Calgary's commercial real estate market could be poised for a rebound in 2018

All eyes will be on Calgary's commercial real estate market this year, with hopes that the downtown office sector, which continued to struggle in 2017, will rebound in 2018.

The office market has grabbed everyone's attention over the past three years, as vacancy rates have soared to historically high levels following the collapse of oil prices and the subsequent waves of layoffs that ravaged employment ranks in downtown Calgary. Thousands of people were cut loose, and a vast amount of office space suddenly became vacant in the downtown core.

Impact of new mortgage rules on Calgary housing market remains uncertain entering 2018

A new Canada-wide stress test for people applying for uninsured mortgages is leading to uncertainty among experts about the possible effects on the Calgary real estate market in 2018.

The federal government's new B-20 guidelines, introduced on Jan. 1, set out a new minimum qualifying rate or "stress test" for mortgages. Borrowers must qualify using the five-year benchmark rate published by the Bank of Canada, or the contractual mortgage rate plus two per cent – whichever is greater.

Calgary's lake communities are great for more than just summer fun

While lakes are thought of as a source of summer-time recreation, they also offer plenty of recreational opportunities during the winter months. Just ask Auburn Bay resident Sonja Hayes-Powers. She, along with her husband and two children, moved to Auburn Bay two years ago.

"We moved here specifically to be in a lake community, because it gives you lots of things to do with your kids, both in winter and summer," said Hayes-Powers. "For example, we'll be going to the lake tonight with some friends to go sledding."

Tips for safe and warm winter cycling

When winter arrives, many Calgarians store their bicycles away until springtime.

But not everyone.

A growing number of people cycle year round, including during their daily commute. And in the winter, that requires some additional preparation.

Tips and tricks for DIY room painting

Before running a paint roller over any wall in your home, Ryan Tantzen, manager at Anilin Decorating Centre, says you should first "figure out your needs for the project."

"Whether you're looking to sell your home, or stay in it, will dictate those needs," he said.

The general rule of thumb? If you're looking to sell a house, it's advisable to use a light colour.

Adversity in condo market to continue in 2018

If you're a condo owner in Calgary, you may be telling yourself that "what goes down must come up," but it's a fine line between thoughtful analysis and wishful thinking.

"The condo-apartment sector is still facing a lot of challenges," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

"While sales improved in 2017, it wasn't enough to keep pace with new listings, so we still had price declines."

How Calgarians banded together to protect nature and create Nose Hill Park

In the early 1970s, the booming city of Calgary was expanding ever outward.

Developers looking for new areas to build communities cast their eyes upward in the northwest to Nose Hill, which dominated the area landscape.

Nose Hill was prime real estate, untouched by residential development, but it was also viewed by some Calgarians as an important remnant of the fast-vanishing prairie grassland ecosystem.