Most of our blog is written with the homeowner in mind — the person who’s lived in the home, built the memories, and is navigating what comes next.

But we know that a lot of the people who find their way to our website are the grown children. The sons and daughters who are watching their parents manage a home that’s becoming too much, who are gently worried, who want to help but aren’t sure how — or whether it’s their place to say anything at all.

This one’s for you.

First: your instinct to tread carefully is right. This is your parents’ home and their decision, and the way you enter the conversation matters as much as what you say. Leading with care and curiosity rather than conclusions will take you further than you might expect.

Second: you don’t have to figure this out alone. Bringing in a trusted third party — a real estate agent who specializes in working with seniors, who has no agenda other than genuinely helping — can take an enormous amount of pressure off the family dynamic. Sometimes it’s easier to hear things from someone outside the family. We’re used to playing that role, and we’re good at it.

Third: the goal isn’t to get your parents to move. The goal is to make sure they have good information, feel heard and respected, and are able to make decisions that genuinely serve them. Sometimes that decision is to move. Sometimes it’s to wait. Both can be right.

If you’d like to talk through how to approach this conversation, or just want a REALTOR®’s perspective on what the process typically looks like, we’re happy to chat. No obligation, no agenda. Just a conversation.

You’re clearly someone who cares. That matters.

Visit us at www.The-HomeCompany.com, or reach Aimee at 403-892-3383 or Dave at 403-892-7374.

One of the most useful things we can do for someone considering a sale is help them understand the full financial picture — not just what the home might sell for, but what the net proceeds will actually look like after all the costs are accounted for.

Nobody likes surprises on closing day. So let’s talk about what’s typically involved.

Real estate commission. In Alberta, commission is negotiable and varies. It’s typically a percentage of the sale price, split between the listing brokerage and the buyer’s brokerage. This is one of the first things to discuss clearly with your REALTOR® so there are no surprises.

Legal fees. You’ll need a real estate lawyer to handle the closing. Legal fees for a straightforward sale in Alberta typically run in the range of $1,000 to $1,500, though this varies.

Mortgage discharge fees. If there’s still a mortgage on the property, there may be fees associated with discharging it early, depending on your lender and the type of mortgage. Worth a call to your bank before you list.

Repairs and preparation costs. Whatever you invest in getting the home ready — paint, repairs, cleaning, staging — factors into your net. We always try to help our clients spend where it counts and save where it doesn’t.

Moving costs. Don’t forget the other side of the ledger. Professional movers, packing supplies, and the cost of setting up your new home all add up.

The good news: for most people who’ve owned their home for decades, the equity built up over that time means the net proceeds from a sale are genuinely significant. Knowing the full picture — costs included — lets you plan with confidence rather than anxiety.

We’re happy to walk through the numbers with you in plain language. No jargon, no pressure.

Visit us at www.The-HomeCompany.com, or reach Aimee at 403-892-3383 or Dave at 403-892-7374.