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Welcome to 2021 and our first Weekender of the new year! Who knows what this year has in store, but it can’t possibly be as bad as 2020, right? *knocks on wood*
Speaking of 2020, for this special edition of our newsletter I’ve thrown out the traditional format in favour of highlighting some of my favourite CREB®Now stories from last year – and there are a lot of them.
So, without further ado, here is my 100 per cent subjective list of the best CREB®Now stories from 2020.
Deep dives
Welcome to the “longreads” section! These in-depth features spanned a variety of topics, including the history of a fabled (but short-lived) Calgary waterpark, the ins and outs of “cash for homes” companies, and the growing appeal of a unique housing movement. What they all have in common is a compelling narrative that will hook you right from the start.
Courtesy of Wayne Henuset
Fleeting fun: remembering Calgary’s Bonzai waterslide park
COVID-19 and housing
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of our lives. Thanks to intermittent stay-at-home orders and the need for physical distancing outside the household, many of us became better acquainted with our living spaces – both their charms and shortcomings. Unsurprisingly, this led to a wealth of great stories. Here are just a few of them.
DIY home projects for self-isolation and social distancing
How to preserve your relationships, and sanity, during COVID-19 cohabitation
Courtesy of Horizon Housing
COVID-19 pandemic highlights Calgary’s need for affordable housing
Odds and ends
Here’s the section for the miscellaneous stories I wanted to include that didn’t fit neatly into any of the other categories. Don’t let the unassuming title fool you, though – each story, whether it aims to inform or entertain, can stand on its own merits.
What were we thinking? The hater’s guide to carpeted bathrooms
Uninvited guests: five common household pests and how to show them the door
How to navigate home insurance claims and repairs for hail damage
REALTOR® spotlight
In any given year, it’s easy to find several feel-good stories from the REALTOR® community in Calgary and surrounding areas, and 2020 was no exception. These were some of the highlights.
Courtesy of Kevin Niefer
Ring reunion: local REALTOR® reunites man with long-lost family treasure
Terence Leung / CREB®Now
A beautiful ride: two local REALTORS® reflect on 50 years in real estate
Courtesy of Brian van Vliet
Jump for a cure: Calgary REALTOR® takes to the skies for unique Kids Cancer Care fundraiser
My First Home
The experience of purchasing a home for the first time can be many things: stressful, emotional, joyful, or even humourous. These three stories run the gamut.
My First Home: George Hopkins, Calgary Stampeders equipment manager
My First Home: Mike Vernon, Calgary Flames goaltender and Stanley Cup champion
My First Home: Ben Hebert, Canadian curler and Olympic gold medallist
If there’s a 2020 story I missed that really stood out for you, please share it with us on Twitter or Facebook!