With demand for mental health supports skyrocketing in Alberta during the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch of the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery couldn't come at a better time. Proceeds from this year's lottery will go towards enhancing urgent and critical mental health services in the province.

When it came time to purchase his first home, finding a neighbourhood with a pulse was at the top of the list for 31-year-old entrepreneur Tyrell Dasilva. Dasilva, who owns several businesses, leads a busy life and wanted to find a home in a walkable community with access to great music venues and quaint mom-and-pop stores. He found it at i.D. Inglewood, a 19-unit, four-storey condominium project located on Ninth Avenue S.E.

Just an hour-and-a-half south of Calgary and only 30 minutes from the town of Vulcan lies a little-known gem. The Little Bow Resort and its collection of 250 bare land condominium properties is located along the sandy shores of Travers Reservoir, a 17-kilometre-long lake with crystal clear waters fed by the Little Bow River.

"It really is beautifully clean, and it is a deep lake and quiet, so you can really enjoy boating and all of the sports that go along with it," said Calgary real estate professional and Little Bow property owner Bill MacDougall.

This month saw a double-digit gain in sales, but last February was one of the slowest levels of activity since the late '90s.

With the extra day this February, monthly sales totaled 1,197 units.  A combination of these two factors resulted in a 23 per cent improvement over last year, but sales remain well below longer-term trends and consistent with the lower levels reported over the past five years.

So, you've decided a condo is right for your lifestyle and you're pre-approved for a mortgage, but what's the next step?

Viki Fairbairn, a REALTOR® and certified condominium specialist with Royal LePage Benchmark in Calgary, says buying a condo differs from buying a house, so it's important to find the right Realtor to take you through the process.

With Calgary's condo market experiencing a period of oversupply, determining how to make the best deal, whether you're a seller or a buyer, is crucial. That starts with assessing the many factors that can affect a condo's resale value, says Vijay Thankey, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Realty Professionals.

For some, having too many options can be overwhelming. But for homebuyers who revel in choice and opportunities for customization, the pre-construction condo might be the ideal fit.

Calgary home choices that won't break the bank

Not so long ago, half a million dollars in Calgary might get you a starter home, minus the view. Today, buyers in the $300,000 - $500,000 range will like what they see when weighing their options.

Limited budget need not limit buyer options

A dollar may not go as far as it used to, but $300,000 can still take Calgary homebuyers a long way.

"At that price, you could look at a one- or two-bedroom apartment with underground or outside parking, and an elevator if you want a high-rise," said Monique Windrem, a REALTOR® and leasing agent with Hope Street Real Estate Corp. "You might get extra storage, and if you opted for a one-bedroom, you may also have a gym, concierge and security if you're not set on living downtown."