Edmonton Real Estate Blog

It is wise to ask questions (simple or complex) when buying an Edmonton house.  However, sometimes the answers get lost because of the excitement that you feel when you finally see that Edmonton house that could be yours, for the first time!  Emotions may be high but it is best to think with your head and not just with your heart.

In order to help, here are some simple questions to ask when buying an Edmonton house.

About the Price

• How much will you offer?

You should research the location of the Edmonton property and compare prices to know how much is reasonable.  Home values are constantly changing!

• How long has it been on the market?

You can negotiate a discount if the Edmonton property has been on the market for quite some time.  The sellers may be quite motivated to sell and move on!

• How many offers has the Edmonton house received?

You should give a firm offer for an Edmonton house that received numerous offers.  Obviously, it is quite popular.

About the Location

• What are the other types of Edmonton properties in the area?

When it’s time to resell, certain neighbourhoods have better value in this regard.

• How far are main roadways and highways from the Edmonton house?

Traffic brings noise and noise brings discomfort especially if the freeway is close to the Edmonton house.  But not being too far away brings convenience for driving.

• What is the crime rate in the neighborhood?

The safety of yourself and your family is a top priority when buying and Edmonton house.  This can be checked through the City of Edmonton Website.

• Are the amenities close?

From schools, malls, restaurants etc. Knowing that amenities are close by is a comforting sign for an Edmonton property.

Condition of the Edmonton House

• How old is the Edmonton house?

The price could be lower or higher depending on the age of the home.

• What is the material of the roof?

The condition of the roof depends on the material used.

• What type of foundation does it have?

There are different types of foundations and it is important to know what kind has been used in the Edmonton property for insurance and other purposes.

• Are there repairs needed?

Knowing if there are repairs needed in an Edmonton house is important. From roofing, drainage to plumbing and electrical systems etc. you may be able to negotiate a lower price and you will also have an idea as to the amount of savings needed for these repairs.

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.

Buying an Edmonton house is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make in your life. From picking a location to choosing a mortgage loan, there are plenty of things to decide on when buying an Edmonton house.

With a whole lot of patience and a proper mindset, you can answer these questions without any doubt.

Here are 5 questions to think of before buying an Edmonton house.

Are You Ready to Settle Down?

The first question to ask yourself is: Are you ready to settle down? Deciding to buy an Edmonton property should not be driven by impulse. This will be a big investment and that’s why you’ll need to think it carefully. It will be a nuisance (financially and emotionally) later on to realize that you aren’t ready to settle down yet.

How much is Your Budget?

Money is what will drive this process. Without the proper estimate of your budget, you’ll just be blindly searching for an Edmonton house which could result in failure. You should know your budget. By answering this question, you will also know if you are going to require a mortgage loan. By doing so you’ll know which Edmonton house you can afford.

What’s Your Credit History?

You may find an Edmonton house that is within your price range but you’ll still need to know if you can close the deal. Before making an offer on an Edmonton property, it’s important to get pre-approved for a mortgage and before that takes place you need to know your credit history.  A damaged credit history can kill your hopes for an Edmonton house even if it’s just a little scratch.  Steps to repair your credit history will need to be taken in order to secure a mortgage loan in the future

Will you be Responsible?

From power outages to faucet leaks, you will be responsible for any repairs that will be needed in your Edmonton house. If you have limited funds available to you after paying for your mortgage, taxes and utilities, it may not be the right time to buy an Edmonton home.

Is This Really What You Want?

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself is having an Edmonton house really what you want? Nobody will judge you if you want to back out and think about it for a year or two. It is a big responsibility to own your own property, but at the end of the process, there is a sense of fulfillment which only Edmonton homeowners can understand!

Evaluate yourself and your circumstances to see if you are really ready to buy an Edmonton house. Do not be pressured.  Do not think that you’ll never find your very own Edmonton home. Opportunities will eventually arise.  You just need to be ready when the questions come knocking.

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.

After buying an Edmonton house, you will need to consider the other expenses which will be brought about by the purchase. You may not be thinking about it right now because of the excitement that you feel at the moment but sooner or later the realization will come that you’ll need to buy different items to prepare your Edmonton home.

Read on to know what items to purchase after buying an Edmonton house.

Security

Securing your new Edmonton house is a top priority. Just like most people, the previous owner might have given his/her neighbors and close acquaintances keys to entrust in looking out for their previous Edmonton home. Change the locks after buying the Edmonton property, ensure there are dead bolts and better yet, consider installing an electronic security/monitoring system for extra protection.

Tools & Equipment

This is a must-have in every Edmonton house. If you don’t have one yet, then buy a well-stocked toolbox for future repairs and emergencies. Essential equipment needed in an Edmonton property could include pliers, hacksaw, hammers, tape measure, wrenches, screw drivers, flashlight, etc.

Appliances

Buying an Edmonton house most often comes with appliances. However, some older homes may have original appliances, and will need to be replaced.  If you have a tight budget,  consider buying gently used appliances which will save you a whole lot of money.

