ESPRESSOLD

Pricing a home in today’s Calgary market requires far more than looking at last year’s sale prices or following generic advice. In this episode of Espressold, Paula Kahr and Annie Demello break down how pricing strategies need to evolve as the market shifts away from momentum-driven sales and toward a more balanced, buyer-aware environment. The conversation walks listeners through current Calgary market conditions, a detailed January market reset, and the three primary pricing strategies sellers consider — aspirational pricing, market pricing, and event pricing. Most importantly, this episode explains when each strategy works, when it doesn’t, and how sellers can align pricing decisions with their goals, timelines, and risk tolerance. This episode is designed to educate sellers, buyers, and move-up clients who want clarity, context, and data — not headlines or hype. Why Calgary’s 3.56 months of supply signals a balanced-to-buyer-leaning market — and why that matters for pricing How the January market reset revealed shifts in urgency, inventory, and buyer behaviour Why different property types are experiencing very different market conditions How detached homes, row homes, and apartments are performing right now The risks and rewards of aspirational pricing in a cautious market Why market pricing is often the most effective strategy in balanced conditions When event pricing can work — and when it can backfire How sellers should think about timelines, seasonality, competition, and risk tolerance Why mispricing is less forgiving in today’s market — and how smart positioning still wins Sales-to-new-listings ratio: 44% Inventory: 4,391 homes (highest January level since 2020) Detached homes: Under 3 months of supply Benchmark price ~$724,000 Stable demand with realistic pricing Semi-detached & row homes: Around 4 months of supply Increased buyer choice and negotiation Apartments & condos: Over 5 months of supply Buyer-favoured conditions Price sensitivity and building quality matter more than ever Sellers unsure how to price in a changing market First-time sellers looking for clarity and context Move-up buyers planning a sale and purchase Buyers trying to understand where leverage exists Anyone tired of conflicting real estate advice and headlines A quieter market doesn’t mean opportunity is gone — it means strategy matters more than timing. Sellers who price with clarity, understand their segment, and align expectations with market reality are still achieving strong outcomes.