Edmonton Real Estate Blog

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

**Open House!**

39 Kiniski Cres

Sunday March 21

1pm – 4pm

 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

$314,900           MLS: E3213579

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

To view more pictures click here

*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

*Just Listed!*

 Beautiful 2 storey custom built Landmark Home with walkout basement with views of the lake and fountain. As you walk in to this brightly lit, spectacularly clean, home you immediately realize its wonderful layout. Enjoy having company over while you entertain them in the living room with gas fireplace, or if you’d wrather have movie nights with friends there is a large bonus room with vaulted ceilings overtop of the double attached garage. The big bright kitchen boasts lots of maple cabinetry and counter space, a large centre island, and an eating nook overlooking your maintenance free deck with view of the lake. Main floor laundry gives you that extra convenience you’ve been looking for. Upstairs you will find 3 generously sized bedrooms, full bathroom, as well as the large bonus room. The spacious master bedroom features a 4 piece ensuite, complete with soaker tub and seperate glass-pane shower stall. Great quiet location close to Whitemud & the Anthony Henday. Buyer to verify all info and measurements.

1931 sq.ft.                           2 Storey 

3 Bedrooms                        2.5 Bathrooms

Price $474,900                    MLS#: E3214908

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

Well as I expected to see the inventory level is starting to creep up as we get deeper into our spring marketplace.  As of this morning there were 2,003 single family dwellings listed on MLS in Edmonton proper.

In the last 30 days there was 619 single family dwellings sold in Edmonton proper also an increase from last week’s totals.  This however gives us a listing to sales ratio 3.24:1 which is an increase from last week’s ratio of 3.06:1.

This is not a trend that I am liking to see at the moment as that ratio get closer and closer to 4:1 then we wiil see the market become neutral.  If the ratio goes over that number then we might even see valuations drop again.

With the new mortgage rules coming into effect on April 19, 2010, and the potential for an interest rate increase shortly that might negatively affect the market.

If you a buyer you will want to get approved and buy before the April 19, 2010 mortgage rule changes as it will reduce the amount of mortgage you will be able to get.

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!

We have received an update from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) regarding the upcoming changes that we informed you about in mid-February. To briefly recap, fixed rate mortgages with terms of less than 5 years, as well as variable rate mortgages, will be reviewed for approval (qualified) based on 5 year rates, beginning April 19, 2010. It was not clear at the time of the announcement if the 5 year rates used for qualification would be discounted rates (currently 3.89%) or posted rates (currently 5.39%).

CMHC has now clarified that the qualifying rate for the affected terms will be the greater of the “benchmark rate” and the contract interest rate. CMHC defines the benchmark rate as the Conventional Mortgage – 5 Year rate published by the Bank of Canada (series 121764), which is currently 5.39%. The following are updated examples that illustrate the upcoming changes:

 Fixed rate mortgages with terms of less than 5 years will be qualified based on the greater of the benchmark rate and the contract interest rate, rather than the current method of qualifying clients based on their contracted interest rate. For example, a client selecting a 3 year fixed term today would qualify based on 3.40% (some lenders offer lower “sale” rates), the new criteria will instead require the client to qualify based on the 5 year benchmark rate (currently 5.39%). If however the client selected a 5 year fixed term (or longer), the client would qualify at the contract rate (currently 3.89% for a 5 year term).

Variable rate mortgages will also be qualified based on the greater of the benchmark rate and the contract interest rate. By comparison, variable rate mortgages are currently reviewed based on 3 year rates. Assuming that posted rates are used in both cases, a client will need to qualify based on the 5 year posted rate (currently 5.39%), rather than the 3 year posted rate (currently 4.30%), which reduces the maximum amount that a client can borrow.

 
Changes to CMHC policies re: Self-Employed borrowers
Effective April 9, 2010, self-employed borrowers with more than 3 years in the same business will be required to provide third-party validation of income (e.g. financial statements, contracts, T4s, Notice of Assessments, etc.). This means that the above category of self-employed borrowers will need to fully support their personal income with adequate documentation when obtaining a mortgage.

 
Shirley Froese
Mortgage Agent
CENTUM Elite Mortgage Corp.
Ph:   780-940-4813

Weekly rate minder provided by: Souchita Rattanarasy Dominion Lending Centres Optimum 780-932-2225. Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on http://www.souchita.com/