While Albertans were shopping up a storm for the month of November, ATB economist Todd Hirsch said they might not so willingly dole out the cash for shopping in 2013.

"With warnings of lower oil prices and worries of lower provincial government spending in the coming budget, there may be a few anxious moments in store for some Albertans," said Hirsch adding those factors could pull back the reins of retail enthusiasm in the province for the coming months.

Brought about by shifting market conditions, the face of the average Canadian homebuyer is also undergoing substantial changes.

As revealed in a national survey from RE/MAX, almost one in five prospective buyers in Alberta is single, with the number of young buyers – those aged 18 to 34 – the highest amongst all the provinces at 40 per cent.

Calgary's commercial market is flying high and spreading its wings. Once thought of as a bastion for homebuyers, the allure of the suburbs is beginning to wear off on commercial clients.

According to CBRE, the cost of renting prime office space in Calgary's suburban market rose 16.3 per cent over the last year, placing the market amongst the top 10 risers in the world.

With some national media forecasting doom and gloom for much of Canada's real estate market, CREB®'s 2013 Tradeshow and Forecast provided further proof of Calgary's exceptional status.

In a Maclean's article entitled Crash and Burn, substantial downturns in several major real estate markets across the country were shown as evidence that debt-heavy Canadians had "spooked" themselves into a housing crash.

With reports predicting doom and gloom for much of the Canadian housing market, Calgary continues to chug along, and should continue to be one of the country's top performers in 2013.

According to BMO's first housing panel of the year, the word is Calgary will continue to buck national trends while the rest of Canada will experience a "soft landing" after a decade long boom.

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta is looking for up to 25 families interested in partnering with the organization to own a Habitat for Humanity home of their own.

Habitat for Humanity's homeownership model empowers families to invest in homeownership. Through volunteer labour (or sweat equity), and donations of materials and funds, Habitat Southern Alberta builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner (partner) families. In 2012, 16 local families partnered with Habitat for new homes.