Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta's Silvercreek Legacy build is now underway in the northwest Calgary community of Silver Springs. Work started on the affordable housing project at the end of November, and since then water and sewer have gone in, with the foundation set to be poured at the end of January.

Reservoir-community residents feel nurtured by nature

For most homeowners, the idea of stepping outside and being immersed in nature with peaceful walking trails, busy beavers and stunning sunsets is the stuff of dreams. For residents of communities around the Glenmore Reservoir, however, it's just another day in paradise.

Perched on the Elbow River, the Glenmore Reservoir and Dam were constructed in 1933 to provide Calgarians a safe and sufficient supply of drinking water. While they certainly do that, they offer so much more.

"The reservoir has given residents a special connection to the environment," said Geoffrey Vanderburg, president of the Lakeview Community Association.

When temperatures drop and snow flies, Calgarians need not stay indoors or head out of town to stay active.

When the Alberta economy was firing on all cylinders, Albertans were known throughout the country as the one demographic that was sustaining the recreational residential property market in Canada.

Renovation expert and HGTV superstar Bryan Baeumler has fond memories of his first home, a small, 50-year-old bungalow that he purchased and renovated with his wife, Sarah, who is an interior designer.

Renovations are often a serious consideration for homeowners planning to sell.

Nick Lima, a Calgary REALTOR® who specializes in marketing renovated homes and those in need of renovations, says reaching out to the right experienced professional should be the first step.

Dear Santa,

It's been an interesting year in Calgary real estate.

On the residential side, sales activity is struggling, as the city continues to recover from recession years in 2015 and 2016. In the downtown core, there's still an office vacancy rate of about 25 per cent.

I'm thinking of those dynamics as I ponder my Christmas wish list. Of course, I would like a nice bottle of scotch, concert tickets, more paid writing gigs or perhaps a trip somewhere. But as a journalist who tends to focus much of my writing on the world of real estate, I have some special requests.