Archive for the ‘Real Estate’ Category

Great Edmonton starter or investment property reduced to $149,900

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

Reduced $10,000 for a quick sale!

Perfect starter or investment property. 3 Bedroom townhouse, 1.5 bath. Ideally located close to schools, playgrounds, Rundle Park. Upper level has 2 large bedrooms and a 4 pce bath. The basement has a large master bedroom and a 2 pce bath.  Newer hot water tank and furnace. It has it own private fenced yard in the front. All the windows have been recently replaced and all the fences have just been repainted. This is a great bargain so don’t miss out. *For more information visit realtor’s website*.

Click here to view more info and pictures or call today to view in person 780-634-8151

 

To View & Search All MLS Listed Houses for Sale Visit Us At:

www.EdmontonHomesforSale.biz

 

Serge Bourgoin
Senior Managing Partner
Team Leading Edge
RE/MAX ELITE
780-995-6520

Waiting is Costing You Money

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

To start your new home search visit www.EdmontonHomesForSale.biz

Market Stability Evident in Mid – year Edmonton Housing Review

Monday, July 8th, 2013

In the first six months of the year, housing prices in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) showed slow, steady increases. According to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, the all-residential average price was up 5.6% from the average price on December 31, 2012. Compared to June 2012, the current average price is up 4.2%.

“Economic conditions in the Edmonton area are generally positive and this is reflected in our local housing market,” said President Darrell Cook. “Prices have risen slowly through the first six months and there is nothing in our local economic trends to indicate that this period of stability will change.”

The average all-residential price for the Edmonton CMA in June was $359,631. This was up 0.8% from May 2013. The average price of a single family property in June was $412,269, up 2.3% from last June when the price was $402,840. Condominium prices followed a similar path with June prices at $261,854 compared to a year ago at $240,822.

The inventory of available residential properties on the MLS® System has increased over the past two quarters and is currently at 6,078 properties. Never-the-less, this is still lower than the inventory of 6,435 homes recorded at the end of June 2012.

“Higher prices and a shortage of inventory in some categories have limited the number of sales,” said Cook. “We are seeing some instances of multiple offers, however buyers looking at higher priced properties are taking their time to study the market with their REALTOR® before making an offer on the property that matches their needs.”

The all-residential sales figures for June are down 1.5% year-to-date when compared to 2012 with 8,664 sales so far in 2013 as compared to 8,792 in 2012. There were 1,840 residential properties of all types sold in the Edmonton CMA in June and 1,800 sold in June 2012. Single family detached sales of 1,080 were off 4.9% from last year. Condominium sales were up in the first half because of a lack of lower priced single family properties. There were 470 condo sales in June compared to 536 in June 2012. There were 116 duplex/row house properties sold in June. Note: all sales numbers are estimated to reflect late reported sales.

The average days-on-market for all residential property was up to 47 days from 45 days in May and the sales-to-listing ratio was 63% in June,

up from 53% last month.

Source: REALTORS® Association of Edmonton

To View & Search All MLS Listed Houses for Sale Visit Us At:

www.EdmontonHomesforSale.biz

The importance of rebalancing

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

Stock markets are not static and move both up and down. As a result, your asset mix—that is—the basket of different types of investments that make up your portfolio, may have shifted. Over time, your portfolio may have become weighted towards fixed income and away from equities, or conversely, overweighted in equities and underweighted in bonds. It’s important to regularly rebalance your portfolio.

Feel free to contact me or visit my website for more information.

 

Douglas J. Bodtcher                               
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
780-448-1988 ext. 284
Douglas.Bodtcher@investorsgroup.com

 

10 YEAR RATE 3.69% VERY ATTRACTIVE NOW THAT 5 YEAR RATES HAVE INCREASED

Friday, June 28th, 2013
The bond market has been very active this week. Rates have been rising almost daily. The increase in rate is due to both the recovery of both Canadian and US economy as well as changes in banking guidelines set out by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.
Some economists argue that recovery has been over stated and job creation numbers inflated. If this is the case then rates should remain stable. Whereas, some believe rates are only going one way… up. Although, economists don’t agree on the direction of the rates, they can all agree that 10 year fixed rate is looking very attractive at this point.
5 Year Fixed rates range from 3.34% to 3.59%. The current 10 Year rate is 3.69% (rate sheet attached), borrowers want interest rate predictability, but does a five-year fixed term really give you that much protection? If inflation kicks into high gear and rates start going up quickly, the time remaining on a five-year term runs out pretty fast.The maximum spread of 35 bps (.35%) doesn’t seem to be worth the risk in this unpredictable market. The 10 years rate guarantee means cost certainty for a decade.
Some borrowers are concerned about the payout penalty on such a long term… Actually, after the first five years of any mortgage term, the Interest Rate Act mandates that payout penalties cannot exceed three-months worth of interest due, which is far less than can be charged on a five-year fixed-rate term. Without an onerous payout penalty to keep borrowers locked-in, the 10 year mortgage peaking a lot of interest.
If you have any questions or require any mortgage assistance, I’m a phone call away.


