You only get one chance to make a great first impression, so why waste an opportunity to get a leg up on other sellers?

Whether it's for better listing photos or to impress during showings, improving your home's curb appeal doesn't have to be expensive. Here are five cheap ways to boost your home's curb appeal:

Curating the perfect home is no easy feat, especially if you are doing it without any professional help.

For all the design DIYers out there in need of a little direction, we reached out to a couple Calgary designers for their foolproof colour palettes, design schemes and decorative themes that are sure to sizzle in any space. The best part is that anyone can pull these looks together – no experience necessary.

Inside the home, lighting does so much more than help you see. The right lighting can improve your mood, create the perfect atmosphere and highlight all the features of your home that you love the most.

If your current configuration is coming up short, here are four foolproof tips for taking your home's lighting to the next level:

Despite the gradual reopening of businesses and other public spaces as part of Alberta's relaunch strategy, COVID-19 still loom large in our daily lives several months into the pandemic. As a result, the humble backyard might be where many Calgarians spend much of their time outdoors this summer – whether they're seeking sanctuary or a place for small, physically distanced gatherings with friends and family.

So, there's no time like the present to make the most of that space. Here are six easy ways to spruce up your yard and create the outdoor oasis you've always wanted.

Bathrooms have obvious practical uses, but for many people, they are also a place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

This need for both style and function is why a complete bathroom remodel is a popular renovation, especially for ensuite baths.

To the uninitiated, a "sun tunnel" might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie. However, for many present-day homeowners, this special type of skylight is proving to be the perfect fit.

Staging your home for a successful sale

While many people are likely reluctant to spend extra money on their home right before they sell, the act of staging a house for sale is important when it comes to drawing in potential buyers. Staging can make a home look far more desirable and appealing, which can often be the difference between no offers and a done deal.

Here are some of the best staging tips to ensure your home puts its best face forward for potential buyers:

Why some Calgarians are choosing to stay put 

Our homes are our hearts. They are where we live, where we love, where we raise our families and where we make memories.

And as with all aspects of life, the heart wants what it wants. In many cases, this means a change.

However, instead of packing up our lives in boxes and moving to a new space, many Calgarians are opting to stay put and renovate instead, says Susan Rust of Susan Rust Interior Design.
Emotionally, many homeowners feel connected and sentimental to their existing home.

"They may have great friends and neighbours in the area and feel connected to the neighbourhood," said Rust.

Increased energy efficiency can increase your home's resale

Whether it is through appliances, heating or cooling, homes use a lot of energy.

In Canada, space heating accounts for more than 60 per cent of residential energy use and makes up a good proportion of a home's overall energy bill.

While the environmental reasons for reducing the energy use of a home are many, there are also financial reasons to add a little green to your home. 

Taking high-tech outside the home

* Home is Where the Tech Is: With new technology designed to make the lives of homeowners easier arriving every day. CREBNow explores some of the tech trends designed to help get the best out of your home.

When most homeowners think technology, their thoughts likely turn toward those gadgets designed to add entertainment, safety or convenience to the home.

However, technological advances designed to improve the lives of homeowners need not be cooped up indoors.
Although not as flashy as a new 4K curved screen television, the high-tech contraptions being made for use outdoors can still provide plenty of purpose.