Anyone who has walked into a hardware store lately is aware of the current price of lumber, a situation that is creating issues for the homebuilding and renovation industries in Calgary and across the country.

The art displayed in a home provides personality, creates a welcoming atmosphere and offers a glimpse of your unique style to guests. And while there aren't many unbreakable rules for choosing and arranging art, you still don't want to fling it all over the place with little thought to how those pieces work with each other or the space.

Here are four guiding principles that will have your home looking like an expertly curated gallery in no time.

When the shuttered King Edward School was transformed into cSPACE King Edward, an incubator for artists, non-profits and entrepreneurs, it proved an ambitious example of the economic, environmental and social benefits of preserving, rather than demolishing, Calgary's historic buildings.

More than a year after it began, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spark increased interest in Alberta's recreational property market, as homebuyers seek an escape from congested cities.

Long-term remote work, which has been a reality for many Albertans for the last 12-plus months, has also made people realize that if they can work from anywhere, why not work from a cottage, cabin or waterfront property?

Calgary is one of the most unique cities in Canada when it comes to weather. Throughout the year, we can see temperatures span from -40C to 40C in a matter of months, and chinooks can warm our frostbitten city into a springtime paradise in only a few short days.

Because of this, our homes have to be prepared to withstand the most extreme weather Alberta has to offer. While these temperature fluctuations can cause damage to your home's exterior, they can also affect your home's interior, as there is a direct correlation between the temperature outside and the indoor humidity. The damage your home sustains could lead to unforeseen issues and cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Prior to COVID-19, the economic challenges in our city created an environment of weak resale housing demand. When adjusting sales relative to the population from 2018-19, it was the slowest sales per capita on record. Over this same period, the housing market was struggling with excess supply and declining prices.

Working from home lent convenience to the lives of many Calgarians over the last year, but distraction can take its toll.

Competing for space with pets, children, a spouse or roommates can steal concentration quickly. As a result, backyard offices have become a trendy way to create a healthy boundary between home and work.

With demand for mental health supports skyrocketing in Alberta during the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch of the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery couldn't come at a better time. Proceeds from this year's lottery will go towards enhancing urgent and critical mental health services in the province.

The CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2021 Legacy Grant in support of local housing and shelter initiatives.

Through the investment of local REALTORS^®, $300,000 is available in this year's Legacy Grant for non-profit organizations working to solve complex needs around housing and shelter.