Selling Tips

You walk into your kitchen and cringe. Those honey oak cabinets from 1995 stare back at you. The laminate countertops have seen better days. And you just know buyers will notice.

Should you spend $30,000 updating everything before listing? Or is it better to price your home lower and let buyers deal with it?

While kitchen updates can bring a return on investment of up to 75–100%, that doesn't mean every update is worth it. Smart sellers know which changes pay off and which ones are money pits.

The trick to knowing whether to remodel your kitchen before selling your home? Knowing what potential buyers in your area actually want versus what looks good on home renovation shows.

Quick Kitchen Update Guidelines for Sellers

Before we dive

Got a text offering to buy your house for cash? Seen those handwritten "We Buy Houses" signs stuck in the grass around Calgary? You're not in the minority if you find these messages suspicious.

While some cash buyers are legitimate businesses that can help you sell quickly, many are scams targeting vulnerable homeowners. In Canada, where regulations vary by province, these scammers know exactly how to exploit gaps in consumer protection.

Here's how to spot the cash offer scams, find legitimate cash buyers, and protect yourself from losing thousands.

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

5 Red Flags That Scream Cash Offer Scam

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You might worry about buying at the wrong time and losing thousands, or selling too early and missing out on extra profit. You're not alone—everyone's got an opinion about when to buy a home or sell. Your neighbour says wait until spring. Your coworker insists winter is best for deals.

Here's the truth: most timing advice misses what matters.

This guide cuts through the confusion with practical advice. You'll learn how seasons affect sale prices, why your situation is more important than "perfect" market timing, and how to make smart moves without overthinking every decision.

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

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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

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

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

Instead of getting a pre-listing home inspection, most sellers wait for the buyer's inspection. But that can feel like waiting for a surprise test you didn't study for! When buyers find problems during a home inspection, they tend to demand cuts to your listing price or just walk away.

A pre-listing home inspection puts you in control by giving you a chance to find out what's wrong with your house before it’s too late. No surprises, no last-minute price drops, and much less of a stressful time crunch during the sale.

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

Top 5 Reasons to Get a Pre-Sale Home Inspection

• You save time by not having buyers

Thinking about trying a sale-by-owner approach to selling your home? It seems tempting to avoid that commission fee. But hold on! There's more to the story than just saving money.

The truth is, FSBO homes (that's "for sale by owner" homes) typically sell for much less than agent-assisted homes and open sellers up to making crucial mistakes. You'll also spend a ton of time managing everything yourself—from marketing to handling real estate transactions.

Let's look at why using a real estate agent might actually put MORE money in your pocket, not less.

For informational purposes only. It's recommended to consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Quick Points on FSBO Transactions

Moving out? Not so fast! Many sellers make a big mistake by taking things that should stay with the house. The process can hit a roadblock when buyers discover fixtures are missing. To help minimize the stress of selling, make sure you know in advance what you can't pack up when selling a house.

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

Quick Points on What to Leave Behind When Selling

• Light fixtures (including extra light bulbs) and ceiling fans must stay put
• Kitchen appliances like built-in dishwashers can't come with you
• Bathroom fixtures and bathroom vanities need to stay behind
• Outdoor stuff that's in the ground (plants, swing