Dates: May 1 – May 31, 2026 Times: Vary by program (typically evenings & daytime drop-ins) Location: Bowness Community Association
May in Bowness isn’t about big festivals—it’s about the steady return of community life. Throughout the month, the Bowness Community Association hosts a range of recurring programs including family game nights, pickleball, crafting groups, and early childhood activities.
Most programs run weekly, with schedules posted on the association’s website and bulletin boards inside the facility.
Registration:
Many programs are drop-in (no registration required)
Some classes require advance sign-up through the community association website or front desk
Fees (if applicable): typically $5–$15 per session or membership-based
This is the perfect time to explore the quieter, more personal side of Bowness—where community connections happen in small but meaningful ways.
If you’re a first-time home buyer in Calgary, Bill C-4 has made purchasing a newly built home significantly more affordable. As of March 2026, the federal government introduced a GST rebate that can eliminate—or substantially reduce—the 5% tax typically applied to new construction. For many buyers, this translates into savings of up to $50,000 upfront, depending on the purchase price.
Under this program, homes priced at $1 million or less qualify for a full GST rebate, meaning buyers pay no GST at all. Homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million are eligible for a partial rebate, while properties above $1.5 million do not qualify. Because Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax, this effectively removes all sales tax on qualifying new homes, making the impact especially strong for buyers in Calgary.
This program is particularly important in Calgary’s market, where many new townhomes, duplexes, and even detached homes fall below the $1 million threshold. As a result, a large percentage of first-time buyers can take full advantage of the rebate. In the past, resale homes had a pricing advantage because they were not subject to GST, but this new policy helps level the playing field and makes new construction a much more competitive option.
To understand the real impact, it helps to compare what buyers would pay with and without the GST. For example, a $500,000 townhome would normally include $25,000 in GST, bringing the total purchase price to $525,000. With the rebate, that tax is eliminated, meaning the buyer pays $500,000 and saves $25,000. At a $650,000 price point, which is common for duplexes or laned homes, GST would typically add $32,500, increasing the total cost to $682,500. With Bill C-4, that cost is removed entirely, saving the full $32,500.
The savings become even more significant at higher price points. A detached home priced at $800,000 would normally include $40,000 in GST, bringing the total to $840,000. With the rebate, that cost is eliminated, keeping the purchase price at $800,000. Even above $1 million, buyers can still benefit from partial savings. For example, a $1.1 million home would typically include $55,000 in GST, but with the partial rebate, buyers may receive roughly $30,000 to $40,000 back, reducing their effective purchase price to approximately $1.115 million to $1.125 million. However, once the price reaches $1.6 million, no rebate applies and the full GST must be paid.
To make these differences even clearer, here is a simple comparison of typical Calgary price points with and without the GST rebate:
These comparisons highlight how Bill C-4 effectively creates an immediate 5% price reduction for many first-time buyers. This has a direct impact on affordability by lowering the upfront cash required to complete a purchase. In most cases, builders apply the rebate at closing, so buyers do not need to pay the GST and wait for reimbursement. This can also improve mortgage qualification and increase overall purchasing power, allowing buyers to consider more options within their budget.
To qualify for the rebate, buyers must meet several requirements. They must be first-time home buyers, meaning they have not owned and lived in a home within the past four years. They must also be at least 18 years old and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The property must be a newly built or substantially renovated home and must be intended as the buyer’s primary residence. The documentation required is straightforward and typically includes identification, proof of residency status, a signed declaration confirming first-time buyer status, and the purchase agreement. In most cases, the builder and real estate lawyer handle the rebate as part of the closing process, so buyers do not need to submit a separate application.
Overall, Bill C-4 represents one of the most significant opportunities for first-time buyers in today’s market. By eliminating GST on many new homes, it reduces upfront costs, increases affordability, and makes new construction far more accessible. In a market like Calgary—where entry-level price points are still within reach—this program can make a meaningful difference in helping buyers move into homeownership sooner.
If you’re considering buying your first home, understanding how this rebate applies to your situation can help you make a more informed decision and maximize your savings.
If you’ve had your eyes on Calgary’s real estate scene lately, you’re not alone. With its growing economy, stunning natural surroundings, and comparatively affordable housing market, Calgary is quickly becoming one of Canada’s hottest property markets in 2025.
Whether you’re buying your first home, investing in rental properties, or just curious about where the market’s headed, this all-in-one guide has your back. From average home prices and emerging neighborhoods to expert market forecasts, we’re breaking it all down—without the jargon.
Looking for a neighborhood in Calgary that checks all the boxes—affordability, lifestyle, investment potential, and family-friendliness? Bowness might just be the answer. Tucked along the Bow River with a rich history and exciting future, it’s no surprise that Bowness is capturing attention from homebuyers, investors, and growing families alike. So, what’s fueling this neighborhood’s rise?
Calgary’s northwest is packed with great communities, but if you’re looking for that perfect mix of mountain views, green space, and suburban comfort, Scenic Acres and Tuscany are often at the top of the list. Both offer that classic Calgary feel—quiet streets, great schools, and plenty of room to breathe. But they each bring their own personality to the table. Whether you’re a nature-loving family, a busy commuter, or just someone craving space with style, here’s how these two neighbourhoods stack up.
