Selling a home can be a stressful and overwhelming process, especially if you're doing it on your own. Many people may consider selling their home by themselves to save on commission fees, but there are significant benefits to working with a REALTOR. Here are some of the key advantages of selling your home with a REALTOR.

1. Experience and Expertise

One of the main benefits of working with a REALTOR is their experience and expertise. They have gone through extensive training and have a deep understanding of the real estate market. They can offer valuable advice on pricing your home, preparing it for sale, and marketing it effectively to potential buyers. They can also handle all the paperwork and legal documents that come with selling a home, ensuring that everything is done correctly and in a timely manner.

2. Access to Resources

REALTORS have access to a wide range of resources that can help you sell your home more quickly and at a higher price. They have professional networks and can connect you with other professionals in the industry, such as home stagers, photographers, and inspectors. They also have access to multiple listing services (MLS), which can expose your home to a larger pool of potential buyers.

3. Marketing Expertise

Marketing your home is crucial to attracting potential buyers, and REALTORS have a wealth of expertise in this area. They know how to create effective marketing strategies that will highlight your home's best features and make it stand out in a crowded market. They can use a variety of marketing channels, including online listings, social media, and print advertising, to reach the widest possible audience.

4. Negotiation Skills

Negotiation is a critical part of the home-selling process, and REALTORS are skilled negotiators. They can help you navigate the complex process of negotiating with potential buyers and ensure that you get the best possible deal for your home. They can also provide valuable guidance on how to respond to different types of offers and how to negotiate effectively to close the sale.

5. Time and Stress Savings

Selling a home can be a time-consuming and stressful process, and working with a REALTOR can save you both time and stress. They can handle many of the time-consuming tasks, such as showing your home to potential buyers, coordinating inspections, and handling negotiations. This frees up your time to focus on other important aspects of your life, such as your job or family.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to sell your home by yourself to save on commission fees, working with a REALTOR can offer significant advantages. They can provide valuable experience, resources, marketing expertise, negotiation skills, and time and stress savings, all of which can help you sell your home more quickly and at a higher price.

When it comes to purchasing a property, there are a variety of options to consider. One of the most significant choices is whether to purchase a detached or an attached property. Both types of homes have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to weigh them carefully before making a decision. In this post, we'll explore the pros and cons of purchasing a detached vs. attached property.

Detached Property

A detached property refers to a home that is free-standing and not attached to any other properties. Here are some of the pros and cons of purchasing a detached property:

Pros:

1. Privacy: Detached properties offer more privacy compared to attached properties since there are no shared walls with neighbors.

2. Outdoor space: Detached properties typically come with a yard or outdoor space, providing more room for outdoor activities, such as gardening or barbequing.

3. Customization: With a detached property, you have the freedom to customize your home as you see fit without worrying about affecting your neighbors.

4. Quiet: Detached homes are generally quieter than attached properties since there is no shared wall and fewer people living nearby.

Cons:

1. Maintenance: Detached properties require more maintenance and upkeep compared to attached properties since you are responsible for the entire property.

2. Higher cost: Detached properties typically come with a higher price tag than attached properties, especially in prime locations.

3. Isolation: While privacy is a benefit, it can also lead to a sense of isolation, especially if you live in a remote area.

Attached Property

An attached property refers to a home that is attached to one or more other properties, such as a townhouse or duplex. Here are some of the pros and cons of purchasing an attached property:

Pros:

1. Lower cost: Attached properties are generally less expensive than detached properties, making them a more affordable option, especially for first-time homebuyers.

2. Shared maintenance: With attached properties, maintenance responsibilities are often shared with other property owners, reducing the overall workload.

3. Community: Attached properties often come with a sense of community since you have neighbors nearby.

4. More accessible: Attached properties are often located in urban areas, making them more accessible to public transportation and amenities.

Cons:

1. Noise: With attached properties, there is often shared walls with neighbors, leading to noise disturbances.

2. Limited outdoor space: Attached properties typically come with limited outdoor space, which can be a drawback for those who enjoy outdoor activities.

3. Less privacy: Since attached properties have shared walls with neighbors, privacy can be an issue.

4. Limited customization: With attached properties, customization is limited since you have to consider the impact on your neighbors.

When it comes to purchasing a property, there are pros and cons to both detached and attached properties. If privacy and outdoor space are a top priority, then a detached property may be the best choice. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option with a sense of community, then an attached property may be the way to go. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your lifestyle, priorities, and budget.

Calgary housing market expected to stabilize in 2023

City of Calgary, Jan. 24, 2023 – The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) has released its 2023 Forecast Calgary and Region Yearly Outlook Report. The report, which is prepared by CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie, provides a detailed analysis of the economic and housing market trends in Calgary and surrounding areas for the upcoming year.

According to the report, elevated lending rates are expected to weigh on sales in 2023, bringing levels down from the record high in 2022. However, with forecasted sales of 25,921 in 2023, levels are still expected to be higher than the activity reported before the pandemic.

“Higher commodity prices, recent job growth, record high migration and relative affordability are expected to help offset some of the impacts higher lending rates are having on housing demand. At the same time, we are entering the year with low supply levels which are expected to prevent significant price declines in our market,” said Lurie.

Supply levels declined to the lowest levels seen in over a decade as gains in higher price properties did not offset the supply declines occurring in lower-priced homes. This has left our market in a situation where lower-priced properties still face sellers’ market conditions while higher-priced homes are seeing more balanced to buyers' market conditions.

The shift between supply and sales by price ranges is expected to create divergent trends in prices depending on property type and price range. Overall, price declines in the upper end of the market are expected to offset gains reported in the lower ranges, causing an annual decline of less than one per cent.

“With much of the pandemic behind us, 2023 reflects more of an adjustment into more typical conditions and a pause on price gains following 12 per cent growth in 2022. While other markets in the country are forecasted to see more significant price and sale declines in 2023, Calgary did not face the same gains as those markets, as prices only recovered from the 2014 highs in 2021,” added Lurie.