Many homebuyers desire the uniqueness of a vintage house. However, while they dream about living in their little piece of history, they need to keep their eyes wide open to the challenges these homes often present.

With no change in the economic climate, Calgary's sales activity totalled 1,272 units in September, a 13 per cent decline over the previous year and well below long-term averages. There was a pullback in sales across all product types, most notably the detached market.

For some, having too many options can be overwhelming. But for homebuyers who revel in choice and opportunities for customization, the pre-construction condo might be the ideal fit.

CREB®Now reader Norman asks...
Q: How does the system of purchasing a foreclosure work? From the moment of saying "I want to purchase the house" to it ending with the judge saying it's yours. From single purchasers to multiple "bidders," how long on average does it take?

Joe Howlett, RE/MAX Real Estate Mountain View
A: Foreclosure is a legal process in which a lender attempts to recover the balance of a loan from a borrower who stopped making payments by forcing the sale of an asset used as collateral for the loan.

Brokerage: MaxWell Canyon Creek

In the fall of 2016, a fellow named Athar Alvi came into my office in Bragg Creek. He said that he had recently been let go from his job in Fort McMurray and decided to use his severance package to fund a dream he has always had – to be a movie director and producer. He had written a script and hired a professional cameraperson and a couple of professional actors. He had started filming and was looking for a location to shoot a certain scene. He asked if I knew of a place in the Bragg Creek area that would work. I told him "Yes, I do. Let me make a call." The call was successful, introductions were made, and everything worked out.

Calgary's Red Mile is about to be transformed into the city's "cool street" in developer Frank Lonardelli's already unfolding vision.

Mortgage broker Chris Richards and his wife added a secondary suite to their home when their adult children moved out.

His intent was not only to make use of the extra space, but also to follow the advice he gives, particularly to first-time homebuyers, that secondary suites can expand both income and buying power.

As the days grow shorter and we settle back into our fall routines, our whole summer flashes before our eyes. It's now September and it is too late to get summer back, but who wants to call it quits in the garden when we can reimagine summer growing into fall?

Here are some tips to get your gardening game back.

The Annex
Developer: Minto Communities
Community: Sunnyside
Price: One- and two-bedroom condos starting from $249,990 plus GST
Sales/Presentation Centre: 306 10 Street N.W.
Website: https://www.minto.com/calgary/new-condos/Annex/main.html
Description: The Annex offers exceptional urban living in the heart of one of Calgary's best neighbourhoods. Whether meeting a friend for coffee, grabbing a meal at one of Kensington's 28 restaurants, shopping for the latest style trends or checking off your to-do list with ease, everything you need is within steps of your front door.