If you’re looking to sell your house quickly in Calgary there are a few different methods to consider. The fastest method with a sure sale is to utilize Sweetly’s Swift Sale which allows you to receive a first payment based off of the appraised value of your home on the day you choose. If your house sells for more, you’ll get more.
However, if you’re looking to sell your home through a traditional real estate sale, there are some steps you can take to ensure a quicker sale. That entails improving the house’s visuals, knowing where to list your property, and having access to a large pool of buyers.
Quick take: How to sell your home fast in Calgary
- If you do not have a willing buyer, the fastest way to sell a house in Calgary is by utilizing a Swift Sale.
- You may sell the home as-is if you lack the budget to make improvements or repairs. Sweetly offers an equity advance for improvements that can increase the sale value of the home.
- Remember, major home improvements may delay sale.
- Make sure that the house is “market-ready” before putting it up for sale (quality of life improvements/cleanliness/staging).
- Settle all legal and mortgage issues before listing the home or property to avoid complications.
- Starter homes located in prime locations sell the fastest in Calgary.
I want to sell my house in Calgary, where do I start?
You need a strategy. What do I mean?
When selling a home in Calgary, there is the traditional method and the Sweetly method.
(1) Selling a home traditionally entails putting the house on the market for a period of time at a set sale price.
(2) Selling to Sweetly allows you to sell your home to Sweetly for an upfront payment based off of an independent appraisal. If the house sells for more than the appraised value, you’ll receive a second payment for the overage.
The quickest way to sell a home is by utilizing a Swift Sale
How to get your house ready to sell
If you decide to sell the home on your own, you must make sure that the house is “viewer ready” before you start looking for potential buyers. If the house is in a dilapidated condition. The majority of buyers will not be willing to pay fair market value for it. That raises the question.
Do you know what your home is worth?
Setting a price for a home means the difference between selling at a loss or profiting from the sale. If the price is too high, finding a buyer will be problematic. Conversely, if the price is too low, you will sell at a loss. Considering that you could be paying a mortgage for the home, selling at a loss may mean paying the mortgage balance out of pocket.
There are many different methods to price your home. You can use Sweetly’s algorithmic estimate to get a ballpark of your home worth. Other methods are to have an appraisal or a REALTOR® evaluation.
Related Links:
What is the difference between an Appraisal, Evaluation, Assessment, and Market Value?
Alberta Home Valuation – Free Estimate and Other Methods
How to prepare your home and make it sell fast in Calgary using traditional methods
The best way to prepare your home for sale is to collaborate with a REALTOR® and come up with a suitable marketing strategy for the home. If you do not have a REALTOR®, you will need
(1) A good photographer.
(2) A welcoming interior design.
(3) Sound negotiation skills.
Negotiation skills means overlooking the attachment you have to the home. This helps you avoid emotional sales.
Step 1: Stage your home
During the selling process multiple people will come to your home and inspect every inch of it. That means they will look through your closets, drawers, bathrooms, and other private areas. If that makes you uncomfortable, you should move out of the house before listing or advertising it.
Are there items you love and want to take with you?
If you live in a home for long enough, it is easy to get attached to some items. It could be the curtains, chandelier, dining room table, bathtub, and so on. The idea is to remove the items you are attached to and/or items that “make the home look” bad.
Removing an item (chattel) is better than telling a potential buyer that they cannot have it.
Step 2: Make minor repairs or improvements
If you have the skills, you may cut costs by painting the house yourself and making minor repairs.
Note: To sell a home quickly you need to make the home presentable; if you spend too much time or money on the wrong improvements, you may end up selling the home at a loss.
We recommend:
- Identify all broken items that need repairs or replacement and create a plan. Check the HVAC system, the doors, heating, safety features and so on. A good option is to hire a professional home inspector. The home inspection report will tell you all the major repairs you need to make. Remember, selling a home with defects the buyer is unaware of may result in a lawsuit.
- Remove traces of yourself and your family. Depersonalizing your home is about making it appear “not lived in.” you want it to look new or appealing to the buyer. We recommend updating accessories, furnishings, and other attractive features.
- Paint the home. You may also install new wallpapers but that is relatively expensive compared to painting. If you decide to paint, you do not have to repaint the house in its entirety. Instead, focus on damaged areas or the most “out there” sections of the house.
- Make the house feel “homely.” You want to create an impression or make the buyer visualize themselves living in the home. So, focus your efforts on the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and master suites. If you have a basement or attic, declutter or make the space feel and look like extra living space.
What if you cannot afford home improvements and repairs?
If you cannot afford repairs or improvements, you should focus your efforts on decluttering the home and keeping it clean. Clean the walls, remove clutter, bring in more natural light and generally keep the house clean.
Note: When you work with Sweetly you have access to an improvement allowance that can be used to make improvements to your home.
What not to fix when selling a house?
A local REALTOR® can tell you what to fix and what not to fix when selling a home in Calgary. If you are unsure of what to fix and what to leave as is, you should consult with a REALTOR® or interior designer.
That said.
Some home improvements you need not make in Calgary if you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck:
- Major kitchen, master suite, or bathroom renovations. According to REALTOR® data in Calgary, major renovations rarely recoup their cost. The estimated return for major kitchen and bathroom renovations is only around 50%. We recommend making these types of renovations when buying a house to suit your style.
- Make sure that you have the budget for any improvements or renovations you begin. Running out of money when making roof, foundation, or other improvements, will impact the value of the property. Consequently, budget for all repairs and improvements after you know the estimated fair market value of the home. That requires getting a home valuation.
- Do not follow the trends. Your home has a natural draw, use that to make it as appealing as possible. Following current housing trends may result in major expenses. For example, tearing down a wall to create an open living space may impact the structural integrity of the home, and it is expensive. If the home can be cost-efficiently adapted to a trend you like, you should do it. But first, consult with a REALTOR®. The idea is to show buyers potential, not perfection.
Is it faster to sell a home as-is or after improvements?
If you want to relocate and unload your home as soon as possible, you should clean it up and sell it as-is. If the home is in a good condition, you will probably get a fair market price for it. However, if the home needs major improvements, the buyer may negotiate a lower price to cover the cost of improvements or repairs. You can get the best of both worlds with a Swift Sale where Sweetly will purchase your home, make the necessary improvements, and then sell your improved home (giving you the overage less our fee).
Negotiations can get emotional, and that may lead to costly mistakes. Therefore, if you intend to sell the house as-is, you should collaborate with an experienced REALTOR®.
What types of homes sell the fastest in Calgary?
A lower-priced starter home located in a prime location with attractive features sells the fastest in Calgary. “Prime location” means close to amenities, recreational areas, and schools. Remember, the property market is made up mostly of first-time buyers or people starting a family.
According to REALTOR® data, a house will sell faster if:
- Preowned homes are easier to sell because they are often cheaper than newly constructed homes (Depends on the age and style of the home).
- High-density homes and newly constructed homes in shared spaces are cheaper and faster to sell.
- Homes in prime locations.
- Homes in neighbourhoods with less inventory.
- Houses that are not too big and not too small.
- Houses with views of the city or nature.
Related:
What’s my home worth?
What happens if you can’t pay your mortgage?
How to sell your home fast in Edmonton