Tucked away in Calgary’s northwest, Greenwich and Upper Greenwich are two of the city’s most buzzworthy new communities. With sleek urban design, future-forward planning, and a lifestyle that blends city convenience with neighborhood charm, it’s no surprise more people are taking notice. Whether you’re a homebuyer seeking modern living or an investor with an eye on Calgary’s next big thing, Greenwich delivers the goods.
Find the right realtor to help you move into your desired neighbourhood.
Buying a home in Calgary
If you’re thinking about buying a home in Calgary, we suggest you find a realtor that’s familiar with the neighbourhood you’re looking at moving into. The local real estate market in is veering towards a seller’s market right now with limited inventory and prices continuing to rise. If you’re looking at moving to a particular neighbourhood, finding a realtor that knows the community and resident’s may just be the inside edge you need to find your next dream home.
Getting in to your desired community can lead to multiple offer scenarios, especially when looking at mature, inner city communities as these are the places that tend to have limited inventory. Having a realtor that can present your offer in a way that speaks to the seller may just be what it takes to help you win your home. It’s not always the highest price that wins the bid! It can be as simple as showing the seller that the buyers value the character of the neighbourhood that kept them in their home for so many years.
They’ll have intimate information of the cool community gems you need to try, the shops that are a must visit, the parks and community organizations worth checking out and anything else that you can only glean from spending time in the area. For example, Bowness is an in demand, inner city neighbourhood in Calgary with SO MANY amazing aspects. Bowness Park is home to one of the few skating loops in the city, ice skating and cross country skiing in the winter and canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating and biking in the summer. It’s also home to a number of unique shops and restaurants like Yoga in Bowness, Angels (with the best burgers and milkshakes!) and Cadence Coffee and they are host to one of the cities most engaging summer festivals, Tour de Bowness (sponsored by Bow Cycle). And if you have a growing family, Bowness is also home to a number of clubs and activities for everyone, including Soccer, Yoga, Hockey, Music lessons and Pickle Ball!
If you’re interested in buying a home in Calgary’s River Valley and living in the beautiful communities of Bowness, Montgomery, Silver Springs, or Parkdale let us help you! Call us today.
If you’re like most people, then you’ve probably been thinking about investing in fix-and-flip properties. This is where you buy a house, renovate it, and resell it.
Many homeowners who have experienced financial difficulties are reluctant to sell their homes due to their condition. Although I’m not a fan of taking advantage of people in tough situations, identifying and acquiring properties in as-is condition is a service that can help distressed homeowners get rid of their debts. The homes become great projects to then renovate and fix up in order to sell for a higher price then the cost of buying and renovating combined.
There are courses that will teach you how to identify and analyze potential fix-and-flip investments however our team has the experience and can provide advice on the matter.
The Calgary housing market has remained hot, with the average selling price of a home increasing year-over-year. Multiple properties saw increases in price, with the condo market seeing the biggest jump.
Depending on the factors that affect the market, it may change in 2022 and beyond. If you’re thinking of buying a home or renting, it might be time to start planning now.
Before you start looking for a home, take some time to consider what kind of property you want to live in. This will help you decide on the type of neighbourhood and yard you want to have.
Most of the time, these are the questions that will affect the decisions you make when buying a home. There are many types of properties in Calgary, ranging from detached houses to condo units. Before you decide to put in an offer, review the market and what areas and types of properties are most popular.
Take note of all of your financial commitments and expenses, as well as any other important factors that will affect your down payment. A mortgage calculator can help you determine how much of a down payment you can afford. You can use this one from the Realtor.ca mortgage calculator.
If you’re thinking of saving for a down payment, you may want to consider shifting some of your retirement savings. For a first-time home-buyer, this can help boost their down payment by up to $15,000. This can be done for a limited time, and it can help you reach your goal of owning a home.
One way to cut costs is by reducing your car use. If you live in a nearby area, consider taking the bus, walking, or riding the train to save a few dollars each year.
Your credit score is a big factor when it comes to deciding how much of a loan you can afford. It can also make long-term decisions about how much of a monthly payment you can afford.
If you have student loan debts or other debts, pay them off as quickly as possible. Doing so can help you reach a goal of having less debt and being responsible with your spending.
It might seem like a big financial move to shift your savings around and pay off debts, but doing so can actually make a big difference.
You may not want to deny yourself the luxuries that make life exciting, but living within a tight budget can help you get closer to buying a home.
If you can’t afford to purchase a home on your own, consider hiring a trusted partner or family member to help you. While saving for a down payment, find a roommate to help you manage rent costs.
If you’re thinking of buying a home in Calgary, now is the time to start planning. If you have questions about your mortgage, we have had great support from the Canadian Mortgage Professionals here in Calgary. Their website is https://canadianmortgagepro.com/
Infill homes are luxury homes that are built in established communities. Through the process, these homes can transform inner-city neighborhoods.
One of the main reasons why more people are choosing to live in infills is because they are close to work and entertainment in Calgary. However, choosing to build a new home in an established community can be challenging.
Infill homes are often built for single-family homes. There are also multi-family infills that allow people to have multiple properties. Infill homes are usually built on a lot that was previously used as a single-family home. This usually involves the construction of multiple homes. Two-family infills are known as semi-attached and duplexes. In these units, the living areas are separated by a fire-resistant/soundproof dividing wall.
The best communities in Calgary for infill homes depend on the City’s zoning R-CG or M-CG the most common types of single-detached houses. After finding a suitable site, the next step is to determine what kind of home you want to build. The builder will help you make the right decisions, guiding you through the process of choosing the type of home that will best fit your lifestyle.
