Free Calgary Home Evaluation

How a Calgary home evaluation works

1. Tell us about your home. Fill in the form above with the address, property type, size, bedrooms and bathrooms, and anything special, such as recent renovations, a legal suite, a new roof or a view. The more we know, the tighter the range.

2. We research the market. We pull recent sales from the MLS® System for your community and similar nearby communities, and look at what is listed now and what has expired or been withdrawn. Sold prices show what buyers actually paid. Active listings show your competition. Expired listings show where buyers said no.

3. We adjust for differences. No two homes are identical. We compare and adjust for size, layout, age and condition, lot size and orientation, garage type, basement development, suites, updates and location factors such as backing onto a green space or a busy road.

4. We walk through (optional). A visit, in person or by video, lets us see the finishes, condition and upgrades that photos and public records miss. It almost always gives a more accurate number.

5. You get your report. You’ll receive a price range with the comparables we used, an explanation of the adjustments, and a few suggestions on what (if anything) is worth doing before listing.

CMA vs. appraisal vs. City assessment

These three numbers often get mixed up, and they answer different questions.

Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA is a REALTOR®’s estimate of the price range your home is likely to sell for in today’s market, based on comparable sales and current competition. It is free and is used to set a listing price or plan a sale. A CMA is not a formal appraisal and isn’t meant for financing, legal or tax purposes.

Appraisal. An appraisal is a formal opinion of value prepared by a qualified appraiser. Mortgage lenders usually order one to confirm a home’s value before they lend, and appraisals are also used for things like estates and separations. In Alberta, appraisers belong to professional appraisal organizations such as the Appraisal Institute of Canada. An appraisal usually has a fee and follows set professional standards.

City of Calgary property assessment. The City assesses every property each year for property-tax purposes. Your assessment reflects an estimated market value as of July 1 of the previous year, based on the property’s characteristics and condition as of December 31. It is a mass-appraisal estimate for tax fairness. Because it is up to a year and a half old by the time you list, and because the City doesn’t see inside your home, it can be quite different from today’s selling price, in either direction.

What actually moves the value of a Calgary home

• Location within the community. Backing onto a park, pathway or ridge often adds value. Backing onto a major road or commercial site can take some away.
• Size and layout. Above-grade living area is valued differently from basement space, and practical layouts beat awkward ones.
• Condition and updates. Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, roof, windows, furnace and hot water tank. Buyers notice ages and budget for replacements.
• Basement development and suites. A permitted, registered secondary suite is generally worth more to buyers and lenders than an unpermitted one. You can check status on the City of Calgary’s Secondary Suite Registry.
• Garage and parking. Attached vs. detached, single vs. double, and front-drive vs. laned matter, especially in Calgary winters.
• Market timing. Supply and demand in your price range and community change during the year.
• For condos: condo fees, the health of the reserve fund, special assessments, parking stalls, storage and building amenities.

Pricing strategy: why the first price matters

Your price is your most important marketing decision. A home priced in line with the market draws the most showings in its first weeks, when buyer interest is highest. An overpriced home tends to sit, and buyers start asking what’s wrong with it. That often leads to price reductions and a lower final price than if it had been priced right from day one.

We’ll show you the range the comparables support and talk through the trade-offs. Pricing at market brings the most buyer interest. Pricing slightly under can create competition in the right market. Pricing above the range may work if your home has features the comparables don’t, but it carries more risk. The decision is always yours.

See current Calgary homes for sale. We work across southeast and southwest Calgary, including Mahogany, Cranston, Evergreen and Woodbine.

Getting ready to sell? A few low-cost, high-impact steps

You don’t need a renovation to sell well. In most homes the best return comes from:

1. Decluttering and depersonalizing, so buyers can picture themselves in the space.
2. Deep cleaning, including windows, carpets and grout.
3. Small repairs: dripping taps, sticky doors, burnt-out bulbs, chipped paint.
4. Neutral, fresh paint where walls are scuffed or bold.
5. Curb appeal: a tidy yard, clear walkways (snow and ice in winter) and a clean entry.
6. Your paperwork: receipts for major updates, permits, warranties, and for condos, your condo documents.

We’ll give you a room-by-room list during the walk-through. Selling soon? See how we sell Calgary homes.

Why request your evaluation from the Berg Estate Team

We’re the Berg Estate Team, Calgary REALTORS® with eXp Realty. You’ll deal with us directly, not a call centre or an algorithm. We base every evaluation on real comparable sales and explain how we reached the number, so you can make your own decision with confidence.