Writing an Offer: There’s More to It Than the Price
Buying a home in Calgary? Learn what goes into a strong offer, including price, deposit, conditions, possession dates and contract terms.
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Buying a home in Calgary? Learn what goes into a strong offer, including price, deposit, conditions, possession dates and contract terms.
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Use Thanksgiving weekend to get your Calgary home ready for winter with this simple fall checklist for maintenance, outdoor cleanup ...
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Make Thanksgiving cranberry sauce from scratch with fresh cranberries, orange and one special ingredient that gives this classic side ...
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Learn why Calgary home buyers benefit from choosing one dedicated Realtor instead of working with multiple agents or relying on the ...
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The first week of September always feels like a reset: the kids are back in school, evenings cool off a little earlier, the patio furniture starts getting a little less use, and suddenly we're spending more time inside than out.
It's also the time of year when I notice homeowners start making plans. Not the big renovations that take months, but the little projects they've been meaning to get around to all summer.
The funny thing is, those smaller updates often make the biggest difference. They make your home feel more comfortable today, and if you ever decide to sell, they're the kinds of details buyers notice too.
Here are a few of my favourites.
After months of sandals, gardening, and summer adventures, your front entry has probably seen better days.
A fresh doormat, a new planter, or simply giving the front door a good wash instantly makes your home feel more welcoming. It's amazing what ten minutes can accomplish.
Every home has them.
The scuffs in the hallway.
The little dent from moving furniture.
The corner the vacuum always seems to hit.
A quick touch-up before you spend more time indoors makes the whole house feel cleaner and brighter.
You don't have to pack everything away just yet. Instead, clean the cushions, wipe down the furniture, and enjoy those last warm evenings. Calgary's September weather has a habit of giving us some of the nicest patio nights of the year.
A burnt-out light bulb. Loose cabinet hardware. The squeaky door you've learned to ignore.
These aren't exciting projects, but they're the kinds of things that quietly improve how your home feels every day.
As the seasons change, I love bringing in softer textures. Think: a cozy throw blanket, fresh flowers, a candle on the kitchen island. Small changes can make your home feel ready for the months ahead without completely redecorating.
I've always believed the best homes aren't the ones that are perfectly finished. They're the ones that are cared for.The homes where someone notices the little things. The homes where people gather, dinners run long, and where friends feel comfortable enough to help themselves to another cup of coffee.
As summer quietly gives way to fall, maybe the best project isn't a renovation at all.
Maybe it's simply taking care of the home that's already taking care of you.
August always feels like a season worth lingering in. The evenings start to cool, the sunsets seem to last a little longer, and the pace of life finally slows down. This is the drink I reach for when dinner has ended, the dishes can wait, and there's still enough daylight for one more conversation on the deck. It is the end of summer after all…

5 oz chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
2 oz sparkling water
1 oz peach nectar
Fresh peach slices
Fresh thyme
Ice
Fill a large wine glass with ice. Pour in the wine, peach nectar, and sparkling water. Stir gently, then garnish with fresh peach slices and a sprig of thyme.
The other day, a friend shared a video on Instagram. She was sitting on her deck with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other. The caption simply read:
"Just over here, enjoying my mortgage."
It made me laugh, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I loved what she meant.
We spend so much time talking about our homes in terms of what they need next. The fence needs staining. The garden needs weeding. The deck could use another coat of stain. The kitchen could be updated. The basement still isn't finished. There's always another project waiting.
As homeowners, it's easy to feel like we're constantly working on our homes instead of actually enjoying them. Maybe that's why summer feels so special. For a few short months, our homes spill outside. Dinner moves to the patio. Morning coffee tastes better on the deck. Books get read in the backyard instead of on the couch. Friends stay a little longer because nobody wants to be the first one to head inside. The house we've worked so hard for finally gets lived in.
As a REALTOR®, I spend a lot of time helping people find the next home. It's exciting, and I truly love being part of that journey. But every once in a while, I think it's just as important to appreciate the home you're already in. Not because it's perfect or because every project is finished, but because it's yours.
