Edmonton Real Estate Blog

We have already arrived at the end of the first quarter of 2017 and yet 2016 feels like it was here only yesterday. High demand in certain price markets and low interest rates were the essence of housing sales in 2016 and 2017 is shaping up to be another good year.

Although spring is upon us, it is not too late to sell your Edmonton house this 2017.

Here are some tips for sellers to adapt to the latest market conditions.

Get the Right Agent

A seller’s best investment is time spent researching agents. If you hire a bad agent this can cause you tens of thousands of dollars. With the use of the internet, social marketing sites and agent reviews, information about Edmonton Realtors is plentiful and available.

After you have identified the agent you think you might want to work with, interview them in person. Ask for sales-activity reports, existing listings, time-on-market averages etc. You’ll know an agent has a lot of experience in the market if he or she knows when the best times for open houses are and how to initiate a price war if the market permits it.

Do-It-Yourself

Edmonton home sellers can do several simple things which can improve the appearance of their Edmonton house which then will increase buyer interest and boost their home’s profile:

Clean:

Cleaning is a way of life and there is no way out of it! Cleaning is a must when selling an Edmonton home. It’s hard for buyers to picture themselves living in a home that is messy and dirty!

Depersonalize:

Show that you have more room to spare to potential buyers. Pack up family photos, kids’ toys and store worn out furniture.

Illuminate:

A bright and cheery Edmonton home is very attractive. Open windows, get rid of heavy curtains and add brighter light bulbs in dark areas.

The Greener the Grass the Better

Green grass is a must in an Edmonton property. Surveys show that a great curb appeal can increase value by 10 percent or more. You can do research on how to make your yard more appealing and try improving it yourself. Or you can hire a professional to do the work.

Know the Position of the Market

To sell is to be prepared; knowing what is happening in the real estate market is a priority for any seller. This is where hiring an agent comes in handy – the agent can advise you on what to do if the sale of your Edmonton home encounters some stumbling blocks.

Spring Time

It is much better to showcase your Edmonton home in the spring season rather than doing it in winter when everything is still cold and dead. If you are selling in the winter, prepare in advance and take your smart phone or hand-held camera and take exterior shots when your garden is in bloom.

Don’t wait for a later time in 2017 to start selling your Edmonton house. Nothing like the present!!

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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The Edmonton home buying experience should not be a sad process no matter what. It should be an enjoyable experience before and after you buy an Edmonton house.

Before you start searching for that Edmonton dream home, here are some ‘what not to dos’ when buying an Edmonton house.

Not Looking For Help

There are too many Edmonton home buyers who think that they can do everything on their own. They are the ones who are not willing to make the commitment to be helped which is a big risk that they put onto themselves unnecessarily.  Why wouldn’t a buyer want to be supported by a real estate agent who has years of experience in buying and selling Edmonton properties?  Improve your chances of getting that Edmonton dream home by hiring an agent who will guide you through the process.

Not Getting Pre-approval

If you are not pre-approved, it looks like you are not a serious buyer to everyone involved in the process. But by getting yourself pre-approved, you will be taken seriously by sellers and you will know much you can really afford when looking for an Edmonton house.  Staying pre-approve will make things easier when you finally find the right Edmonton house because sometimes it can take longer than expected.

Not Making Sudden Decisions

Do not make sudden decisions such as getting a new job, buying a new car or opening new credit lines before a deal is almost done. This can jeopardize the transaction. Take your time and take advice from your agent for the best course of action, for the most positive development in the buying process.

Not Overpaying

Some Edmonton properties are at competitive price points and they are receiving multiple offers.  This can often result in an over-inflation of home prices. Lenders may take caution with a buyer’ who is willing to pay way beyond the appraisal value of an Edmonton house. The buyer may get rejected for a mortgage outright.

Not Hiding

You hire a real estate agent for a reason. If you have any questions, concerns, wants and needs with the Edmonton buying process then tell it to your agent. Don’t hide anything from them. Be sure to advise of them all specific wants and needs in order to make the buying process efficient and fruitful with only appropriate listings being presented.  By telling your Realtor exactly what you like and dislike in an Edmonton house, searching for the right Edmonton home will become a straightforward process.

Giving your very best even if you don’t win at first will give you the courage to carry on with what you are looking for. The day will come when you find the right house with the right price, with the right terms and it will be yours because you have prepared for that day. So stay prepared!!

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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Buying or selling an Edmonton property can become rather simple when you have the right real estate agent to assist you. But how do you know which real estate agent to hire?

Here are some questions to ask before you choose a real estate agent.

Do You Do It As a Full Time Job?

The very first question that you should ask your real estate agent is if they do it as a full-time job. If the answer of is ‘no’ then you had better move on to the next candidate. Will you want someone working for you part time?

Make sure to get an agent who will give you all the effort that you deserve.

What Makes You Different From Other Agents?

Real estate agents have different sets of skills, personalities and work ethics. When you are searching for a real estate agent, find one that can say ‘no’ to you. You want someone who is going to support and prioritize your interests which may put you in conflict with them.

