Dear Santa,

My oh my, it certainly has been an interesting and challenging year, with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting almost every part of our lives.

How many times has a potential homebuyer driven up to a home, looked at the yard and the building's exterior, and driven away without even getting out of their car? Too many, unfortunately.

As the old saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression, and curb appeal is one of the most important factors involved in selling your home. After all, the exterior is often a reflection of what's going on inside the home, so a tidy, attractive yard – both front and back – is a must.

Whether you own a home or you're looking to buy, the kitchen is the lifeblood of the house. Not only do we cook, prepare food and eat in our kitchens, but we also spend quality time in them. Ever notice where the group congregates at a party or where people go first when they enter the house?

You asked, we answered

The people have spoken! We asked you for your most pressing real estate questions, then threw them to our expert panel of experienced REALTORS®: John Hripko (Royal LePage Benchmark), Laura O'Connell (RE/MAX House of Real Estate), Sam Crick (RE/MAX Realty Professionals) and David P. Brown (The Real Estate Company Ltd.).

How making some adjustments to your yard can spur home sales

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to buying a new home, curb appeal is often everything.

Dandelion décor and weathered wood decks won't work in your favour to draw buyers to your property, said Donna Balzer the gardener, speaker and TV personality behind www.gardenguru.net. Balzer cited a seller in Scarboro who contacted her after potential buyer's commented on his home's outdoor esthetics.

Resale market impacting housing starts outlook

The sound of hammers has quieted in Calgary.

Following a record-breaking year for new home construction in the city, the pace has slowed considerably in 2015.

Through the first five months of year, the number of new homes starts in Calgary has numbered 3,954 – a 32.5 per cent drop from the same period in 2014.

The decline was even more dramatic in April, with just 777 homes breaking ground during the month compared to 1,952 during the same time last year – a decline of more than 50 per cent.

How tone and energy can affect your home sale preparation

When it comes time to sell your home, creating a warm, comfortable place in which would-be buyers can imagine themselves can be as easy as picking up a paintbrush.

"I'm often asked, 'What's the best colour for resale?'" said Krystle Wilk, colour consultant and manager of Southpointe Paint and Décor in southeast Calgary. "Having your home look its best when trying to sell is more than likely to get your home sold quickly and for the best possible price."

Tidying up your yard and garden for a more attractive sell

It is pretty standard practice to tidy your house before resale, so I was surprised when my 30-year-old son, a newly minted professional, emailed me a photo of a house he was buying in Smithers, B.C.

There were clothes on the floor in one shot and people lounging on the couch in another. It didn't seem like there was any tidying evident, and he wasn't the least bit worried about it.