Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. forecasts the average MLS price in 2013 to be between $356,500 and $378,500 and between $363,800 and $390,800 in 2014.

It says employment and economic growth will likely gain momentum later this year and in 2014, pushing housing starts slightly higher next year.

With an abundance of mountain views and luxury amenities, mansions for sale in rural southern Alberta far exceed CMHC's average price forecast and are unlikely to be a first home.

Located in Rural Rocky View County, these homes are anything but average, and neither is their price tag.

LOOK: WHERE ALBERTA'S ONE PER CENT LIVES

Ranging from 1.5 million to over 3 million, these homes provide a country escape, complete with spacious rooms, wine cellars and mountain and valley views.

Here's a look at luxury in southern Alberta's rural homes:

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  • $1,745,000

    This south backing house has mountain views, a half acre lot size with five bedrooms, an exercise room, a den and a fully developed lower level with a walk-behind bar, games area and second family room. The 'Barefoot Contessa' kitchen is open to the family room and features ivory maple cabinetry. The property also has a five car that has a rough-in for a lift.

  • $1,745,000

    This south backing house has mountain views, a half acre lot size with five bedrooms, an exercise room, a den and a fully developed lower level with a walk-behind bar, games area and second family room. The 'Barefoot Contessa' kitchen is open to the family room and features ivory maple cabinetry. The property also has a five car that has a rough-in for a lift.

  • $1,745,000

    This south backing house has mountain views, a half acre lot size with five bedrooms, an exercise room, a den and a fully developed lower level with a walk-behind bar, games area and second family room. The 'Barefoot Contessa' kitchen is open to the family room and features ivory maple cabinetry. The property also has a five car that has a rough-in for a lift.

  • $1,745,000

    This south backing house has mountain views, a half acre lot size with five bedrooms, an exercise room, a den and a fully developed lower level with a walk-behind bar, games area and second family room. The 'Barefoot Contessa' kitchen is open to the family room and features ivory maple cabinetry. The property also has a five car that has a rough-in for a lift.

  • $1,745,000

    This south backing house has mountain views, a half acre lot size with five bedrooms, an exercise room, a den and a fully developed lower level with a walk-behind bar, games area and second family room. The 'Barefoot Contessa' kitchen is open to the family room and features ivory maple cabinetry. The property also has a five car that has a rough-in for a lift.

  • $2,275,000

    This home sits on a ridge overlooking the Elbow River with views of the valley. Features include over 5900 developed sf, a 'library' piano studio, a two-storey great room with a stone fireplace. The property also has 10' ceilings on the main floor, a lower level walk-out with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an exercise room, a built-in computer desk area, a games room, a media room and a walk-behind bar with a display wine cellar area.

  • $2,275,000

    This home sits on a ridge overlooking the Elbow River with views of the valley. Features include over 5900 developed sf, a 'library' piano studio, a two-storey great room with a stone fireplace. The property also has 10' ceilings on the main floor, a lower level walk-out with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an exercise room, a built-in computer desk area, a games room, a media room and a walk-behind bar with a display wine cellar area.

  • $2,275,000

    This home sits on a ridge overlooking the Elbow River with views of the valley. Features include over 5900 developed sf, a 'library' piano studio, a two-storey great room with a stone fireplace. The property also has 10' ceilings on the main floor, a lower level walk-out with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an exercise room, a built-in computer desk area, a games room, a media room and a walk-behind bar with a display wine cellar area.

  • $2,275,000

    This home sits on a ridge overlooking the Elbow River with views of the valley. Features include over 5900 developed sf, a 'library' piano studio, a two-storey great room with a stone fireplace. The property also has 10' ceilings on the main floor, a lower level walk-out with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an exercise room, a built-in computer desk area, a games room, a media room and a walk-behind bar with a display wine cellar area.

  • $2,275,000

    This home sits on a ridge overlooking the Elbow River with views of the valley. Features include over 5900 developed sf, a 'library' piano studio, a two-storey great room with a stone fireplace. The property also has 10' ceilings on the main floor, a lower level walk-out with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an exercise room, a built-in computer desk area, a games room, a media room and a walk-behind bar with a display wine cellar area.

  • $2,275,000

    This home sits on a ridge overlooking the Elbow River with views of the valley. Features include over 5900 developed sf, a 'library' piano studio, a two-storey great room with a stone fireplace. The property also has 10' ceilings on the main floor, a lower level walk-out with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an exercise room, a built-in computer desk area, a games room, a media room and a walk-behind bar with a display wine cellar area.

  • $2,199,000

    Located on a four acre lot, features of this property's yard include a pond, waterfall, extensive terraced gardens, and a grand security gate. The house has a four car attached garage, two main floor bedrooms and a loft. The lower level also has a large theatre room, full bar area, games room, a cozy fireplace in a separate sitting area, an exercise room, two more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms.

