Spring Fever Starts Now: Homeowner Tax Tips & A Stunning Luxury Listing

Welcome to Your February 2026 Calgary Real Estate Update

February is a planning month. Spring is close, and decisions are starting to take shape. Buyers are preparing. Sellers are getting positioned. The market is moving, just not loudly.

This is the point in the year where clarity matters more than speed. The people who get organized now tend to have more control once activity picks up.

Spring real estate doesn’t start in March. It starts with decisions made now.

REPYYC's Luxury Network

We have expanded our Calgary luxury real estate network beyond the city into several markets across Alberta and British Columbia.

Building on calgaryluxuryrealestate.com, our network now includes dedicated luxury platforms serving areas in Alberta, such as airdrieluxuryrealestate.ca, cochraneluxuryrealestate.ca, braggcreekluxuryrealestate.ca, and chestermereluxuryhomes.ca.

In Calgary, we continue to present our luxury listings through focused community and lifestyle sites such as rideauparkhomes.com, including our most recent luxury listing at 812 Rideau Road SW, a rare riverfront estate in one of the city’s most established and private inner-city communities.

Stay informed with our Calgary Real Estate Statistics to gain insights into local market trends. Our comprehensive data highlights key metrics such as average home prices, days on market, and sales volumes, providing you with a clear picture of the current landscape. 

If you have a home to sell, we offer complimentary evaluations to help you determine its market value. 

One Team. Every Advantage.

A true team approach: Specialists in luxury homes, new builds, and residential real estate—all working on one listing, yours.

Unmatched exposure: Our 400+ website real estate ecosystem ensures your listing is positioned where active buyers are already searching.

Marketing that actually moves the needle: Backed by $2M+ in digital marketing investment, not guesswork.

Proven leadership: Led by Dusko Sremac, with over $1B+ in total sales volume, behind the strategy.

Always on: A 24/7 online presence keeping your listing visible, active, and in front of the right buyers.

Join Karan Saini for a guided home tour of this Saddle Ridge property offering nearly 3,000 square feet of living space. With seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, the home is designed with flexibility and value in mind, including a two-bedroom legal basement suite that provides built-in mortgage assistance. Karan highlights why this layout works so well for families and buyers looking to maximize space while keeping the numbers in check. Learn more about Karan Saini [here].

Come for a walk-through home tour with Tim Murfin as he showcases this end-unit bungalow townhouse in Strathcona Park, designed for easy, single-level living. The main-floor layout keeps everything you need on one level, with the added flexibility to finish the basement down the road. Tim also points out the on-site amenities building and explains why this home works so well for buyers looking for comfort, simplicity, and low-stress ownership. Learn more about Tim Murfin [here].

Bought Your First Home in 2025?

A Tax Credit You Should Know About

If you were a first-time home buyer in 2025, there’s a tax detail worth having on your radar before filing. Many buyers don’t realize that purchasing a home can reduce the amount of income tax they owe for the year they bought. Under current federal rules, if you (or your spouse or common-law partner) didn’t live in a home you owned during the year of purchase or the previous four years, you may qualify for the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit—often called the Home Buyers’ Amount. The definition of “first-time buyer” is broader than most people expect, which means some buyers qualify without realizing it.

The credit allows a combined claim of up to $10,000, which can reduce federal taxes owing by up to $1,500, depending on your situation. It applies to most primary residences in Canada, including condos, townhomes, single-family homes, and newly built properties, with special considerations in certain disability-related situations. It’s not a cash payout, but for buyers who owe income tax, it can provide a meaningful reduction.

Click [here] or the image above to read more about first-time home buyer programs and incentives.

Poly B Plumbing in Calgary Homes

Here’s What You Need to Know

Polybutylene (Poly B) plumbing was widely used in Canadian homes from the 1970s through the 1990s as a cost-effective alternative to copper. Over time, builders and homeowners began to better understand how the material was used, where it was most commonly installed, and why it eventually fell out of favour. For deeper context, explore the history and timeline of Polybutylene use in Canada, including how adoption expanded and why it was phased out.

What makes Poly B relevant today isn’t just its history, but how it performs decades later. Because the material can degrade internally, issues often surface during inspections, insurance reviews, or resale conversations rather than through obvious warning signs. Additional insight into why Poly B is considered a risk today and how it affects homeowners helps put those concerns into perspective.

Click the image above or [here] to read our blog on Poly B plumbing and considerations when buying or selling a home.

Garage-Linked Homes: 

Detached Living with a Shared Twist

Garage-linked homes are a unique housing type where the living spaces are fully detached, but the garages share a single wall. From the street, they can resemble semi-detached homes, yet inside they live much more like true detached properties - no shared kitchens, bedrooms, or main living walls.

