Edmonton Real Estate Blog

As we enter our spring marketplace we are seeing the market continue to be strong.  As of this afternoon April 08, 2010 there are 2,348 single family homes listed in Edmonton proper.  That is up slightly from last week’s number of 2,240 available homes for sale.

In the past 30 days we have seen 749 single family homes sold.  That is up from last week’s number of 661 sales in the previous 30 days.  That is a significant increase for a one week period.

What is more important is the listings to sales ratios.  That ratio is now 3.13:1, lower than the 3.31:1 ratio that we had the previous week.  This indicates to me that we are still going to see continue upward pressure on valuations.

If you are thinking about buying this year you might want to consider buying right away.  You have two threats that you have to consider if you have been thinking of buying.  Firstly, we know that there is pressure for prices to continue to go up.  Waiting will mean you will have to pay more for that home you want.  Secondly, there is the expectation that interest rates will go up again this summer.  If this happens it will make your mortgage payments more expensive and will reduce the amount of a mortgage that you will be able to qualify for.  The new mortgage rule changes require that you be approved at the 5 year rate regardless which term you choose.

If you are thinking about moving up to a larger, more expensive home, again you want to make the move as soon as possible.  Yes, your home will go up in value, but your future home will have gone up more significantly that your current home.  The end result is that you will have to carry a larger mortgage by waiting for your home to get to a higher value.

This is my two cents for this month.  

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call.  I would love to help you. (780) 634-8151

Edmonton, April 6, 2010: Housing figures released by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton for March and the first quarter of 2010 show that resale housing prices are up; listings and sales are up.

“There is consumer confidence in this market and both buyers and sellers appear eager to enter the housing market,” said Larry Westergard, president of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. “Prices are up about 10% from a year ago and sellers are eager to take advantage. Buyers are aware of higher mortgage rates ahead and are getting into the market before the rates rise.”

Single family residences in the Edmonton area sold on average* for $388,473 in March which is up 4.7% from February and 11% from a year ago. Condominium prices rose by 8.4% month-over-month and 10.5% year-over-year. The average condominium sold for $252,416 in March. Duplex and rowhouse prices (at $313,836) dropped a third of a percent in March but were up 10.4% from a year ago. The average residential price was $343,607 (up month-over-month by 8.5%).

Sales also demonstrated the optimism of the marketplace. 3,728 residential listings in March were up over 30% from a year ago and up 246% in the first quarter. Residential sales of 1,571 properties in March were up 15.1% from a year ago and 77.3% in the first quarter. Sales were up from 1,307 in February: a 20.2% increase. The March sales-to-listing ratio was 42%; down from 52% in February.

“Seller activity has boosted the inventory to 6,770 residential properties,” said Westergard. “I am less concerned about available inventory now than I was at the beginning of the year. I think the market has reached a balance between buyers and sellers.”

All major banks raised their fixed mortgage rates in late March and the Bank of Canada has warned that interest rates will rise again after the second quarter. Many buyers are hurrying to lock in rates and find a home before the more stringent qualification requirements for mortgages come into effect on April 19. Alberta will not be influenced by the GST harmonization taking place in Ontario and BC so we may not see the sales slump in the second quarter that is expected in those two provinces.

The average days-on-market in March was 41 as compared to 47 in February.

-30-

Highlights of MLS® activity

¹. Residential includes SFD, condos and duplex/row houses.
². Single Family Dwelling
³. The middle figure in a list of all sales prices

* Average prices indicate market trends only. They do not reflect actual prices, which may vary.

Source: REALTORS® Association of Edmonton

**Just Listed!**

3 Bedroom 2 storey home in Kiniski Gardens with BRAND NEW double detached garage.  Bright living room, formal dining area, and an eat-in kitchen with lots of cupboard space and a view of the backyard.  All bedrooms on second storey.  Large master bedroom with big full-wall closet.  Basement is partially finished and is waiting for your creative touch.  New sod to be put down in backyard shortly.  All measurements and information to be verified.

