As economic challenges linger into 2019, housing markets remain on a sluggish pace.

January sales totalled 804 units, 16 per cent below last year and 21 per cent below long-term averages for the month.

Calgarians currently enjoy homes in thoughtfully crafted communities that blend landscape and lifestyle thanks to developers who see the beauty in building around the city. It takes vision, extensive planning and collaboration, but it's worth the wait.

Known for his quirky sense of humour and dapper style, real estate guru and co-host of HGTV Canada's Love It or List It Vancouver Todd Talbot will be hitting the Main Stage at the Calgary Home + Garden Show this weekend to dish out a dollop of valuable real estate know how.

As the name suggests, when people downsize their home, they usually find themselves dealing with less square footage.

That's where multipurpose furniture can help, such as a storage ottoman with a seat that flips over to become a side table, or an entryway bench to use while putting on shoes, with shelves underneath for footwear and a built-in rack above for hanging winter jackets.

In real estate, the one buzzword I hear all the time is "amenities."

Whether it's a new high-rise condo development in the inner city or a new community in the distant suburbs, the salespeople for the project will inevitably talk about amenities and their proximity to new homes.

Despite market setbacks and price drops in nearby Calgary, the Okotoks housing market managed to emerge relatively unscathed from 2018.

Okotoks REALTOR® Alison Marshall says there is still strong demand for the amenities and small-town charm inherent to the Okotoks lifestyle.

To make his latest listing stand out from the crowd, Calgary REALTOR® Paul Ackerman searched far and wide for an innovative approach to the usual open house.

"I'm always trying to come up with something that's a little bit different," said Ackerman, who will be hosting a "living, breathing" open house at his Killarney listing, featuring actors in the role of everyday homeowners.

New city zoning, reduced permit fees and a still-faltering economy have increased the attractiveness of adding a secondary suite for Calgary homeowners.

Steve Francis, owner of Aspire Renovations, has done about six or seven secondary suites each year for almost a decade, but throughout last year and this January, that part of his business has been busier than ever.

Homes with secondary suites have been a hot topic in Calgary for years, but their appeal for homebuyers looking to generate extra revenue is only growing amid adverse economic conditions.