buying-houses-in-edmonton-in-december

Buying & Selling Homes for Sale in Edmonton Alberta During December

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

buying-houses-in-edmonton-in-december

December might not be the first month that comes to mind when you think about buying or selling homes for sale in Edmonton Alberta. The snow-covered streets, holiday festivities, and shorter days may suggest that the real estate market slows down during this season. However, for the right buyers and sellers, December can be an ideal time for real estate transactions. Whether you’re looking to close out the year with a smart investment or find your dream home, the holiday season presents distinct advantages you won’t want to overlook.

In this article, we’ll take a look as to why December is a strategic time for both buyers and sellers in Edmonton’s real estate market. From fewer competitors to motivated buyers and sellers, the benefits of acting now might surprise you!

Why December is Ideal for Buyers

For those looking to buy a home, December in Edmonton offers a less competitive and potentially more rewarding market. One of the key reasons is the reduced number of active buyers. During the holiday season, many potential homebuyers are focused on family gatherings, travel plans, and festive celebrations. This often leads to fewer bidding wars and less pressure to make snap decisions. As a result, buyers can take their time and negotiate more effectively, possibly securing a better deal.

Another factor making December advantageous for buyers is the motivation of sellers. Those listing their homes during the holiday season are often serious about making a sale. Whether due to job relocations, financial reasons, or the desire to start fresh in the new year, sellers tend to price their homes more competitively in December. This creates an environment where buyers can find excellent properties at reasonable prices, without the stress of intense competition.

Additionally, Edmonton’s winter landscape can actually work to a buyer’s advantage. Snow and colder temperatures can highlight a home’s energy efficiency, heating system quality, and overall winter readiness. By touring homes during this season, buyers can identify potential issues that might not be as apparent during warmer months. Features like a well-insulated garage, effective heating systems, and well-maintained roofs become more critical and noticeable, helping buyers make informed decisions.

Financing is another area where December buyers may see benefits. Many financial institutions are eager to finalize loans before the end of the fiscal year, potentially leading to quicker approvals or better rates. Combined with Edmonton’s relatively stable prices, these factors create a perfect storm for buyers looking to make a strategic purchase.

Sell Homes for Sale in Edmonton Alberta During December!

While the winter months might seem like a challenging time to sell, December often brings unexpected advantages. One of the most compelling reasons is the reduced inventory on the market. With fewer homes listed, sellers face less competition, making it easier for their properties to stand out. This scarcity can work in your favour, as serious buyers who are actively searching during this time are more likely to focus on your listing.

Moreover, buyers looking in December are typically motivated to make a purchase quickly. These are not casual browsers; they are individuals and families who may be facing year-end deadlines, job relocations, or the need to settle before the new year. Their urgency often translates into smoother negotiations and faster closings, which can be a major benefit for sellers who want to avoid prolonged listing periods.

Staging a home during the holiday season also presents a fun opportunity to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Thoughtfully placed holiday decor can highlight a home’s best features, like a fireplace, spacious living area, or a view of Edmonton’s winter wonderland. However, it’s important to strike a balance. Make sure that your decor enhances, and doesn’t overwhelm, the space.

Pricing strategy is another area where December sellers can shine. By setting a realistic price, sellers can attract serious buyers without the risk of overpricing and languishing on the market. In a month where both buyers and sellers are motivated, fair pricing often leads to faster transactions and less haggling.

Finally, the sense of urgency extends to professionals involved in the transaction. Real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lawyers often have lighter schedules in December compared to the busier spring season. This can result in quicker response times, streamlined processes, and a more personalized experience for all parties involved.

Take the Next Step to Achieve Your Real Estate Goals!

Whether you’re buying or selling, December is a month full of opportunities in Edmonton’s real estate market. Acting now allows you to take advantage of motivated counterparts, reduced competition, and potentially favourable pricing. As the year comes to a close, there’s no better time to make your move and position yourself for a fresh start in the new year.

