Calgary lake communities are ready for summer, as Alberta approaches full reopening

Solar panels, smart-home technology, quartz countertops, luxury vinyl flooring, lots of storage, and secondary suites above the garage or in the basement are all valuable upgrades that provide a lot of bang for your buck when building a new home.

While budgets, like rules, are often made to be broken, there are some additional costs associated with the purchase of a new home that buyers should keep in mind to avoid breaking the bank.

As we head into what is traditionally one of the hottest seasons for real estate – with homebuilders launching purchase incentives, promotions, new communities and new showhome models – there is a distinct air of uncertainty due to the outbreak of COVID-19 sweeping the globe.

A deposit is the first financial hurdle a homebuyer needs to clear when buying a pre-construction home.

That deposit is generally five per cent of a home's total value for a purchase of less than $500,000, but it can be as high as 20 per cent for a $1-million-plus home. Those funds are a pre-construction commitment to the builder to take that condo or single-family home off the market. That money also gets put toward your eventual down payment.

This spring promises to bring changes to both Calgary's natural and built landscapes, as two new developments from Qualico Communities sprout up in some of the most desirable areas of the city.

Together Ambleton in the northwest and Alpine Park (temporary name) in the southwest will see 6,500 to 7,200 new residents and are at various stages of planning and construction approvals, says Clark Piechotta, Qualico's associate director of development.

The new southwest community of Hudson in Creekstone makes the most of its spectacular setting – perched on a ridge overlooking the Pine Creek coulee with the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

Dennis Inglis, development manager with Highfield Land Management, says the community's location alongside a protected reserve means its scenic surroundings are here to stay, unlike some new communities where development eventually encroaches on natural lands.

Some would say the town of Cochrane offers the best of everything. Nestled into the foothills, this picturesque community of just under 30,000 people offers untouched nature, beautiful mountain views and small-town appeal, in addition to a full suite of amenities.

The town's friendly vibe is attracting young families and downsizers alike, and many new communities are stepping up to meet the demand with a variety of innovative home designs.

If you think year-round outdoor living is out of reach for Calgarians, you haven't paid a visit to the new community of Rockland Park.

As northwest Calgary's first master-planned community in more than 10 years, Rockland Park draws on open spaces, well-tended parks, and a network of trails and pathways to craft a four-season recreation hub.

Ten minutes south of Calgary in the town of Okotoks, homebuyers and builders continue to buck the regional trend of declining housing starts.

In fact, the growing town of just over 29,000 people (based on the 2018 civic census) saw an increase in housing starts in 2019 that is expected to continue into 2020, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

All the approvals are in place and all systems are go for the new southeast community of Belvedere, which will deliver more than 1,500 homes in the coming years.

Moez Moledina, general manager for Belvedere developer Tristar Communities, said the intention is to start stripping and grading the site by the middle of April or as soon as the weather allows.