Best Regards,
 
Chita Rattanarasy
Mortgage Associate
TMG The Mortgage Group Alberta LTD
#10, 156 St.Albert Road, St.Albert, AB, T8N 0P5

Tax rules for TFSAs, RRSPs, and non-registered investments – know the differences

Thursday, June 20th, 2013

Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) are a nearly brand new and quite flexible investment vehicle; Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) have been a vital tax-advantaged retirement savings opportunity for many years; and non-registered investments are an important component of virtually every financial plan. If you are currently weighing the advantages of each of these investment options as you restructure your investment portfolio to match your overall financial goals during this difficult economic climate, you need to know how each is taxed. So let’s compare the tax treatment rules for TFSAs, RRSPs and non-registered investments.

There are tax and income-building advantages and disadvantages to each of these investment options. You need to look at them in relation to your overall tax situation and financial objectives. Your professional advisor can help you make the right decisions for your unique situation.

Feel free to contact me or visit my website for more information.

Douglas J. Bodtcher                               
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
780-448-1988 ext. 284
Douglas.Bodtcher@investorsgroup.com

 

Amazing Service!

Friday, June 7th, 2013

Our home buying experience with Serge Bourgoin was very satisfying! He went out of his way more than a few times, and much to our amazement! He was there answering every call and every question we could throw his way. We encountered a couple of problems temporarily of course; Serge had the solutions every time! To anyone wanting to buy or sell a home, Serge and his team have the all inclusive package. Whether a buyer or a seller this is the man you should seek out! Amazing service! And he has all the wonderful connections for Brokers, Lawyers, and insurance! All inclusive! We are very satisfied and will be calling him again

Nikole Reddon & David St Laurent

A Closer Look at Guaranteed Investment Certificates

Thursday, June 6th, 2013

Investors are led to believe they pay no fees when investing in Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs). The truth is that the interest you are paid on a GIC is much less than what the bank earns when they subsequently invest your money in loans or mortgages.

Feel free to contact me or visit my website for more information.

Douglas J. Bodtcher                               
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
780-448-1988 ext. 284
Douglas.Bodtcher@investorsgroup.com

Local housing sales ease up in May

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

Edmonton, June 4, 2013: Housing sales activity in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) slowed in May according to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. Housing sales dropped 10% when compared to May 2012. Sales of single family detached homes (SFD) were down 14.4% Y/Y and duplex/rowhouse sales were down 20.3%. In contrast, during the same period, condo sales were up 4.9% compared to May 2012.

“There is a lot of activity in the real estate market at this time of year but some buyers are having difficulty finding their perfect home,” said President Darrell Cook. “While inventory levels are rising they are still below traditional norms and there is a shortage of attractive SFD inventory available at the lower priced end of the market. That has held some buyers back. First time buyers may have had to buy in the condo market where they can still find a home in their price range.”

There were an estimated 1,169 SFD sales in May (based on 1,082 reported sales) through the MLS® System with 512 estimated sales of condos (474 reported) for total residential sales of 1,824 units (on reported sales of 1,689). Sales figures in the month are estimated to account for late reported sales and to ensure accurate comparison to prior period sales figures.

Listing activity picked up in May with 1,969 SFDs listed (up 1.3% Y/Y) and 963 condos (up 0.3% Y/Y) for an overall total of 3,188 residential properties coming into the MLS® System in May. At the end of May there were 6,028 residential properties available; up from 5,294 from last month. There were an additional 1,569 rural properties in the MLS® System inventory.

The demand for housing has buoyed up prices in the Edmonton area. The all-residential average price was up 2.4% from April and up 1.3% from a year ago at $356,807. The average price of SFDs was up 3.9% to $418,110 in May but condo prices dropped 2.4% from a month ago to $237,664. The condo average price is down 3.97% in May compared to last year.

“Increased activity at the higher end of the market drove up the average price of SFDs,” said Cook. “At the same time, the wide variety and number of options in the condominium sector continued to exert downward pressure on the average price of condominiums. There is housing available for everyone at every price point but buyers may have to adjust their expectations to be able to buy right now. Their REALTOR® can help them identify property that meets their needs.”

The average days-on-market for residential property was down to 45 days and the sales-to-listing ratio was 53% in May.

To View & Search All MLS Listed Houses for Sale Visit Us At:

www.EdmontonHomesforSale.biz

 

Source: Realtors Association of Edmonton

Riverbend 3 Bedroom Townhouse Condominium

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Immaculate 3 bedroom condominium in Riverbend. Close to parks and trails. Public transportation just a few steps away. You will be able to stay cool this summer in this air conditioned unit. The windows have been replaced in the last few years. There is a huge master bedroom with wall to wall closet. The main floor is laminate while the upstairs bedrooms are carpeted. You will not regret having a look at this unit. It even has it own little fenced yard for your privacy, or to have an outdoor BBQ.

For more information and pictures: http://www.edmontonhomesforsale.biz/listing/edmonton/brander-gardens/e3338216-d-14815-riverbend-rd

To View and Search all Edmonton and Area MLS Listed Homes For Sale visit us at: www.EdmontonHomesForSale.biz

 

The data included on this website is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.