Selling your home is a significant financial event, and the process involves more moving parts than most people anticipate. The good news is that with the right preparation and the right REALTOR®, it doesn't have to be stressful. This checklist is designed to give you a clear picture of what to expect — and what to do — at each stage.
Before You List
1. Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
The first step is understanding what your home is actually worth in today's market. A CMA from a licensed REALTOR® will show you what comparable homes have sold for recently in your neighbourhood. This is free and carries no obligation to list. Pricing your home correctly from day one is the single most important factor in achieving a strong sale.
In Edmonton's current balanced market, overpriced homes are sitting an average of 40+ days and often requiring price reductions — which signals weakness to buyers and can result in lower final offers than a correctly-priced listing would have received.
2. Decide on Repairs and Updates
Not every repair is worth doing before selling. Focus on items that buyers will notice and that affect their perception of value or risk: fresh paint in neutral colours, clean carpets or refinished hardwood, updated light fixtures, and any deferred maintenance (leaky faucets, broken outlets, damaged drywall). Major renovations rarely return their full cost at resale.
3. Declutter and Deep Clean
Buyers need to be able to visualize themselves in your home. Remove personal photos, excess furniture, and anything that makes rooms feel smaller or cluttered. A professional deep clean — including windows, appliances, and grout — makes a significant difference in how your home photographs and shows.
4. Professional Photography
Over 90% of buyers start their search online. Professional real estate photography is not optional in 2026 — it is the standard. Poor photos will cost you showings. Your REALTOR® should arrange professional photography as part of their listing service.
Going to Market
5. Sign a Listing Agreement
Your REALTOR® will prepare a listing agreement that outlines the listing price, commission, and duration of the listing. Read it carefully and ask questions about anything you don't understand.
6. MLS Listing Goes Live
Your home will be listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), which syndicates to Realtor.ca and dozens of other platforms. Your REALTOR® should also promote your listing through their brokerage network, social media, and email marketing.
7. Showings
Be prepared to leave your home for showings on relatively short notice — ideally within 1–2 hours of a request. The easier you make it for buyers to view your home, the more showings you'll get. Keep your home show-ready throughout the listing period.
Receiving and Negotiating Offers
8. Review Offers with Your REALTOR®
Your REALTOR® will present all offers to you and explain each term. Key elements include: purchase price, deposit amount, conditions (financing, inspection, sale of buyer's home), and possession date. In Edmonton's current market, most offers will include conditions — this is normal and not a red flag.
9. Counter-Offer or Accept
You can accept an offer as written, reject it entirely, or submit a counter-offer. Your REALTOR® will advise you on strategy based on the strength of the offer and current market conditions. Multiple offers are possible in a competitive price range — your REALTOR® will guide you through that process if it occurs.
After Acceptance
10. Condition Period
If the buyer has conditions (typically 7–10 business days), they will arrange their inspection and confirm their financing. If conditions are satisfied, they are removed and the deal becomes firm. If conditions are not met, the buyer can walk away and their deposit is returned.
11. Hire a Real Estate Lawyer
You'll need a lawyer to handle the title transfer, mortgage discharge, and closing documents. Your lawyer will contact you approximately 1–2 weeks before possession to review paperwork.
12. Possession Day
On possession day, funds are transferred, title changes hands, and the buyer receives the keys. You must vacate the property by the agreed possession time (typically noon). Leave the home in the condition it was in when the buyer viewed it — clean and with all agreed-upon inclusions in place.
A Note on Costs
Sellers in Alberta should budget for: REALTOR® commission (typically 3–7% of the sale price, split between buyer's and seller's agents), legal fees ($1,000–$1,500), and any mortgage discharge penalties if applicable. There is no provincial land transfer tax in Alberta.