The New Year is just around the corner, and wouldn’t it be great to spend the first days of 2026 in a brand-new home? No one can blame you if you think December might be a little too late for such dreams – and you might be right if you’re building a home right from scratch, but Calgary’s homebuilders certainly offer options that can make this wish come true.

The answer is of course, a spec home – otherwise termed a quick possession home. The builder spec home has been a tried-and-true industry standard. These kinds of homes are built before a homebuyer makes a purchase. It is constructed using builder specifications (hence, “spec”) and most are move-in ready or at least available for a quick possession. These homes are perfect for homebuyers on tight deadlines, as they can determine their possession time with more certainty.

For new homebuyers, choosing a quick possession home is the perfect solution if they’re looking for a streamlined process with faster results.

Why buy a spec home?

For Sterling Homes Sales & Marketing Director, Pamela Burns, the spec home is the ideal choice for buyers on a tight timeline.

“Spec homes are ideal for the busy buyers, those who are relocating, or those with a deadline (new job, growing family),” she tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide. “Buyers can move in sooner, often in weeks versus the months required to build from the ground up. Also, the price, selections, and timeline are set, so there are fewer variables.”

Arden Glanville, Senior Marketing Coordinator at Morrison Homes, agrees. “Buyers should consider buying a spec home if they are looking for a brand-new home without the long build timeline of starting to build from scratch.”

Spec home advantage

But what is the difference between building a home of your own from scratch or buying a pre-made one? Turns out there really isn’t much.

Both are new homes that no one has lived in before. The main difference is the time of possession. Building a new home can require a lot of patience. It can take as long as 10 months (sometimes longer) to move into a pre-sale home, and not everyone has the luxury to wait that long. Homebuilders offer spec homes as a perfect solution to the timing problem buyers may have. This also allows builders to keep their team of tradespersons employed and busy.

Burns says spec homes have the added advantage of streamlined financing. “With a near-term possession date and a firm price, rate holds, and mortgage approvals are often smoother.”

Glanville points out that whether building a pre-sale home and a spec home, buyers still get a new home with all the warranties, modern design and comforts that resale homes can’t match.

“Also, our spec homes are designed by our talented in-house designers who carefully curate finishes, layouts, and color palettes to ensure your home feels ready to move in,” she adds.

Glanville says spec homes are more competitively priced based on the floorplan, materials, and finishes selected throughout. “Because these selections are all made in advance, your pricing remains consistent. When building a new home from scratch the pricing can change based on any upgrades or additional selections you may choose, which could impact the final price. While pricing remains comparable between the two, spec homes offer more immediate price certainty.”

A wide range to choose from

Both Sterling Homes and Morrison Homes offer a full range of single-family spec homes, from duplex, laned and front-drive garage homes.

Morrison currently has a variety of spec homes located across the city, Glanville says, including duplex, laned, front garage, and estate. “We have something for every homebuyer type.”

Morrison currently has spec homes available in Glacier Ridge (NW), Livingston (NW), Cornerstone(NE), Seton Ridges (SE), Sirocco (SW), and Legacy(SE). “We build specs based on several factors, such as demand and lot availability,” Glanville says.

Burns says Sterling’s spec homes include front-attached garage homes, estate homes, wide-lot and laned homes, front-attached and laned duplexes. “And our newest addition – row homes in the southwest community of Vermilion Hill.”

“We aim to build approximately 10-15 spec homes per community each year, we appreciate that building homes creates activity in a community and allows customers to have neighbors sooner,” Burns adds. Sterling is active in 20 communities across Calgary and the surrounding area. “We have move-in ready homes available in all of them.”

Shane Homes, meanwhile, offer duplex spec homes in the brand-new northwest community of Esker Park. Shane Homes is the developer and exclusive builder in this boutique community so close to all the amenities the northwest offers. They have 36 duplexes available designed for quick possessions that would be perfect for first-time homebuyers.

Move-ins for the first months of the New Year are available, and buyers can be part of the growth of this astounding new community, says Shane Homes’ New Home Advisor for Esker Park, Madi Luif.

She adds that spec homes are important because they give buyers more choice and more flexibility. “Not everyone wants (or has time) to build from scratch, some people feel overwhelmed by all the selections, appointments, and price negotiations. A spec home lets them walk in, fall in love with what they see, and move forward with way less stress and way more ease.”

Choosing upgrades for the spec home

Depending on the time buyers and what stage of construction the spec home is at, buyers do have some leeway in choosing specifications that can match their lifestyle.

“Our professional designers pre-select a cohesive package of finishes and upgrades that look great together, helping customers with decision fatigue,” Burns says. That said, she does have some advice for buyers on what options to prioritize when reviewing what is included in each spec home.

“Prioritize structural choices (basement side entry, 9-foot ceilings, extra windows), rough-ins (gas line, future suite, AC), and layout changes add the most long-term value and are costly to retrofit,” is her first advice.

“Invest where you live the most: Kitchens and primary ensuites deliver daily enjoyment and strong resale appeal. And choose cohesive packages. Our designer-curated packages maximize style consistency and value versus piecemeal upgrades.”

Lastly, consider future flexibility. “Consider if you need cost-effective rough-ins now so you can finish spaces later on your own timeline. And of course, set a firm budget. Decide your top 3 must-haves, then add ‘nice-to-haves’ if budget allows.”

Glanville says the most popular upgrades at Morrison relate to their current promotions and specification levels. “With our promotions such as gourmet kitchen package, spa package, window coverings package, and so many more, we can provide our customers with more value at a discounted rate.”

But she does suggest ranking importance and going with the upgrade that is at the top of your list. “From there you can strategically choose what is most important to you and stay within your budget.”

Find out more about the available spec homes from these builders at morrisonhomes.ca and at sterlingcalgary.com.