Calgary Real Estate Blog

Premiering a couple months before the Calgary Home + Garden Show, the Calgary Renovation Show is a new event geared toward both do-it-yourselfers and homeowners looking to hire trades in 2017. It features some big name (for the HGTV set) guests including Jillian Harris, Mike Holmes Jr., and Danielle Bryk, along with furniture and cabinet rehab workshops, and more than 40 exhibitors. Sponsored by Ikea, Cloverdale Paint, and Sleep Country, among others, this show is a great way to spend what’s sure to be a chilly weekend, sparking ideas on how you can improve your home for comfort and maybe even profitability.

I’ve got a promo code to share that will get you 2-for-1 tickets if you buy before January 11 – simply click here and use the promo code SHOWWEEK when checking out.

Forecasters are predicting a stable real estate market this year, with home prices staying pretty much the same as they are right now throughout 2017. If you’re thinking of making a move, well considered renovations can make a significant difference in both how long it take your property to sell, and on the final selling price. Please feel free to contact me with any questions as to what renos tend to have the greatest return on investment, then attend the Calgary Renovation Show for inspiration as to just what you can accomplish on a small budget.

I was looking at the Calgary’s real estate statistics for November, and it would seem we may be seeing some positive trends as far as how supply and pricing are moving. For over a year now, the city’s resale market has seen an abundance of listings as people look to downsize or simply move somewhere with better employment prospects, and that increased selection has put downward pressure on prices. Having tonnes of properties to compare is great for buyers, but can be frustrating and discouraging for those on the selling end. The last couple of months have marked a change in that trend, as the number of new listings went down 9 percent in November and a whopping 23 percent in December, while the number of active listings declined an average of 8 percent per month over the same period. At the same time, both median and average prices have continued to increase.

What this means for the average seller is it will be a little bit easier to stand out in the crowd, and the pressure to compromise on price has lessened. We’re still a far cry from the fast times of a few years ago, when many homes were selling for above-asking price before the For Sale sign could be pounded into the front yard, but it’s certainly positive news.

I expect this could be a sign of things to come, as our economy starts to scratch its way back toward growth, employment numbers improve, and our city gets back on its feet. The coming year could be the best year to sell your home that we’ve seen in awhile.

If you want to start hammering out a sales strategy for 2017, please contact me!

Also, the Calgary Renovation Show – a great place to get inspired – is less than a month away, and I’ve got a 2-for-1 ticket promo code for you! Simply visit this link and use the code 1MONTH to take advantage of the deal. Just make sure you do it before December 28, when the code expires.