This summer, I've been trying to remind myself to do a little less and enjoy a little more. To sit outside with a book instead of tackling another project. To admire the flowers instead of thinking about the weeds. To invite friends over even if the patio cushions aren't perfectly fluffed. Because one day, we'll look back on these ordinary summer evenings and realize they weren't ordinary at all. They were the moments that made a house feel like home.
So here's your reminder, and mine:
Go enjoy your mortgage!
Sit on the deck, read the book, pour the glass of wine, watch the sunset. The to-do list will still be there tomorrow.
There's something about August that calls for simple recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Whether you're hosting friends on the patio or enjoying a quiet evening with a good book, these crostini come together in minutes and feel just a little bit special.

1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 ball (8 oz) burrata cheese
2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
2–3 tbsp hot honey
Fresh basil leaves
Flaky sea salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Tear the burrata into pieces and spread onto each crostini.
Top with a few slices of fresh peach.
Drizzle generously with hot honey.
Finish with torn basil, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
Serve immediately while the crostini are still warm.

Summer is one of the busiest times of year for vacations and for real estate.
Every year, I hear the same question:
"What happens if we get an offer while we're away?"
The good news is that selling your home while you're on vacation is not only possible, it's often easier than people expect. In fact, some sellers actually prefer being away during the busiest part of the process.
A little planning goes a long way.
Before you leave, we'll make sure your home is ready for showings, discuss how you'd like offers handled, and make a plan for staying in touch while you're away.
We'll also talk about things like:
Your preferred communication method
Time zone differences
How quickly you'd like to review offers
Any decisions you'd like to make ahead of time
When everyone knows the plan, there's very little that can't be handled remotely.
In many ways, being away can actually make showings easier.
You don't have to rush home to tidy up after work, load the kids into the car, or find somewhere to spend an hour while buyers walk through.
Your home stays ready for showings, and buyers can view it with fewer scheduling obstacles.
Less disruption for you often means more flexibility for buyers.
Today's real estate process is designed to work wherever you are.
Offers, amendments, disclosures, and other documents can all be reviewed and signed electronically. Whether you're at a lake in British Columbia or on a beach halfway around the world, we can keep everything moving without interrupting your vacation.
Before you leave, it's worth taking a few extra steps to give yourself peace of mind.
Pause mail and package deliveries, or ask a neighbour to collect them (depending how long your vacationing for)
Put interior lights on timers.
Avoid announcing your travel dates on social media.
Leave a spare key with someone you trust in case something unexpected comes up.
Let your Realtor know how to reach you in an emergency.
These small details help your home stay looking lived in while you're away.
It might sound surprising, but many of my clients tell me they enjoyed the process more because they weren't living through every showing notification. Instead of wondering how each showing went or feeling tempted to straighten another pillow before the next one, they were able to relax and enjoy their vacation while I handled things back home.
Sometimes a little distance makes the process feel a lot less stressful.
Selling your home doesn't have to mean putting your summer plans on hold. With a little preparation, clear communication, and the right strategy, your sale can continue smoothly while you're away making memories.
Around the Kitchen Island: Life doesn't stop because your home is on the market. My goal is to make sure your real estate plans fit around your life, not the other way around.
Summer is vacation season. Suitcases are packed, calendars are full, and many Calgary families are heading to the mountains, the lake, or hopping on a plane.
Then it happens… the perfect house pops up.
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is, "We'll just wait until we're home to start looking again." Unfortunately, in Calgary's market, waiting a week can sometimes mean missing the home altogether.
The good news? Buying a home while you're away is much easier than it used to be.
Professional photos tell part of the story, but they don't tell you how a home feels.
When my clients are out of town, I'll walk through the property with them over video, pointing out everything I'd mention if they were standing beside me. The little details. The layout. The neighbourhood. Even the things that don't show up in the listing photos.
It's the closest thing to being there yourself.
Whether you're on a beach in Mexico or camping in the Rockies, communication doesn't stop.
