Screamfest
One of the more fright-inducing events around the city, Screamfest lets visitors experience haunted houses, Halloween-themed games, creepy and disturbing entertainment and flat-out fear. The event is rated PG-13 and takes place at the Grandstand Building at Stampede Park. Visit www.screamfest.ca for more information.

Calgary Ghost Tours
With tours showcasing local ghost stories and tales from some of the city's most historic neighbourhoods, locals and visitors alike will get a glimpse into the mischief, mayhem and even murders of Calgary's storied past. Inglewood Ghost Walk (Oct. 24; Oct. 30) takes visitors through "Calgary's most haunted neighbourhood," while the Oct. 23 tour will showcase the city's downtown ghouls. Visit www.calgaryghosttours.com for more information.

Scaring others a family tradition for Calgary household

For most of the year, Calgarians go to great lengths to boost their homes' curb appeal. After all, removing unwanted trash and old rubbish to make a home welcoming is part of what makes a neighbourhood great.

Yet around this time of the year, these same people will do their best to make their homes as unwelcoming as possible – when those old garbage bags, stained sheets and broken furniture become valued commodities.

Welcome to Halloween in Calgary.

Now in its fourth year, Doors Open YYC now bigger than ever

Awarded to notable residents, a key to the city used to be the symbol of a welcoming metropolis. As it turns out, things haven't changed that much.

Literally a way to throw open its doors to residents both notable and ordinary, the Doors Open YYC event Sept. 26 – 27 is part of an international event that provides people free access to buildings to create enthusiasm for heritage and contemporary architecture.

"Really, the whole point is to allow people access to buildings they wouldn't normally get to see," said organizing committee member Alyssa Berry.

Calgary inventory levels ease

Despite the 18 per cent year-over-year decline in June home sales, for a total of 2,183 units, transaction levels remain only five per cent below the 10 year average for June and three per cent above levels over the past five years.

"We've seen less concern from consumers lately," said CREB® president Corinne Lyall. "One of the main reasons is that we haven't seen the worst case scenarios play out in the energy and housing sectors.

"Consumers who were waiting for wide-spread price declines have been surprised to see that it just hasn't happened yet, and so they've decided to take advantage of the improved selection and lower lending rates.

A look at Calgary's development and off-site levies

Hopping in the shower or flushing the toilet is going to take its toll on Calgarians' wallets in coming years.

Calgary's current model for development levies is set to recover 50 per cent of the cost of water drained from your tap or toilet. Storm water is 100 per cent covered by developers.

Yet that's not sustainable for utilities coming to the city down the line – in the form of a $14-million shortfall for new water and sewage infrastructure this year.

Calgary's fledgling communities have plenty to offer

Calgary's growing list of new communities is providing a haven for buyers looking for a little bit of everything.

According to last year's civic census, nine of the city's fastest-growing communities are located in new areas, led by Saddleridge in the northeast, which saw 2,373 residents move within its borders in 2014.

It was followed by Auburn Bay (2,242), Cranston (1,858), Skyview Ranch (1,759), Evanston (1,704) and Panorama Hills (1,384).

Five reasons to buy rentals in the city

It appears as though Calgary real estate will continue to be a great  investment for investors looking to become landlords.

This week the Alberta government quelled fears of impending rent controls, signaling the market will continue to support investment real estate as a method of wealth accumulation.

New report shows energy uncertainty creating options for buyers

For Calgarians looking for a new home, the financial cloud hovering over the province's oil patch may have a silver lining.

According to RBC's latest Housing Trends and Affordability Report, homes in the city became more affordable during the first quarter of 2015.

The bank's index, which measures the percentage of household income required to service the price of owning a home, showed costs in Calgary fell across all housing types in 2015.

Market sees rise in vacancies, rents

Calgarians looking to find rental housing have been treated to more selection in recent months.

According to a report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Calgary's vacancy rate in April stood at 3.2 per cent. The number is more than double the rate seen last April, when CMHC reported Calgary vacancies at just 1.2 per cent.
Across Alberta's urban centres, the rental apartment vacancy rate was 3.4 per cent in April 2015 compared to 1.8 per cent in April 2014, according to the report.

Calgarians and tourists will be able to cycle to Stephen Avenue Mall for lunch after a recommendation imposing time restrictions was struck down.

In council today, Coun. Sean Chu made a recommendation that "Council direct the traffic engineer to exercise his authority to not allow bicycle riding on the Stephen Avenue Mall between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays.

Coun. Druh Farrell argued there are already restrictions in place during Stampede week adding, "We're talking about a pilot here, let's try it out."