Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 continued to weigh on economic activity in the first quarter. Despite some changes in restrictions throughout the quarter, Alberta largely maintained strict gathering, travel and business occupancy restrictions.

Thanks to growth across all districts in the city, sales activity for semi-detached homes reached record levels in the first quarter. Less choice in the lower-priced detached market has likely caused many to turn to the semi-detached sector.

Thanks to a recent bump in new listings, Okotoks sales activity in the first quarter rose to the best levels recorded in over a decade.

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.

The third and final phase of public engagement for the Calgary Metro Region Board's (CMRB) growth plan launched late last week.

The growth plan will determine how the CMRB's 10 member municipalities and counties will work together to plan for their next million residents, including considerations of transportation, water management, land use, services and recreation.

It's time for spring cleaning, and while the excitement surrounding the Marie Kondo Method has died down somewhat since its peak, decluttering never goes out of style.

However, if you're ready to part with some of your stuff, don't just throw it in the trash. There are countless charitable organizations across the Calgary area that accept all manner of gently used household goods, from clothing and books to electronics and furniture.

Year of Construction: 1912

Address: 802 Prospect Ave. S.W.

Community: Upper Mount Royal

Architectural Style: Georgian Revival

Oddly enough, the most famous owner of this stately brick home in Calgary's upscale Mount Royal neighbourhood never actually lived there. As the house's modern moniker suggests, that owner was R. B. Bennett, Canada's 11^th prime minister and a man who, despite growing up in New Brunswick and spending his final years in England, is indelibly linked with Calgary's history.