More than a year after it began, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spark increased interest in Alberta's recreational property market, as homebuyers seek an escape from congested cities.

Long-term remote work, which has been a reality for many Albertans for the last 12-plus months, has also made people realize that if they can work from anywhere, why not work from a cottage, cabin or waterfront property?

During the summer months, it's always nice to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R and R – whether for a few weeks or only a weekend – which is why the idea of owning a vacation property is so appealing to many Calgarians.

Thankfully, there are no shortage of options here in the province for vacationers of all stripes.

Alberta's out-of-province playground still drawing buyers

Kelowna's healthy economy and population growth are driving resale home transactions up and fuelling higher levels of new home construction, suggesting a sellers' market, according to housing industry figures.

And the lure of the valley continues to draw buyers from Alberta despite the province's economic downturn.

The largest city in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Kelowna has recorded nearly 3,600 sales for the first half of this year compared with slightly more than 2,700 a year ago, according to figures from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC).

Proper planning avoids nightmare situation for heirs

What are Canadians, particularly the massive Baby Boomer generation, going to do with increasingly valuable real estate?

According to a new CIBC poll, many of them will be leaving assets, including recreational properties, to heirs in their wills.

And while it may be done with good intentions, Jamie Golombek, managing director of tax and estate planning for the bank's Wealth Advisory Services, says without proper planning, that real estate could end up on the housing market, as those heirs sell properties to deal with all sorts of tax issues.