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Looking For A Realtor?
Spring is in the air!
 
If you're thinking about buying or selling, we’re here to help! Whether it’s your first home, an upgrade, or a fresh start, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
 
Let’s make your real estate goals a reality—reach out today! 
 
Call/message us for more details: 403-681-0319
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5 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make & How To Avoid Them

1 - Skipping Pre-Approval
Pre-approval is like your golden ticket in the home-buying process. It tells you exactly how much you can afford, saving you from falling in love with homes outside your budget. Plus, it shows sellers you’re serious, which can give you an edge in competitive markets. Skipping this step might lead to wasted time or, worse, heartbreak when you realize your dream home is out of reach.

2 - Focusing Only On The Price
The list price is just one piece of the puzzle. There are other costs to consider, like property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, utility bills, maintenance, and HOA fees (if applicable). Ignoring these costs could leave you stretched too thin financially. A home might seem affordable at first glance but could become a burden once you factor in all the hidden expenses.

3 - Overlooking Home Inspections
A home inspection is your safety net—it uncovers potential issues like structural problems, faulty wiring, or plumbing leaks. While it may seem tempting to skip it to save time or money, doing so could cost you thousands down the road. Inspections give you peace of mind and negotiating power if issues are uncovered.

4 - Letting Emotions Take Over
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of finding a beautiful home, but decisions driven solely by emotion can lead to regret. That charming house might not meet your long-term needs or fit your lifestyle. By staying practical, you ensure the home you choose is not only beautiful but also functional and a good investment.

5 - Not Using a Realtor
Buying a home is a complex process with many moving parts—negotiations, paperwork, inspections, and more. A skilled realtor is your guide, advocate, and problem-solver. They know the market, can spot red flags, and negotiate on your behalf. Without one, you might miss out on key opportunities or end up paying more than necessary.


Pro Tip:   We're here to make your home-buying experience smooth and successful. Whether you’re buying your 1st home or your 5th, let’s chat! We'll guide you through every step, answer your questions, and help you avoid these pitfalls.

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Divorcing? Consider A Realtor With A Divorce Niche

Divorcing & selling your marital home is an emotional time but having a real estate agent who is experienced working with divorcing couples can help. Consider the following:

• We are experienced in being an objective third party to help with decisions during an emotional time.

• We are knowledgeable in different divorce situations, such as one person buying out the other.

• We have mediation skills for disagreements about home selling decisions and property division, which can lower legal bills, leading to a quicker sale.

• We have knowledge of legal and tax implications related to divorce and selling the matrimonial home and can ensure all paperwork is handled correctly.

• We know how to market the home and will maintain confidentiality about the personal circumstances of their clients. For example, the home must look like the couple is together. If prospective buyers have any indication of a divorce sale, they may make a lowball offer thinking the sellers are desperate to sell quickly.

Divorce is complicated—choosing the right realtor doesn’t have to be. Let us guide you with expertise, discretion, and care!

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Supply Levels Improve In January

Following three consecutive years of limited supply choice, inventory levels in January rose to 3,639 units. While the 70 per cent year-over-year gain is significant, inventory levels remain lower than the over 4,000 units we would typically see in January. Inventories rose across all property types, with some of the largest gains driven by apartment-style condominiums.

“Supply levels are expected to improve this year, contributing to more balanced conditions and slower price growth,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at CREB®. “However, the adjustment in supply is not equal amongst all property types. Compared with sales, we continue to see persistently tight conditions for detached, semi-detached and row properties while apartment condominiums show signs of excess supply for higher priced units.”

Citywide, the months of supply reached 2.5 months in January, an improvement over the one month of supply reported last year, but it is still considered low for a winter month. The month of supply ranged from under two months for semi-detached properties to 3.5 months for apartment-style units.

Rising supply resulted from a boost in new listings compared to sales. New listings rose to 2,896 units in January, compared to 1,451 sales. Sales in January were down by 12 per cent compared to last year. However, even with a pullback in sales, levels remained nearly 30 per cent higher than levels typically recorded in January. 

The total residential benchmark price in January was $583,000, which is relatively stable compared to levels reported at the end of last year and nearly three per cent higher than last January. Price growth ranged across districts within the city as well as property types. 
 