1165 SqFt                 2 Storey

3 Bedrooms           1.5 Bathrooms

$309,900          MLS: E3216761

If you have any questions please call Team Leading Edge at (780) 634-8151

**Reduced!**

 View the virtual tour here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8YrGcwqZ3o

Welcome home! This beautiful brightly lit 4 level split has been nicely upgraded and is perfect for your family’s next home.  This home features a NEW kitchen including new dishwasher, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, flooring, and breakfast nook.  Lots of natural light from the large windows in the living room.  The formal dining area is great for entertaining and has track lighting.  Renovated upstairs bathroom.  Fully finished basement with large family room and woodburning fireplace, full bathroom, and bedroom.  Large landscaped fenced pie lot with deck.  Located on a quiet cul-de-sac with other families.  New shingles and hot water tank.  Close to both public and Catholic schools, many parks, shopping, and more.  What else can you ask for? Pack your bags and welcome home!

1047 SqFt                 4 Level Split

4 Bedrooms           2 Bathrooms

$314,888          MLS: E3213579

If you have any questions please call Team Leading Edge at (780) 634-8151

To view more pictures click here

Well it is appearing that the Edmonton real estate market might be stabilizing.  As of this morning there were 2,240 single family homes for sale in Edmonton proper.  That is an increase of 113 homes over last week.

In the past 30 days there were 661 single family homes sold in Edmonton proper.  That is an increase of 42 homes sold over what sold in the previous 30 day period.  That will give us a listing to sales ratio of 3.39:1, which is slightly better than last week, but I would be cautious to think valuations are going to rise again.  I think we are going to see more stabilization at this time unless we start seeing the ratio drop further in the coming weeks.

Please call me if you have any questions about this, or anything else related to Real Estate.

I would love to help you out. (780) 634-8151 

Serge Bourgoin, Founding and Managing partner of Team Leading Edge at RE/MAX Elite 

Team Leading Edge… Leading the way with extraordinary service

WASHINGTON, March 10 – As spring approaches, many home owners grow eager to start remodelling projects to update and refresh their surroundings. Before getting started, it’s a good idea to hire a professional remodeler for a workable plan and better results, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“A professional remodeler knows how to translate a home owner’s dreams and budget into a beautiful reality,” said Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, President of Shirey Contracting in Issaquah, Wash. and 2010 chairman of NAHB Remodelers. “They have the expertise and skills to satisfy a customer while keeping the budget in check.”

 
Here are five tips for planning a successful home remodel that you can enjoy for many years to come:

1. Compile a list of home remodelling ideas and draft a budget for the work. You likely have some projects in mind, such as modernizing the bathroom, renovating the kitchen, replacing windows or repairing the roof. Prioritize your wish list: Maybe you don’t have the budget for your dream remodel, but professional remodelers can maximize your dollars by doing the work in phases, suggesting budget-friendly products and materials, and implementing creative design solutions.

2. Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project. Start by searching NAHB’s Directory of Professional Remodelers at www.nahb.org/remodel. You’ll get a list of nearby remodelers to contact. Asking friends and neighbours for names of qualified remodelers will also help you find a match for your project.

3. Check the references and background of the remodeler. After you start speaking with remodelers and find one or two who match your project’s needs, be sure to conduct some background research by checking with the Better Business Bureau, talking to their references, and asking if they are a trade association member (such as NAHB Remodelers). Remodelers with these qualities tend to be more reliable, better educated, and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends.

4. Agree on a contract. Talk over the details of the home remodelling project and begin reviewing the contract. You’ll want to check the remodelers’ insurance coverage, ask about any warranties on their work, know who is responsible for obtaining any building permits, and understand the process for making any change

5. Take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits. If your remodel includes replacing windows or doors, adding insulation, installing new roofing, upgrading heating or air-conditioning units, updating the water heater, or installing energy generating products (such as solar panels, heat pumps, or wind turbines) then you can take advantage of federal energy efficiency tax credits through 2010 that will help defray costs and maximize your remodelling budget while reducing home energy bills. (Learn more at www.nahb.org/efficiencytaxcredit.)

