CREB® forecasts a process of recovery for the remainder of 2017

The first-half of 2017 marked a shift in Alberta's economy from recession to recovery, with conditions supporting stability rather than expansion.

"Economic challenges continue to exist, as high unemployment rates, weak migration levels and more stringent lending conditions are weighing on the housing market," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

"This will continue to cause some adjustments in the housing market for the remainder of this year. However, this is not expected to offset earlier gains supporting general stability in 2017."

Today's retirement communities are designed to keep up with a new generation of active, engaged seniors

Dorothy Baker, 92, is perched on the edge of a chair in an elegant sitting room in Lake Bonavista Village Retirement Residence, her neon-pink toenails poking out from a pair of white sandals. A resident of Lake Bonavista Village for the past eight years, Baker exemplifies the modern senior: someone who is active, engaged and often busier than those folks still working the nine-to-five grind. She's the treasurer of Lake Bonavista Village's knitting club, she organizes bridge games for residents, and she serves as one of the village's welcome hostesses for newcomers to its population of more than 200 residents.

Residents of Calgary's dynamic campus communities benefit from youthful energy and added amenities

Bob Benson fondly recalls many a Bermuda Shorts Day – the University of Calgary's annual end-of-academic-year celebration – at the Benson home in the northwest community of Varsity.

"We'd host a Bermuda Shorts Day breakfast with ham and pancakes. Kids would congregate at our place at 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. and then head over to the university," said Benson, adding he and his wife moved to Varsity in 1988 with the hope that the community's proximity to the university would make it easier for his four children to attend. Apparently, it worked – three of Benson's children studied there.

Varsity is one of several Calgary communities that borders a post-secondary institution. That proximity comes with all the pros, and the occasional con, of living near a large body of students.

Popularity of condo living among seniors is on the rise

When it comes to choosing a home later in life, age often brings thoughtful consideration of what really matters. More and more in Calgary, that wisdom is leading seniors to choose condominiums as the place to live out their golden years.

"Five years ago, when we tracked inner-city demographics, you saw maybe 1-2 per cent of seniors purchasing condos," said Oliver Trutina, vice-president of Calgary-based builder Truman.

"Today, that number is around 20 per cent. Since this is often their third or fourth home purchase, they know what they want and are asking for it."

Joshua Smith achieved his ideal downtown lifestyle at the right price point with a new Beltline condo

Joshua Smith, a 31-year-old communications adviser, was living in the northeast community of Taradale with his brother, commuting close to two hours a day to his job in the downtown core and back. His goal was to save some money and purchase a condo in the inner city. He yearned for the downtown lifestyle, where he could be close to coffee shops, restaurants and workout facilities. He wanted to be able to walk to work, and to meet friends for dinner or drinks without having to worry about a lengthy drive or an expensive cab fare. He also required a home with a great view, and it had to be affordable.

Community gardens bring neighbourhood residents together

When Lynn MacCallum helped out with the Cliff Bungalow Community Garden during its construction in 2014, it was with a view towards having some garden space of her own.

"We are in a condo, and like many people in the neighbourhood, we didn't have access to growing food in our own gardens," said MacCallum. "I think a lot of people in the garden live in an apartment, so other than growing a couple of herbs in a pot on a balcony, there wasn't much opportunity.

"Growing food was foremost, but what has happened is this community that has been created, which is pretty awesome."

New schools in the works across Calgary

For many homebuyers, especially young families, nearby schools are a major factor when it comes to choosing a house and neighbourhood. While Calgary is full of older, established schools, there are also a number of new schools that have recently opened or are slated to open in the near future – many of them in Calgary's newest communities. Here are the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District's new school projects.

Choosing the home audio system that's right for you

Great sound is a key part of any decent home entertainment setup, and these days it's pretty easy to find various systems that will give you fuller range and more volume than your TV's speakers or your phone's headset.

But if you're looking to kick it up a few notches and go for higher-quality audio, there are some important points to consider.

First and most importantly, is your top priority music or home theatre? You might think, "Hey, sound is sound, right?" But the sonic demands of music and movies are quite different.

Challenges continue for Calgary's rental market

"Very cautious optimism" is how Gerry Baxter, executive director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association, describes the industry's view of Calgary's current rental landscape.

While Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) pegged Calgary's rental vacancy rate at seven per cent last fall – the highest it's been in more than 25 years – Baxter says he thinks residential vacancies in the city are actually closer to the eight-to-10-per-cent range.

"There's been some slight improvement in the rental market over the last few weeks, but it's still a challenge to rent," said Baxter, attributing the slack rental market to the economic downturn that started in late 2014 and early 2015.

It's the latest real estate trend and it's catching on quickly in Alberta – selling luxury properties on the auction block.

Although selling real estate through an auction process might seem like a new idea here in North America, Murray Lange, Alberta and British Columbia business development officer for New York-based Concierge Auctions, says the practice has actually been around for a long time.