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Are Houses for Sale in Edmonton A Cheaper Alternative?

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If you’ve been following the news surrounding Canadian real estate since January of 2022 you’d know about the record high prices sweeping the nation. Home prices have reached their peak across every province in Canada. For some, these high prices are forcing families to relocate to their hometowns. Especially for those currently living in the Okanagan. If you are interested in learning more about how the cost of living is affecting homeowners in Canada, continue reading the article below.

Why are Okanagan Homeowners Moving Back to Houses for sale in Edmonton?

The Okanagan has seen incredible hikes in the price of real estate over the course of the last five months. The extraordinary cost of living is making it difficult for most out-of-province homeowners to afford their properties. In April of 2022, the benchmark price for a single-family home in the Central Okanagan climbed to a whopping $1.1 million. Last year, the average price for a home in the Okanagan sat around $829,000. Thus, indicating a 34% increase in cost. On the contrary, the average single-family home price in Edmonton was $510,988 in April of 2022. 

It is apparent that the cost of living in places like Edmonton is much more affordable than in the Okanagan. Residents who have lived in the Okanagan most of their lives are moving back to the prairies in order to make ends meet. Renters and homeowners alike are being priced out of their homes in the Okanagan. Despite having full-time jobs and living with family, many people claim that it is still too expensive to live in the Okanagan. New families are finding it especially hard to afford housing in the Okanagan. Living off of one salary is almost impossible given the rate of inflation. 

Residents who have chosen to move from the Okanagan to Edmonton and other surrounding areas in Alberta are much more comfortable with their finances. People living in Edmonton are able to afford spacious houses in place of their tiny Okanagan apartments. And, all of this is afforded at a lower price point. The one thing that former Okanagan citizens miss, is the scenery. 

Homes for sale in Edmonton, Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane all boast a low cost for a substantial property. Citizens of Alberta can purchase 3-bedroom houses for under $450,000. 

Why You Should Consider Making the Move to Edmonton:

There are several reasons why people in the Okanagan have made the decision to move to homes for sale in Edmonton. The number one reason is a lower cost of living. Everything from real estate to food is cheaper in Edmonton than in the Okanagan. Residents who may not have been able to afford a 2 bedroom apartment in the Okanagan will often be able to afford large, upscale homes in Edmonton. Furthermore, the average cost of groceries is about 200-400 dollars per month in Edmonton. However, this estimate can vary depending on brand, taste, and habits. 

Aside from a lower cost of living, the Edmonton job market has seen positive growth in the last little while. Large employers like the Alberta Health Services, the Government of Alberta and Stantec, provide hundreds of thousands of jobs to Edmonton citizens. Salaries average around $60,000 per year for your typical Edmonton citizen. 

Edmonton’s landscape provides individuals with plenty of wide-open spaces outdoors. For instance, the Elk Island National Park and Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve are both popular places to visit outside of the city. There are also plenty of hiking, biking and walking trails for residents to explore. Check out William Hawrelak Park or The Grandin to Groat Loop for an epic outdoor adventure! 

There are also plenty of restaurants, breweries and bars to choose from for a night out. As well as, nightclubs, theatres and festivals to keep you entertained throughout the year. 

Contact Us About Houses for Sale in Edmonton Now!

The real estate market is much more affordable in Edmonton. Make the move to houses for sale in Edmonton today for more financial freedom. If you have any questions or concerns about buying a property in Edmonton, contact us today. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in buying a new home. 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!

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Foreign Buyers Banned From Purchasing Edmonton Houses for Sale!

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Canada’s housing crisis has come to a head. Provincial and federal governments are struggling to get a hold of the problem at hand. In British Columbia, a new presale policy has been announced to be integrated. And, foreign buyer taxes have jumped up in many provinces across the country. Despite the provincial efforts to cool the housing market in Canada, there continue to be issues surrounding supply and affordability. In an attempt to ease the housing crisis, the federal government is implementing some key changes to help Canadian buyers. Learn more about how Edmonton houses for sale will be affected by the following federal changes in the article below.

How Does the Government Plan to Make More Edmonton Houses for Sale?

The liberal government in Canada is making an effort to cool off the housing market in Canada through two main channels. Over $10 billion in funding has been allocated to help speed up construction and repairs of homes. Furthermore, the government has decided to put a ban on foreign investors purchasing real estate in Canada. As well as, introducing new tax measures to reduce speculation. 

These methods make up a large chunk of the federal budget. In order for everything to proceed smoothly, cooperation from other levels of government will be necessary. Ideally, the government’s plan is to double the number of homes built in the next 10 years. Collaboration from the government, construction companies, and citizens will be essential to the success of the budget. The housing section of the budget has a clear focus on increasing supply. Moreover, there is $4 billion set aside for municipalities to ensure that homes are being built swiftly. The money will go towards the planning and delivery of housing, with an estimated 100,000 new units in the next 5 years. 