At RE/MAX Elite, we’re here to help you find your way during the December market. Our team of experienced agents understands homes for sale in Edmonton Alberta and can guide you through your real estate goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward achieving your real estate dreams. Let’s make December your most successful month yet!

affordable homes for sale under 300k in edmonton alberta canada

How to Find Edmonton Houses for Sale Under $300 000?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Finding a house in Canada that suits your budget can be a challenge. With the national average home price sitting at $669,630 many homebuyers face difficulties finding affordable options. This is especially true for real estate in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto. By contrast, Edmonton still remains relatively affordable with the benchmark price sitting at $399,400. For those looking to downsize or enter the market for the first time, these conditions present great opportunities. In this article, we’ll highlight how you can find Edmonton houses for sale under $300,000. Follow along below to discover how you can achieve your year-end real estate goals!

How Can a REALTOR® Help You Find an Affordable Home?

If you are looking to find an affordable home, hiring an Edmonton REALTOR® can be a smart move. Real estate agents are skilled negotiators who can increase your chances of securing a home in your price range.  Knowing when to make counteroffers and how to use leverage are crucial negotiation skills that not every homebuyer has. To be an effective real estate negotiator you must know the market inside and out. This is especially true if you’re negotiating against the seller’s real estate agent. For these reasons, having a REALTOR® on your side to negotiate deals is critical in finding a property within your budget. 

In addition to their negotiating skills, REALTORS® also have contacts with several people in the industry. These connections can range from developers and potential sellers to other brokers in the city. Having a strong rolodex of contacts is helpful when you’re searching for a home with a strict budget. A well-connected REALTOR® could have access to off-market listings or pre-sale homes that may be priced lower since they haven’t hit the public yet. Access to these opportunities can make a difference in your ability to score a home in your price range.  

Beyond these factors, real estate agents have access to the MLS® (Multiple Listing Service).  The MLS® is a comprehensive database of properties, which includes listings that may not be as widely available to the public. This access can give you the upper hand in finding potential homes that meet your budget before other buyers are aware they exist. Another advantage of using the MLS® is that your REALTOR® will get real-time updates on new listings, price updates, and properties that have returned to the market. This ensures that no opportunity passes you by. 

Tips for Finding Edmonton Houses for Sale Under $300 000

affordable homes for sale in edmonton

Besides working with a REALTOR®, you can make the task of finding Edmonton houses for sale under $300,000 easier by focusing on a few key details. The first is to consider alternative housing options like townhomes and condos. These housing types tend to sell for less than single-family properties due to their smaller size. However, as a trade-off for their size, townhomes and condos are often situated in central, amenity-rich areas. Moreover, they are generally stratified which means you don’t need to worry about certain maintenance tasks as you would with a single-family home. 

Another way to increase your odds of finding an affordable home is to look for pre-construction deals. Pre-construction homes are properties that are available for purchase but have not yet been built. Developers will often list these units at a lower price since there is some risk in purchasing a home before it has been constructed. However, choosing this option means you need to be prepared for a timeline that may not allow for immediate move-in. Despite this, it can be a smart strategy to secure a turnkey home at a fraction of the cost.

Scoring a good deal sometimes means compromising on your wishes. For example, buyers who expand their search radius to include more rural properties are more likely to find a home within their budget. This is because houses on the outskirts of metropolitan areas are further away from key amenities. As a result, homeowners are forced to commute a bit longer than they otherwise would. If you’re okay with a little extra driving time, it might be worthwhile looking for properties outside of your ideal neighbourhood. 

Contact us Today for Help Finding a Home!

For more information about finding Edmonton houses for sale under $300 000, contact us today! We’d be happy to help you find a well-suited property in this quickly growing city. Arrange a meeting with one of our experienced REALTORS® and discover how to achieve your end-of-year real estate goals. Be sure to reach out to us with any questions about Edmonton real estate for sale and stay tuned to our blog for more home-related content. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

Breaking Your Mortgage With Houses for Sale in Edmonton Canada

Breaking Your Mortgage With Houses for Sale in Edmonton Canada

/0 Comments/in , , /by

So, you want to sell, but your mortgage term hasn’t ended yet – now what? Many sellers have been caught in the situation where they need to list their home for sale but still haven’t reached the end of their mortgage term. This is common when kids flee the nest, a new baby is born or you need to relocate for a job. In most of these cases, your home no longer suits your needs and a change is necessary. If you are considering breaking your mortgage contract to sell early, it’s important to understand the nuances of doing so. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about selling your house before your mortgage has run its course. 

