Sellers often ask: “When is it a good time to sell my home?”

It’s the age-old question that sellers always want an easy answer to – when is the best time to sell my house in Calgary? Timing is everything and it really boils down to what your motivation is for selling your house.

I want to sell my home quickly!

Ideally, you want to put your house up in a sellers’ market. When there is low inventory and a high demand for homes you can experience a quick sale or low days on market (“DOM”). The average DOM in Calgary right now is 36 compared to 42 for the same time last year. This indicates that the market has decidedly improved compared to this time last year. Factoring in a few other key metrics we can see we are in a solid, balanced market where on some properties we are still seeing multiple, competing offers within a short time frame.

I need to sell quickly because I am moving for a new job!

If this is your motivation, you likely don’t want to waste time and end up paying a mortgage for a home you no longer live in, especially if you are renting in your new home city or waiting for your home to sell to purchase a new one. If this is your motivation, talk to your realtor about a pricing strategy. If your home is priced right and it good condition, it should move quickly.

I want to get top dollar for my home!

If your house is in the best possible condition compared to other, similar properties on the market, this can help you achieve top dollar. If possible, you want to wait to list your home when demand is high and inventory is low.

I want to get the most for my home, but I don’t want to put a lot of work in to it.

Depending on your neighborhood and the comparable properties in your area, you could still experience a quick sale of your home. Understanding your current position and setting expectations ahead of time can help you be prepared when offers start to come in. Pricing is critical in these circumstances and your realtor can help you assess where your home fits into the current market.

I want to test the market. If I can get the price I want, I’ll sell.

This is quite a common motivation for wanting to list your property. Consider getting a Comparative Market Analysis (“CMA”) done by one, two or even three realtors to get a good understanding of what the market is doing and what your home is really worth. Now might not be the right time for you or the market might be perfect to get that right price.

A home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay in today’s market. It’s important to remember that the market determines the value of a property, not the seller. An experienced realtor is monitoring and assessing the market 365 days per year and is your best bet to ensure you price, list and show your home appropriately to meet your needs.

To find out of today is your time to sell, click here to get a Comparative Market Analysis of your home.