Inn from the Cold reports consistent number of bed stays to 2015

A haven of hope – that's how many guests at Inn from the Cold describe Alberta's only barrier-free shelter exclusively for families, which continues to see capacity-like numbers leading into one of its busiest times of the year.

"One of the things we're doing here is restoring dignity," said director of donor relations Janeen Webb.

In the face of Alberta's ongoing economic downturn, Inn from the Cold has reported about 30,000 bed stays so far in 2016. Webb said that's consistent with 2015 when the organization saw almost 40,000 stays by year's end.

Lake communities merge city and cottage life for an experience you can't get anywhere else in Calgary

Greg Macdonald is a self-described "fishing fool."

"I'm either fishing, or thinking about fishing," he said, laughing.

This love of fishing is one of the reasons Macdonald and his wife are buying back in to the community of McKenzie Lake.

"We first bought a house in McKenzie Lake in 1999," said Macdonald.

"We sold it a couple of years ago when the market started to turn, but we just bought back in the area, because we loved lake living so much."

Planned Green Line could make Calgary neighbourhoods more liveable, desirable

The upcoming Green Line will help make Calgary a more environmentally friendly place to live.

But it's also likely to make the grass look a little greener when it comes to property values in communities the multi-billion-dollar Light Rail Transit (LRT) line will serve.

"When you're looking for creative, educated and talented people, LRT access helps attract them when you have a city because it helps create diverse communities and streetscapes, and culturally distinct and diverse amenities with high quality design," said Misty Sklar, Green Line planning lead (transit oriented development) for the City of Calgary.

Development at former Shawnee Slopes golf course continues with new multi-family offerings

Finally.

"After looking at it on paper for the past two or three years, it's nice to see this day come," said Patrick Briscoe, director of development project management for Toronto-based Graywood Developments, which will be launching sales for the new Fish Creek Exchange on June 17.

Fish Creek Exchange is the 23-acre, multi-family portion of the trendy Shawnee Park community in southwest Calgary that has sprung up on the site of the former Shawnee Slopes golf course.

Attainable Homes helps Calgarians make ownership dream a reality

Attainable Homes Calgary Corporation celebrated its 800th homeowner on June 7 through its non-profit down-payment assistance program started in 2009.

Launched by the City of Calgary to help retain integral professionals in the city despite a growing housing affordability gap, the program removes barriers for potential homeowners in a variety of circumstances.

Whether it's newcomers to Canada making a fresh start, young couples putting off marriage and children until they own a home, or individuals uncertain they can achieve ownership on their own, the organization has helped ease families into home ownership.

Southwest BRT will offer residents more options and make communities more accessible

While too many choices can be overwhelming, options are generally a good thing.

That's the rationale behind the new Southwest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. One of four additions to Calgary's primary transit network, the project includes construction of new bus-only travel lanes and new BRT stations.

"For southwest Calgary, and especially south of the reservoir, this system gives people an effective transit choice that gets them not just into downtown, but also connects with major hubs along the way," said Brian Pincott, city councillor for Ward 11.

Calgary's urban parks offer nearby residents a slice of the great outdoors in the heart of the city

At the beginning of July last year, John and Ildi Arlette took their first-ever walk through Confederation Park.

By the end of that month, they had bought a home in Mount Pleasant sitting near the crescent-shaped green space that stretches across 162 hectares – including eight hectares of wetlands – in northwest Calgary.

"We were on a date night and someone had told me about Confederation Park," said John Arlette. "Ildi is from Ontario and I realized I hadn't shown her much of Calgary – I hadn't even been to the park myself."

After that visit, the Arlettes sold their home in Signal Hill, becoming both inner-city – and park-side living – devotees.

The 2017 ROAR Awards recognize local REALTORS® in five categories

The real estate industry has a reason to celebrate. On May 27, top local REALTORS® gathered for CREB®'s annual ROAR Awards, an event that's unlike any other in the business.

The ROARs, which stand for Recognizing our Accomplished REALTORS® (ROAR) Awards, recognize those who demonstrate role model-calibre performance and unwavering professionalism in the real estate industry.

Recipients are honoured in five categories, including Commitment to Education, Community Impact, Marketing Excellence, Mentorship Distinction, and The People's Realtor.

Downsizing baby boomers have different needs than previous generations

What's the difference between the baby boomer generation of empty nesters and retirees, and previous generations?

According to Calvin Buss, president of Buss Marketing and a boomer himself, today's empty nesters, if they retire at all, want to "do things" instead of retiring "to die."

And that new view of aging has also changed their approach to downsizing, says Buss, who has marketed and sold large condo projects in Calgary for almost three decades.

The importance of a Real Property Report when buying a house

While many documents come into play when purchasing your home, one of the most important is the Real Property Report (RPR).

A real property report is a requirement during a standard real estate transaction and, in Calgary, Alberta Land Surveyors' Association (ALSA) members complete those reports.

"A Real Property Report is a legal document that shows the boundaries of the property in question and the improvements relative to those boundaries. When I say improvements, that includes of course the house, but also the deck, shed, garage and fence that may be on the property," said Brian Munday, executive director of Alberta Land Surveyors' Association (ALSA).