Less than 20 minutes away from Calgary's city limits, the town of Cochrane has managed to maintain its strong sense of western history and culture while growing into one of the most modern and bustling towns in the province.

According to building stats from December 2011, the town's current population sits at 18,646 — quite the jump considering the town was home to a mere 900 people as of 1969.

Canada's real estate market was little changed from September to October seeing a – 0.1 per cent decrease.

Little changed when it came to year-over-year numbers as well with sales activity down 0.8 per cent compared to last October. In Calgary both single-family and apartment condominium sales increased by 17 and 12 per cent respectively year-over-year.

Calgary's residential sales are continuing to show positive growth.

Sales increased by 15 per cent on a year-to-date basis in 2012, and were up eight per cent this November compared to last. With nearly eight consecutive months of double-digit, year-over-year sales growth, the city's inventory levels are decreasing, as new listings haven't been able to keep up. However according to CREB®'s monthly stats, the ratio between sales and inventory shows the market remains in balanced territory.

CALGARY RESALE MARKET REMAINS IN BALANCE

Inventories continue to fall, but sales growth eases to keep market stable Calgary, December 3, 2012 – Residential sales in the City of Calgary have increased by 15 per cent on a year-to-date basis, and were up 8-per-cent in November compared to the same month in 2011.

Nearly eight consecutive months of double-digit, year-over-year sales growth has caused inventory levels to decline because new listings have not kept up. However, the ratio between sales and inventory indicates the market remains in balanced territory.

"Today's youth are growing up in an era of complexity and uncertainty. Changes have delayed, or even destroyed, the landmarks that once signaled a transition from one phase of life to another."
-vitalsignscanada.ca

The dream is to own a home. You work really hard to graduate college or to learn a trade and then you save up enough for a down payment on your first home, sounds simple enough. However, buying a home gets tricky. If you live in Calgary it's a challenging task, becoming more challenging in the last five years or so.

MARK on Tenth, a $100 million condominium project by Qualex- Landmark has been announced for Tenth Avenue and Eighth Street SW in Calgary.

The first stage in construction has commenced with crews beginning to dismantle the existing building on the site, which was formerly West Canadian Graphics.

Albertans purchasing a new place to call home will have warranty coverage for their purchase under new legislation proposed by the Alberta government.

Bill 5, the New Home Buyer Protection Act, was introduced in the legislature on Oct. 25. The Act requires builders to provide home warranty coverage for all new homes built in the province starting in fall 2013.

Condos continue to be a big draw for Calgary buyers. According to the latest numbers from CREB®, Resale totals for condo apartments grew to 276 deals last month, up 17 per cent from 236 last year, with sales in both apartment and townhouse condos increasing last month compared to the same time in 2011.

Demand for condos in the Calgary market comes in stark contrast to Toronto, where condo sales plunged 20.5 per cent in the third quarter of the year, despite a 6.5 per cent rise in new listings.