Buying

Buy a Home in Calgary

Someone reading the fine print on your side of the table, from the first showing to the keys.

How I Work With

Buyers

Four things a buyer’s agent is actually for.

Telling you what is wrong with it

The showings are the easy part. The value is in the honest read on each property, including the ones I think you should walk away from.

Writing the offer properly

Price is only one term. Conditions, deposit, possession date and the inclusions all move, and every one of them is explained before you sign.

Negotiating on your side

Including the situations where the right move is a backup offer, or walking.

Managing the middle

Financing, inspection, condominium documents, lawyer, possession. The part where deals quietly fall apart if nobody is tracking the dates.

Where Buyers

Look

Calgary is four quadrants and a ring of surrounding towns, and they behave differently.

Northwest

Established communities along Crowchild and newer ones out toward Stoney Trail. NW Calgary →

Southwest

Inner-city streets through to the ridge communities on the western edge. SW Calgary →

Southeast

The lake communities and the established streets along Macleod and Deerfoot. SE Calgary →

Northeast

Older communities inside Deerfoot out to the newer streets past Stoney Trail. NE Calgary →

Buyer

Questions

Five that come up early.

Do I need my own agent if the listing already has one?

The listing agent works for the seller. Having your own representation means someone is reading the contract, the condominium documents and the comparable sales in your interest rather than theirs.

How many homes should I expect to see?

There is no right number. Some buyers know on the third viewing, some need thirty. What shortens it is being honest at the start about what actually matters, so the showings are the right homes rather than more homes.

What is a condition period and why does it matter?

It is the window after an accepted offer where financing is confirmed, the inspection happens and, for a condominium, the documents are reviewed. It is your protection. Waiving conditions to win a competing offer is sometimes the right call and sometimes expensive -- you should know which before you do it.

What if I lose out on a home I wanted?

It happens, and it is not the end of the search. There are also situations where a backup offer is worth putting in place, because accepted deals do fall through.

What do I need before I start looking?

A mortgage pre-approval and a realistic picture of your monthly costs. Everything after that is a conversation about what you want and where.

★★★★★
“Vicky helped me sell my house and helped me for the last 6 months to find our new house. We looked at many different options and pushed each other outside of our comfort zone. For the townhouse we are buying, there were 15 offers. We didn’t win, but Vicky suggested we put in a backup offer. It was accepted, the deal fell through and we got the house that we love!”
Tanya Finney Sold and bought · Calgary

Looking for the right home?

Tell me what you are looking for and where, and I will start watching for it.

Prefer to talk? Call or text 403-616-2863.