first time home buyers in edmonton real estate

What to Know About Houses in Edmonton as a First-Time Buyer?

Buying your first home is a huge milestone! It takes a lot of time and effort in order to be able to finally afford such a big-ticket item. In Canada, it can be hard to find a home that is suitable for your needs and within your price range. Before you pull the trigger on purchasing a home, it is important to consider how this will affect your future. If you are a prospective first-time home buyer, we encourage you to read this article before making the decision to buy houses in Edmonton. For more information on what to keep in mind during the buying process, continue reading below. 

Houses in Edmonton Won’t Hold For Your Future or Your Budget. 

Your current lifestyle is undoubtedly going to change as you and your family get older. Finding a property that suits your future plans is vital. Purchasing a home is surely one of the biggest purchases a person will make during their lifetime. To guarantee your bank account stays happy and healthy, it is important to consider your future plans. This will allow you to find a home that gives you a good return on your investment. Your home buying plans must account for your various life changes. For instance, if you are considering having children, going abroad, or unsure of where work will take you in the coming years. 

Furthermore, many people will end up purchasing a home that they don’t immediately love. This is done with the hopes of renovating. However, renovating a home can be even more costly than buying one. Houses are great at hiding sneaky issues and costly repairs. Some of which, might not be uncovered until you start to demo the place. These seemingly small issues can quickly add up. This is why it is so important to determine whether it is worth renovating or simply buying a home that you love. However, sometimes a few coats of paint can be enough to refresh a space! 

When you’re looking for a new home, it is important to keep these factors in mind. As soon as you start toying with the idea to redo a major area like the kitchen, that’s when the cost will start to rise. Be mindful of your budget now and how it may look down the line. You may realize that a fixer-upper is a great solution for you and your budget. Or, that you’d much rather something move-in ready! 

Edmonton Has One of The Best Markets for First-Time Buyers!

Stretching your budget too thin when you go to buy houses in Edmonton can be scary. Buying a home that you are financially comfortable with is going to help you maintain stability throughout the duration of your mortgage. This can seem hard to do given the high real estate prices across Canada. However, Edmonton has recently been ranked as one of the most affordable and easy-to-enter markets for first-time buyers! Compared to other major cities in Canada like Vancouver and Toronto, Edmonton is a great place for new and young buyers to start. Real estate in the City of Edmonton is roughly 30% cheaper than in Calgary and surrounding cities. Most citizens have no trouble finding an affordable place to live within the city. The average price for a single-family home is within the $400,000-$500,000 range. This is incredibly affordable given real estate prices everywhere else in the country. 

Purchasing real estate and getting a mortgage that matches your financial situation will save you a lot of stress. During uncertain times, having a more affordable home can allow you to have more flexibility. Mortgage brokers often suggest a home with payments that total 28-33% of your gross income. Edmonton is a great place to get your feet wet in the housing market. There are plenty of job opportunities and it is overall more budget-friendly. Many Canadians are making the move to Edmonton for these reasons.  

Entering the Edmonton real estate market is likely to be more forgiving for first-time buyers. This is because of the low risk and higher inventory. New homebuyers often obsess over the initial price of the home without considering the other costs involved. For instance, homeowners insurance, taxes, repairs, maintenance costs, moving fees, strata fees, etc. These costs can quickly amount to an unbalanced budget. Have a discussion with your real estate agent if you have any questions or concerns about what costs could arise while living in the home. 

Contact Us Today!

The real estate market in Edmonton is the perfect place for new and young buyers to get on the property ladder. It is crucial that you think about your budget, future plans, and needs when you go to buy a home. Making the decision to buy homes in Edmonton can offer you more financial comfort. If you have any questions or concerns about buying houses in Edmonton, contact us today. Be sure to check back on our blog next month for the latest updates and more. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in a specific property. Our team will get in touch with you as soon as possible! We look forward to working with you in the near future.

edmonton realtors

REALTORS® in Edmonton Advise Buyers to Act Fast!

