“Slow and Steady Numbers a Good Sign for 2024” – The latest headline from Edmonton Real Estate Association.
Welcome to our first real estate market update of the year for the Greater Edmonton area! As we dive into the data, it becomes clear that the market is already buzzing with activity. With a surge in sales, rising benchmark prices, and a low inventory level, homeowners and prospective buyers are in for an intriguing year ahead. Let’s examine the latest trends and indicators that are shaping the real estate landscape in the Greater Edmonton Area.
Sales Surge and Reduced Inventory
Compared to January 2023, the market saw a remarkable 46% increase in sales, showcasing a highly energized market. At the same time, new listings experienced a more modest 4% increase. As a result, inventory dropped by 13% year-over-year, resulting in the lowest inventory levels observed in January since 2015. With just 3.16 months of inventory available, Greater Edmonton is firmly seated in a seller’s market.
Rising Benchmark Prices
In January, single-family home prices climbed by 4%, while townhouses and apartment-style condos experienced even more substantial growth, with increases of 7% and 6%, respectively, compared to January 2023. These price shifts indicate a bus market, providing a solid foundation for current homeowners and challenging prospects for potential buyers.
The Interest Rate Landscape
The Bank of Canada has diligently maintained steady interest rates for four consecutive decisions amidst moderating inflation. However, forecasters widely anticipate that rates may begin to drop in the third quarter of this year. Even as rates remain stable, the exciting news is that lenders are already offering 5-year fixed mortgages below 5%, which we haven’t witnessed in quite some time. This development opens up new opportunities for homeowners to secure favourable financing terms, creating more demand from buyers.
Record-breaking Net Migration and High Demand
Record-breaking net migration into the province continues to fuel demand in the Greater Edmonton Area. As newcomers flock to this region, well-priced and well-marketed listings frequently sell with multiple offers after only a few days on the market.
✅ If you are interested in a free home evaluation or would like a market analysis on a potential property, call me direct at 780-777-9703!
Just Listed 🏠 171 Willow St, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Welcome Home! Charming bungalow in the quiet community of Sherwood Heights. Great location close to schools and parks and just a short drive away to all of what Sherwood Park has to offer! Updated and unique floor plan home with double detached garage & huge fenced back yard. Original garage converted into 315 sqft multi purpose space leaving extra long driveway great for parking or RV. Double detached garage with second driveway. Perfect for work space, storage, play room, & more. Rear access leads down the stairs to finished basement with rec room, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, & utility space. Updates over the years include: furnace, roof, windows, garage, kitchen, & more!
JUST LISTED 🏠 112 Pine Street, Sherwood Park, Alberta
OPEN HOUSE! Saturday May 13 12-3 PM
Just Listed in Sherwood Park! Welcome Home! Wonderful family home quietly placed on one of Sherwood Park’s largest residential lots in Sherwood Heights. Perfect place to raise your family and enjoy peaceful enjoyment surrounded by mature trees and tons of privacy. Great location close to parks, schools, shopping, and walking trails. Beautiful bungalow approximately 1900 sqft with 3 bedrooms plus den and 2.5 bathrooms. Tons of beautiful features such as a unique 2 way fire place, large vaulted ceilings, open concept living, finished basement complete with wet bar, and so much more! Enjoy a bright and open space with natural lighting all around. Huge backyard with finished deck – a perfect place to entertain and make memories with your family. Come check it out next weekend at our open house!
The market sure is heating up! We’ve had multiple showings and a growing number of people heading to our open houses. There is no better time than NOW to look at your potential options in time for the SPRING MARKET.
Whether you are looking to expand your space, downsize or invest in a property, feel free to contact me. Realty Executives Focus is a full service brokerage assisting families in buying, selling and investing in real estate!
January 2023 Market Update
Average Price of Single Family homes in Edmonton and Area
“YEG Housing Market Sees Stable Transition Into New Year”
“The Edmonton real estate market remained relatively stable from December as we transitioned into the new year,” says REALTORS® Association of Edmonton 2023 Board Chair Melanie Boles. “While many categories saw minimal decreases month-over-month, average prices for both the row/townhouse and apartment condominium categories saw increases when compared to December 2022.”
