Now and then, Calgarians going for a morning walk in their community are stunned to discover that a house on their street has disappeared overnight.

No, the house wasn't whisked away by a tornado like in The Wizard of Oz – it's all part of a a way to "recycle" homes that ends up benefiting landowners in two locations.

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.

Reservoir-community residents feel nurtured by nature

For most homeowners, the idea of stepping outside and being immersed in nature with peaceful walking trails, busy beavers and stunning sunsets is the stuff of dreams. For residents of communities around the Glenmore Reservoir, however, it's just another day in paradise.

Perched on the Elbow River, the Glenmore Reservoir and Dam were constructed in 1933 to provide Calgarians a safe and sufficient supply of drinking water. While they certainly do that, they offer so much more.

"The reservoir has given residents a special connection to the environment," said Geoffrey Vanderburg, president of the Lakeview Community Association.

Lakeview ring road letter drives controversy

It sounded innocuous at first: a letter from the Lakeview Community Association to the province and the City of Calgary to reconsider plans for a portion of the Southwest Ring Road that would link the neighbourhood to a Tsuut'ina development. If you're wondering what could possibly go wrong, the answer is just about everything.

The letter was prompted by concerns that some Lakeview residents expressed about increased traffic that might come with the new $4.5-billion development planned for the Tsuut'ina First Nation. The development would include retail, residential and entertainment elements, and at least one access point at the 5600 block of 37th Street S.W.

For many people, buying a first home is an exciting, but stressful, experience. CREB®Now spoke with a few members of Calgary's business community to find out what it was like making that first big investment in their lives.