Calgary Real Estate Blog

As we near the close-out of 2015, Calgary is settling into mild buyer’s market and will likely stay that way for a good chunk of 2016. However, if you’re looking to sell your mid-range home – especially sub-$450,000 – you’ll likely have plenty of interest. It’s the higher end that’s really taking the hit of job losses and low oil prices in Alberta.

We haven’t seen a buyer’s market in Calgary in quite a while, and so many looking to sell may be a little concerned and uncomfortable about the prospect. If that’s you, allow me to set your mind at ease.

First, Calgary’s real estate market, even in economic slowdowns, tends to remain pretty strong thanks to solid fundamentals. You won’t need to hold a fire sale on your well maintained home just to move it; priced and marketed appropriately by a real estate professional (like me!), you can still get what your property is worth. So, relax.

Second, to get top dollar, your home needs to look like it’s worth it. Professional staging, decluttering, yard maintenance and home repairs are key in a buyer’s market. When there’re plenty of homes to chose from, many shoppers are going to lean toward those that look ready to move into without a lot of work. Little touches make a huge difference, logical or not.

Third, trust your Realtor to manage expectations and give you honest opinions on pricing and strategy. She or he wants to move your property as badly as you want it to sell, and is motivated to secure the best price. Realtors live and breath real estate, and know the truth behind the headlines, so find someone you can trust and let their experience guide you.

Keep these things in mind and you’re set to have a positive experience selling in a buyer’s market.

Want some inspiration? Put the Calgary Home + Garden Show on your calendar for February! Use this link, with the promo code HOLIDAYS and get 2-for-1 tickets!

I love the annual Home + Garden Show that takes place at the BMO Centre and Corral each winter. Not only do the exhibits and demonstrations help me keep on top of the latest trends in landscaping and home improvement, it also offers plenty of ideas that I can use to improve my own home. It’s always a fun weekend, well worth both the the perilous journey through the snow and the price of admission.

That price can be even lower for you! By using the promo code SHOWTIME and buying your tickets online, you can get them at a 2-for-1 discount. Click here to buy before February 27!

Want to discuss how to spruce up your home before putting it on the market? Just contact me!

If you’ve seen anything in the news about residential real estate lately, it’s probably been doom-and-gloom talk about how sales in January were down nearly 40 percent from January 2014 – you know, the year of record sales when I barely had time to grab a coffee between appointments many days. That kind of talk sells newspapers (at least, as much as newspapers sell these days) and plays nicely into the narrative that Alberta’s on the cusp of an economic apocalypse, but the truth is, the market’s doing just fine, and should continue to do so throughout the year.

We’ll likely continue to see lower year-over-year sales and price increases in residential homes over the next few months, which is to be expected: not only is the lower oil price slowing our economy, but Calgary went from a red hot sellers’ market early last year to a more balanced and sustainable one in the latter half. That balance – having the right number of properties for sale in relation to the number looking to buy – is ideal, and healthy. Without needing to rush buying decisions, but still having plenty of selection from which to choose, Realtors like myself can better help home buyers find homes that meet their needs and satisfy their wants. (For more on buyers’ vs sellers’ markets, and some consideration on when is the right time to sell your home, visit here.)

Despite the actual number of sales going down in January, there was both an increase in the number of properties listed and a healthy 7.7 percent increase in the year-over-year benchmark selling price. Nothing to worry about on that front.

Could the market slow down significantly? Sure, it’s possible, especially with the talk of major cuts across the board in the next provincial budget. People who were on the fence about selling and are now afraid prices are going to crater will go ahead and list their homes to beat the rush, while others may decide to downsize as their personal financial situation changes. And without a doubt, this year’s market won’t be nearly as hot as 2014’s. Still, as you’re reading or watching news stories about the dire future of Calgary real estate, take a moment to remember the solid fundamentals on which our housing market is based; there’s no bubble to be found here, which means there may be a slowdown, but there won’t be a crash.