We can coordinate showings around your travel schedule, discuss properties when it's convenient, and make sure you have the information you need to decide whether a home is worth pursuing.
Gone are the days of needing to rush home to sign documents.
Offers, amendments, disclosures, and most paperwork can all be completed electronically, allowing you to move forward wherever you are.
Buying a home remotely requires a little more trust than buying one in person.
That's why having a Realtor who understands what matters to you—and who will be honest about both the pros and the cons, is so important. Sometimes my role is to encourage clients to move quickly. Other times, it's to tell them to enjoy the rest of their vacation because this simply isn't the right house.
Both conversations are equally valuable.
Summer memories are important., so is finding the right home. The two don't have to compete.
If the right property comes along while you're away, you don't have to choose between enjoying your vacation and making a confident real estate decision. With the right plan and the right guidance, you really can do both.
Around the Kitchen Island: The best vacations leave you feeling refreshed. The best home purchases leave you feeling confident. My goal is to make sure you can have both.
There are certain smells that instantly take you back to a place.
For me, it's fresh basil, vine-ripened tomatoes, and lemons.
Ever since our trip to Italy last year, that combination has reminded me of wandering through little markets, stopping at cafés, and realizing that some of the best meals we had were also the simplest. Fresh ingredients, good olive oil, and food meant to be shared.
Now that my own basil and tomato plants are finally producing, I find myself thinking about that trip every time I step onto the deck to pick a handful of herbs or a few ripe tomatoes from my planter box.
This recipe is inspired by exactly that. It's simple, fresh, and one of my favourite appetizers to put out when friends stop by on a warm summer evening.
For the whipped feta
200 g block feta cheese
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
Fresh cracked pepper
For the topping
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
Handful of fresh basil, torn
Hot honey, for drizzling
Flaky sea salt
Fresh cracked pepper
For serving
Crostini
Warm pita
Crackers
Fresh vegetables
Toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil and roast at 400°F for 20 minutes, until soft and lightly blistered.
While the tomatoes cook, blend the feta, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Spread the whipped feta onto a shallow serving plate.
Spoon the warm roasted tomatoes over top.
Finish with torn basil, a drizzle of hot honey, flaky sea salt, and fresh cracked pepper.
Serve immediately with crostini, pita, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Few words cause as much concern during a home inspection as Poly-B plumbing.
I've seen buyers immediately assume a home is "bad," and I've seen sellers worry their home has suddenly lost all of its value. The truth usually falls somewhere in the middle.
Like many things in real estate, it's important to understand the facts before jumping to conclusions.
Poly-B, short for polybutylene, is a grey plastic plumbing pipe that was commonly installed in Canadian homes from the late 1970s through much of the 1980s and into the 1990s. At the time, it was considered an affordable, flexible alternative to copper and was installed in hundreds of thousands of homes across Canada, including many right here in Calgary.
If your home was built during that period, there's a reasonable chance it contains Poly-B plumbing.
Over time, some Poly-B systems have developed leaks or failures. Research suggests that age, water chemistry, installation practices, and the fittings used all play a role. Not every Poly-B system fails, but enough have experienced issues that it has become something buyers, inspectors and insurance companies pay close attention to.
That doesn't mean every home with Poly-B is destined for problems.
In fact, many Calgary homeowners have lived in homes with Poly-B for decades without ever experiencing a leak. Others choose to replace it proactively during renovations or before selling simply for peace of mind.
For many homeowners, insurance has become a bigger concern than the plumbing itself.
Some insurers may charge higher premiums, require additional documentation, or ask that the plumbing be replaced before offering or renewing coverage. Others continue to insure homes with Poly-B, particularly if there have been no previous issues. Policies vary significantly between insurance companies, which is why it's always worth checking before buying a home.
Not necessarily.
A home should always be evaluated as a whole. Its location, condition, maintenance history, price, and overall value all matter. Poly-B is simply one factor in that equation.
If a home has Poly-B, I recommend:
Having a professional home inspection.
