As Calgary continues to expand outward, new communities popping up in the south and north end of the city are offering more choices for home buyers who are ready to put down their front door welcome mats.

It takes a lot of work to build a dream.

Over the span of 12 months, Homes by Avi teams work to develop designs that "wow" and intricate, jigsaw-puzzle construction to make the Stampede Rotary Dream Home a winner.

Calgary communities that provide convenient access to desirable amenities and major roadways are leading the way in growth.

The way light shines brightly through the carefully placed windows of every size and shape is Homes by Avi CEO Charron Ungar's favourite part of this year's Rotary Stampede Dream Home.

"There is no dark corner anywhere," said Ungar, whose company is in its 24th year of building this Stampede mainstay. "(It) is so fluid – everything has its place."

Developers are teeing up a new community on Calgary's southwestern edge designed to appeal to both golfers and non-players alike.

Tucked away in the Rocky Mountain foothills, Sirocco at Pine Creek is a master-planned community with a prime location, a variety of front-drive and paired homes, and a picturesque golf course that shares its name.

Be prepared to invest your time along with your money. Be patient. Do your homework.

There are a lot of boxes to tick when buying a new-build home, but following the advice of industry professionals can make it easier.

2018 Stampede Rotary Dream Home evokes "Mad Men with a modern twist"

Now in its 23rd year of building the Stampede Rotary Dream Home, Homes by Avi's 2018 version of the Stampede staple provides sophisticated glitz and glamour with a 1960s vibe.

"The theme is moody, elegant, mid-century modern," said Christian Orme, Homes by Avi corporate marketing manager. White walls and natural light coming from expansive windows throughout offset the home's gold and black highlights.

The car-less lifestyle is trending, but Calgary's housing market still driven by the automobile, say experts

Cars aren't going anywhere soon, and neither is Calgary homebuyers' desire for neighbourhoods – or condominiums for that matter – that support their automobile-driven lifestyles, say housing experts.

While much is being made about efforts to create a more pedestrian-friendly city that focuses on "vertical growth," Calgarians still very much enjoy the freedom that comes with driving an automobile. And they
want their residence — whether it's a condo, townhome or single-detached house — to support their yen for putting the pedal to the metal, said Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) regional economist Lai Sing Louie.

"Most people still want parking," he said. "They want the freedom to come and go with a car at their disposal, and they're willing to pay a lot of money to afford that."