  • $2,199,000

    Located on a four acre lot, features of this property's yard include a pond, waterfall, extensive terraced gardens, and a grand security gate. The house has a four car attached garage, two main floor bedrooms and a loft. The lower level also has a large theatre room, full bar area, games room, a cozy fireplace in a separate sitting area, an exercise room, two more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms.

  • $2,199,000

    Located on a four acre lot, features of this property's yard include a pond, waterfall, extensive terraced gardens, and a grand security gate. The house has a four car attached garage, two main floor bedrooms and a loft. The lower level also has a large theatre room, full bar area, games room, a cozy fireplace in a separate sitting area, an exercise room, two more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms.

  • $2,199,000

    Located on a four acre lot, features of this property's yard include a pond, waterfall, extensive terraced gardens, and a grand security gate. The house has a four car attached garage, two main floor bedrooms and a loft. The lower level also has a large theatre room, full bar area, games room, a cozy fireplace in a separate sitting area, an exercise room, two more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms.

  • $2,199,000

    Located on a four acre lot, features of this property's yard include a pond, waterfall, extensive terraced gardens, and a grand security gate. The house has a four car attached garage, two main floor bedrooms and a loft. The lower level also has a large theatre room, full bar area, games room, a cozy fireplace in a separate sitting area, an exercise room, two more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms.

  • $2,199,000

    Located on a four acre lot, features of this property's yard include a pond, waterfall, extensive terraced gardens, and a grand security gate. The house has a four car attached garage, two main floor bedrooms and a loft. The lower level also has a large theatre room, full bar area, games room, a cozy fireplace in a separate sitting area, an exercise room, two more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms.

  • $2,199,000

    Located on a four acre lot, features of this property's yard include a pond, waterfall, extensive terraced gardens, and a grand security gate. The house has a four car attached garage, two main floor bedrooms and a loft. The lower level also has a large theatre room, full bar area, games room, a cozy fireplace in a separate sitting area, an exercise room, two more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms.

  • $3,095,000

    This award-winning 'Wolf Custom Homes' property features over 6600 developed sf, a four car garage and luxury amenities including a master suite with wood beam ceiling detailing, a 17' great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and a rich study with wood paneling and a coffered ceiling. The lower level walk-out features a a theatre room, two 'Four Season' styled guest suites, a games area, a fitness center and a wine seller. This property is available fully furnished.

  • $3,095,000

    This award-winning 'Wolf Custom Homes' property features over 6600 developed sf, a four car garage and luxury amenities including a master suite with wood beam ceiling detailing, a 17' great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and a rich study with wood paneling and a coffered ceiling. The lower level walk-out features a a theatre room, two 'Four Season' styled guest suites, a games area, a fitness center and a wine seller. This property is available fully furnished.

  • $3,095,000

    This award-winning 'Wolf Custom Homes' property features over 6600 developed sf, a four car garage and luxury amenities including a master suite with wood beam ceiling detailing, a 17' great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and a rich study with wood paneling and a coffered ceiling. The lower level walk-out features a a theatre room, two 'Four Season' styled guest suites, a games area, a fitness center and a wine seller. This property is available fully furnished.

  • $3,095,000

    This award-winning 'Wolf Custom Homes' property features over 6600 developed sf, a four car garage and luxury amenities including a master suite with wood beam ceiling detailing, a 17' great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and a rich study with wood paneling and a coffered ceiling. The lower level walk-out features a a theatre room, two 'Four Season' styled guest suites, a games area, a fitness center and a wine seller. This property is available fully furnished.

  • $3,095,000

    This award-winning 'Wolf Custom Homes' property features over 6600 developed sf, a four car garage and luxury amenities including a master suite with wood beam ceiling detailing, a 17' great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and a rich study with wood paneling and a coffered ceiling. The lower level walk-out features a a theatre room, two 'Four Season' styled guest suites, a games area, a fitness center and a wine seller. This property is available fully furnished.

  • $3,095,000

    This award-winning 'Wolf Custom Homes' property features over 6600 developed sf, a four car garage and luxury amenities including a master suite with wood beam ceiling detailing, a 17' great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and a rich study with wood paneling and a coffered ceiling. The lower level walk-out features a a theatre room, two 'Four Season' styled guest suites, a games area, a fitness center and a wine seller. This property is available fully furnished.

  • $3,095,000

    This award-winning 'Wolf Custom Homes' property features over 6600 developed sf, a four car garage and luxury amenities including a master suite with wood beam ceiling detailing, a 17' great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and a rich study with wood paneling and a coffered ceiling. The lower level walk-out features a a theatre room, two 'Four Season' styled guest suites, a games area, a fitness center and a wine seller. This property is available fully furnished.

