From Fixer-Uppers to Move-In Ready: Why More of Today’s Buyers Want Turnkey Homes
 

The Calgary real estate market—like much of Canada—is seeing a notable shift in buyer preferences, and one trend has become crystal clear: turnkey homes are in.

Gone are the days when buyers were excited to tackle a major renovation. The appeal of rolling up their sleeves and transforming a property has faded for many, especially in today’s economic climate. Instead, buyers are increasingly searching for homes that are updated, well-maintained, and move-in ready—and they’re willing to pay a premium for the peace of mind.
 
💸 The Cost of Renovation Has Skyrocketed
 A key reason for this shift? Rising renovation costs.  Between inflation, supply chain disruptions, and ongoing labour shortages, the cost of even a modest kitchen or bathroom reno has ballooned. What used to be a manageable DIY project can now run tens of thousands of dollars—and take months to complete.

In Calgary and surrounding communities, finding reliable contractors and tradespeople has become increasingly competitive. Wait times are often longer, materials are more expensive, and many buyers—especially first-timers—don’t want to take the risk.
 
🧠 Emotional Simplicity in a Complex Market
 
In addition to financial concerns, today’s buyers are navigating an emotionally complex market. After years of market fluctuations, interest rate hikes, and uncertainty, many are looking for simplicity and stability.
 
A turnkey home represents exactly that:
 
No unexpected surprises behind the walls
 
No permits, inspections, or construction timelines
 
No stress about budgets spiraling out of control
 
Buyers can focus on the excitement of moving in—not the headache of tearing down or living amidst the disruption of renovations.
 
👪 Millennials & Gen Z Lead the Trend
 
Millennials, now a dominant force in the real estate market, and the rising Gen Z buyers are fueling this trend. With demanding careers, growing families, and a strong focus on work-life balance, this group is prioritizing function, lifestyle, and time savings over sweat equity.
 
They’re looking for homes that are already aligned with their tastes—updated kitchens, energy-efficient windows, modern layouts—and are increasingly influenced by social media and home design trends.
 
💡 What This Means for Sellers
 
 If you're thinking about selling your home, consider this a gentle nudge:
The better condition your home is in, the faster—and likely higher—it will sell.
 
While full renovations may not be necessary, strategic updates like fresh paint, updated lighting, or a modernized bathroom can make a significant impact and help buyers feel an instant connection with your home. Even simple staging or a pre-listing inspection can help your property stand out as a more turnkey contender.
 
🏡 Final Thoughts
 
Turnkey or “move in ready” homes are no longer just a luxury—they're the new standard for many buyers. As consumers seek certainty in an uncertain world, move-in ready homes offer exactly what today’s market demands: comfort, confidence, and convenience.  And with increasing supply, buyers have an attitude that they can afford to be choosy or wait for the right one to come along.
 
Thinking about buying or selling in or around Calgary? Let’s chat about how you can position your property—or your next purchase—for success in today’s market.
 
📲 Contact Me to get started.

Anita Lamarche

Realtor, CIR Realty

403-818-9623

[email protected]

www.AnitaRealtor.house

Red Flags for Buying a House

f every transaction and home was squeaky clean, then we really wouldn’t need lawyers, home inspectors, REALTOR®’s and other professionals to assist and protect us throughout the process. There are hundreds of things that can be problems in a house or with the deal itself. Below are a few red flags that should pique your attention when buying a home..

PLEASE NOTE: These items are only red flags. They are not necessarily problems in their own right, but should trigger a little more research.