For REALTORS® in Edmonton, things are heating up fast. In what is normally a quiet month for real estate in Edmonton, homes are being sold at every turn. Anyone who is interested in purchasing a home in the Edmonton area is advised to act fast. Homes are lasting a short time on the market according to the most recent stats from the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. It is blatantly obvious that Edmonton’s real estate market is doing better than ever before. In addition to this, the Bank of Canada just hiked the interest rates in an attempt to rein in inflation. Learn more about the market conditions in Edmonton, recent statistics from February, and interest rate hikes in the article below. 

REALTORS® in Edmonton are Busier Than Ever.

Edmonton’s real estate market is showing strong momentum through what should be a quiet month. In comparison to other years, the market condition in Edmonton is looking up. According to Tom Shearer, in an article by the Edmonton Journal, he said “In Edmonton we’re lucky if we see more than 20 houses sell over $1 million,” no matter the month. Currently, the number of homes being sold over $1 million is much higher. 34 homes were recorded to be sold in the million-dollar-plus range. In addition, it should be noted that a February this successful is out of the ordinary. Most of the increase in sales is due to people wanting a bigger home or people looking to purchase their first home. 

Moreover, an influx of people looking to buy property in Edmonton from out-of-town are now making up a portion of sales in the city. Since housing in Edmonton is more affordable than in other major cities, investors are buying what they can. According to the same article by the Edmonton Journal this “hasn’t happened in a long time”. 

People are finally beginning to realize the opportunities that are present in Edmonton. Quality of life, housing affordability, and job opportunities are all major factors in people making the move to Edmonton. 

February Market Statistics in Edmonton

In February, the total residential unit sales increased to 69.3% in the Greater Edmonton area. This is up from last year’s 41.7% residential unit sales. Single-family homes were up 35.6% year-over-year. The average price of a single-family home was $493,545. Thus, indicating a 12.7% increase in price from 2021. 

As for condos, the number of sales increased 55.2% from February 2021. Furthermore, the average sale price for a condo was $226,811. This means a 1.8% decrease compared to last year during February. 

Additionally, duplex unit sales jumped up 55.9% year-over-year. Prices of duplexes in Edmonton saw a small spike in price by 9.1% from February 2021. The average cost of a duplex was $374,290

Homes in the Greater Edmonton Area are moving quickly as we progress into spring. Once the warmer months hit it is likely that housing sales will continue to gain momentum. During the month of February single-family houses and duplexes only lasted 42 on the market on average. This is a 5-6 day decrease from February 2021. REALTORS® in Edmonton are optimistic about the market condition for the remainder of 2022. For a more in-depth look at the February market stats, click here

REALTORS® in Edmonton on the Recent Key Interest Rate Hikes. 

remax elite interest rate

For those who are not aware, the Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate to 0.5% on March 2nd, 2022. This was done in an effort to dampen inflation. Presently, Canadians are seeing some of the highest points of inflation in decades. The decision to raise the benchmark interest rate is expected to be the first of many small rate hikes in 2022. 

The latest interest rate hike will certainly be affecting those with mortgages, lines of credit and savings accounts. In our article last month, we discussed what would be to come for mortgages in Edmonton. You can learn more about that by reading the article “Mortgage Forecast for Edmonton Real Estate”. 

Lenders are beginning to act in accordance with the most recent hike, as many are raising their prime lending rate. Mortgage payments could start to snowball as rates heighten.

Inflation is rumoured to be growing at a rate faster than what was anticipated. With the ongoing effects from the pandemic and now War in Ukraine, all outside factors are contributing to the quick, increase in interest rates.

Contact REALTORS® in Edmonton Today!

With everything going on in the world, buying real estate can appear intimidating. However, with the help of an experienced REALTOR® in Edmonton, the process is not difficult at all. If you have any questions or concerns about buying a home in Edmonton, contact us today. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re curious about the most recent interest rate hikes that will affect your mortgage payment. Our team can put you in touch with the resources you need to get your real estate goals on track. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

real estate in edmonton alberta

Edmonton Real Estate – 2021 in Review!

December is here, and that means 2021 is coming to an end! We hope you have enjoyed our past 11 months of real estate content. To celebrate our final month of 2021 blog content, we have decided to recap all of our articles from the year. This way, you can catch up on everything you missed from the year’s content. Follow along as we go through a short summary of each article. Be sure to check out the full posts by clicking the link below.