For more tips on planning a home remodel or hiring a professional remodeler, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

Source: HGTVPro.com

As I anticipated, the trend is continuing.   The number of listings coming on the market is outpacing the number of sales.  As of this morning there were 2,127 single family dwellings in Edmonton proper on the market an increase from last week’s inventory level of 2,003. 

In the last 30 days we had 615 single family dwellings sold in Edmonton proper.  That number is actually down from last week’s number of sales of 619. 

This gives us listings to sales ratio of 3.46:1 up again from last week’s ratio of 3.24:1.  So the pressure for valuations to rise is easing and could very well go the ratio of 4:1 very soon.  If we break that we can start seeing valuations drop. 

Please call me if you have any questions about this, or anything else related to Real Estate.

I would love to help you out. (780) 634-8151 

Serge Bourgoin, Founding and Managing partner of Team Leading Edge at RE/MAX Elite 

Team Leading Edge… Leading the way with extraordinary service

*Just Listed!*

Nestled against the scenic Mill Creek Ravine this 2 bedroom bungalow townhome has plenty to offer.  The bright living room features a large window, track lighting, and a corner gas fireplace – great for entertaining.  The kitchen has plenty of cupboards and counterspace, and looks very clean with matching black appliances including a dishwasher for convenience.  The kitchen overlooks the dining area, which offers more track lighting.  Down the staircase with glass panel inserts you will find the master bedroom with walk-through closet and 4 piece ensuite.  The second bedroom also has a walk-in closet and is spacious.  On the lower level you will find room for your computer desk, as well as the laundry room.  This townhome features a maintenance free duradeck with glass pane railings, as well as 2 assigned parking stalls directly outside of the unit.  Close to many amenities and walking trails.  Welcome home!  All measurements and information to be verified by purchaser.

671 sq.ft.                           Townhouse

2 Bedrooms                        2.5 Bathrooms

Price $229,900                    MLS#: E3214946

For more pictures view at http://www.FindMyHouse.ca/   

Call us at (780) 634-8151

Team Leading Edge… Leading the way with extraordinary service!

Serge Bourgoin

Re/Max Elite

(780) 406-4000

OTTAWA (Reuters) – New home prices in Canada kept climbing in January, rising 0.4 percent from the previous month as expected, according to Statistics Canada on Thursday.

On a monthly basis, the housing-only component of the new housing price index rose by 0.5 percent and the land-only component edged up 0.1 percent.

New home prices firmed 0.1 percent in January from a year earlier, the first year-over-year rise since December 2008.

Despite nationwide gains, prices have been falling in Western Canada, which saw huge price spikes prior to the recent economic crisis.

“Declines slowed in most of Western Canada’s metropolitan regions as new housing prices returned to the price levels observed prior to the highs registered at the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008,” Statscan said.

The Canadian housing market slumped during the recession last year but never underwent a U.S.-style collapse. Strong sales and price gains in recent months have led to worries of a made-in-Canada housing bubble and prompted the government to tighten mortgage lending rules in February.

Source: Reporting by Louise Egan; Editing by James Dalgleish – MSN Money

Least expensive unit in the building! Welcome the prestigious architecturally designed luxury highrise – The Illuminada II tower built in 2008.  This one bedroom condo boasts the finer things in life – a modern open layout corner unit with floor to ceiling low-e windows accompanied by custom designer blinds, a private balcony with views of downtown, and a highly secure triple-fob based building with access only to your floor.  9 foot ceilings and rich walnut hardwood flooring grace this home, with high-end finishes, Kohler fixtures, and high-end stainless steel appliances. A gas fireplace adds character and depth to any conversation, while you can also keep cool with the central air conditioning. Enjoy the convenience of in-suite laundry and storage, heated underground parking with storage locker, and being steps away from downtown and the river valley! Your visitors also have secure heated underground parking.  All this PLUS low condo fees. Information and measurements to be verified by purchaser.

678 sq ft                                        Condo

1 Bedroom                              1  Bathroom    

Price: $299,900  

For more pictures click here

Call us at (780) 634-8151

Team Leading Edge…

Leading the way with extraordinary service!