Confirming insurance options before removing conditions.
Obtaining a replacement estimate so you understand the potential future cost.
Factoring that information into your buying decision if appropriate.
For many buyers, it's a manageable consideration rather than a deal breaker.
One of the things I remind clients is that every generation of homes has something buyers ask questions about.
Older homes may have aluminum wiring or asbestos-containing materials. Newer homes may have different concerns altogether. Poly-B simply happens to be one of the common discussion points for homes built during a particular era.
Real estate isn't about finding the perfect house. It's about understanding the home you're buying, knowing what to expect, and making informed decisions with your eyes wide open.
Knowledge is almost always less intimidating than uncertainty, and that's exactly why conversations like this matter.
Calgary, Alberta, August 4, 2026 – As we move into the second half of the year, it is not a surprise to see slower market activity. In July, both sales and new listings eased over June levels, declining to 1,904 sales and 3,323 new listings. Sales were nine per cent lower than last year’s levels, while new listings were 15 per cent lower. The adjustment in both sales and new listings caused little change in the sales-to-new-listings ratio, which sat at 57 per cent.
In July, the unadjusted total residential benchmark price was $569,200, down slightly over June and two per cent lower than levels reported last year. The persistent oversupply of apartment condos is contributing to a steeper price decline of over eight per cent. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, detached prices have eased by under two per cent compared to last year, mostly driven by adjustments in the North East and North Districts.
“Several consecutive years of high construction levels and the sudden drop in mostly international migration have contributed to the shift in housing market conditions mostly for higher-density homes, a transition that started in the second half of last year,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®). “While new home construction is slowing, there are over 17,000 apartment-style units under construction. This continues to weigh on rental and higher-density properties, driving price adjustments.”
While demand has slowed this year, levels remain stronger than those reported during the challenging market conditions experienced from 2015 to 2019. What has shifted significantly is the additional supply choice across the housing spectrum. Total resale inventory levels remained relatively stable compared to both June and July 2025. However, the slower July sales pushed the months of supply up to three and a half months. While the months of supply is rising across all property types, conditions remain mostly balanced in the detached and semi-detached sectors. In the higher-density sectors, the market continues to favour the buyer for apartment-style homes with nearly five months of supply, while row is experiencing some signs of oversupply.

Sales in July eased to 1,012 units, down nearly two per cent over last year. These numbers have been trending lower throughout most of the year. While slower sales are partly due to changing economic conditions, we have also seen a pullback in the number of new listings. In July, new listings fell to 1,707 units, nine per cent lower than last year, contributing to the year-over-year inventory declines that have persisted since March. The pullback in sales this month outpaced the pullback in inventory levels, causing the months of supply to rise to nearly three months. While this is still in a balanced range, conditions do differ from under two months in the West District to over five months in the North East District. Added competition from the new home market is also weighing on recently built homes listed on the resale market. As of July, the unadjusted detached price in Calgary was $743,900, lower than June and nearly two per cent lower than prices reported last July. While prices have eased over 2025’s peak, it has not erased all the gains reported over the past several years. Price movement has varied significantly across each district. Compared to last year, prices have improved in both City Centre and the West District. The steepest decline occurred in the North East at nearly six per cent.
Despite a typical monthly pullback, sales remained similar to last year, keeping year-to-date levels relatively consistent with 2025. While new listings eased in July, they remain down three per cent so far this year. Throughout most of 2026, conditions have remained relatively balanced, with a sales-to-new-listings ratio remaining near 60 per cent and months of supply below three months. As of July, the unadjusted benchmark price was $691,000, down from June but similar to last year's level. While prices have remained relatively stable for semi-detached homes, there is variation throughout the city. Most sales activity occurred in the City Centre, where year-to-date prices have remained stable compared with 2025. The West District was the only district to record a year-over-year price gain, while the steepest declines occurred in the North East, where buyers' market conditions have emerged.
