How to Price Your Calgary Home for a Divorce Sale

I'm Ryan Van Spengen. This video is about pricing a home for sale during a divorce, and specifically about what happens when two people who can no longer agree on most things have to agree on the price of the biggest asset in their marriage. Let me start with the pattern I see most often. One spouse wants to price high. Usually the one who has been living in the home, managing it, and emotionally identified with it. Their number is driven by attachment — what they spent renovating the kitchen, what the neighbour got for a somewhat similar home, or simply the number they need to make the separation feel financially fair. The other spouse wants to price low. Usually the one who has already moved out and is carrying two sets of living costs. Their number is driven by speed — they want the home sold so both parties can move forward, and they're prepared to leave money on the table to get there faster. Both of these are emotional positions, not market positions. My job is to replace both of them with a CMA — a Comparative Market Analysis. Here's how I run a CMA for a divorce file. Step one: I pull every comparable sale in that neighbourhood in the last 90 days. Same property type, similar square footage, same general condition range. I show the data to both spouses at the same time — not one before the other, not a separate call with each. Step two: I walk through the adjustments. A home with a renovated kitchen commands a premium. A home backing onto a busy road takes a hit. A home with deferred maintenance sits differently than one that's been maintained. I apply these adjustments transparently, with the reasoning visible. Step three: I give a pricing recommendation within a range — typically a 5% band. I explain what pricing at the top of the range costs: usually 10 to 20 extra days on market, which translates to additional carrying costs and usually a final sale price at or below mid-range anyway. The math on overpricing is almost always negative. When the spouses disagree with each other about which end of the range to list at, I use the carrying cost calculation. In Calgary in 2026, carrying costs on a $850,000 home — mortgage, taxes, utilities, insurance — run roughly $3,500 to $4,500 per month. Every 30 days the home sits overpriced costs both parties real money. That calculation, presented clearly, resolves most pricing disagreements faster than any argument about feelings. When one spouse wants to price dramatically above market — and this does happen — I document my recommendation in writing, explain the likely outcome in dollar terms, and wait. In most cases, 30 days of sitting on MLS at the wrong number is enough. In court-ordered sale situations, the court itself sets the pricing framework. The key thing to understand is that my role is neutral. I'm not advocating for either party's preferred price. I'm presenting market data, showing both parties the same analysis, and letting the numbers make the argument. That's what makes a divorce sale work. If you're in this situation, reach out. My contact is on karakterrealty.com.