Questions about the right time to buy and sell in our current economy? Contact me!

Also: the Calgary Home + Garden Show is quickly approaching, and organizers have sent out a Valentine’s Day promotion. To buy tickets for the event (taking place February 26-March 1 at the BMO Centre) and save $5 in the process, click here and use the promo code LOVE. Offer is valid until February 18.

There’s something special about the couple of weeks immediately following New Year’s Day: the Christmas season is over, company has returned from whence they came, and your home is starting to look like it did last fall. Opportunity and renewal is in the air; anything is possible. As you tidy up the decorations you might find a few bits of maintenance that need doing, or improvements that can be made. Rather than overwhelming, though, this list is inspiring, because it’s a new year, baby!

The trick, then, is to capitalize on this newfound optimism and actually accomplish something. If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market this year – and judging by early indicators, this’ll be a great time to do so – make your New Year’s resolution to get your property market ready.

First and foremost, start decluttering your home. Haven’t used something in more than a year? Donate, sell, or toss it. Clear off the flat surfaces like desks and countertops, and resolve to keep them clear. Those who are really ambitious can use the ‘clean sweep’ method, taking absolutely everything out of a room, then only putting back those things that truly belong in that space; the rest has got to go.

Decluttering doesn’t have to mean getting rid of things, though: packing rarely-used but still useful things in preparation for your move will both improve the roominess of your home and save you some time later.

Next, really put some effort into identifying all the areas where your home could use some maintenance, and make a plan for how and when you’ll get it all done. Then start looking at inexpensive improvements you could make to freshen up the place: maybe get all the supplies you need to paint your main floor, and the next time a chinook hits crack open the windows and get to it.

Now’s also a useful time to do some research, both of the types of neighbourhoods in which you might like to live, and on Realtors in your area who might be a good fit for you. January’s not generally the busiest month for Realtors, so call a few up to go for coffee in an informal interview (I’m available). The right agent can make your selling – and buying – experience a lot easier.

So those are a few tips to get you started. And because I’m still in the giving mood, how would you like 2-for-1 tickets to the Calgary Home and Garden Show, taking place at the end of next month? Just click here, and make sure to use the promo code NEWYEAR.

The frigid temperatures and ridiculous amount of snowfall has forced many of us to spend a lot more time ensconced indoors than usual. Looking around your house, you might start to daydream about  things you’d like to change: the flooring, light fixtures, paint, maybe even knock down a wall. It’s no coincidence that the Calgary Home and Garden Show is scheduled in February each year, after we’ve spent a couple months fantasizing about home improvements. By the time the Show rolls around, many people are ready to make decisions and get started; no dummies, those organizers.

While pretty much any upgrade will contribute to your and your family’s greater personal enjoyment of your home, which ones also add value when it’s time to sell?

The obvious starting points are the kitchen and the bathrooms. Everyone likes a bright, spacious kitchen with plenty of counter and cupboard space, modern fixtures, and a logical layout, so renovations that make your kitchen more welcoming are always going to have an immediate impact on people viewing your property. Bathrooms, too, are an area where buyers place a premium on cleanliness and modernization. That said, going overboard on the highest-end fixtures and rarest countertops may be counterproductive if these upgrades are out of place in your home or neighbourhood.

Other smart ways to upgrade are adding a deck, tasteful landscaping to improve curb appeal, finishing the basement, and building a garage.

On the flip side, the Globe and Mail published a good article recently listing six renovations that don’t add value, citing swimming pools, elaborate landscaping projects, and wall-to-wall carpeting as upgrades that won’t really pay off when it comes time to sell. Click through to read the article, it’s worth your time.

So, as I mentioned, the Calgary Home and Garden Show is just a couple of months away, and I’m sharing a coupon code that’ll give you 2-for-1 tickets. Just click here to buy your tickets with the discount (valid until Dec 24th). I go every year to stay current with the newest and best trends, and I hope to see you there too!