Single-family houses went for an average of $451,659, condos went for about $189,631 and duplexes sold for an average price of $355,086.
While it’s not unusual for the market to cool at this time of year, a climbing interest rate could be leading buyers to re-evaluate and sellers to reconsider moving. However, I anticipate activity will pick up in March just in time for the Spring market. If you have questions about the rising interest rates, forecasted home prices, or would like to know what these market stats mean whether you are buying or selling, feel free to contact me.
A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is an estimate of the market value of a property and is typically completed by local real estate agents. Real estate agents compare recently sold properties based on the neighbourhood, size, and age to determine a market valuation for a specific house.
Even if you aren’t thinking of selling now or in the near future, it’s never a bad idea to know what numbers you are working with. This can help you in the long run! I can provide you with a FREE CMA. Over the years, I have listed and sold all types of properties. From vacant land to apartments to duplexes to single family homes to acreages in rural communities. I’ve listed in Edmonton and Surrounding Cities such as Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Rural Strathcona County, Redwater, Beaumont, Gibbons, and more. If you don’t see it here, let’s chat!
12939 12941 102 St – Edmonton20932 131 Ave – Edmonton25 Currant Cr – Fort Saskatchewan#115 2203 44 Ave – Edmonton#11 8602 Southfort Blvd – Fort Sask167 Great Oaks – Sherwood Park41 Marion Dr – Sherwood Park#908 10303 111 St – Edmonton4349 51 St – Gibbons8517 98 Ave – Fort Saskatchewan#203 9930 100 Ave – Fort Saskatchewan54/56 Wiltree Terrace – Fort Saskatchewan46/48 Wiltree Terrace – Fort Saskatchewan21028 128 Ave – Edmonton
Open Houses
Open Houses are a great way to get a feel for a property and ask any and all things real estate from one of our Realtors. If you are a first time home buyer, this is also a great starting point for your home search. See what you like/don’t like in a house, neighbourhood, features, amenities, and more.
We host open houses almost every weekend! Make sure to stay tuned on social media or click here to stay updated.
Come check out our open house tomorrow February 18 from 12-3 PM!
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.
Buying a home is an important financial commitment. Home ownership may be the biggest investment you’ll ever make, so it’s important to do your homework and take your time. There’s a lot to think about when choosing a mortgage including the size of the mortgage, the down payment you’ll make, amortization period (the amount of time you’ll take to pay off your mortgage), the term of the mortgage and whether you’re most comfortable with a fixed or variable rate of interest.
Different prices for different areas in Alberta. It is important to know what area of the city you are looking at and what you have to work with. I am extremely knowledgeable and well-informed of current market rates in Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, St. Albert, Spruce Grove and surrounding area. I have had experiences with a LOT of first time home buyers, investors and much more. I also have a property management division under our brokerage (including a few rentals of my own) so I will definitely be able to help you and guide you through the home-buying process.
Home ownership is a big decision. It’s important to do your homework and take your time when deciding on a mortgage. Click here for a mortgage calculator. Here is my beginner’s guide to mortgages!
Understanding Mortgages
What is a Mortgage?
When you buy a home, you may only be able to pay for part of the purchase price. The amount you pay is a down payment. To cover the remaining costs of the home purchase, you may need help from a lender. The loan you get from a lender to help pay for your home is a mortgage.
A mortgage is a legal contract between you and your lender. It specifies the details of your loan and it’s secured on a property, like a house or a condo.
With a secured loan, the lender has a legal right to take your property. They can do so if you don’t respect the conditions of your mortgage. This includes paying on time and maintaining your home.
How a Mortgage Works When Buying a Home:
The buyer uses funds from a mortgage to pay the seller for the property and the buyer repays any money borrowed, plus interest and fees, over a set period of time (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years).