  • $2,795,000

    The lot of this property is 17.31 acres. The house has a covered deck with wood burning fireplace offering panoramic mountain and valley views, oversized triple garage with dog bath, wet bar with granite, 300 bottle wine cellar, heat recovery system, solar panel system with backup generator maintains warmth and fresh water in case of emergency for the horses - fully fenced including a 10 stall 64x40 barn with tac room, corrals, riding arena,lean to, sheds, shelters and everything that you would look for in a modern "horse lovers paradise."

  • $2,795,000

    The lot of this property is 17.31 acres. The house has a covered deck with wood burning fireplace offering panoramic mountain and valley views, oversized triple garage with dog bath, wet bar with granite, 300 bottle wine cellar, heat recovery system, solar panel system with backup generator maintains warmth and fresh water in case of emergency for the horses - fully fenced including a 10 stall 64x40 barn with tac room, corrals, riding arena,lean to, sheds, shelters and everything that you would look for in a modern "horse lovers paradise."

  • $2,795,000

    The lot of this property is 17.31 acres. The house has a covered deck with wood burning fireplace offering panoramic mountain and valley views, oversized triple garage with dog bath, wet bar with granite, 300 bottle wine cellar, heat recovery system, solar panel system with backup generator maintains warmth and fresh water in case of emergency for the horses - fully fenced including a 10 stall 64x40 barn with tac room, corrals, riding arena,lean to, sheds, shelters and everything that you would look for in a modern "horse lovers paradise."

  • $2,795,000

    The lot of this property is 17.31 acres. The house has a covered deck with wood burning fireplace offering panoramic mountain and valley views, oversized triple garage with dog bath, wet bar with granite, 300 bottle wine cellar, heat recovery system, solar panel system with backup generator maintains warmth and fresh water in case of emergency for the horses - fully fenced including a 10 stall 64x40 barn with tac room, corrals, riding arena,lean to, sheds, shelters and everything that you would look for in a modern "horse lovers paradise."

  • $2,795,000

    The lot of this property is 17.31 acres. The house has a covered deck with wood burning fireplace offering panoramic mountain and valley views, oversized triple garage with dog bath, wet bar with granite, 300 bottle wine cellar, heat recovery system, solar panel system with backup generator maintains warmth and fresh water in case of emergency for the horses - fully fenced including a 10 stall 64x40 barn with tac room, corrals, riding arena,lean to, sheds, shelters and everything that you would look for in a modern "horse lovers paradise."

  • $2,795,000

    The lot of this property is 17.31 acres. The house has a covered deck with wood burning fireplace offering panoramic mountain and valley views, oversized triple garage with dog bath, wet bar with granite, 300 bottle wine cellar, heat recovery system, solar panel system with backup generator maintains warmth and fresh water in case of emergency for the horses - fully fenced including a 10 stall 64x40 barn with tac room, corrals, riding arena,lean to, sheds, shelters and everything that you would look for in a modern "horse lovers paradise."

  • $2,799,000

    This French Country Manor features over 5000 developed square feet, a South front courtyard off the formal dining room, a piano/library room and a bright and sunny den. The main floor master bedroom looks out onto the environmental reserve and the lower level walk-out features three children's bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, a bar area, a games area and a very large family room.

  • $2,799,000

    This French Country Manor features over 5000 developed square feet, a South front courtyard off the formal dining room, a piano/library room and a bright and sunny den. The main floor master bedroom looks out onto the environmental reserve and the lower level walk-out features three children's bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, a bar area, a games area and a very large family room.

  • $2,799,000

    This French Country Manor features over 5000 developed square feet, a South front courtyard off the formal dining room, a piano/library room and a bright and sunny den. The main floor master bedroom looks out onto the environmental reserve and the lower level walk-out features three children's bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, a bar area, a games area and a very large family room.

  • $2,799,000

    This French Country Manor features over 5000 developed square feet, a South front courtyard off the formal dining room, a piano/library room and a bright and sunny den. The main floor master bedroom looks out onto the environmental reserve and the lower level walk-out features three children's bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, a bar area, a games area and a very large family room.

  • $2,799,000

    This French Country Manor features over 5000 developed square feet, a South front courtyard off the formal dining room, a piano/library room and a bright and sunny den. The main floor master bedroom looks out onto the environmental reserve and the lower level walk-out features three children's bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, a bar area, a games area and a very large family room.

  • $2,799,000

    This French Country Manor features over 5000 developed square feet, a South front courtyard off the formal dining room, a piano/library room and a bright and sunny den. The main floor master bedroom looks out onto the environmental reserve and the lower level walk-out features three children's bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, a bar area, a games area and a very large family room.

With files from CP

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