The weather outside may be frightful but with a few simple steps you can be cozily ensconced in your home bedecked with colourful strings of Christmas lights during the long winter evenings.

The last two weeks of November signal Christmas light go-time for both DIY homeowners as well as companies that install lights such as Calgary's Bugaboo Landscaping Ltd.

Thanks to a thriving economy, Alberta is looking to lead the way in year-over-year retail spending in 2012.

According to Colliers International's Fall 2012 Retail Report, Albertans are expected to spend almost $70 billion this year – an 8.91 per cent year-over-year increase over 2011. With the holiday season fast approaching, Albertans are also on target to see the largest year-over-year increase when it comes to Christmas shopping as well with forecasted spending for December at $6.99 billion, an 8.72 per cent year-over-year increase compared to 2011.

Originally individual town sites, the Calgary communities of Bowness and Montgomery today have become two of the city's most established neighbourhoods.

In 1911, when entrepreneur John Hextall registered subdivision plans for the framework of a village along the banks of the Bow River, little did he know that village would become one of Calgary's most beloved communities.

CREB®'s highest honor was recently presented to Nick Profeta of Re/Max Real Estate (Central).

Commonly known as the REALTOR® of the Year award, the T.W.H. (Bill) Saunders MemorialAward is given to those who exemplify high standards of professionalism, show remarkable leadership and dedication and recognizes outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and the community.

Renters who are caught between escalating rates and declining inventory are turning to home ownership as a better alternative.

Amy Gregson found the rental market too tight, and decided when she graduated from university in 2009 to buy a home along with her boyfriend Brian Ball.

"We would rather put our money towards something we own than towards something someone else owns," said Gregson, who lived at home after graduating to save money to put towards a home. The couple recently purchased a newly built home in New Brighton.