Detached

Driven by gains from homes priced above $600,000, new listings reached 1,228 units in January, which is 29 per cent higher than last year. At the same time, sales activity slowed to 674 units, which brought levels in line with long-term trends. The improvement in new listings relative to sales did help support inventory gains. However, the 1,448 units in inventory are still nearly 27 per cent lower than levels we traditionally see in January, and the months of supply remained relatively low at just over two months. 

While conditions are not as tight as last year, there is some variation within the city districts as more balanced conditions are taking shape in the City Centre and North East districts. In January, the unadjusted benchmark price was $750,800, slightly higher than last month and seven per cent higher than last January. On a seasonally adjusted basis, prices have remained relatively stable since the second half of last year. 

 

Semi-Detached

Like other property types, gains in new listings relative to sales helped support some gains in inventory levels. While the semi-detached sector represents a relatively small share of activity in our market, sales in January did improve over last year, keeping the months of supply just below two months. Within the city, there is some significant variation, as the City Centre, North East, and West districts are all reporting near or above three months of supply, while all other districts have less than two months of supply. 

The unadjusted benchmark price in January was $673,600, slightly lower than last month but over eight per cent higher than levels reported last January. The districts with higher months of supply also reported some modest monthly price declines, offsetting stable to modest gains in the North, North West, South, South East, and East districts.

 

Row

January reported a boost in new listings compared to sales activity. This caused inventory levels to rise to 589 units, more than double the near-record low levels reported last January. The recent rise in new listings has helped bring inventories to levels that are more consistent with long-term trends. At the same time, the months of supply also improved, pushing above two months, a trend that started to play out over the second half of last year. 

Improving supply relative to sales has taken some of the pressure off home prices, but not consistently across the city. Citywide, the unadjusted benchmark price was $444.900, slightly lower than last month and nearly five per cent higher than last year. While prices are higher than last year across all districts, the largest monthly adjustment occurred in the North East district. 
 

Apartment Condominium

Sales in January slowed to 370 units over last year's record high for the month. At the same time, new listings reached 922 units, a new high for January. The gain in new listings relative to sales caused inventories to rise to 1,2,95 units. While sales have remained relatively strong, the gain in supply has pushed the months of supply up to 3.5 months. This is much higher than the levels seen over the past three years but nowhere near the nine months reported in January prior to the pandemic. 

Improved supply choice has weighed on prices over the past five months. In January, the unadjusted benchmark price was $331,400, slightly lower than last month but still five per cent higher than last year's levels. Like other property types, the level of adjustment varies across the city. The largest monthly declines occurred in the North, West and South districts.  
 


REGIONAL MARKET FACTS


Airdrie

Sales in January remained in line with levels reported last month and last year, which were well above long-term trends. However, thanks to a boost in new listings, inventory levels improved, and the months of supply remained above two months for the fifth consecutive month. While 2.6 months of supply is below historical trends for Airdrie, it is a significant improvement over the under two months that has persisted since 2021. More supply in the resale and new home markets has taken some of the pressure off home prices. The unadjusted benchmark price in January was $537,300, down over last month but nearly four per cent higher than last year. 

 

Cochrane

Like other areas, Cochrane is seeing improved levels of new listings and inventories in their market. There were 104 new listings in January compared to 71 sales, and inventories pushed up to 156 units. January inventory levels are better than levels reported over the past three years but still fall short of long-term trends for the month. Like Airdrie, it has been the fifth consecutive month with the months of supply above two months, easing the upward pressure on home prices. The unadjusted benchmark price in January was $565,900, down over last month but nearly five per cent higher than last January. 
 

Okotoks

Unlike Cochrane and Airdrie, new listings in Okotoks remained relatively low compared to last year. While the pullback in sales did help support some improvements in inventory levels, the 68 units available in January are still half the levels that were available in January prior to the pandemic. Limited supply has driven much of the price gains in this market since 2021. As of January, the unadjusted benchmark price was $614,900, a slight gain over last month and nearly five per cent higher than last year.  
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Categories:   Airdrie, Airdrie Real Estate | Carstairs, Carstairs Real Estate | McKenzie Towne, Calgary Real Estate | Rural Rocky View County, Rural Rocky View County Real Estate
Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS®System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™.
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