision to move in together and blend their families (he has two children and she has three). The challenge was finding a home large enough to accommodate all of their kids, plus private home offices for both of their businesses. Haydamack, a former professional golfer, runs two golf-related businesses and Schneider is a hair stylist who works out of a home-based salon. The couple found a stylish, six-bedroom home design in the new master-planned lake community of Harmony in Springbank. And the fact that a signature Phil Mickelson golf course will flank the community was icing on the cake.

Calgary-area rural communities offer residents a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city

As a former farm kid, four-time Canadian bareback champion, and former Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon manager, Robin Burwash has spent almost every day of his life enjoying the rural-lifestyle dream he now sells as a REALTOR®.

When he talks of finding space and relaxation amidst the trees and hills of acreage properties around Calgary, it comes from personal experiences.

Burwash spent 16 years as a professional bareback rider, and grew up on a farm that eventually became part of the city, not far off of Country Hills Boulevard.

During the years he spent working in Calgary with the Stampede, the best moment of his 45-minute commute to his Black Diamond acreage, he says, was crossing the city limits and entering the wide-open space of the country.

Cochrane's Rise in Riversong offers 360-degree living in the heart of Alberta's natural beauty

For homebuyers looking for scenic views, ample amenities and a small-town feel, there's a first-rate option just outside of Calgary.

Value and quality meet in Rise in Riversong, a new townhouse development by Jayman Modus is move-in ready at River Heights Drive, Cochrane.

"The time is now to buy in the Rise because there are only six units remaining out 38 total units. Three weeks ago we had 11," said Hal Pike, sales manager for Rise in Riversong. Units start from $270,000, which include GST. Affordable mortgages are available through Jayman Financial.

"There's still some very good choice whether people need a single or double car garage. And these are all completed units that are great for families or even as an investment. In Calgary, these units would be significantly more and there's huge savings in Canmore with an easy commute to Calgary. It's small town living right next to the big city."

Western heritage is a part of everyday life for residents of Calgary-area ranching communities

While the Calgary Stampede offers Calgarians a mere 10 days each year to indulge in Alberta's ranching and cowboy heritage, that heritage is celebrated every day by residents of communities surrounding the city, including Cochrane, Longview and Turner Valley.

"Cochrane is here because of ranching," said Cochrane town councillor Tara McFadden. Cochrane is named after the man who, in 1881, started the Cochrane Ranche – Alberta's first large-scale livestock operation and a site that remains one of Cochrane's prime attractions.

"Cochrane's ranching history is very important to the Town of Cochrane today. We actively take great pride in keeping it as part of Cochrane's attraction," said McFadden, noting, for example, that the town requires any new building erected within its boundaries to reflect a Western heritage design.

Stable prices in detached sector signal balanced conditions despite increased inventory

The Calgary housing market saw a modest improvement in sales, along with an increase in new listings, in June.

However, demand gains have not kept pace with the amount of new listings coming onto the market. This caused inventory levels to increase to 6,659 units, which is 11 per cent higher than last year's levels.

Despite the shift in inventory this month, second-quarter activity continues to demonstrate improved supply-demand balance and price stability. City-wide benchmark prices totaled $441,500 in June. This is a 0.5-per-cent increase over last month and nearly one per cent higher than last year.