Edmonton, Home to Wide Variety of Neighbourhoods
July 10, 2010
The City of Edmonton contains 231 neighbourhoods, each unique and representing the characteristics of both its residents and its environment. A sampling of Edmonton’s neighbourhoods includes Windsor Park, a neighbourhood of single detached homes with easy access to the Capital city Recreation Park system, great views and close 
proximity to the University of Alberta. Queen Mary on the other hand is an inner city neighbourhood with a variety of development uses that includes single family detached homes, low rise apartments and commercial development.
Like any city, Edmonton is made up of unique personalities which are exploited ed by each individual neighbourhood. From Argyll to York and every neighbourhood in between, Edmonton has a community that will suit each prospective home buyer’s needs. Contact me today to help identify the Edmonton neighbourhood that will best suit your needs and get to know the city that you call home.
Click here to see a full list of Edmonton’s neighbourhoods.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
Edmonton, A Great Place To Be
June 29, 2010
Edmonton is a great place to be, it is in Canada, and it is in one of the most successful parts of an already successful country. Canada has proven itself to be an international model when it comes to its economy and its real e
state market. Real estate in Edmonton has steadily increased in value, not facing a true boom or bust seen in other parts of the world.
The US and British governments are looking toward Canada as a model of what to do right. What attracts all of the eyes on Canada? Steady growth in the first quarter of 2010, a recovery of over 70% of jobs lost to a recession, and a stable housing market. Banks are stable in Canada and home buyers can only qualify for mortgages that they will be able to pay back.
If you are living in Edmonton, you are living in a successful part of a successful country. If you want to live in Edmonton contact me today.
Click here to read a recent article from Yahoo Finance regarding Canada’s economy.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Living Space When Remodeling Your Edmonton Home
June 14, 2010
Don’t forget about your outdoor living space when you are remodeling your Edmonton home. Outdoor living space can add a great deal to your home. Certain changes 
or additions can really increase the appeal to your Edmonton real estate. Now that summer is arriving there couldn’t be a better time to take a look and see what improvements can be made.
New patio furniture, the addition of a fire pit, or enlarging a patio or deck area, can create an outdoor living space that is ideal for family time or entertaining. In recent years outdoor kitchens have become popular, creating an entirely functional outdoor space in which to cook.
When examining landscaping options consider low maintenance plants. The less water you use the kinder you are to your environment. Make your yard and gardens appealing and your Edmonton home will have the well-kept appearance that it deserves.
When it comes to enhancing your Edmonton real estate what you put into the space that surrounds your home will add value and catch the eye of a potential buyer. Investing in the outside living space can often give a better return than interior improvements to your home.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
Investing in Edmonton Real Estate Can Be A Prudent Move
June 11, 2010
While interest rates remain low and recovery is still underway, investing in Edmonton real estate can prove to be a prudent move. A recent article in the 
Globe and Mail points out different ways that real estate can pay off. From renting part of your Edmonton home to using it as a home office, there are certain income and tax write-off capabilities that make investing in real estate a smart step toward your financial future.
Buying Edmonton real estate can provide a great tool for making money both now and in the long run. Whether you rent out storage space, rent out a room or two, or explore the idea of renting out parking, short term money can be made from your Edmonton property that will help pay the mortgage and offset your monthly expenses. Mortgage interest can also be written off come tax time.
There are a lot of great investment opportunities when it comes to Edmonton real estate. If you would like to explore the market and see what can be done with your current home or look into new opportunities give me a call today.
Click here to view the Globe and Mail article regarding investing in real estate.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
Edmonton Real Estate Faring Better Than Rest of Canada
June 4, 2010
When it comes to real estate in Canada, Edmonton is faring well. Home prices are seen as inflating across Canada and the one place they seem to be holding steady is in Alberta. The expense of buying or owning a home has increased for three straight quarters, affecting the affordability of home ownership. A recent report shows that affordability has decreased in every Canadian province except for Alberta, great news for those looking to buy real estate in Edmonton.
What is affordability exactly? Quite simply, affordability is involves analyzing income and expenses. If the cost of owning a home equals 30% or less of a household’s monthly income then it is considered affordable. Anything over 35% is considered high.
Contact me today if you are considering buying a home in Edmonton. I can help educate you on affordability levels in the Edmonton real estate market and find a home that makes financial sense for you.
Click here to read a recent article about affordability in Canada.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
Are You A First-Time Home Buyer in Edmonton?
June 1, 2010
Are you a first time home buyer in Edmonton? Being a first-time home buyer can be a daunting undertaking, after-all buying real estate is the biggest investment that the average person will make over his lifetime. It is important to do your homework and understand what you are getting into before buying your Edmonton home.
The first step is financial. Determine how much you can afford to pay monthly for a mortgage payment and go through the pre-qualifying process of securing a loan. It is important to remember that just because you are approved for a certain amount does not mean you shouldn’t go for a lower loan.
Also, don’t forget about the down payment. When it comes to Edmonton real estate it is commonplace for home buyers to come up with 5% of the purchase price to buy a home, but if a borrower doesn’t want to pay the extra monthly cost of mortgage default insurance then he needs a down payment of at least 20%. That is a hefty sum to come up with for most, especially first time home buyers.
If this is your first venture into Edmonton real estate, get to know the neighborhood you are thinking about buying in, does it have the amenities that you are looking for? If you have children or are thinking about it, look into the education that is available. If you don’t have children remember that buying in a good school district will always pay off.
