There aren't many large cities in the world where you can step out your front door and walk a couple minutes to one of the best trout fishing rivers in the world. Here in Calgary, however, the words "any luck?" are heard frequently on the banks of the Bow River and, to a lesser extent, the Elbow.

Are you a prospective homebuyer? Onto your second or "forever" home? Whatever your situation, preparing for homeownership requires you to arrange your finances so you can put your best foot forward dealing with your mortgage, taxes and home maintenance.

Before you start the process of looking for a home, consider the following:

When custom-home designer Kathy Yuen purchased her first home 13 years ago, she quickly realized it wasn't the perfect fit.

"I think your first home really teaches you what you like and what you don't like," she said.

When Todd Hirsch went looking for his first home in 1994, he remembers telling his REALTOR® he wanted something that was new or recently updated.

As a husband, father and president of the Kerby Centre, Zane Novak has some big milestones under his belt, but his first home purchase still ranks as one the most notable experiences to date.

Living by the water has always been equated with exclusivity.

Duplexes, townhomes, and other attached homes are popular in neighbourhoods throughout Calgary, but demand for high-end attached homes is highest in the inner city.

The appeal of these homes, which are often priced around the $1-million mark, is not only premier finishings, but also the established and amenity-rich communities where they are located.

The health of Calgary's commercial real estate market is often defined by what's happening with the city's downtown office space, but it doesn't tell the whole story.