With the completion of the SAM Awards March 29, Morrison Homes emerged as Builder of the Year for 2013.

For the last 27 years, the awards — an event of the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) — have celebrated Calgary and area's construction industry with this year's event seeing a record 776 submissions from various members.

Condominiums are a hot commodity here in Calgary.

"I chose to buy a condo over a traditional house, because I like the idea of not having to mow the lawn or worry about shovelling the snow," said Calgary resident Sarah Gage. "I like the simplicity of living in a condo. There is no work I have to do which is perfect for my busy schedule, and because it is just me that lives in the condo, I didn't need a lot of space."

There's a new fire station in town. Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Calgary Fire Department Chief Bruce Burrell and Associate Minister of Public Safety Rick Fraser were just a few of the names on hand for the opening of the Seton Emergency Response Station March 26.

"This fire hall in this neighbourhood is a terrific example of our commitment as a city council and as a community to make sure that every Calgarian has a safe community and how we need to plan for the future," Nenshi said to the gathered crowd of more than 100 residents.

With an increase in Calgary's single-family market sales, a decline in new listings has brought inventory numbers to their lowest level for the month of March since 2006.

Single-family sales at the end of the first quarter of this year totalled 3,901 units, a 9.5 per cent increase over the same period last year while new listings declined by nearly five per cent. As sales growth outpaced the amount of new listings growth in the market, inventory levels dropped to just over 2,000 units.

It's spring.
Well maybe it doesn't feel like spring yet in Calgary, but at least we can prepare for when it does actually arrive. As soon as the weather turns for the better you will want to be outside. I'm going to give you a few tips that will allow you to take advantage of the next few weeks of cool weather with a complete closet overhaul.

Calgary, April 1, 2014 – Residential sales activity improved across all sectors in March. However, declining new listings in the single family sector combined with further gains in sales activity decreased single family inventory to the lowest March level since 2006.

"There are several factors contributing to the growth in housing demand, including the inflow of people to our province over the past two years, strong gains in employment and tight rental conditions," says CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

The 27th annual SAM Awards will be presented this month by Canadian Home Builders' Association – Calgary Region. Celebrating innovation and excellence in the Calgary and area's residential construction industry, the full list of finalists for the 2013 SAM Awards have been announced.

The SAM Awards Gala takes place on March 29th at the Telus Convention Centre, where the top five entries in each category will be featured.