In a landlocked city, home on a lake collects six bids

58 Auburn Sound View S.E., Calgary

Asking price: $1,349,900 (May, 2024)

Selling price: $1,475,000 (May, 2024)

Taxes: $7,031 (2023)

Days on the market: Five

Listing agent: Joel Gwillim, CIR Realty

The action

To showcase this three-bedroom house backing onto a pathway and Auburn Bay Lake, agent Joel Gwillim made a marketing splash, producing a video highlighting a lakeside lifestyle and serving champagne and ice cream at open houses. More than 60 buyers took in the sights, and six came forward with purchase offers.

“We had three [rival] properties in and around our price point, but not quite with the same position in the community with the extraordinary views we had,” said Mr. Gwillim.

“It drove us to create a good price and extra media marketing,” he said. “We were in and out within five days with an unconditional offer, whereas a couple of [the other houses] were still on the market.”

The winning buyer raised their bid $125,100 over the list price and penned a personal note. “It’s an emotional heartstring pull on a business transition that can weight one side over another in multiple offer situations,” said Mr. Gwillim.

What they got

This 19-year-old house on a 51- by 121-foot lot has 2,328 square feet of living space, plus a finished basement with access to a patio and yard with a fire pit, hot tub and outdoor shower.

Groups can also gather on a terrace off the eat-in kitchen or inside the living and dining rooms.

There are four bathrooms and interior entry to the double garage.

Annual homeowners’ association fees of $647 include access to the beach, fishing dock and clubhouse.

The agent’s take

“There are five or six communities similar to this, but they differ in how many lakefront homes there are and swimability of the water,” said Mr. Gwillim.

“From the maintenance outside to the exterior of the home to the additional perks and amenities in the back yard, it spoke to a lot of people.”