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.

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.

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.

With plenty of space to run and play, and an envious selection of schools a stone's throw away, the master-planned community of Currie is a perfect fit for families.

Calgarians are seeing the value of universally designed spaces and inclusive communities. In fact, those close to the issue say that is the key – recognizing that intentional accessibility built in at the initial design phase is the most economical, adaptable and seamlessly integrated approach, rather than including it as an afterthought.

Decorated Canadian curler Ben Hebert has fond memories of his first home in Regina, though it will forever be tied to an unhappy event.

"We moved in May of 2009, right after we lost the world final in Moncton," he said. "That's how I remember it.

If you thought the in-laws were bad house guests, what about a cancer-causing gas?

Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed when naturally occurring uranium deposits in soil and rock decay. It is invisible, odourless and tasteless, and can accumulate inside homes – sometimes reaching dangerous levels.

As Calgary's population expands, redevelopment of City-owned land in established areas holds potential for supporting growth. However, it takes planning and community engagement to get it right.

Large swaths of land in Calgary are being transforming into amenity-rich communities full of unique housing, opportunities to experience nature and easy access to established amenities. Here's a handful of new-community projects currently
underway in southwest Calgary.