• Current Owner Assumed Their Mortgage – Assumable mortgages have been an easy way for unscrupulous people to purchase homes without using a bank.
• Low Down Assumable Offered – The terms of the mortgage may be horrible, or the house may be over priced
• Stained Basement Items – Water stains on any item in the basement should be questioned.
• Newly Finished Basement – This is a common way to hide past problems, especially concerning water penetration.
• Odd Smell – Could be mold, mildew or caused by water issues or a past drug operation.
• Exterior Cracking– Any unsealed opening on the exterior can cause water entry.
• Slope Toward the House – The grade of the yard should move water away and not toward the house.
• Attached Homes Without Condo Fees – If something happens to the roof or another shared item, who is responsible for the cost? Does your neighbor even have the money for half of the expense? Can they paint their half of the home pink?
• Hot Water Tank Damage – Any sign of wear and tear on a hot water tank should be addressed very quickly.
• Dirty Furnace Filter – The furnace is likely working overtime, and what else haven’t they fixed/maintained?
• Cold Spots – This can be poor insulation or improper construction.
• Swellings Around Windows and Wall Seams – Possible water entry.
• Water Staining – Uhhhh…probably water.
• Restrictive Covenants on Title – This could restrict the ways you can use the property, or what you can build in the future.
• No RPR or Survey – This is the only protection you have to ensure that the house is built in the proper location on the lot and that you are getting the amount of useable land you paid for.
• Newly Built Deck or Fence – Is it in a legal location and does it have a permit?
• Soft Shower Walls – Could be rotten (mold issues) from long term water leaks.
• House Feels Small – The square footage listed may not be accurate.
• One Agent Represents Both the Seller and the Buyer – It is impossible for a single agent to get the seller the highest price possible, and the buyer the lowest price possible. This is a conflict of interest. (Transaction Brokerage).

Ask lots of questions and be sure to get accurate information from trusted professionals. Your team of pros is your best protection here.

The Lowdown on Down Payments

Another REALTOR® Says They'll Buy My House. Should I Be Wary?

Wary might not be the best word, but you do need to make sure you understand the details of the offer. This type of offer is a guaranteed sales agreement, and while there is nothing illegal or wrong with a real estate company offering this kind of arrangement, it is rarely the best option for consumers.

In a guaranteed sales agreement, a real estate brokerage agrees to buy a piece of real estate from a seller at a previously agreed upon price, if it hasn’t sold to someone else before a certain date. Only real estate brokerages can offer these agreements, not individual real estate professionals.

What sellers need to keep in mind in these arrangements is that the real estate brokerage wants to minimize its risk.

For example, it’s rare that a guaranteed purchase price will be based on the property’s listing price or the property’s market value. In most cases, the brokerage calculates the guaranteed purchase price using a formula where legal fees, carrying cost, and commission on the resale are subtracted from the purchase price. This minimizes the brokerage’s risk, but it can also greatly reduce how much that seller receives for their home.

Brokerages that offer guaranteed sales programs are required to have policies for those programs. Those policies should include how the brokerage sets the guaranteed sales price and who is in control of the property’s listing price during the listing period; it may not be the seller. It’s not unusual for a guaranteed sales agreement to include a clause that requires a seller to lower their listing price during the term of the listing. Remember, your real estate brokerage wants to minimize its risk. It prefers to sell your property to a buyer rather than to use the guaranteed sales agreement, and lowering the listing price can sometimes help that happen.

Pricing Your Home for Top Dollar

Finding the List Price “Tipping Points”

Setting the right list price for a home is a mystery for many sellers. How do you begin to determine what buyers are likely to pay for your property? After all, no two homes are exactly alike.

Yet, setting the right price is crucial. You need to avoid the two price “tipping points” that, if crossed, can cause you a lot of problems.

The first tipping point is a price that’s low enough for buyers to begin thinking something is wrong. They wonder, “Why is your price so low? What are you not telling us about your property?” But that’s not even the worst problem with this tipping point. If you do get offers at that low price, you’ll have a bigger issue – leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

The other tipping point is setting your price so high it discourages buyers from giving your listing a second look. When your price is that high, you’ll get few enquiries and even fewer people coming to see your property. Of course, you can lower your price later, if necessary. But experience shows that reduced prices make potential buyers skeptical. Most sellers who price high in the hopes of getting a windfall, actually end up selling for much less than they would have had they priced their properties correctly in the first place.

So, what’s the right price to list your property? The answer is somewhere in-between those two tipping points.

Call today for help determining the right price for your property.

~ Anita Lamarche, CIR Realty

403.818.9623