For many, this is the time of year for decorating the tree, hanging stockings, baking delicious goodies and, finally, climbing a ladder to the roof to complete the most frustrating (and, perhaps, dangerous) holiday task: putting up outdoor lights.

Regardless of your thoughts on how soon is too soon for setup, hanging Christmas lights remains one of the most inconvenient tasks in a homeowner's holiday checklist. However, in recent years, permanent outdoor smart lights have been surging in popularity. These lights, controlled via smartphone apps and installed by professionals, can significantly outlast standard holiday lights and provide more versatility for use in all seasons.

Calgary's condo market may be mired in a bit of a slump, but developers are still finding ways to make their latest offerings stand out.

This is what Ocgrow Group of Companies has done with SOLA, the company's new development in inner-city Kensington that will boast 172 condo units – all equipped with smart-home automation.

Smart home technologies provide a quick and simple solution for a range of tasks. But is this trade-off for a snap-of-the-fingers convenience creating a strain elsewhere?

Security vulnerabilities within some devices, or at least the way in which they are set up, may be keeping the door ajar, allowing access for cyber criminals.

Making your home smarter - on a budget

Today's home technology solutions is allowing owners to perform a myriad of tasks, with budget being the only limiting factor.

Yet, you don't need to spend thousands to "smarten" up your home. With a plethora of affordable gadgets now available, any homeowner can increase their home's IQ without breaking the bank.

CREB®Now takes a look at some of the more popular devices available.