While the rest of Alberta has seen a decline in home sales, in Red Deer, Alberta the number of sales remained above levels relative to last year.

With 188 homes sold this month, Red Deer is still outpacing last year’s records, by 23 percent as Alberta Real Estate Association reported. This record debunks the misconception that the market in Red Deer has slowed down.  

Kevin Lapp, Team Leader of Lapp Realty, says the market is still active.  

“The Central Alberta residential real estate market continues to be hot. Red Deer and other Central Alberta areas offer a lot of real estate opportunities despite the economic changes and changes in the real estate market nationwide,” Lapp noted.  

Central Alberta Realtors Association also reports that home sales in Red Deer have trended up for every property type, but stronger growth occurs in more affordable, higher density properties.  

Not too long ago, Red Deer has been recognized as one of the most affordable communities to live in Canada.  

Larrissa Kalyn, chair of the Central Alberta Realtors Association, also testifies that Central Alberta has a strong sales market. 

According to her, “The market continues to be active. We’re definitely not seeing the decline like the bigger cities. 

Thinking of selling? 

With home sales on an upward trend, you might be thinking of selling your home.  

To help you with this important decision in life, we have some tips on what to avoid for a smoother home sale. 

1. Not preparing the cost  

Hate to break it to you, but selling your home does come with expenses. You need to prepare for things like the closing costs, agent commissions, staging costs, home inspection repairs, seller concessions, and moving expenses. These costs could overwhelm you if you don’t get ready for it. 

2. Not hiring a real estate agent 

You’ve decided to do a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) to avoid paying commission. Hold up! You’re headed down the wrong path. It might actually cost you more if you decide to sell yourself.  

Find a local real estate agent you can trust. Your agent’s expertise in your local market is key to a successful and smooth home sale. 

Read this article to learn why it’s best to hire a real estate agent, especially during this hot season: https://lapprealty.ca/blog/four-reasons-its-the-best-time-to-hire-a-real-estate-agent-this-summer  

3. Not pricing it right 

One of the trickiest parts of a real estate transaction is pricing your property.  

We understand that you want to get the most out of your biggest investment, especially since you spent a lot on the home makeover so you could sell faster, but, if you price your home too high, your property may end up sitting longer on the market.  

To know how to price your property, we offer a free valuation. Visit this link to know your home’s value. 

Another important thing to do is to hire a real estate agent. to do a comparable market analysis or CMA. This CMA will show how much similar homes are selling for in your neighborhood.  

A home that was priced just right from the beginning will attract savvy buyers and multiple offers that could drive up the home's true market value.   

4. Not decluttering  

You need to show off the beauty of your property, hence it is only right to declutter.  

If you are too overwhelmed with the process, you may begin by sorting out your things. Then you can get rid of the stuff you no longer need in your next home. Clear out your closets and drawers to help buyers see your spacious storage space.  

Potential buyers get turned off by stains on the kitchen countertops, funky odours, and other things that will make them think twice about checking the home further.  

5. Neglecting necessary repairs  

Doing minor repairs may increase your chances of a faster sale. Unless you're planning to sell your house “as-is” to investors or you’re listing it as a fixer-upper, many home buyers would be keen to see a home that is being taken care of.  

Minor upgrades such as painting the walls, replacing light bulbs, and fixing damaged windows and loose locks and door handles will go a long way towards selling your homes faster.  

For major issues, such as cracks in the foundation, electrical wiring problems, plumbing issues, mould growth, and roof problems in your home, you can either choose to hire professionals to fix any of these major issues or you can give discounts to the buyer. 

6. Letting your emotions get the best of you. 

Many would agree that selling a home is an emotional transaction. After all, you've spent valuable years living in it 

However, when you start selling it, you need to have an open mind and approach the whole process as a business deal. You also need to remember that each home sale is unique because of many factors, so don’t get frustrated and work closely with your realtor for the best way to handle and evaluate purchase offers.