We buy houses in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary
Sell your house as it is, skip the showings, and pick the closing date that suits you. Tell us about the property and we'll call you within the next business day.
Prefer to talk it through? Call us. 825-462-1777
Thanks. We'll call you within the next business day.
We'll ask a few questions about the house, then come back to you with an offer within 24 to 48 hours of that call. You'll get a text shortly confirming we have your details.
Want to talk sooner? Call 825-462-1777.
Preview mode: this form isn't connected to your CRM yet, so nothing was sent.
- No commissions or feesYou don't pay us anything to sell.
- No repairs or cleaningWe buy the house as it sits.
- No obligationHear the offer, then decide in your own time.
- You pick the closing dateA few weeks or a few months.
Hi, I'm Russ
I buy houses in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary from homeowners who'd like a simpler, more private sale than listing.
Selling a home is a big decision, and you deserve straight answers and room to think. You'll get a clear offer, the numbers behind it, and all the time you need to decide. If listing with a realtor would serve you better, I'll tell you so.
When I'm not talking with homeowners, I'm usually in the cockpit of a small Cessna. Flying taught me to plan carefully and do what I said I'd do, and that's how I run this business.
Russ
How it works
Three steps, and you can stop at any of them.
Tell us about the house
Fill in the short form or call 825-462-1777. It takes about two minutes.
Get your offer
We call you within the next business day to learn about the property, then come back with a written offer within 24 to 48 hours and walk you through how we reached it.
Close on your date
If the offer works for you, choose the closing date. The sale is completed through Alberta real estate lawyers, the same as any other home sale.
Whatever is prompting your move
Here are some common reasons homeowners decide to sell, and each one has a clear way forward.
-
You've inherited a house
Looking after a family home from a distance is a lot to carry. Sell it as it sits, contents and all, on a timeline the whole family is comfortable with.
More about selling an inherited house Free guide: selling an inherited house -
You're separating
A private sale with one clear number and one closing date gives you both something solid to plan the next chapter around.
More about selling during a separation Free guide: selling during a separation -
You're catching up on payments
A sale can clear the mortgage and property taxes at closing and give you a fresh start. The sooner we talk, the more choices you have.
More about selling when payments are behind Free guide: your options when payments are behind -
You're ready to stop being a landlord
Sell the rental with tenants in place or empty. No turnover and no make-ready repairs, and you get your evenings back.
More about selling a rental property Free guide: selling a rental property
Selling to us or listing with a realtor
Both are good ways to sell. Which one fits depends on what matters most to you.
| What you're comparing | Selling to Russ Buys Houses | Listing with a realtor |
|---|---|---|
| Sale price | Below full market value. You trade some price for speed and certainty. | Usually the highest price, if the home shows well and you have time. |
| Repairs and cleaning | None. We buy the house as it sits. | Often needed before listing, or asked for after an inspection. |
| Showings | One short visit or a video walkthrough. | Photos, showings and open houses. |
| Commissions | None. | Realtor commission plus GST, taken from the sale price. |
| Timeline | You choose the closing date. | Depends on the market and on the buyer's financing and conditions. |
| Privacy | No sign on the lawn and no public listing. | Listed publicly, with photos online. |
If your home is updated and you can wait for the right buyer, listing will likely put more money in your pocket. We're the better fit when a simple, certain, private sale matters more to you than the last few dollars.
How we work out your offer
There's no secret formula. We start with what your home would sell for once it's fully fixed up, then subtract what it costs us to get it there.
We'll go through each number with you on the phone. If the offer doesn't work for you, you say no, and that's the end of it.
- What the home would sell for, fully updatedBased on recent sales of similar homes nearby.
- −Repairs and updatesThe work the house needs after closing.
- −Holding and selling costsTaxes, insurance, utilities, legal fees and resale costs.
- −Our marginWhat we earn for taking on the work and the risk.
- =Your offer
Where we buy
Edmonton
Our main focus: houses across the city and the communities around it.
Red Deer
Homes in the city and central Alberta.
Calgary
Homes in the city and nearby communities.
Somewhere else in Alberta? Call us and we'll tell you right away whether we can help.
Common questions
The process
How does selling to you work?
