It’s an awesome and exciting time for buyers and sellers out there! The market is ON FIRE. According to the Realtors Association of Edmonton, total residential unit sales jumped to 69.3% in February 2022 from January 2022! That’s an insane number – especially in the start of the year. There is no doubt that March will be extremely busy.
At Realty Executives Focus, we introduced a new program called, “Sell or Buy You Get to Fly!” It is an amazing opportunity for those interested in purchasing an investment property (whether it is a new home or for income purposes) or those looking to sell. Be sure to click here for more information!
Win a $4,000 travel voucher from Realty Executives Focus!*
All you have to do is buy or list your property with one of our Agents, contract must be firm (also known as conditions removed or sold) by December 31, 2022 and that’s it!
T&C:*
1. Entry is valid to all Canadian residents who buy or sell a property with a Realty Executives Focus Agent in 2022.
2. The property must be in a firm contract (also known as sold or conditions removed) by December 31, 2022.
3. The winning entry will receive a travel voucher to the value of $4,000.00.
4. Winner will be drawn on January 3, 2023. The winner will be contacted via E-mail.
5. The voucher can be used for any form of travel to be booked with our travel agent before the 31st of December 2023.
Each office is independently owned and operated. Not intended to solicit individuals under contract with another Brokerage. Draw and incentive offer subject to rules and eligibility agreement.
Now that restrictions are lifted and we are moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic era – this is a great chance to start fresh!
Click here for a free market evaluation where we can take a look at your home and see what potential numbers we can work with. It is not an obligation to work with me as a Realtor but I would love to be your resource.
Click here for a mortgage calculator! It is a great tool to see your starting financial numbers and what you are budgeting for.
Fallacies about the buying process keep many renters from exploring the possibility of buying a home, but savvy real estate agents know a little education can go a long way in turning many of these would-be renters into lifelong homeowners. Many renters consider home ownership out of reach, have concerns about economic uncertainty and fear of a housing downturn as reasons to sit on the sidelines, with many preferring to watch the market before making a move to buy.
1. “Renting makes more sense because I may move in 5 years.”
Sure, while it may make more sense to rent than to buy over a short term of a few months, the equation can easily flip with buying being the best value for a homeowner planning to stay for at least five years and, in some cases, as few as two years!
2. “I don’t make enough money to buy.”
Income is important but not as limiting as people may think. Just as there are high income earners who are “house poor” (spending more than 30% of their income on their mortgage), there are people with modest incomes who are able to live comfortably in their own home.
Also, renters must bear in mind that rent is almost always guaranteed to go up, while the payments on a fixed-rate mortgage will not, making ownership the more budget-friendly approach over the long term.
3. “I can’t save enough for a down payment.”
Many are not aware of the many programs such as Home Buyers’ Amount ($5,000), Home Buyer’s Plan (withdraw from RRSP), GST Rebate, and Government Equity Program that allows first-time buyers to close on a house with almost nothing down!
4. “There’s nothing in my price range.”
Once a renter has been pre-approved for a mortgage, they have a good idea of their target price range. Then, when they start looking at the entry-level inventory, they find themselves up against a competitive market.
Here’s where I can help you out! I will guide you as a first-time buyer into looking at different areas where homes are in your price range, but also help you find those rarer listings where a home that’s not necessarily move-in ready yet in a nicer neighbourhood is selling for less.
I have been working alongside Kris Crawford at Innovative Mortgage for a long time and I highly recommend contacting him for mortgage related information!
5. “The perfect house is waiting for me.”
Renters who have watched many real estate TV episodes may have unrealistic expectations about buying a property.
First, they may not be aware that every property has pros and cons. It’s important to remind them that finding an affordable home is going to involve some trade-offs, but ultimately, will offer the security and accomplishment of ownership.
Second, good houses go fast, so first-time buyers must be financially, mentally and emotionally ready to act.
Check out my current listings or if you see a house you like – let’s make something work!
Be sure to check out our new Renter-to-Homeowner program launching soon!
Need help with finding the right person for the job? Whether you are looking for cleaners, handyman, electricians, painters, furnaces, fireplaces, garage doors, and more I have used all the following providers!
I have done it all. Recently, many of my clients, customers, and friends have asked me for my updated list of service providers I use to maintenance my rental portfolio, build houses, and flip real estate. Here is a good lengthy list of those to contact in the Edmonton and area. These individuals and companies are location throughout Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan and St Albert. When calling drop my name and my company as well! If you have any issues with any of the contact below let me know. I even included a couple of my favourite camp sites and wedding/photography locations!
The contact list I have includes everything from small handy man jobs, windows and doors, railings, arborists, cleaners, painters, and other related service providers. I also have included the website information for permit masters as well! Take the guess work out of permitting larger jobs and make sure things are done right. I am going to be updating this list more frequently and if there is anything else you require that is not on the list please reach out to me!
Find the right contractor, handyman, or company of the job!
SERVICE PROVIDER LIST
Cleaning
Jenny with Holistic Cleans YEG (780) 293-5051 holistichoundcare@gmail.com www.holisticcleans.com
Dar with Loftrom Services (780) 915-4845
Painting
Dar with Loftsrom Services (780) 915-4845
Dean D. Handyman Pro (587) 784-2603 driedg22@gmail.com
Bill Jamieson (780) 908-1772 yourhandymansolution@shaw.ca
Handyman Jobs
Dean D. Handyman Pro (587) 784-2603 driedg22@gmail.com
Bill Jamieson (780) 908-1772 yourhandymansolution@shaw.ca
