Major condo developer is making big investments in the Calgary and Edmonton markets

This year, Brad Lamb will finish one condo project and start construction on another, while purchasing two other substantial parcels of land in Calgary's downtown core.

To say the Toronto developer, president of Lamb Development Corp., is confident in the city – and Alberta's real estate future – may be an understatement.

Lamb has been a fixture in the real estate industry for 30 years. His company has more than 20 projects, worth an estimated $2 billion, in various stages of development in five cities – Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton.

New homebuyers modify Baywest blueprint with the stroke of a pen

When CREB®Now caught up with Maria Rocha Gil and Javier Gonzalez, they were in the process of doing a final walk-through on their new home. They chose a 2,600 square foot, two-storey home by Baywest Homes in Silverado's Dressage, a southwest community adjacent to Spruce Meadows.

The home is situated beside a landscaped park with flower gardens across from Silverado's new elementary school. The couple, who are in their mid-30s, are expecting their first child in July and are excited to move in and get organized before their bundle of joy arrives.

Living close to family and friends makes all the difference for Calgary couple

Mariam Usman and Usman Noman are living the Canadian dream. Usman immigrated to Calgary from Pakistan with his parents and siblings ten years ago when he was in his early twenties. Now in his early thirties, he's worked hard, saved money and married Mariam, who is also from Pakistan. The couple has three children, a boy and two girls, aged three, five and seven. Looking for more space for their young family, the couple recently purchased a new four-bedroom home. Located in Genstar's Savanna, the new home was built by Excel Homes.

Major infrastructure and landscaping changes pave the way for Currie development

A new, major interchange is in full operation, with infrastructure built and the next stage of the massive Currie mixed-use development ready for launch.

"Last year we were focused on infrastructure. We started and completed the Flanders Avenue interchange," said Chris Elkey, senior director, real estate, Canada Lands Company (CLC), which is overseeing the project. "So that opened last fall. We had a big community event and it was a big success. It's operating. We're going to do the landscaping on it this year but for all intents and purposes it's opening and operating as it was designed to do."

"Hey guess what Anne? I grew some cat grass for Roscoe!"

I was calling my friend ahead of my flight to Calgary and was just so excited. In just five days the cat grass seeds I'd planted had sprouted in their little four-inch pot and were now ready to eat. It was a special treat I was hoping my friend's cat would enjoy.

First-time home buyer finds her new abode by following her instincts

Danielle Burtoway has always had her sights set on buying a home, rather than renting one.

"I want to be smart about it," said the 24-year-old, who currently lives with her parents. After looking for the past several months, Burtoway has taken the proverbial plunge – she's buying a unit in Copperfield Park III.

While Burtoway admits that price was a definite consideration, she didn't commence her property search with a specific list of criteria.

Calgary couple renovates instead of moving and loves the result

Fifteen years ago, Glen and Janet Belbeck moved into their brand new spec home in McKenzie Towne's Inverness area. Back then, the community sat at the extreme end of the city, with coyotes, deer and rabbits frolicking in the fields nearby.

More than a dozen years later, the couple, with two kids grown up and moved out, decided to purchase a McKenzie Lake home with their dream view of the mountains, overlooking the Bow River.

But when the economy went sideways, and their Inverness home's outdated country kitchen failed to impress buyers who had showhomes to choose from in newer neighbourhoods, the Belbecks decided to stay put and invest in a large-scale renovation.

New homes in West Calgary are expected to have strong consumer appeal

Aleem Dhanani knows the land development industry, particularly on the west side of Calgary, where Bri-mor Developments has been working for the past decade.

But he also knows the value of forming strategic partnerships. As managing director of the family-owned 25-year-old Bri-mor Developments, Dhanani wasted little time in recruiting Albi Luxury by Brookfield Residential, Cedarglen Homes, and Streetside Developments as builder partners in Bri-mor's latest residential development, which is reshaping the west-side community of West Springs.

New mobile-friendly Home Buyer's Guide helps educate and protect Alberta consumers

A new resource from the Real Estate Council of Alberta provides a step-by-step guide to anyone thinking of buying a home in Alberta.

The Home Buyer's Guide, located online at www.homebuyersguidealberta.ca, gives Albertans a perspective unique to the province. Featuring a wealth of information and advice, it provides helpful tips on everything from determining if you can afford to buy, to finding a real estate professional, to what to expect on possession day.