What you need to know
Plan downsizing around the home you want next, the equity you want to retain and the monthly costs you are comfortable carrying. Price the sale and purchase together.
Decide what the next home needs to do.
Start with the daily routine you want: fewer stairs, less yard work, easier parking, space for visitors or proximity to the places you use. Decide which features are essential and which are preferences.
A smaller detached home, villa, townhouse and apartment can solve different problems. View a few examples before committing to a sale timeline. Measure the furniture you intend to keep and test the storage, access and layout rather than judging only by square footage.
Work out how much equity the move releases.
Estimate the sale price, then deduct the mortgage payout and full selling costs. Compare the remainder with the purchase price, new mortgage if any, closing costs, moving and any work required at the next home.
A $700,000 sale with Don has $14,700 in combined commission and GST. That is $11,550 below the 7%/3% comparison including GST at the same price. Use your actual sale range and other costs to see how much equity the move can release.
A lower purchase price does not automatically mean lower monthly spending. Compare tax, insurance, utilities, maintenance and condo or association fees before deciding what the move saves.
Look closely at condo and villa ownership.
Ask what you own and what the corporation maintains. Read the rules that affect pets, visitors, rentals, parking and alterations. Review the financial documents, reserve planning and any proposed major work with the appropriate adviser.
Alberta’s condominium guidance covers ownership responsibilities and reserve funds. A monthly fee alone does not describe a building’s financial position. Ask for the documents early enough to review them properly.Government of Alberta: condominium informationGovernment of Alberta: condominium reserve funds
Choose whether to sell first or buy first.
Selling first can establish the budget and remove uncertainty about the sale proceeds. Buying first can secure the right property, but requires a financing and carrying-cost plan if your current home takes longer to sell.
Discuss possession dates, bridge financing where available, temporary accommodation and storage before making an offer. There may be a workable sequence that avoids rushing both decisions into the same week. Read the buying and selling guide for a side-by-side planning approach.
Break preparation into manageable decisions.
Sort belongings into keep, sell, donate and dispose categories. Begin with spaces that are easy to complete and reserve time for important papers and sentimental items. Photograph or measure items you plan to move so you can check them against the next floor plan.
For the home, prioritize cleaning, maintenance and presentation. Don can help distinguish worthwhile preparation from a major renovation you may not need. Arrange help for tasks that would otherwise hold up photography or showings.
Use an experienced Realtor for the whole move.
Don has sold more than 650 Calgary-area homes using this business model and has worked in Calgary real estate since 2013. His experience helps you put the price, preparation and negotiation decisions together.
Don’s fee is 2% combined commission: 1% for the listing brokerage and 1% for the buyer’s brokerage, plus GST. That includes pricing advice, professional photography, MLS® exposure, showing coordination and negotiation through the sale.
Request a free evaluation and tell Don what you want the next home to change. He can help compare the sale range, moving choices and available properties with those priorities in mind.
Sources and further reading
Research checked September 26, 2026. Market figures below use the periods identified in the article.