Long-time Chestermere REALTOR® Marjorie McKay can't say enough about living in the small, friendly city on Calgary's eastern edge. "What a lifestyle," she said. "It's like resort living."

A rapidly increasing number of people are discovering Chestermere's allure. When McKay moved to the community 27 years ago, the population barely topped 900. Today, it sits around 20,700, with growth of just under two per cent last year.

How building a garage can dramatically increase your home value

Driving has always been a way of life for Calgarians, and given the ubiquity of cars in in the city, garages are a must for almost every home.

Whether looking to build a home for the first time or renovating an old one, detached or attached garages are the options most builders choose. However, special builds also exist and can even include underground parking or tunnels, at costs upwards of $35,000 for a triple-detached unit.

Calgary real estate mogul Bob Dhillon has built a successful business across Western Canada with Mainstreet Equity Corp., which owns and manages thousands of rental properties.

His business has its roots on the residential side of real estate, and it all started when he bought his first home in Calgary, fixed it up and sold it for a profit.

How to take pieces of your garden with you when you move

If you want to move your entire garden when you sell your home, think again. First, it's illegal, and second, plants ripped out randomly in summer wilt and die unless pampered.

But what if you have a sentimental piece of grandma's peony, a special perennial plant or a friend's perfect poppy? Taking bits and pieces of your garden with you without changing the look of the yard is possible with these tips:

Calgary's most walk- and transit-friendly communities

While Calgary is still viewed by many as a car-centric city, there are many other ways for Calgarians to get around – whether you choose to walk, bike or take transit. Just ask the residents of the following communities, the proud recipients of some of the city's highest walk and transit scores from www.walkscore.com.

Courtyard homes in Cornerstone offer buyers their own private oasis

For those homebuyers seeking privacy when it comes to their outdoor living spaces, Jayman BUILT's Courtyard homes in the northeast community of Cornerstone offer just that. What makes these homes unique is their rear-facing, double-attached garages, and yards at the side of the home.

"When you have a backyard, you often lose your privacy," said Nishi Saraswat, area sales manager for Jayman BUILT, describing the Courtyard's side yards as "verandas" between dwellings that allow residents to garden, entertain and play with increased privacy.

An etiquette refresher for Calgarians on the move

Calgarians enjoy the largest urban pathway network in the country. Over 800 kilometres of pathways and 95 kilometres of trails throughout the city connect communities for a variety of users. As we approach the middle of another beautiful summer, it's a great time to review pathway etiquette for walkers, joggers, in-line skaters, pet owners and cyclists.

Six tips for a stress-free moving day

As exciting as it is to buy a home, it also brings with it the reality of moving day, and the hassles that come along with that process.

To take the guess work out of the big move, we talked to the experts to get their tips for planning a stress-free move: Barry Byman, sales manager and partner with AMJ Campbell International in Calgary, and Vince Kirton, regional manager with Sentinel Storage.

Newport in Canal's Landing offers affordable townhomes in Airdrie's premiere water-focused community

If you've been searching for a beautiful and affordable townhome in the heart of an established community, look no further than the picturesque community of Canal's Landing in Airdrie. On June 23, Genesis Builders Group is hosting a grand opening for Newport, its latest offering in the community.

"Newport is really a community within a community, and is perfect for millennials, professionals or downsizers," said Kelsey Orvis, marketing co-ordinator at Genesis Builders Group. "It's really designed for anyone who wants to spend more time enjoying life, rather than shovelling snow and cutting grass."