You tell us about the house through the form or by phone. We call you within the next business day, ask a few questions, and come back with a written offer within 24 to 48 hours. If you accept, you choose the closing date and the sale is completed through real estate lawyers.
How quickly will I get an offer?
Usually within 24 to 48 hours of our first call with you.
How fast can we close, and can I pick the date?
Yes, you pick the date. The earliest possible date depends on how quickly the lawyers can complete the title work, which is usually a matter of weeks. If you need longer to arrange your move, we can set a later date.
Am I obligated to accept once I ask for an offer?
No. Asking for an offer is free and commits you to nothing. You can take your time, compare it with other options, and say no.
What paperwork will I need?
Government photo ID, your most recent property tax notice and your mortgage statement cover most sales. For an estate, the lawyers will also need the grant of probate or administration. For a condo, the condominium documents.
Price and offer
How do you arrive at the offer?
We look at what similar homes nearby have sold for once fully updated, then subtract the repairs the house needs, the costs of holding and reselling it, and our margin. We'll walk you through each number.
Will the offer be less than I'd get by listing?
In most cases, yes. A well-presented home listed with a realtor will usually sell for more. What you get from us in exchange is no repairs, no showings, no commissions and a closing date you choose.
When is selling to you not the right choice?
If your home is in good shape and you have a few months to wait for the right buyer, listing will likely leave you with more money. We'll tell you if we think that's your better route.
Fees and costs
Are there commissions or fees?
No. We're not realtors, so there is no commission, and we don't charge fees of any kind.
Who pays the lawyers and closing costs?
Every Alberta sale closes through real estate lawyers. Your offer will spell out in writing exactly who pays which costs, so you know your final figure before you sign anything.
Condition of the house
Do I need to repair, clean or stage anything?
No. We buy the house as it sits.
What if the house needs major work?
That's fine. Foundation, roof, wiring, plumbing or a dated interior all go into the numbers. You don't need to fix anything first.
Can I leave things behind?
Yes. Take what matters to you and leave the rest. Let us know roughly what's staying so we can plan for it.
Alberta situations
Can I sell if foreclosure has started?
Often, yes. In Alberta, foreclosure goes through the courts and takes time, and a private sale can usually still go ahead as long as it pays out what's owed before the court orders a sale. Timing matters, so call us and speak with a lawyer as early as you can.
What if I'm behind on the mortgage or property taxes?
Amounts owing on the mortgage and property taxes are paid out of the sale proceeds at closing through the lawyers. Whatever is left is yours.
Can I sell a house with tenants in it?
Yes. A sale doesn't end a tenancy. Under Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act the lease carries on and the new owner becomes the landlord, so you don't have to ask anyone to move.
I inherited a house and live somewhere else. How does that work?
We can agree on the sale while the estate is being settled, with closing set for after the grant of probate where one is required. You don't need to travel. Your lawyer can arrange for you to sign where you live.
My spouse and I are separated. Who has to sign?
Everyone on title signs. In Alberta, a married spouse who isn't on title may also need to consent under the Dower Act if the house has been your home together. The lawyers handle this as part of closing.
Do you buy condos with special assessments?
Often, yes. We review the condominium documents and factor any assessment into the offer.
Do you buy acreages and rural properties?
Sometimes. Tell us about the property and we'll let you know quickly either way.
About us
Are you a realtor?
No. Russ Buys Houses is not a brokerage. We don't list your home or represent you in a sale. We are the buyer, which is why there's no commission. We encourage you to have your own lawyer review any agreement before you sign.
Are you the one who actually buys my house?
We sign the purchase agreement with you. From there we either complete the purchase ourselves or assign the agreement to one of our investor partners, who completes it on exactly the same terms. Either way, the price and closing date in your agreement don't change, and this is written into the contract.
How do you make money?
If we keep the house, we earn our margin after renovating and reselling it. If we assign the agreement, the investor who completes the purchase pays us a fee. Neither comes out of the price in your agreement.
Which areas do you buy in?
Mainly Edmonton and area, and also Red Deer and Calgary. For anywhere else in Alberta, call and ask.
Ready when you are
Tell us about the house, or call and talk it through. There's no cost and no obligation.
825-462-1777