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?

The booming U.S. Sun Belt, a drooping Canadian dollar, and a new speculation tax applied to popular B.C. vacation areas could all benefit Alberta's recreational property market this year.

Four local REALTORS® will be journeying more than 100 kilometres across a stretch of the Sahara Desert in Morocco this November to raise money for abused women.

Industry reports paint positive picture for Alberta recreational property market in 2018

Two major reports on the Canadian recreational property market are forecasting a healthy market across the country and growing demand within the province of Alberta for the rest of 2018.

Royal LePage's annual survey of their recreational property specialists predicts an average price increase of 5.8 per cent for the country as a whole, but varied results in British Columbia and Alberta because of new speculation taxes in B.C.

Calgarians were eager to embrace a little opulence in 2013. As outlined in a report from Sotheby's International Realty Canada, Calgary lead the country in overall sales growth, with property sales over $1 million increasing by 33 per cent compared to the year prior – the biggest increase in Canada.

In total, there were 722 homes over $1 million (condominiums, attached and single family) sold in 2013 in Calgary. Sales over $1 million set records in 10 of the 12 months in 2013, with attached homes sales in the category increasing by 94 per cent year-over-year.

Driven by dropping inventories, a new report shows prices across housing types in Calgary have seen strong growth over the last year.

According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast, detached bungalows increased by 5.9 per cent year-overyear to $457,889, while condos saw an increase of 6.0 per cent to $261,933. The greatest price growth occurred in the standard two-storey home sector, where prices increased 6.7 per cent to $453,789.