My friend Liz had a yellow house once, but as a gardener and a homeowner, she won't live in another yellow house ever again.

Believe it or not, winter is coming. Ensuring that your home's cold-weather systems are running efficiently will save you both money and major headaches in the long run. Work your way through this fall home maintenance checklist and you can rest easy knowing that your home and yard are ready for winter:

Whether you own a home or you're looking to buy, the kitchen is the lifeblood of the house. Not only do we cook, prepare food and eat in our kitchens, but we also spend quality time in them. Ever notice where the group congregates at a party or where people go first when they enter the house?

Preparing your house for sale can be a daunting and overwhelming task, whether you have lived in your home a few years or many. The longer you've lived in your home, the more things you will have acquired.

It's necessary to take a step back and recognize that this is no longer your home, but rather an investment for your future. You want your home to have broad buyer appeal among members of your target market. Remember, most people want to move into their new home without having to make updates to it.

Here are 10 home-staging tips to save you time, money and energy:

Getting a mortgage is a straightforward process for many people. However, there are certain buyers whose specific circumstances require a specialized mortgage product.

Kristi Hyson, mortgage associate with Axiom Mortgage Solutions, says some brokers primarily do basic mortgages, so if your needs "don't fit in that box" they might not have a ready solution.

Just steps away from the action and amenities on 17th Avenue S.W., the sister communities of Upper and Lower Mount Royal epitomize the best of the age-old adage: location, location, location.

For most people, the purchase of a new home is the largest expenditure they'll ever make. Whether you're spending $200,000 or $600,000, there's little margin for error, which means finalizing your purchase and mortgage documents is no time to cut corners.

A real estate lawyer can help reduce stress for buyers by ensuring all necessary documentation, payments and fee disbursements are in place.

Calgary's new $550-million arena will be a catalyst for future private investment in East Victoria Park as part of the massive Rivers District master plan, according to the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC).

That master plan, which underwent intensive community engagement, envisions four million square feet of mixed-use development and more than 8,000 new residents within 500 acres on the east side of Calgary's downtown.

The new face of "senior living" is barely recognizable compared to the old one.

That evolution means community integration instead of isolation; health, wellness and amenity/meal options for a growing group of active residents; and aging in place with staged support for those with dementia and their caregivers.