The buyer pays the lender generally every month. A portion of the payment, the principal, is used to pay down the amount borrowed and a portion of the payment is applied to interest.
The mortgage is registered on the property with the applicable provincial or territorial land registry office.
In many cases, the buyer can move into the new home as soon as the closing is complete (contract terms can sometimes specify a later move-in date).
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
The rule of thumb is you can afford a mortgage where your monthly housing costs are no more than 32% of your gross household income, and where your total debt load (including housing costs) is no more than 40% of your gross household income. This rule is based on your debt service ratios.
Most lenders use two calculations to determine the maximum amount you can afford:
Gross Debt Service (GDS) Ratio. Housing costs such as your mortgage, heat, condo fees and property taxes make up your GDS.
Total Debt Service (TDS) Ratio. Adding any additional debt payments such as student loans and credit card debt to your GDS gives you your TDS.
Home buying programs, plans and incentives
Before you buy a home, consider the programs, plans and incentives available to you.
This plan allows first-time home buyers to withdraw up to $35,000 per person from their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP), without tax liability, to buy a home in Canada. You don’t have to start paying back your RRSP until two years after the purchase of the home. Before cashing in your RRSP to buy a home, weigh the pros and cons carefully. To be eligible for the HBP:
Written agreement to buy or build a home
You intend to occupy the home as your principal residence
First time homebuyer
Your HBP balance on January 1 of the year you withdraw has to be zero
*IMPORTANT Terms You Need to Know
Pre-Qualification: This is ideal when you’re only thinking about buying a home. A lender will collect basic information about your finances and then give you an approximate figure for how much they’d potentially be willing to lend you to buy a property.
Pre-Approval: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the next step after pre-qualifying. In this stage a lender will verify the financial information you provide them and run a credit check. If you are pre-approved, it indicates that the lender is committed to providing you with a loan. However, the final amount they’re willing to lend you and the terms of the mortgage are subject to change based on an actual property valuation as well as market fluctuations.
The Mortgage Stress Test: This is a calculation of whether you can still afford to pay your mortgage in the event that rates increase. The results of this stress test will determine your qualifications for the mortgage you’re looking to take and applies to all home buyers, including those who make a 20% down payment on their home.
Down Payment: This is the amount of money you’re required to pay upfront when buying real estate. The bigger your down payment, the smaller the mortgage you’ll need. The size of your down payment depends on the purchase price of your home. For example, if you spend less than $500,000 on a home, you’re only required to put 5% of the purchase price down.
Mortgage Rate: This is the interest rate you’ll pay on your mortgage. This will determine how much you pay in interest over the life of your mortgage. Your mortgage rate may change depending on if it’s fixed or variable (more on that below).
Closing Costs: These are expenses that you’re required to pay out of pocket leading up to your closing date (move-in day). Examples of closing costs include real estate lawyer fees, land transfer taxes, a home inspection, and movers. It’s a good idea to budget between 1.5% and 4% of a home’s purchase price towards closing costs.
Requirements for getting a mortgage
Whenever you apply for a mortgage, lenders are looking for three major things. As long as you have the following, you should be approved:
3 important factors: credit score, income, down payment!
A good credit score. Lenders want to ensure that you’re creditworthy. A lender is generally looking for a borrower with a credit score above 670 or 680 with no late or delinquent payments. However, if you have late payments, or, in some cases, if you’ve filed for bankruptcy or a consumer proposal, you may still be able to get a mortgage. A lender will usually want to know the reason why you have a credit blemish. If it’s due to life circumstances outside your control (e.g. you got sick or were laid off from work and fell behind on bills) and you can prove you’re a responsible borrower otherwise, you may still be able to get a mortgage.
A down payment. You need to have at least 5% of the purchase price saved to qualify for a mortgage. If the down payment funds are from a bank account, the lender will usually want to see a 90-day transaction history. If the funds are from investments or RRSPs, you’ll usually need to provide three monthly statements.
