All Blog Entries by Justin Havre Real Estate Team

Selling your first home feels overwhelming. You're not sure where to start, what to fix, or how much to ask for your house.

The good news is that most first-time sellers in Calgary make the same mistakes. Once you know what they are, you can avoid them, increase the value of your home, and even reduce the stress of selling your home.

Here's what works when you sell your home in Calgary's real estate market.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Calgary Home-Selling Cheat Sheet

• Price your home right from day one (overpricing costs you thousands)
• Fix the front of your house first—it's what prospective buyers see online
• Don't skip

Looking for Calgary's top real estate team? You want experts who know every neighbourhood, understand the market, and actually care about getting you the best deal. The Justin Havre Real Estate Team brings over 20 years of experience to every home sale and purchase. With 70+ advisors and billions in sales, we're not just another real estate office—we're Calgary's most trusted team for good reason.

Why The Justin Havre Real Estate Team is Calgary's Top Real Estate Team

The Justin Havre Team doesn't just sell homes—we've revolutionized how Calgary buys and sells real estate. We created some of the city's largest real estate websites, CalgaryHomes.ca and Calgary.com, ensuring maximum exposure for home sellers and seamless search tools for home

Looking for Calgary's most exclusive neighbourhoods? You're not alone. With Calgary named Canada's top real estate market to watch in 2025, luxury home prices have jumped dramatically. Some neighbourhoods now have average home prices over $3.6 million.

This guide breaks down the most expensive neighbourhoods in Calgary based on 2024-2025 sales data. You'll see current prices, what makes each area special, and which ones are worth your attention if you're serious about luxury living in Calgary.

Quick Look at Calgary's Richest Neighbourhoods

• Upper Mount Royal leads at $3.6M median: Historic charm meets city views
• Bel-Aire averages $2.9M: Privacy and golf course access without the fees
• Roxboro homes average around $2M: Best value for

You want to know what your neighbour's house sold for. Maybe you're thinking about selling your own place and want to avoid overpricing. Or you're house-hunting and need to know if that $650,000 asking price is fair.

Here's the problem: finding actual prices that homes sold for in Calgary isn't as easy as it could be. Canada's privacy laws make this info harder to get than in places like the U.S.

But don't worry. There are still ways to get the numbers you need.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

How to Find Out How Much a House Sold For in Calgary

• Ask a Calgary real estate agent (they have greater MLS access than the general

Fall in Calgary is magic. The leaves along the Bow River turn gold and red. The air is crisp, but not yet too cold. And the atmosphere is magical with some of Calgary's best annual festivals. 

Calgary's fall festival scene shows what makes this city special. You'll find everything from world-class films to pumpkin patches, beer gardens to ghost tours, and international food to local art shows.

Here's what you need to know about Calgary's top fall festivals. Whether you're looking for family fun, cultural experiences, or just a great way to spend a weekend, you'll find it here.

Quick Calgary Fall Festival Guide

Before we dive in, here's a quick list of the must-attend fall festivals:

• Calgary International Film Festival: Late September

If you’ve ever wondered why you see three different "prices" for the same Calgary neighbourhood, you're not alone.

One website says the average home price is $804,000, while another shows a median price of $720,000. The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) reports a benchmark price of $760,500. What gives?

Here's the thing: Each number tells a different story about Calgary's housing market. Understanding these differences can help you avoid costly homebuying and home-selling mistakes. 

Home Price Quick Reference

Keep these definitions handy when house hunting or checking market reports:

• Benchmark Price = Typical home based on standard features (best for trends)
• Median Price = Middle price when all sales are lined up (less affected by

Looking at Calgary's average home price of $700,000, you might think you need $140,000 in your savings account before you can even think about homeownership. Here's some good news: you don't.

The 20% down payment rule is one of the biggest myths in Canadian real estate. While putting down 20% has benefits, it's not required for most home purchases. Smart buyers are using government programs, creative financing, and strategic planning to get into homes much sooner than they thought possible.

Whether you're tired of rising rents or ready to build equity instead of paying someone else's mortgage, there are legitimate ways to buy a home with far less cash than you might expect.

Quick Down Payment Reality Check 

• You only need 5% down on homes

Selling property in Canada can trigger a large tax bill that catches many property owners off guard. If you profited on your investment property, the government wants their share through capital gains tax.

Here's the good news: you don't have to pay capital gains tax at the full rate if you know the right moves. Smart property owners avoid capital gains tax penalties and reduce capital gains tax liability through proven strategies.

Let's break down exactly how to minimize capital gains tax and show you the legal ways to reduce what you owe on your capital property.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, tax, or financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Quick Capital Gains Tax Checklist

If you don’t qualify for a mortgage but dream of owning your home, you're not alone.

Thousands of Canadians face the same challenge. Your credit isn't perfect, or you don't have enough saved for a large down payment. Traditional banks often say "no," but a rent-to-own agreement may be your path to homeownership.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, tax, or financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Rent-to-Own Agreements: Quick Takeaways

• Rent-to-own lets you work toward buying a house while renting it first
• Part of your rent payments goes toward the future purchase price
• You can build equity and improve your credit at the same time
• Requires an upfront option fee (usually 1%

If you're living in or moving to Alberta and looking to save money on housing, several cities offer much lower costs than Calgary or Edmonton. Places like Red Deer and Lethbridge give you cheap living without cutting back on the quality of life. 

These smaller cities have good job markets and strong communities that make them worth checking out. If you prefer big city proximity, the greater Calgary area has affordable options.

No matter what you're looking for, there's an affordable Alberta community for you.

Top Affordable Places to Live in Alberta

Average home prices in Alberta's most affordable towns:

• Red Deer - $390,000
• Cold Lake - $325,000
• Lethbridge - $470,000
• Wetaskiwin - $250,000
• Medicine Hat - $340,000
• Brooks -