Blog

Notes from the field

Writing on Calgary real estate. How the market actually works, what buyers and sellers run into, and how David thinks about the calls his clients face.

Selling · 9 min read

Your 2026 Calgary Property Tax Bill Jumped: What Your Assessment Actually Means

The 2026 tax bills landed in May and a lot of Calgarians opened them to a number bigger than they expected. Here is what your assessment actually measures, why your bill rose more than the City's tax increase, and why the assessed value is not what your home is worth.

Jun 15, 2026

Market · 9 min read

Calgary's Two-Speed Market: Why Detached Is Holding While Condos Soften in 2026

Ask whether it is a good time to buy or sell in Calgary right now and the honest answer is: which market are you in? Detached homes are still balanced and holding value, while condos have shifted firmly to the buyer. Here is what the May 2026 numbers actually mean for your move.

Jun 8, 2026

Buying · 11 min read

Don't Get Burned: A Calgary Buyer's Guide to Reading Condo Documents

The condo unit can be perfect and the building can still cost you. The real story lives in the documents: the reserve fund study, the estoppel certificate, the minutes. Here is what I read first, what the red flags look like, and what changed under Alberta's new condo law in 2026.

Jun 1, 2026

Selling · 10 min read

How much does it cost to sell a home in Calgary? (And what you'll actually net)

The cheque at closing is meaningfully smaller than your sale price. Here is every cost a Calgary seller pays in 2026, commission, GST, mortgage payout, legal, RPR, prep, property tax adjustment, worked through on a real $750K SW Calgary example.

May 25, 2026

Selling · 9 min read

Calgary property assessment vs market value: why the numbers don't match

Your City of Calgary assessment was built to calculate your property tax, not to tell you what a buyer will pay. Here are the gaps the assessment cannot see, with real numbers from recent Calgary sales.

May 18, 2026

Buying · 12 min read

Moving to Calgary from Toronto: An Honest Guide for Families

Trading a Toronto condo for a Calgary detached makes the math work, but the lifestyle, schools, weather, and logistics are where most families get tripped up. Here is the honest version, from a Calgary realtor who has helped a lot of families make this move.

May 11, 2026

Selling · 12 min read

Real Property Reports in Alberta: A Complete Guide for Buyers and Sellers

An RPR is the document most likely to surprise you at offer time in Alberta. Here is what it actually shows, what compliance means, when title insurance can stand in, and the red flags both buyers and sellers should know.

May 5, 2026

Selling · 8 min read

Why your Calgary home valuation tools all give different numbers

Your City of Calgary assessment, your HonestDoor estimate, and your HouseSigma number probably do not agree. Here is what each one is actually measuring, where they go wrong, and what your home is really worth.

Apr 28, 2026

Buying · 7 min read

Moving to Calgary? Which Quadrant Is Right for Your Family

Calgary's four quadrants each have a distinct personality, price range, and lifestyle profile. Here's how to figure out which one actually fits your family before you start browsing listings.

Apr 22, 2026

Buying · 8 min read

Southwest Calgary Neighbourhoods: Finding Your Family's Fit

The SW has more range than most buyers realise. From inner-city walkable communities to sprawling western suburbs, here's how to navigate it from someone who lives and works here.

Apr 22, 2026

Selling · 6 min read

Should you sell before you buy, or buy before you sell?

The honest answer for Calgary move-up families: both paths carry real risk, and the right one depends on your finances and your neighbourhood.

Apr 18, 2026