January 2021 – Sherwood Park Real Estate Agents Prepare For A Busy 2021

sherwood-park-real-estate-agentJanuary started with a market report to ensure all buyers and sellers were in the loop about Edmonton’s market conditions. Throughout this post, we gave predictions and valuable information about how real estate in Edmonton was doing. To find last January’s market report, view “ Sherwood Park Real Estate Agents Prepare For A Busy 2021”.

February 2021 – Sherwood Park Real Estate Agents are Excited about 2021

Top Edmonton RealtorsIn February, we wrote all about Sherwood Park real estate. We gave information about the neighbourhood wineries, parks, and wildlife. This article also happens to have a video that goes with it! By watching the video and reading the post, you’ll understand everything you need to know about Sherwood Park. Read the full article “Sherwood Park Real Estate Agents are Excited about 2021”.

April 2021 – What Separates The Top Edmonton Realtors from the Rest of the Pack?

The differences between a great Edmonton real estate agent and a bad one are evident. In this spring article, we wrote about how a REALTOR® at our brokerage can make a difference in your transaction. We have a unique set of skills and advantages like brand recognition, local expertise, and specialized training to guarantee our customer’s satisfaction. Read the entire post “What Separates The Top Edmonton Realtors from the Rest of the Pack”.

May 2021 – Edmonton REALTORS® & Real Estate Investing

houses-for-sale-edmontonReal estate investing is a popular way to kickstart your investment portfolio. Through real estate investing people can create lasting sources of income. There are many ways to get into real estate investing. For instance, REITs, REIGs, and Rental Properties. For more information view the article “Edmonton REALTORS® & Real Estate Investing

June 2021 – Edmonton Real Estate Agents Use Tech to Their Advantage

homes-for-sale-in-edmontonWith technology becoming such a large part of people’s everyday lives, it’s no surprise that we use technology to give customers a better experience. Edmonton real estate agents are being taught how to use technology to enhance communication and marketing. These are two crucial areas that many REALTORS fall short of. Learn how we are using technology to better achieve client goals by reading the article “Edmonton Real Estate Agents Use Tech to Their Advantage”.

July 2021 – Transportation & Edmonton Homes for Sale

remax transportation real estate edmontonFiguring out transportation in a new city is crucial. For both kids and parents, transportation is an essential part of our day-to-day lives. And, not everyone is drawn to travel by car. In fact, for many families, it’s more convenient to use public transit services to get from one place to another. Of course, this is all dependent on you and your needs. Learn all about Edmonton’s transit services by reading the full article “Transportation & Edmonton Homes for Sale”.

August 2021 – Student’s Guide to Homes for sale in Edmonton!

real estate in Edmonton studentsIn August, we wanted to get students thinking about real estate. Many university students and kids coming out of high school will want to know how to get on the property ladder. In lieu of this, we wrote an article that went step-by-step through how to gain ownership of your first property. From generating income to learning about the market, this article has it all. Read the full post “Student’s Guide to Homes for sale in Edmonton”.

September 2021 – Schools Near Sherwood Park Real Estate

sherwood park real estateSeptember was the first month of our schooling content. We started by writing all about the elementary schools in the neighborhood. This article contains information about classes, principals, school size, staff, bell schedule, programs, and more! Read more about “ Schools Near Sherwood Park Real Estate

October 2021 – Schools Near Sherwood Park Homes For Sale

sherwood park homes for saleOctober’s article was dedicated to schooling content about junior high and middle schools in the Sherwood Park area. This article contains the same valuable information that our elementary school article had. Find out where to send your child in the new year by reading about “Schools Near Sherwood Park Homes For Sale”.

November 2021 – Sherwood Park Houses Near Schools!

sherwood park schools in edmontonIn November we concluded our Sherwood Park schooling content. This article is all about high schools in the Sherwood Park neighbourhood. Students and parents can use this article to find out which school is best suited for them. And, give them an idea of which classes and programs they’ll enroll in. View the full article “Sherwood Park Houses Near Schools”.