Secured income. Having a full-time job will prove that you have a steady income.Lenders are looking for borrowers with a stable source of income. You’ll need to be able to prove that your income is sufficient to regularly make mortgage payments.
Even if you don’t meet all the criteria, you may still have options. Some lenders are willing to work with borrowers with a lower credit score, but you may have to pay a higher interest rate. Freelancers and low-income individuals can still get a mortgage, but they may need to prove their income or get a co-signer.
Mortgage Stress Test
The official stated purpose for the stress test is to protect consumers and financial institutions from trouble when mortgage rates rise in future.
Regulated lenders determine how much you can borrow using a rate set by the federal government. As a result, the rate is set higher (currently much higher) than rates being offered by lenders. This buffer means consumers should be able to continue to pay their mortgage if rates go up.
Speak with a Mortgage Specialist to discuss all mortgage options available to you.
Refer: Mortgage Innovation Solutions
I have been working with Kris Crawford of Innovative Mortgage Solutions for a number of years and I would highly recommend his expertise. We will work hand-in-hand to provide you with the best options as a first time home owner!
Ready to start your home search? I have experience and knowledge in Edmonton and Surrounding area including but not limited to Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, St. Albert, Beaumont, Lamont, Bon Accord, Spruce Grove and more!
This article offers general information and should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subject matter discussed. It is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. Consult a professional advisor regarding your specific situation.
It’s nerve-wracking to put your trust and money into hiring a company to manage your investment but I assure you, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Here are Top 5 reasons you should hire a Property Manager!
At Realty Executives Focus, not only do we work with clients to buy and sell homes but we also work with owners in our Property Management division. With 16 years of experience, we take all the stress from you and work as a bridge between owners and tenants. You will save both TIME and MONEY when hiring us. We use an online portal where you can see all work orders, maintenance requests, tenant information.
Our fees include all advertising and rental marketing, tenant application reviews and screening, online account access, all accounting and documentation, 24/7 emergency services, periodic rental inspections. We cater to out-of country Owners and have multiple properties rented in Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Redwater and more!
If you are still unsure whether or not hiring a Property Manager is a good idea, here are top 5 reasons WHY you should!
1. You’ll Make More Money with a Property Manager
Many property owners are afraid to hire a property manager because of the cost involved – not realizing they will actually make more money in the long term due to the increased care of the property. You will get better tenants that stay longer and have less damage and repairs to deal with. Your property remains in great shape.
Through our services, you will be only charged when the property is rented. Min $75/ month to a Maximum $150/ month.
2. Property Managers Will Save You Lots of Time and Headaches
How much time does it take to be your own landlord? Could you be making better use of your time?
It can be a full-time job to track rent payments, collect late fees, deal with complaints and repairs, prep the property for new tenants, find vendors, and deal with bad tenants. It may also become a constant source of stress. Relinquishing these ongoing responsibilities to a good property manager can allow you to benefit from your investment without sacrificing your time and health.
With a 24/7 emergency hotline service available to both owners and tenants, we are able to settle issues as quick as they come. Our full time Maintenance Manager will handle work orders and quarterly inspections on the property to ensure your property is taken care of.
We do our best to make sure we give you the best bang for your buck.
Rental Available. Location: 11512 11 Ave SW, Edmonton, AB
3. Better Tenants Thanks to Screening and a Bigger Pool Of Potential Renters
If you hire a property manager with experience, they will know exactly how to find the best tenants and screen out potential tenants with a bad history. Property managers have a bigger pool of applicants to choose from due to their extensive marketing and advertising programs. An established property manager will already have waiting lists of potential tenants. The result is better quality tenants in your property faster.
We have advertisements relayed to almost all available Rental Property websites making sure your property will get screen time. We do in-depth credit checks and reference calls to ensure that you have the best tenant in your property.
4. Property Managers Know the Law
How much do you know about the laws that apply to being a landlord? One of the biggest advantages to hiring a professional property manager is the ability to avoid some legal hassles. With a full understanding of all the state and federal laws when it comes to discrimination in screening and selecting tenants, property managers avoid breaking discrimination laws. In the event that an eviction becomes necessary, an experienced property manager will know how to handle it in a way that will save time and money while staying within the boundaries of the law.