$1.5 billion is set to be spent in the next 2 years to create 6,000 new affordable housing units through the Rapid Housing Initiative. In addition, there will be $475 million going towards rental assistance and $2.9 billion to provide housing to vulnerable Canadians. Other commitments include $600 million to attend to homelessness by creating new programs and supporting existing programs. Furthermore, $1 billion will be used to incentivize green energy use at home, including grants and loans. As well as, $150 million over the next 2 years for affordable housing in Northern Canada. 

The Liberal government has said that they will leverage $40 billion-plus in infrastructure to speed up the process across various cities. 

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Record High Months Continue To Add Pressure.

In February, the national average home price climbed 20% to $816,720. All the while, rental rates continue to rise. As for Edmonton houses for sale, supply and demand match current national trends. In March, 472 duplexes were put up for sale and 441 of those were sold. Thus, indicating a 93% listing-to-sales ratio! Nearly every duplex or townhome that gets listed is being sold. 

Although supply continues to be at an all-time low, spring has brought hope for buyers-to-be. More listings have surfaced now that spring is here. There has been an 8% increase in Edmonton houses for sale this March! Additionally, condo and apartment sales have started to grow. March saw the biggest year-over-year leap in sales, at 67%. In the past, condo and apartment sales were few and far between in the Edmonton market. Edmonton continues to be an affordable market for out-of-province buyers to find a home and settle down. 

The lack of supply in Canadian real estate markets is evident. The government has recognized this as the central problem in the housing crisis.  Liberals are hopeful that the budget will provide some relief for Canadian citizens. For the next 2 years, foreign buyers will be banned from purchasing Canadian real estate. Although, there are several exceptions to this measure. 

The Liberal government will also be reviewing the impact of large companies buying homes on the market. And, how they intend to stint the growing trend. A new bill of rights is proposed to include several measures to protect homebuyers. For instance, the right to a home inspection, no more blind bidding, possible mortgage deferrals, and more disclosures from real estate agents. 

Contact Us For Information on Edmonton Houses For Sale!

The real estate market is constantly fluctuating and buying Edmonton houses for sale can appear intimidating. However, with the help of an experienced REALTOR® in the Edmonton area, the process is much less daunting. If you have any questions or concerns about buying Edmonton houses for sale, contact us today. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re curious about the government’s plans for an increased housing supply. 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!

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REALTORS® in Edmonton Advise Buyers to Act Fast!

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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. 

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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!

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Mortgage Forecast for Edmonton Real Estate.

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The onslaught of the pandemic saw a decrease in mortgage rates that allowed homeowners a little more wiggle room. However, the Bank of Canada announced that they will be putting an end to the ultra-low interest rates. Inflation has certainly seen a spike over the last little while and the Bank of Canada is hoping that a spike in interest rates will help combat the inflation jump. But, what does this mean for Canadian citizens? And, who is most likely to be affected by a rise in interest rates? Follow along in the article below to find out more about the impact of interest rates increases on Canadians.

Will Those Owning Edmonton Real Estate be Affected by Interest Rates?

The short answer to this question is yes. However, that is not to say that all Edmonton residents owning real estate will be affected in the same way. New interest rates have a ripple effect on borrowing costs across the economy. Although, most citizens will discover that the area that sees the biggest impact is in variable-rate loans and credit products. For instance, variable-rate mortgages and lines of credit. For anyone living in a home with a variable-rate mortgage, it is likely that you will see the greatest influence of the latest interest rates. Variable-mortgage payments are likely to raise this February 2022. 

This means that anyone who has a variable-rate mortgage can expect to be forking out a lot more money over the course of 2022. An example from The Globe And Mail said that a $720,000 home, with a variable rate of 1.15%, a 10% down payment, and amortization of 25 years, would have a $2,762 monthly payment. A rate increase of a quarter of a percentage point would change the same monthly payment of $2,762 to $2,844. Thus, signifying an $82 monthly increase and a $984 increase over 12-months. 

There is hope yet for those concerned with their financial situation after interest rates start to rise. For example, Canada’s mortgage stress test ensures that borrowers can afford their mortgages. Understanding your financial position is a key part of finding ways to soften the jab of rising interest rates. Ask a financial advisor or your mortgage broker if you are unsure of how to proceed during the coming months.

Rising Interest Rates to Come.

Interest rates are rumoured to rise in March of 2022. And, they will continue to rise throughout the year by a quarter of a point (0.25%). If you are wondering how this is going to affect buying and selling Edmonton real estate, reach out to us today. At RE/MAX Elite we understand how difficult it can be to find proper housing during this time. Contact one of our experienced professionals today to get help on finding the right Edmonton real estate for you. For more real estate-related information, be sure to return to our blog next month. We look forward to working with you in the near future.