Newport in Canal's Landing offers affordable townhomes in Airdrie's premiere water-focused community

If you've been searching for a beautiful and affordable townhome in the heart of an established community, look no further than the picturesque community of Canal's Landing in Airdrie. On June 23, Genesis Builders Group is hosting a grand opening for Newport, its latest offering in the community.

"Newport is really a community within a community, and is perfect for millennials, professionals or downsizers," said Kelsey Orvis, marketing co-ordinator at Genesis Builders Group. "It's really designed for anyone who wants to spend more time enjoying life, rather than shovelling snow and cutting grass."

Stunning scenery and affordable homes make Cochrane a perfect fit for discerning homebuyers

As the warm spring sun crests the eastern horizon, its dazzling rays cast a purple light on the foothills circling Cochrane's western fringe. Below this stunning backdrop, the Bow River sparkles, as it winds its way through the town's core.

The beauty of this quaint town of 30,000 people is one of the things that attracted South African expats Heidi and Allan Lester-Olivier. The couple has lived all over the world, but Canada has always called out to them. In 2012, after spending two years in Houston, they made the trek north to Calgary with three young children in tow, settling in Tuscany.

Surrounding housing market to follow Calgary's lead in 2017 after challenging conditions in 2016

Slow stabilization in Calgary's housing market in 2017 is expected to create similar momentum for satellite communities such as Okotoks, Cochrane, Airdrie and Chestermere, say local officials on the heels of CREB® releasing its 2017 Economic Outlook & Regional Housing Market Forecast.

According to the report, Chestermere in Rocky View region experienced a widening gap between sales and new listings during 2016, putting downward pressure on benchmark prices – notably detached homes, which dropped 2.5 per cent from 2015 to $490,808.

CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie has seen a bit of everything in 2016. From buyers' conditions to migrational changes, Calgary's housing market has taken industry observers like herself on a wild ride over the past 12 months.

CREB®Now recently had the chance to sit down with Lurie and reflect on 2016. Here's what she had to say:

CREB®Now: Did 2016 play out the way you expected?

Knowing your local snow clearing bylaws may not be cool, but it's necessary

Winter is coming, and with it the one chore that many homeowners dread: shoveling their snowy sidewalks and driveways.

And while snow removal is often the last thing homeowners want to do on a chilly winter day, officials say it is important in protecting the public's safety.

"Sidewalks need to be kept clean for public safety, [and] a snow removal bylaw shares that responsibility without adding to municipal costs," said Charlene Ruttle, Cochrane's manager of municipal enforcement.

Two historic parcels of Okotoks land to be redeveloped for future generations

Once homesteading land for the D'Arcy and Wedderburn families, two historically significant properties in north Okotoks are to be redeveloped for a new generation of families.

United Communities has purchased approximately 178 hectares of farmland on both sides of Northridge Drive as sites for a pair of mixed use communities — simply to be called D'Arcy and Wedderburn.

Residents highlight best-kept secrets in M.D. of Foothills

Directly south of Calgary lies the Municipal District of Foothills, a scenic area replete with expansive landscapes featuring rolling hills and ranch lands.

Home to several growing communities – including Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond and Turner Valley – the historic region is also the setting for its fair share of hidden gems.

CREB®Now chatted with several regional leaders to get their takes on some of the district's best-kept secrets. Here's what they had to say:

La Vita Land to redevelop historic site

The Town of Cochrane announced Tuesday that it has sold its old town hall site to local developer La Vita Land Inc. for $2.75 million.

La Vita will redevelop the site to act as a "gateway and visual welcome to the heart of Cochrane, including the historic downtown area, from Highway 1A via Centre Avenue," said the Town in a release.

Council approved a framework for development, creating the Downtown Heritage District in 2015, that led to the call for proposals.

Fundraising total also surpasses $4.5 million

Cochrane's $45-million aquatic and curling centre has taken another step forward, with construction on the structural steel frame now complete.

Roofing insulation on the 150,000-square-foot project, being constructed adjacent to the existing Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sport Centre on the east side of town, has also started.

The remaining second floor and roof deck is in progress and is expected to be completed within the next few weeks, as will the installation of window frames and fire spray to structural beams and decks.

Urban planners designing with public places in mind

Placemaking, the popular term coined by urban planners to address the management of public spaces, is slowly weaving into the fabric of Calgary's burgeoning satellite communities.

Local planners say the concept, once reserved for major metropolises, is becoming a focal point in the respective redevelopment of their existing spaces and development of new ones.

"It's a key element for us," said Tracy Corbett, manager of planning and sustainable development at the City of Airdrie. "We hear time and time again in our citizen surveys that parks and pathways come out number one on what people really value about Airdrie.

"There are not a lot of natural amenities – a river or a lake. So you have to work a little harder at creating great place and effective placemaking."