This design appeals to buyers looking for privacy without paying full detached pricing. Sharing only a garage wall creates natural sound buffering, allows for wider and more functional interiors, and delivers a detached-style day-to-day experience at a lower cost. It’s a practical response to modern land constraints without resorting to high-density living.

Where things get nuanced is classification. Garage-linked homes often sit in a gray area for listings, insurance, and valuation - sometimes labeled detached, sometimes semi-detached, and priced somewhere in between. For buyers, that means confirming zoning, title structure, and insurance treatment upfront, especially if resale value, noise sensitivity, or long-term plans are part of the decision.

Click the image above or [here] to explore why garage-linked homes are becoming a smart middle ground in Calgary’s housing market, and how they reflect a city being built for livability, flexibility, and real life, not just curb appeal. In the video below, go on a tour with Austin Sorrenti and see inside a Pine Creek garage-linked home.

What Can You Actually Write Off? 

A Quick Guide for Homeowners & Investors This Tax Season

February isn’t just for Valentine’s Day and winter getaways — it’s also a good time to start thinking about your taxes. And if you’re a homeowner or real estate investor, you might be wondering: what can I write off this year?

We get this question a lot, and the short answer is:  it depends on how you’re using the property.

Homeowners: Not Everything is Deductible

If you're living in your home as your primary residence, unfortunately, you can’t write off things like:

• Mortgage interest
• Property taxes
• Maintenance or repair costs

But there’s an exception — if you work from home.

If you’ve got a dedicated home office, you may be able to write off **a percentage of your household expenses**, including:

• Mortgage interest
• Property taxes
• Utilities
• Maintenance costs

The allowable amount is based on the square footage of your office compared to your entire home. For example, if your office takes up 10% of your home, you might be able to write off 10% of eligible costs. (It’s always best to confirm this with an accountant.)

Rental Properties: More Deductible Options

Now, if you own rental property, it’s a different story — there are more deductions available. These can include:

Mortgage interest (note: not the full mortgage payment — only the interest portion)

• Property taxes
• Utilities (if you pay them)
• Maintenance and repairs

But there’s a catch: major capital expenses (like a new roof or furnace) aren’t fully deductible in the year you pay for them. Instead, they get added to your cost base and depreciated over time.

Talk to Your Accountant — and Your Mortgage Broker

If you’re not sure what applies to your situation, this is where a good accountant becomes essential.

And if you’re thinking about applying for a mortgage this year (or even next year), now’s also a great time to loop in your mortgage broker. Why? Because how you file your taxes can directly affect your ability to qualify — especially if you're self-employed or claiming lots of write-offs.

Penguin Walk (until Mar 15)
Watch the Calgary Zoo’s king penguins take a charming winter stroll through the grounds. This beloved daily walk is included with regular admission, weather and penguin-approved.

The GOOD Games (Feb 13 – 15)
This all-ages, all-abilities sports festival combines live competitions with music, food, and entertainment. Happening over the Family Day long weekend, it’s a fun winter outing for the whole family.

Fishtival (Feb 14)
Explore Alberta’s fish at a fun, family-friendly winter festival at Bow Habitat Station. Enjoy hands-on activities, aquariums, and photo ops. Advance tickets are recommended.

Valentine’s Brunch: Calgary Zoo (Feb 15)
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a themed brunch at the zoo featuring a delicious mix of gourmet and comfort breakfast favourites. With festive décor and romantic music, it’s a sweet outing for couples, families, and friends.

Family Day: The Hangar Flight Museum (Feb 16)
Spend Family Day together with free admission for one day only. Tickets must be pre-registered in advance, as this popular event is expected to fill up quickly.

Family Day Open House (Feb 16)
Enjoy a free Family Day at Lougheed House with crafts, guided tours, and time to explore the historic home. Open to all ages from 10am–2pm, with registration recommended.

Calgary Boat & Outdoor Show (Feb 20 – 22)
Discover everything you need for your next outdoor adventure, from boating and fishing to camping, hiking, and ATV gear. A must-visit event for explorers of all experience levels.

Chaparral is a standout south Calgary community famous for its resort-style vibe and active, family-first atmosphere. The biggest draw is undoubtedly Lake Chaparral, a private 32-acre oasis where neighbors gather year-round for swimming and paddleboarding in the summer, or skating and hockey once the ice freezes.

The neighborhood offers a versatile housing mix, from modern townhomes and starter properties to impressive lakeside estates. Families stay close to home with schools like Chaparral School and St. Sebastian nearby, while the vast pathways connect directly to the beauty of Fish Creek Provincial Park.

With the shops at Chaparral Village around the corner and easy access to Macleod and Stoney Trail, Chaparral perfectly blends outdoor adventure with daily convenience.

Explore the community of Chaparral [here] and Chaparral homes for sale [here].