For the third consecutive month, row sales have trended down, contributing to a year-to-date decline of 15 per cent. Over the past several months, we have also reported a pullback in new listings, keeping the sales-to-new-listings ratio above 55 per cent. While inventory levels have also been trending down, they remain elevated based on long-term trends. The steep pullback in sales this month was enough to push the months of supply up to nearly four months. An upward trend in the months of supply over the past few months has prevented any further price increases. In July, the unadjusted benchmark price eased to $418,500, down over the previous month and six per cent lower than last year’s levels. Added competition in the new home market has also weighed on resale row prices. However, like other property types, year-to-date price declines range from 12 per cent in the North East and East Districts to a three per cent decline in the West District.
Increased rentals and new supply are weighing on ownership demand for resale condos as sales have fallen by nearly 26 per cent so far this year. While new listings have been easing over last year’s levels and are helping to bring down inventory, the 1,999 units available in the resale market are still elevated compared to long-term trends and sales. The combined impact of additional supply and reduced demand has kept the months of supply in a range that has favoured the buyer since the end of spring 2025. The persistent excess supply has placed downward pressure on prices. As of July, the unadjusted benchmark price was $297,600, down over June, over eight per cent lower than last year’s levels and 13 per cent below peak levels reported in 2024. While the rate of decline has ranged across districts, all districts have reported relatively steep adjustments in prices.
Sales continued to trend down in July compared to 2025, contributing to the year-to-date decline of nearly 14 per cent. However, new listings have also been easing, helping to push the sales-to-new-listings ratio back above 55 per cent in July. While this did little to cause a shift in inventory, the months of supply eased back below four months. Should this trend continue, it will help to support a more balanced state in the Airdrie market. Nonetheless, supply choice in the resale market along with added competition coming from both the new home market in Airdrie and supply choice in Calgary are weighing on prices. Detached prices in July eased to $603,100, four per cent lower than last year’s levels. This decline has outpaced Calgary’s, and now the price spread between Calgary and Airdrie is returning to levels that are more consistent with historical norms.
While sales have eased for two months in a row, year-to-date, they remain higher than levels reported in 2025. This was partly possible due to gains in new listings, which have raised inventory over last year’s levels. Much of the inventory growth was driven by higher-density homes. In July, the months of supply pushed above four months, and the sales-to-new-listings ratio dropped to 46 per cent. This represents a shift from earlier in the year, and if it persists, it could have further implications for prices. Overall, the unadjusted detached benchmark price was $659,400 in July, down over June and nearly four per cent lower than last year. Like other markets, the added competition from new home products and competing markets is weighing on resale prices.
With 78 new listings and 70 sales in July, the sales-to-new-listings ratio rose to 90 per cent, causing inventories to trend down over the previous month. Supply has improved over the low levels that have persisted over the previous five years but remain below long-term trends and have kept the months of supply relatively low at two months. However, benchmark prices have continued to trend down, likely due to the increased competition coming from the new home sector and new community developments occurring in the south end of Calgary. As of July, the unadjusted detached benchmark price eased to $695,700, over two per cent lower than prices reported last July.
Year-to-date sales in Chestermere have reached 333 units, 18 per cent lower than last year. The decline in sales has not matched the decline in new listings, keeping the sales-to-new-listings ratio relatively low at 36 per cent. This has resulted in relatively persistent inventory gains, driving up months of supply, which pushed near seven months in July. Additional supply choice in the resale market, competing new home market and supply in Calgary has weighed on prices in Chestermere. As of July, the unadjusted detached benchmark price was $771,900, down over June and nearly five per cent lower than prices reported in July of 2025.
There’s something about summer in Calgary that makes us want to spend as much time outside as possible. The long evenings, warm sunshine, and (mostly) beautiful weather mean our backyards become an extension of our homes.
When people imagine the perfect backyard, they often think it needs a complete renovation. But the truth is, the best outdoor spaces aren't always the biggest or the most expensive. They're the ones that actually get used.
Here are a few of my favourite outdoor spaces that Calgary families seem to enjoy most every summer.
