Written by Jessica Chan, a Calgary REALTOR® and broker serving the city since 1990. Last updated: June 2026.

Downtown living is a genuinely different proposition from the rest of Calgary. You trade a yard and a garage for walkability, a commute measured in minutes, river pathways at your door, and a lifestyle where you can leave the car parked for days at a time. For young professionals, downsizers, and buyers who simply prefer city living, it can be the best fit in the city.

Downtown is not one place, though. East Village, the West End, and the Commercial Core each feel quite different day to day. This guide walks through what distinguishes them, what to look for in a downtown condo, and who each area tends to suit. For the broader area, see our…

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Written by Jessica Chan, a Calgary REALTOR® and broker serving the city since 1990. Last updated: June 2026.

The inner-city southwest is one of the most consistently in-demand parts of Calgary, and Marda Loop is the reason many buyers start looking here. The district along 33rd and 34th Avenue SW has become one of the city's best main-street shopping and dining strips, and the neighbourhoods around it have redeveloped substantially over the past two decades.

One thing worth clarifying at the outset, because it confuses a lot of buyers: Marda Loop is a commercial district, not a community with its own boundaries. When people say they want to buy in Marda Loop, they are generally looking at Altadore, South Calgary, or Garrison Woods, with Killarney…

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Written by Jessica Chan, a Calgary REALTOR® and broker serving the city since 1990. Last updated: June 2026.

North Calgary is where much of the city's new home construction has been happening. Communities like Livingston, Carrington, and Glacier Ridge have gone from open prairie to active neighbourhoods in a short span, and they attract buyers looking for modern homes, newer layouts, and an entry price that is often more accessible than comparable homes in established areas.

Buying into a brand-new community is a different exercise than buying a resale home, though. You are partly buying what exists today and partly buying what is promised. This guide walks through what each of these three communities offers, what to weigh when buying new, and the…

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"Should I Buy First or Sell First in this Market?"

This is the question I am being asked every day by homeowners. These days, many people are working from home and finding that their current home is not big enough to accommodate an efficient working space, plus having their children around engaged in online learning. It can all become a bit overwhelming!

Then they start to question whether they should buy a home that will fit their needs, or should they sell their current home first before buying. This is the question I am being asked every day by homeowners.

My answer is SELL FIRST!  Below, I have identified a process that will help homeowners come to the right decision:

1.  The first step is to get an "Updated Market Evaluation"…

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Creator: KPOT C.B. ©Smole

I met with a couple today who was thinking of selling their home. They were first-time buyers 3 years ago. They told me their experience was "so bad" that I felt that I should write up a “First Time Buyer Must know” tips as soon as I got home.

With the technology and internet available to us, most buyers believe that they do not need a realtor, and can browse on their own. True, you can get all the listing information online, but you should work with a Realtor for many reasons to ensure you're making an informed decision on one of the biggest and important investments of your life.

  1. First of all, you should meet with a professional Real Estate Agent who will discuss the whole buying procedure with you. A good professional…

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