Secret Rooms for Real Life: Practical Tips for Stylish Spaces

Secret Rooms and Hidden Spaces: The Allure of Unique Home Design

Secret rooms and hidden spaces are exactly what they sound like—concealed areas within a home that are either hidden from plain sight or accessible only through clever mechanisms. Historically, these spaces served practical purposes, such as hiding valuables or providing refuge during unrest. Think medieval castles with hidden passages or Prohibition-era homes with secret bars.

Today, these spaces have evolved into stylish, functional, and often playful features that add character to a home. As a real estate and construction professional, I’ve seen a growing interest in these elements from Calgary homeowners looking to personalize their living spaces.

Start with Purpose

Before…

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Living in Alberta’s UNESCO Wonders: Real Estate, Nature, and Heritage

Living in Alberta’s UNESCO Wonders: Real Estate, Nature, and Heritage

Why UNESCO Matters 

When thinking about real estate in Alberta, stunning landscapes and serene escapes often top the list — and there’s no better backdrop than a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the towering peaks of Banff to the cultural roots of Writing-on-Stone, these protected places aren’t just rich in natural wonder — they offer unique lifestyle and long-term real estate value.

UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Their World Heritage Programme highlights locations across the globe that are considered of exceptional value to humanity. Alberta is home to seven such sites — each offering a compelling mix of…

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Water-Smart Living: What Calgary's Neighbor Okotoks Can Teach Us

Okotoks' Water Journey: From Growth Cap to Sustainable Expansion

Let me tell you about a small Alberta town that made a bold move—Okotoks. Just south of Calgary, this community once said "no thanks" to unlimited growth because of one big issue: water. Yup, you heard that right. Water, or the lack of it, shaped everything from housing to infrastructure. But now? Things are changing in a big way.

For years, Okotoks had the slowest growth in the Calgary metro area, sitting at around 1.43%. Compare that to Airdrie (4.5%), Cochrane (5.6%), and Chestermere (4.8%), and it becomes clear: this was a deliberate choice. As one former town councillor put it, "totally driven by our water policy."

Fast forward to today, and a once far-off idea—the …

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Ready, Set, Grow: Essential Preseason Prep for Your Best Garden Yet

Thriving Gardens & Smart Water Use: A Calgary Gardener's Guide

Calgary gardening enthusiasts, get your gloves ready and your spirits high, because we're about to dive headfirst into creating the garden of your dreams while being water wise wonders! Let's transform our Calgary green spaces into thriving havens!

Use our quick navigation guide below to jump to any point of our blog on The Essential Preseason Prep for Your Best Garden Yet: 

• The Unique World of Calgary Gardening
• Preseason Prep
• When to Plant
• Choosing the Right Plants for Calgary's Climate
• Smart Water Management for Calgary Gardens
• Maintaining Your Calgary Garden Throughout the Season
• Addressing Specific Calgary Gardening Challenges
• Building a Rain Garden in…

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Calgary in the 1980s: Boom, Bust & Cultural Maturation

Calgary in the 1980s: Boom, Bust & Cultural Maturation

Homes, Communities & Opportunity

The 1980s were a decade of extremes in Calgary. The city started off riding high on the last waves of the oil boom, only to hit a sharp downturn midway through. But what followed was a shift in mindset: smarter urban planning, a growing cultural scene, and a move toward economic diversification. As both a real estate advisor and builder, I look at this decade as the moment Calgary started maturing beyond its boomtown reputation.

The Economy: From Soaring to Sober

Early in the decade, oil prices hit record highs. Calgary’s downtown expanded quickly with glass towers and high-end offices. But the 1982 oil price collapse—and the introduction of the National…

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Real Estate Statistics March 2025

March 2025 Calgary Real Estate Statistics Recap  

Economic uncertainty, influenced by ongoing tariff concerns, weighed heavily on Calgary’s housing market in March. Sales dropped 19% compared to March 2024, with a total of 2,159 transactions across all property types. Higher-density segments such as apartment and row housing saw the most significant slowdowns. 

“This slowdown isn’t surprising given the current economic climate,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at CREB®. “Even with the pullback, sales levels are still higher than what we experienced between 2015 and 2020, during a time of deeper economic hardship. The upside is that softer demand is being met with growing supply, which is helping…

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REP YYC April 2025 Newsletter

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Spring Cleaning in Calgary: How to Declutter for a Cause

Spring Cleaning in Calgary: Declutter for a Cause 

As we transition into a new season, there's no better time to refresh your space—and your mindset—by tackling a good old-fashioned declutter. But here’s the twist: this year, why not turn your spring cleaning into something that gives back? 

Decluttering isn’t just about making space—it’s about making an impact. Across Calgary, many organizations are calling for donations of gently used clothing, furniture, and household items. So instead of tossing those extras in the bin, consider giving them a second life and helping a local cause in the process.

Use our quick navigation guide below to jump to any point of our blog on How to Declutter for a Cause :

• Why Decluttering Matters
• Where…

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Build Alberta, Know This Before You Break Ground

Thinking About Building a Home in Alberta? Here's What You Really Need to Know Before You Break Ground

Let me be straight with you—building your own home in Alberta sounds like a dream, right? Wide-open spaces, custom finishes, maybe even that big garage or dream kitchen you’ve always wanted. But here’s the deal: it’s not just about pretty blueprints or Pinterest boards. Building from the ground up takes real planning, grit, and a solid understanding of what you’re getting into. I've seen too many people dive in without a game plan, and trust me, that's a recipe for stress.

Are You Actually Ready for This?

This isn’t like a weekend renovation project. Building a home is a major undertaking. So ask yourself:

• Got any construction or…

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