Halloween falls on October 31 because the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, considered the earliest known root of Halloween, occurred on this day.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to praise all saints.
Soon, All Saints' Day incorporated some traditions of Samhain and the evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.
Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Today’s the day to eat candies and sweets to your heart’s content! Happy Halloween!

After more than four decades helping clients navigate Calgary and area real estate, I’ve seen firsthand how market shifts create new opportunities—and new questions. The latest regional figures show Cochrane’s detached benchmark price settling at $657,600, a 2.5% drop and about a 3% decline year-over-year. That places Cochrane among the communities with the most notable softening in detached pricing this quarter. For buyers and sellers alike, this updated benchmark offers a valuable reference point as you weigh your next move. These numbers, part of the 2026 regional housing update, help all of us—whether seasoned or new to the market—better understand how local dynamics are evolving. As always, I’m learning and adapting alongside my clients, bringing fresh insights to every conversation.

After more than four decades navigating Calgary’s real estate landscape, I’ve seen the city’s market evolve in fascinating ways—and the latest numbers for late Q3 reflect just how dynamic things remain. Calgary recorded 1,650 sales, down about 4% year-over-year, with the residential benchmark sitting at $566,700 (a modest 1% dip). Despite these broad, stable conditions and nearly four months of inventory, detached homes continue to set themselves apart. There were 896 detached sales—over 4% higher than last year—and the benchmark price eased just 1% to $739,400. Sales-to-new-listings is holding steady at just over 50%, and supply sits a bit above three months.

On the other hand, the higher-density sectors—especially after a three-year construction boom—are feeling the headwinds. Apartment condos posted 343 sales, down around 14% year-over-year, and row-home supply has now topped four months for the first time in 2026. Benchmark pricing for apartment condos dropped over 8%, now at $291,400, while row homes reached $412,400. That’s an important figure for anyone weighing financing options in our city. Seasonally adjusted prices held fairly steady compared to mid-Q3, so a little late-Q3 softness is not unusual—especially when Calgary’s job market and positive net migration are still supporting demand. As always, I’m here learning and sharing these shifts, so you can make informed decisions in a rapidly changing market.

Having worked as a Realtor® in Calgary for over four decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Alberta’s real estate landscape continues to offer a refreshing range of housing options—whether you’re seeking a condominium, townhouse, or single-family home. Alberta’s urban centres consistently rank among the most affordable in Canada, with housing prices and rental costs that leave more room in your budget and provide flexibility for buyers and renters alike. Compared to the national average, Albertans spend a noticeably smaller share of their income on home ownership, making the dream of owning a home more attainable here. For those considering a purchase, you’ll find more than one path to ownership—through a REALTOR® or a private sale. It’s also important to understand practical steps like the land title search, a key part of the process to ensure a smooth transaction. The evolving real estate world keeps me learning and sharing, and I’m always eager to help clients make sense of Alberta’s unique advantages.

As someone who’s spent over four decades navigating Calgary’s real estate market, I’m always watching the bigger housing trends and how they might impact our local scene. The latest figures show Canada’s 6-month housing starts trend dipped by about 1% month-over-month in mid-Q3, settling around 244,000 annualized units. The monthly pace held steady near 229,000. In our larger cities, actual starts reached 17,700 in mid-Q3, which is about 2% below last year, bringing the total for the first eight months of this year to 149,500—down about 4%. Even so, homes under construction in centers over 50,000 people only nudged down less than 1% to 371,700 units. There’s still a substantial pipeline, but completions dropped more sharply, down 11% month-over-month to 17,600 units, while new permits not yet started inched up under 1% to 142,400. The national outlook points to housing starts staying higher than we’ve seen in recent years, though the trend is expected to ease as we head toward year-end. I’ll be keeping an eye on how these shifts shape opportunities for buyers and sellers in Calgary, and I look forward to sharing what I learn along the way.

After more than four decades helping clients navigate Calgary’s real estate market, I’ve seen plenty of shifts—but the latest numbers across Canada stand out. By mid-Q3, home sales dropped roughly 1% month-over-month and nearly 7% compared to last year. The national price index stayed steady month-over-month but was down about 3% from a year ago. Interestingly, we saw a 3% rebound in newly listed properties after several months of decline, signaling that some sellers are re-entering the market. The sales-to-new listings ratio eased back to about 49%, moving further below the long-term Canadian average of 55%. Economists point to inflation risks and changing growth expectations, and we’re all feeling the effects of higher bond yields—fixed mortgage rates have been climbing in response. Around that time, markets were pricing in a 60% chance of a rate hike in early Q4, and more tightening is expected by 2027. It’s a dynamic landscape, and as always, I’m here to share these insights as we all adapt to the evolving real estate environment.

After more than four decades helping Calgarians navigate this market, I’ve seen my share of twists and turns. Right now, we’re witnessing another detour: mid-Q3 Calgary resales slipped 3.4% month-over-month and are down 11% from last year, with the local price index easing by 0.3% annually. It’s a softer climate, not a dramatic shift, but it’s worth noting how renewed trade tensions are making uncertainty feel real again—an economist even called this current pause a sign of hesitation, not a full reversal.

Earlier in the year, Calgary’s market had already started diverging; by late Q1, resale activity dipped, and that trend hung on for about six months. For clients facing mortgage renewals, these softer conditions can have a real impact: limited equity growth means there’s less cushion to handle changing payments. The central bank’s decision to hold policy rates steady through late Q3 adds another layer of complexity, with some experts now even floating the idea of a rate hike by year-end. As I continue to adapt alongside my clients and colleagues, I’m keeping a close eye on how these shifts might shape the months ahead.

The perfect opportunity to embrace your inner "foodie" and unbutton your pants at the dinner table!In Canada, post-Thanksgiving is all about creative cranberry sauce solutions. Cranberry sauce pancakes, anyone?It's that time when multiple ovens are a blessing. Turkey, pies, casseroles – less stress!