The federal government is hailing its First-Time Buyer Incentive program as a golden opportunity for thousands of potential homebuyers across the country who are hoping to purchase their first property.

You've always headed west for summer vacation because it doesn't get better than lazy days spent on the water. But what if you could get all the perks of a lake vacation, including that laid-back cottage lifestyle, without leaving your neighbourhood?

The Calgary region's two newest lake communities – Harmony in Springbank and southeast Calgary's Mahogany – are both four-season, amenity-rich neighbourhoods built around water.

A pretty hamlet to the south of Calgary, Heritage Pointe offers the beauty and serenity of country living just minutes from the action of the big city.

When it comes to landscaping and outdoor living, Calgarians have a lot of options to choose from, both in terms of features and the latest products. CREB®Now talked to two leading Calgary companies to find out a few of the hottest trends in luxury landscaping.

Marda Loop – the popular business district that unites the inner-city neighbourhoods of Altadore and South Calgary – has become a go-to address for new condo development, including two recently launched projects that are now under construction.

The stacked-townhome-style Marlo and apartment-style Mantra are two of the newest developments banking on the charms of an area awash in walkable amenities, from restaurants, pubs and grocery stores to more than 100 upscale boutiques.

Sales growth in May was met with a decline in new listings. This combination eased the pressure on inventory levels, which finished the month at 7,467 units, a decline of 12 per cent compared to last year.

With housing affordability continuing to be a major concern these days, particularly due to the mortgage stress test, you would think that the lower-priced options in the condo segment would benefit. However, that has not been the case in the Calgary resale housing market, where sales numbers and prices continue to suffer.

The reason for this is simple – an oversupply of properties for sale.

Taradale (N.E.)
This northeast neighbourhood shares bountiful amenities, from schools to recreational centres, with its neighbouring communities of Saddle Ridge to the north and Martindale to the west. The three communities seamlessly flow into one another, with no sharp boundaries. The Genesis Centre acts as a hub for all three communities, with sport and wellness offerings for the entire family.

Ongoing weakness in Alberta's housing market "can be explained by adjustment over the past five years to continuing challenges in the energy sector," said Carolyn Wilkins, senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, during a recent speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

Avi Urban, the multi-family arm of award-winning builder Homes by Avi, has recently launched two innovative projects in Calgary's new northern community of Livingston.