We want to thank our clients for another great year in the Edmonton real estate market. We hope to come back next year with more helpful blog articles! Be sure to contact us with any questions about a property. Happy holidays, and see you all in the new year! Make sure to keep up with us over on Facebook!

sherwood park schools in edmonton

Sherwood Park Houses Near Schools!

Continuing on with the schooling content, this month we will be focusing on the high schools near Sherwood Park houses. Attending a high school that’s close to home allows students to foster lifelong friendships. Moreover, it makes school more convenient for kids and parents alike. Enrolling your child in a school close to home is a great way to ensure you get a little more sleep-in-time. Sherwood Park houses are close to several awesome high schools. Continue reading below to figure out where to send your child when you move to this lovely area of town.

High Schools Near Sherwood Park Houses.

Bev Facey Community High

Bev Facey Community High is a 10-12 school, located on Colwill Boulevard in Sherwood Park. This school is a close 6-minute drive from the Sherwood Park Mall. Operated by Principal Ken Wlos, the school has been in operation for 41 years as of 2021! There are approximately 1050 students in attendance at Bev Facey each year. Furthermore, this institution is known for its excellence in athletics, fine arts, academics, and Career Technology programs. In addition, students have the option to choose AP classes, a variety of sports programs (including the high-performing advisory program), second languages courses, trades courses, and independent study courses.

The athletics department at the school is extensive. Bev Facey offers teams in 11 sports including archery, badminton, basketball, cross country, curling, football, handball, powerlifting, rugby, track and field, and volleyball. 

Salisbury Composite High

Salisbury Composite High can be found on Festival Way, a 3-minutes drive from the Sherwood Park Mall. The school is run by Principal Sunny Sandhu and is home to about 1200 students. Kids in grades 10-12 are taught at Salisbury Composite High. Additionally, this high school has several amenities like 2 gymnasiums equipped to seat 900 people, a theatre that accommodates 110 people, 3 science labs, a commercial kitchen, and more! Students can choose to enroll in a variety of programs. For instance, honours, international baccalaureate, leadership, fine arts, and athletics.

The sports offered at the school include: badminton, basketball, rugby, volleyball, football, cheerleading, handball, curling, cross country, and track and field. All of the teams compete in division 1 and have experienced tons of success over the years. For example, the school has won 30 ASAA Provincial Titles and 158 Metro City Championships! For more info on their athletics program click here.

More High Schools in the Area!

Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary

Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary is a 7-12 school located on Clover Bar Road in Sherwood Park. The principal’s name is Matt Spronk and the school offers a religious learning curriculum. Their philosophy is to “[learn] and [develop] God-given capabilities and talents”. As such, the school provides daily bible reading and prayer sessions. And, a structured chapel program. Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary also has a multitude of athletic and academic programs. SCAS Eagles do very well in volleyball, bringing home 4 championship teams in 2019. Their academic programs range from second language courses to fashion study and leadership training!

Next Step Senior High – Sherwood Park

Next Step Senior High is a non-traditional high school (10-12) that offers education to a variety of groups of people. Next Step has several other schools in the district to ensure everyone gets their diploma. NXT opened in 1997 to support the students in the Elk Island Public school district. Students can enroll here for the following reasons:

students who want to or have been recommended to attend

students who need only a few more courses to graduate

students who can’t attend full-time because of work, fine arts, or sports

students who have failed or had difficulty in high school or have dropped out

pregnant and parenting teens

students who struggle with substance abuse, criminal activity and/or sexual abuse

students who have been bullied or are challenged by large classes and crowded schools

students coping with mental or physical health issues

students who have religious and cultural norms that regular schools do not accommodate

At Next Step Senior High, students can complete their high school education how they see fit. It allows students to have maximum flexibility and aid with their courses. For more information on this school, click here.

Buy Sherwood Park Houses Today!

High School is an important rite of passage for students across the globe. Find the perfect school for your student here in Sherwood Park. Be sure to visit the Elk Island Public School website here for additional schooling information. 

Join us again next month for more information on post-secondary schools near Sherwood Park houses. If you are interested in buying a home in this area contact us today. We’d be happy to help you discover the perfect home for your family. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We look forward to working with you soon!