Whether it's a front porch with a couple of Adirondack chairs or a small patio tucked into the backyard, having a quiet place to enjoy your morning coffee can become part of your daily routine. Sometimes it's the simplest spaces that get used the most.
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the deck becomes its summer version.
It's where dinners stretch a little longer, neighbours stop by unexpectedly, and kids wander in and out between backyard games. You don't need an elaborate outdoor kitchen—a comfortable seating area and a place to gather is often all it takes.
One of my favourite additions to any backyard is a fire table.
They're clean, easy to use, and instantly make people want to stay outside just a little longer. Whether you're catching up with friends or roasting marshmallows with the kids, they create one of those spaces everyone naturally gravitates toward.
A pergola does more than make a backyard look beautiful.
It creates shade during the hottest part of the day, defines an outdoor room, and gives you the perfect place to hang string lights or climbing plants. It turns a patio into a destination.
Not every outdoor space needs to entertain a crowd.
A comfortable chair, a side table, a good book, and a few flowers can become your favourite place to escape for twenty minutes after work. Sometimes that's all you need.
There's something special about eating outside.
It doesn't matter whether it's burgers on a Tuesday night or a family barbecue on the weekend. Sharing a meal outdoors somehow slows life down and makes ordinary evenings feel like little celebrations.
The outdoor spaces we remember most aren't usually the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones where birthdays were celebrated, late-night conversations happened, kids played until the streetlights came on, and summer simply felt a little slower.
That's what makes a house feel like home.
Around the Kitchen Island: Whether you're dreaming about creating your own backyard retreat or you're already enjoying one this summer, remember that the best spaces are the ones that fit the way you live—not the latest trend.
Every summer, my raspberry bushes seem to have a mind of their own. One minute they're producing a handful of berries, and the next they're overflowing onto the pathway, practically begging to be picked before the birds discover them.
Harvesting them has become part of my summer routine. It's one of those simple little moments that reminds me to slow down, spend a few minutes outside, and enjoy what's growing right in my own backyard.
If you're finding yourself with more raspberries than you know what to do with, this has become one of my favourite ways to use them. It's light, refreshing, and just as delicious with or without alcohol, making it perfect for backyard dinners, book club nights, or simply sitting on the deck after a long day.

½ cup fresh raspberries
1 tsp honey (optional)
Juice of ½ a lime
A handful of fresh mint leaves
Ice
2 oz vodka or gin
Sparkling water or club soda
Extra raspberries and mint for garnish
Add the raspberries, lime juice, honey, and a few mint leaves to a glass and gently muddle until the berries release their juices.
Fill the glass with ice, pour in the vodka or gin, then top with sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with extra raspberries, fresh mint, and a lime wedge.
Simply skip the alcohol and replace it with a splash of lemonade or a little extra sparkling water. You'll still get all the fresh raspberry flavour with a drink that's just as refreshing on a hot afternoon.
Whether you're picking berries from your own garden or grabbing a basket from the farmers' market, this is one of those simple summer recipes that feels a little bit special without taking more than a few minutes to make.
Sometimes the best part of summer isn't the big vacations or packed schedules. It's wandering into the backyard with a bowl in hand, picking raspberries before the bushes completely take over, and ending the day with a cold drink on the patio. Those are the moments I find myself looking forward to every year.
Summer always seems to fly by, so before it does, here's your reminder to squeeze in a few of Calgary's best warm-weather traditions.
Meet a friend, try somewhere new, or linger over brunch a little longer.
Head to Banff, Canmore, Bragg Creek, Elbow Falls, Drumheller, or Okotoks for a quick escape.
Pick up fresh produce, local treats, flowers, or something you didn't know you needed.
Whether it's Village Ice Cream, Made by Marcus, or a hidden neighbourhood gem, summer isn't complete without at least one cone.
From live music to food festivals and community events, there's always something happening around Calgary.
Visit a new park, walking path, coffee shop, bookstore, or neighbourhood you've never explored before.
If you have a favourite patio, ice cream shop, or hidden gem, send me a message—I’m always looking for new Calgary recommendations!