For a variety of reasons, some people need to sell their home quickly. This motivation might lead some homeowners to explore options beyond the traditional resale market.

In these situations, "cash for homes" offers can be an enticing option for sellers who are on the clock.

The costs associated with selling a home

Deciding to sell your home is a big decision, so it's always good to remind yourself of what that decision entails, including the associated costs you might incur. Many real estate industry groups have resources available to the public on the home-selling process, such as the Real Estate Council of Alberta's Home Seller's Guide. However, most resources don't specify selling costs, in part because they can vary greatly depending on the individual property and circumstances of the sale. To provide a frame of reference, here is a summary of costs associated with selling a typical $500,000 home in Calgary:

Former CREB® president Greg Houston remembers 1989 as the year it all started to turn around

The boom came back.

After a lengthy slump in the early 1980s, Calgary's real estate market began a resurgence in 1989 – and not a moment too soon, recalls Greg Houston, who was president of CREB® that year.

"1989 was a great year," he said. "Things were looking up. There was stability in the business, after years of foreclosures and people declaring bankruptcies. As far as I was concerned, things were finally turning around."