Snow Removal Equipment

Whether it snows a little or a lot, you’ll need to get snow removal equipment such as shovels, ice scrapers and even a snow blower if you have some disposable income to clear your Edmonton property.

Lawnmower

Don’t be that one neighbour whose lawn evolves into a jungle! Unless you plan to hire a professional caretaker for your yard, then it’s essential  to have your very own lawnmower.  And while you’re at it, better purchase some garden supplies for your Edmonton house.

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.

Buying an Edmonton house is full of many steps and decisions along the way.  Sometimes we can make mistakes because we lack certain information which can help us. For the first-time Edmonton homebuyer, it can be a nerve-racking experience to venture out in the open to look for that Edmonton house you’ve always dreamed off.

To help you with your journey, we’ve come up with a list of potential errors that you should try to avoid when it’s finally time to buy that Edmonton house.

Not Saving Enough

An Edmonton house is a huge investment that requires saving a lot of money. It is wise to check your savings in the bank before you buy a home.  Also, consider other expenses like property taxes and utility bills before you purchase in order to save yourself undue financial stress.

Not Wanting to use a Real Estate Agent

First-time Edmonton home buyers often think that hiring a real estate agent may cost them a lot of money.  Not true.  Most of the time, the buyers’ real estate agent will negotiate their commission with the sellers and the sellers’ real estate agent. It is important to secure the services of a real estate agent. They have the experience to guide you through the whole process making it much easier to purchase your home.  As well, they will negotiate the very best price for you so in the end you will actually save money!

Not Doing a Home Inspection

A home inspection may cost you additional money at the outset but it is something that should be embraced. With a home inspection, you will be able to identify if there are any problems in an Edmonton property and help you gauge the possible costs to fix.  In certain situations, you may walk away from purchasing a money-pit.  In the end, a home inspection can actually save you big dollars.

Not Researching

Before making an offer on the Edmonton home that you think might be the right one, do your research. Look into possible neighborhoods, accessibility to amenities and even the crime rate of the area. Knowing your facts will help you keep focused remain smart in your decision making when it comes time to write an offer.

Not Knowing Your Limit

Be realistic when looking for an Edmonton house. Buy what you can afford, not necessarily what you are approved for!  It’s easy to get caught up in the purchase process raising the bar higher and higher.  By sticking within a budget will help you turn an Edmonton property into your Edmonton home!!

The choices we make define who we are.  We make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.  But if you know what to avoid from the beginning, the life lessons may not be so difficult!!

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.

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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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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It can be a long and emotional process for first timers when buying an Edmonton house. You have to become reasonable and logical when it comes to buying an Edmonton house. Emotions can lead you astray from a proper and sound decision.

There are many options available for first time Edmonton home buyer.  You just have to become aware of them. Before you take advantage of these options, here are some things you can do to avoid mistakes when buying an Edmonton house for the first time.

Educate Yourself

To truly understanding the Edmonton home buying process you have to educate yourself. Be informed about locations, neighbourhoods, house construction, loans, required documents, etc. It will take some time in order to be ready to make an educated decision.

Don’t Over Extend Finances

A first time Edmonton home buyer may not be fully aware of the costs of home ownership. After educating yourself, the second step is to get a mortgage pre-approval. If you are not pre-approved then you may be looking for Edmonton homes in the wrong price range. To know what you can truly afford you also need to look beyond what your mortgage specialist says. Expenses like food, water, electricity, natural gas, internet/tv, and other utilities etc. need to be accounted for along with savings, hobbies, travel, etc.

Priorities

By making a list of priorities when you purchase an Edmonton property, you can make it an easier time in making a decision for which Edmonton house to buy. The same also goes when you are buying with your spouse. If both of you are 100% on the same page then less complications will be encountered when the time comes to purchase.

Finding the Right Agent

It will be additional stress hiring the wrong agent so it is important to find the right one. Get an agent that you can trust, comfortable to talk with and is always there to assist you in every step of the process. Also because you’re a first time buyer then chances are you don’t know who the best sellers and resources are for your Edmonton home buying process. The agent can give you a list of names to help you with your Edmonton home purchase.

Go Reason Not Emotions

Everyone struggles with their emotions in different situations. First time buyers can be blinded by the excitement and fear of the process. Offers will be rejected and you may sometimes encounter rude people. You still have to be reasonable and not base your decisions on emotions. But at the end of the day if you feel that you have found the perfect Edmonton home then it’s yours to decide.

Do your own share of preparation work if you are going to buy an Edmonton home for the first time. Prepare for the rough waves that you will clash with when you enter the Edmonton home buying process. By preparing and doing your due diligence you can expect sunny skies along the way!

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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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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If you’re thinking of buying an Edmonton property, then we’ve got 7 awesome tips and tricks for you! Try to follow the wisdom written in the infographic as it will guide you through the tough and sometimes, confusing world of real estate.

Still here? Thanks for reading it this far! Below are the last 3 things you need to know.

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.

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.