Calgary Homes for First-Time Buyers

Your first Calgary home

Much of the stress of a first purchase comes from not knowing what happens next. Kelly helps first-time buyers in Calgary pick a home type that suits them, compare areas on schools and commute, and understand every document before it is signed. Below are the local basics we cover with each first-time buyer looking at homes around the city.

Condo, townhome or house?

The usual starting comparison is between detached homes, townhomes and condos. Each comes with trade-offs:

• Condos and many townhomes carry monthly condo fees, and a condo board makes shared decisions. Before you commit, read the budget, bylaws, board minutes and reserve fund information.
• Detached homes give you full control of the house and yard — and full responsibility for the furnace, roof and exterior.
• Homes with a legal suite are an option some buyers weigh. Our Calgary homes with suites page explains what the City requires.

Where to find each type

Many apartment-style condos sit in and near downtown, including East Village and the Beltline, and close to many shopping areas and CTrain stations around the city. In newer suburban communities, townhomes and row homes are common, often built near the main entrance roads, bus routes and shops. Detached homes make up most of the older suburbs, as well as the newer communities at the city’s edges. Want something newly built? Our new homes page covers where to find them and what to expect in a community that is still growing.

Getting around: transit and commuting

There are two CTrain lines in Calgary. The Red Line connects Tuscany in the northwest, through downtown, to Somerset-Bridlewood in the south; the Blue Line goes from Saddletowne in the northeast, through downtown, to 69 Street in the west. Downtown, the lines share the 7 Avenue corridor, which has a free fare zone.

Between the train lines, MAX bus rapid transit fills the gaps:

• MAX Orange — Brentwood (northwest) to Saddletowne (northeast).
• MAX Purple — City Centre east to East Hills.
• MAX Yellow — Woodpark to City Centre via 14 Street SW.
• MAX Teal — Westbrook to Douglas Glen across the south.
• MAX Green — North Pointe in the north to City Centre.

For transit commuters, being a short walk from a MAX stop or CTrain station can count for more than the size of the home. Before buying, drive the route during rush hour.

School designations

Calgary’s two big public school boards are the Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD) and the Calgary Board of Education (CBE). The CBE designates a school for each student by home address and program, and points out that this may not be the nearest school; its online school finder lets you check an address. The CSSD bases designations mostly on how close communities are to each school. New schools can change designations, so confirm them for the exact address before buying. See our schools page for details.

Before you sign: a checklist

• Home inspection. Service Alberta advises confirming that the province has licensed both the inspection business and the inspector. You must receive a written contract before the inspection and a written report by the date the contract sets.
• Real Property Report (RPR). On a house, the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association explains, an RPR shows the property boundaries and where decks, fences and buildings sit in relation to them, which helps show whether the property meets local land use bylaws.
• Condo documents. With a condo or townhome, go through the bylaws, the rules on rentals and pets, parking and storage, and any planned repairs mentioned in board minutes.
• Everyday life. Check how far it is to the nearest grocery store, park, pathway, and bus stop or station, and whether the street gets busy at night.

Narrowing down areas

For first-time buyers in Calgary, commute, transit and schools often settle the question of where to buy. Use our community guides and the area pages for north Calgary, northeast Calgary and south Calgary to shortlist areas, and our buyer’s guide to follow each step from first showing to possession. When you are ready, ask Kelly for current homes that fit your must-haves.

Want to compare areas? Browse all 219 Calgary communities, or read about choosing a Calgary realtor.