Give me a call today to get to know Edmonton and the real estate opportunities that exist here.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
Edmonton Real Estate, To Rent or To Buy
May 28, 2010
Have you been wondering whether to continue renting a home in Edmonton or to purchase one of your own? Jumping into home ownership is a big step and i
t is important to understand the difference between renting and owning your Edmonton home. A few things come into play that make it an ideal time to be a first time homeowner.
One of the biggest reasons to jump into Edmonton real estate now is the low interest rates. The threat of higher interest rates is looming and the current low rates can shave quite a few dollars off of the overall price of an Edmonton home.
Often the thought of coming up with a down payment can deter a renter from purchasing a home but there are many options out there. First-time homebuyers can withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSPs to put toward their down payments, a couple can withdraw up to $50,000, and this money is both tax and interest-free. Then there are the tax credits available for first-time homebuyers in Edmonton.
Diving into Edmonton real estate can be the investment of a lifetime if armed with information and knowledge. Give me a call today to learn more about financing options for first-time home owners and learn why buying an Edmonton home can often be smarter than renting one.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
More Homes Coming to Edmonton
May 27, 2010
A recent article in the Edmonton Journal pointed out some positive news for Edmonton home builders, homebuilding is expected to increase this year and follow thr
ough into 2011. The increase in home building activity is expected to begin with the biggest impact being with the construction of single family homes. After a few years of decreased activity, this is great news for anyone in the construction industry.
Factors creating the increase in home building activity in Edmonton include a reduction of inventory, a demand for new homes and a housing rebound. The increase in new homes is also being spurred by government grants which are helping to add to the affordable housing arena. $23 million is being used for the addition of four affordable housing projects, add ing 411 units to the city of Edmonton.
Building is looking good in Edmonton this year. As the Edmonton economy improves so will real estate, and developers want to be there to keep up with the demand.
Click here to read the Edmonton Journal article regarding new home construction.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
A Comparison to Explain How to Stage your Home for Sale
May 26, 2010
Home Staging is simply the process of ensuring that your property is being marketed in its best light. We want to do everything in our power to highlight the property’s features or assets.
Because most people don’t know where to start, I have come up with a comparison that may resonate with you.
Have you ever sold a vehicle privately, or to a Dealership for trade-in? When we officially list our vehicle for sale, what are the steps we take to prepare it for photographs and showing to prospective buyers?
- We make sure the exterior of the vehicle is spotless, including the glass. We may even wax and polish it for that added gleam. Translation: Curb Appeal.
- We check our struts, tires for tread –depth, brakes, exhaust, etc, so we can give buyers accurate information when asked. Translation: Ensure the foundation of our property is in good repair.
- We check under the hood for any engine leaks, loose belts, low fluids, etc. Translation: Ensure the furnace, hot water heater, plumbing, and electrical in our property is in good repair.
- We remove all personal and confidential items from the vehicle, making sure the only items we leave in the glove-box are the insurance and registration. Translation: We must de-personalize and de-clutter our property in order to ensure the buyer’s attention is not distracted from the product they are looking at. We want them to remember the property, not our stuff.
- We “go to town” with detailing the interior of the vehicle and its components. We clean, shine, buff, vacuum, and shampoo. We want the buyer to be impressed, right? Translation: Ensure all floors are shampooed and/or cleaned. Shine all stainless steel, chrome, windows, glass, tiles, etc. Ensure all dusting is kept on top of and that all fabrics/textiles out on display are fresh and clean.
- If we are accustomed to taking our family dog for a ride in the car, we make sure to clean all the hair out, shampoo the upholstery, and air out the vehicle with windows open to let fresh air in. Oh, and we certainly will not have Fido sitting in the passenger seat when the prospective buyer comes to view the car. Translation: We need to find alternate living arrangements for our indoor pets when selling our properties. Although most of us love animals, just seeing them or their toys, makes the buyer wonder how much damage has been done to the property.
This is a great comparison. It is all about selling a Product that has become very dear to us over time. It is all about a shift in thinking that needs to occur. Staging a property is about marketing a product in order to attract as many buyers on the market as possible. Removing your emotional attachment is necessary in order to have the ability to sell this property. Try to remember back to when you made the final decision to purchase this home. What features drew you in at that time. Chances are those same features are the ones that will attract a new happy owner. So, let’s buff and shine these assets.
Rhonda Wilson – CCSP™
Owner/Operator of
Revealing Assets
Home Staging and Decluttering Services
Edmonton Real Estate: Great Time to Buy
May 21, 2010
According to the experts there c
ouldn’t be a better time to purchase Edmonton real estate. The Canadian Housing and Mortgage Commission expects home prices to rise as we climb out of the recession, right alongside mortgage interest rates. A recent press release touts the stabilization of the Canadian real estate market as well as its growth. Alberta in particular is expected to grow economically due to its natural gas resources, which will also spur its labor market.
Edmonton real estate should include more new home construction as well as an increase in re-sale housing. The low mortgage rates that have been available have done the job of stimulating real estate sales and stabilizing home prices. In a nutshell there is a lot to look forward to in Edmonton. If you would like to learn more about the Edmonton real estate market do not hesitate to call me today.
Click here to read a full report from the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Commission regarding market conditions in Alberta as well as Canada as a whole.
Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate. Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done. I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.