5. Property Managers Serve As a Buffer Between Owners and Tenants
When using a property management company, a property owner is able to keep a professional distance from their tenants.
If you are personally involved with the tenant, this can result in being too lenient on certain issues or too defensive about certain types of complaints. Renting out a property is a business and it is much easier for a property manager to keep things on a strictly professional level. When issues arise, experienced Property Managers are more prepared to deal with the issue.
Rental Available. Location: 6727 136 Ave, Edmonton, AB
Here are my top 5 reasons why you should hire a property manager! If you want to know more information about our services at Realty Executives Focus , feel free to reach out to me at 780-777-9703 or email me! I’d love to help you and get you started on your investment journey.
While doing the work yourself can save you the significant commission rates many real estate agents command, for many, flying solo may not be the way to go–and could end up being more costly than a realtor’s commission in the long run. Buying or selling a home is a major financial (and emotional) undertaking.
1. Expertise & Experience
Even though you do not necessarily think that you need an expert to sell a home, hiring professional real estate agent who specializes in your area or property type is critical. With 16 years of experience as a Realtor and Property Manager, I have seen first hand hundreds of different scenarios when buying and selling a home. From all aspects of marketing and promotion to legal issues, a real estate agent can guide you through the process and in a lot of cases, saving you time and money. The key is to find the right agent that has all the professional and personal attributes that you require.
3333 28 Ave, Edmonton, AB sold at 99% List Price
2. The Selling Process
Real estate agents can be put in charge of all the listing and selling requirements as well as client visits. This saves you a lot of time and effort so that you can do more productive tasks while they are taking care of the matters related to your home. For example, if you were to list your property let’s say on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace, you would have to respond to a lot of inquiries (both from serious and non-serious viewers!). If you had to be the only one to sift through property listing responses and all open house viewing, all your free time would go to that.
With a real estate agent, we can do the following:
Tap into their network and contacts for a potential buyer
Handle all of the required paperwork to sell your home
Double check the legal matters
3. Knowledge & Familiarity with the Neighbourhood
Real estate agents possess key knowledge and information about your neighbourhood. From Sherwood Park,Fort Saskatchewan, St. Albert, Edmonton and Surrounding Area, I have worked in these neighbourhoods gaining extensive knowledge of the market. We can help you identify:
Key selling points
Price points in the neighbourhood
Data on schools
Demographics
Your agent knows what kinds of upgrades will make your home look more attractive to buyers compared to other houses in the area. With a FREE Comparative Market Analysis (available here), we can take a look at the current listing/selling points around your neighbourhood – determining the current value of your property! This will give you an edge in terms of helping you sell your property more quickly.
4223 Prowse Way, Edmonton, AB – Pending within ONE hour of listing!
4. Negotiation Knowledge
When you find a potential buyer, a real estate agent will try to get you the best price in all market conditions. Negotiation skills are very important when selling your home, since this makes or breaks your deal. With a real estate agent, you can rest assured that not only do you have someone working on your side, the agent is there for your protection so it’s a win-win situation.
5. Future Business Relationships
A successful real estate builds credibility based on the results of forming good relationships with his or her clients. To this day, I am in constant communication with all past clients! Because of this, they give great importance and attention to detail to make sure that their clients are satisfied and happy. These positive client relationships result in referrals of an agent to friends and acquaintances which builds trust based on past performance. It also means that agents have an established set of potential buyers that you can potentially tap into from previous listings.
As you can see, there are many extremely important benefits to hiring a real estate professional. The sale or purchase of a home can be one of the most important financial buying or selling decisions in a person’s life. As such, its extremely wise to get the help of a real estate professional working on your side.
If you are interested in working with me, feel free to give me a shout at 780-777-9703!
94 Ridgepoint Way, Sherwood Park, AB – SOLD at list price!