How Will You Negotiate On Our Behalf?

A good question to ask when looking for a real estate agent is how will your real estate agent negotiate on your behalf. Buying and selling Edmonton real estate involves expertise and a positive attitude. A strong negotiating skill is a must for your real estate agent when the time comes to fight for your offer.

What if I’m Not Satisfied with Your Service?

Before you start working with a real estate agent, you should ask what will happen if you are not satisfied with the progress of the buying or selling process. You have the right to move forward with another agent. There should be mutual respect if the agent-client relationship is going to work. You should not be afraid to tell them that you’ve decided to work with someone else.  All agents will tell you that are committed to stellar service but not all will deliver.

Finding the right real estate agent can be almost as daunting as finding the right Edmonton home. It will take time and effort to find the real estate agent that will fit your personality and style so take your time and choose wisely!

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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Whether it’s moving in or moving out, one of the least enjoyable parts of buying and selling Edmonton real estate is the moving part. It feels like a chore that you are obligated to do. Before you start packing everything in one box here are some tips you need to know before moving to your Edmonton house!

Preparation

You need a plan before you start moving. Packing should be done in a organized manner which will revolve around your unpacking. Preparing for your relocation is going to involve keeping items sorted by rooms and knowing what is important in the first days in your new house.

Address Change

One of the most important things to do prior to moving is relating your change of address to important people in your life. This includes the bank, the post office and your utility providers.

Ask For Help

You don’t necessarily need to hire a moving company when relocating to your new Edmonton home, though they can be used as a last option. You can ask for help from your close friends and family. You might even find some high school kids looking for extra income willing to help.

Packing

You should have plenty of tools and supplies around to help you with packing. People usually assume that large boxes are for the heavy items. The fact is you should put light objects in larger boxes while the heavier ones should go in smaller boxes. This will make carrying a whole lot easier.

Label

By labelling your inventory you can make your move simple and efficient. Don’t just seal away items in boxes and worry about their location later.

Cleaning

For those who  have purchased an Edmonton house make sure it is clean prior to your move in date. You can order a cleaning service to do it or even family and friends. When the time comes for you to move in you will have peace of mind about the cleanliness of your new home.

Moving in or out can be rewarding especially when you are done with all the work. By planning ahead you will use less time and effort. And by the end of it you can sit back, relax and enjoy your new home!!

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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For first-time Edmonton home sellers who have never been through the process before, it has become a different world than it was in the past. Today’s buyers are much more particular with regards to the Edmonton house that they want and have greater tools to use in their belt to aid in this selection.  This in turn forces Edmonton home sellers to spend more time and money in making their homes more appealing.

Never fear!  Here are some tips for first time Edmonton home sellers!

Give a Realistic Price

When deciding on the price of your Edmonton house, do it logically not emotionally.  It is easy for emotions to come into play because you have most likely grown attached to your home.  This can compromise the value as sellers tend to overprice. Leave your personal feelings behind and always remember that it’s all about business in the real estate industry.  Try researching and comparing prices of other Edmonton houses for sale in your area. This will give you an initial value for your Edmonton property then you can arrive at a competitive price.

Be Prepared To Lose Money

You will not be the first-time Edmonton home seller to want to go with the price you paid a few years ago. What you paid for your house years ago may not be the same for the present time.

The truth is that your Edmonton house is worth what buyers are willing to pay – supply and demand. But this could work both ways.  Be hopeful to gain money but be prepared to lose money.

Promotion Promotion Promotion

It is necessary to look at who your buyers are most likely to be for the home you are selling and cater to the needs of that people group. With the use of the internet, you can reach out to these target groups very easily. There are different listing websites to choose from which you can use to market your Edmonton home. You are going to need a number of clear, professional-quality pictures that can show your Edmonton home at its best.

Upgrade

You need to spend more cash to make a memorable impression on your target buyers. Hiring an interior expert may sound expensive but it can earn you a whole lot back if their advice is heeded.  The cheapest thing you can do for a house with the highest return is to paint and replace carpet. Remember that new carpet and fresh-paint smell are buyer bait!

Allure Lazy Buyers

Potential buyers want to get an Edmonton property where they don’t need to do anything to the house except to move in. That means you have to do all the repairs and replacements that you would require as if you were buying the Edmonton house today. Everything needs to be clean and in an orderly manner so that if a potential buyer views your Edmonton home all he or she needs to do is sign the paperwork and move-in.

It takes time and a whole lot of concentrated effort to sell an Edmonton house. The risks may be great but the rewards are even greater.  Today may not be the day you sell your Edmonton house but sooner or later a person will come along and they will change all that. The next thing you know, you are handing them the keys to the Edmonton house you once called home.

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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Here is your weekly dose of Edmonton Mortgage Rates update!

The rates remained stable for the 1st week of May, which opens up the opportunity for you to buy that Edmonton home at an affordable term.

You know that we got you, our partner Chita Metcalfe of Edmonton Mortgage Source can help you finance that Edmonton property you’ve always dreamed of. You can contact her for all your Edmonton mortgage needs.

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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Here is your weekly dose of Edmonton Mortgage Rates update!

The rates remained unchanged, which opens up the opportunity for you to buy that Edmonton home at an affordable term.

You know we got your back, our partner Chita Metcalfe of Edmonton Mortgage Source can help you finance that Edmonton property you’ve always dreamed of. You can contact her for all your Edmonton mortgage needs.

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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Can’t find the right Edmonton home that you are looking for? Does it feel like there aren’t enough choices?  Well you are not alone. There are many Edmonton home buyers discontented just like you. Before you get ready to give up the search entirely, here are some ways to find Edmonton homes for sale in a low inventory market.

Ideal Location

The first thing you need to do before you buy an Edmonton house is to determine where you want to live. By doing so you can focus in on the neighborhood you want and start marketing, communicating and searching with someone who is selling their Edmonton property.  It will be harder to find the best Edmonton home at a considerable price when you don’t know which neighborhood you like.

Go Over Expired Listings

Being resourceful in a time where there aren’t enough choices in the market is the key to finding Edmonton properties. You can do so by reaching out to people who tried selling their Edmonton homes but failed to do so.  If an Edmonton home expires off the market, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a bad property. Overpriced for the current market or has a limited buyer pool can be some of the reasons why it was taken off from the market. So no need to be afraid of expired listings.

Using Social Media

The power of the internet has no bound to its countless possibilities of what it can do. One of its major powers is social media. You can connect with people half way around the world and it can be achieved with just a few clicks. By joining real estate groups, you can post on the page with the details of the Edmonton house that you desire. There have been many deals made in real estate from the use of social media so consider its power seriously.

Knocking On Edmonton Doors

Door knocking is the most direct plan that anyone can use when looking for an Edmonton home. This is also the one people are most afraid to use because there is a high possibility of the owner saying no. But even though the person may not be selling their Edmonton property, there is a chance that they know of someone who is selling in the neighborhood. Don’t forget to drop off a business card just in case they can change their mind and decide to sell their Edmonton house!

If you want something badly enough then you have to take all the choices at hand and use them – even the unorthodox styles – especially if you feel like you’re on the verge of failure. At the end of the day, even if you fail at finding that Edmonton dream house of yours, at least you can say to yourself that you have done everything in your power.

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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It’s another beautiful Wednesday and to make extra amazing, here’s your weekly dose of Edmonton Mortgage Rates update!

The rates remained unchanged except for the 3-year Edmonton mortgage term, from 2.34% to 2.35%.

Our partner Chita Metcalfe of Edmonton Mortgage Source is prepared to help you get the financing that you need. You can contact her for all your Edmonton mortgage needs.

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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One of the most common question from buyers is “what happens next once a seller accepts my offer?” Does this mean that I need to pack up my things and move into my new Edmonton house right away? Is it time for a celebration already?

Hold on first to your party hats because when a seller accepts your offer this means that your act in the Edmonton home buying play is just moving on to the main scene.

So without waiting any further, let’s see what happens next after an offer is accepted by an Edmonton home seller!!

Contact Your Support Group

After a seller accepts your offer, you are officially under contract. Your deal is now pending.  You need to communicate with your support group which is you real estate team. They will guide you through the process of who you need to contact, such as your lender, home inspectors, contractors, attorney, etc. And once the appropriate people have been contacted and made aware that you are under contract, they can begin putting together everything you need so that the Edmonton home buying process can come to its conclusion.

Call Your Lender

Once your offer has been accepted, you need to take care of a few things, mostly on the financing side. There are important documents your lender will need from you in order to close the buying process.

House Inspection

Inspect the Edmonton home professionally. Look for issues with some of the main items in the house like the foundation, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.  You may want to consider other professionals such as a mold specialist to check out the Edmonton house especially if it is older. This needs to be done before conditions are removed.

Home Appraisal

During the due diligence period make sure that your lender is going to have your home appraised. You may find out it doesn’t appraise at the purchase price and this will force you to think twice about the purchase.

Due Diligence Repairs

When you have acquired all the reports from the inspector, you will have the opportunity to settle repairs with your seller. Some sellers are willing to make repairs or adjust the purchase price. But when a seller refuses your request then you have a choice to proceed with the sale or not.

Turn On the Utilities

Just days before you move in you will need to set up your utilities. Have your Realtor contact the listing agent and see who are the seller’s current providers. You can choose to remain with them or move on with a different provider.

All that is left to do now is move in to your new home!!  Check with your family and friends for moving help or hire a moving company if you have the means. Don’t forget to update your address so that your bank and other important companies know where to find you. And finally, you can now have that house warming party to celebrate the purchase of your new Edmonton home!!

Remember to follow Serge on Instagram @SergeBourgoin and get a first hand view on how he’s helping Edmonton homebuyers, sellers and investors.

For a complete list of available Edmonton homes for sale, check out the new Edmonton MLS listings.

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