What Does it Cost to Break Your Mortgage Contract?

Depending on the type of mortgage you have, breaking your mortgage contract will have a different cost. For homeowners with open mortgages, selling your home can be done without paying any fees related to breaking the contract. However, those with closed mortgages will have to pay the penalties for selling early. Of all the costs associated with listing before your term ends, the prepayment penalty will be the highest. This is the fee for breaking the contract. Sellers should know that the prepayment penalty can vary in cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars. In addition to the prepayment penalty, you will also have to pay administrative fees, appraisal fees, reinvestment fees, and a mortgage discharge fee. It is also possible that you’ll have to pay back any line of credit or cash back that you received when you got your mortgage.

If you still want to sell your home, but you’re not keen on paying the costs of breaking the contract, there are other options. At some mortgage brokerages, you can extend the length of your contract and begin a new mortgage via a blended mortgage. This option allows you to blend the interest rates for the old and new terms and avoid the prepayment penalty. However, there may still be administrative fees.

Sellers should be aware that not every mortgage lender offers this option, so it’s important to do your research. In the event that your lender can’t do a blended mortgage, you will have to break the contract. As such, it is critical that you weigh the pros and cons of selling before your term is up. Ultimately, you may find that it is more worthwhile to pay down the rest of your contract and then list houses for sale in Edmonton Canada. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Breaking Your Mortgage Contract

edmonton houses for sale and how to understand your mortgage terms

If you are serious about breaking your contract, be sure to understand the pros and cons of this decision thoroughly. While falling interest rates can make it tempting to renegotiate your mortgage or explore options like a blend-and-extend, it’s important to fully understand the financial impact of this decision before moving forward.

One of the key benefits of breaking your mortgage is the opportunity to secure a lower interest rate. This can save you money in the long run by reducing your monthly payments or allowing you to pay off your mortgage faster if you keep your payments at the same level. Locking in a lower rate also provides peace of mind, especially if interest rates are expected to rise in the future. With a lower rate locked in, you’ll have more financial flexibility moving forward.

However, breaking your mortgage contract isn’t without its downsides. The most significant drawback is the potential cost. When you break a mortgage, you are likely to face a prepayment penalty, which can be quite expensive, along with other administrative fees. These costs can quickly offset the savings from a lower interest rate, leaving you paying more overall. Additionally, there’s the risk that you may no longer qualify for a new mortgage under the current economic conditions, particularly if lending rules have tightened or your financial situation has changed.

Before making a decision, it’s essential to understand all the potential costs and benefits fully. Contact your lender to explore your options and ensure that breaking your mortgage contract is truly in your best financial interest.

Contact us About Selling Houses for Sale in Edmonton Canada!

For more information about selling houses for sale in Edmonton Canada before your contract is up, contact us today! We’d be happy to help you find a well-suited property in this quickly growing-city. Arrange a meeting with one of our experienced REALTORS® and discover how to achieve your end-of-year real estate goals. Be sure to reach out to us with any questions about Edmonton real estate for sale and stay tuned to our blog for more home-related content. Our Edmonton real estate agents look forward to working with you!

remax elite edmonton homes for sale

Properties in Edmonton Vs. Canadian Real Estate Market

/0 Comments/in /by

Canadian real estate listings are continuing to sell for an astronomical price. For most Canadians, the concept of homeownership is out of the question. Unless you are willing to spend half of your household income, owning a home is nearly impossible for those in the middle class. Almost all of the cities within Canada have sky-high housing prices. Despite these facts, properties in Edmonton are selling for substantially less money. Find out more about the affordability of the Canadian housing market by reading below.

Skewed Income to Homeownership Ratio in Canada.

In the past, it wasn’t as difficult for middle-class families to afford a home. In large cities, people were able to move to smaller areas and find more affordable real estate. However, this is no longer the case. Cities where families were once able to find refuge from high real estate prices are now too far out of reach for most people’s monthly incomes. The average middle-class family now needs to fork out over 50% of their monthly income in order to take on a mortgage. This has contributed to a large gap in affordability across the country. 

For instance, in a place like Toronto, the average household would need to spend 75% of their income on their mortgage. This is over 50% more than what the previous generation needed to spend on their mortgages. Thus, making it extremely difficult for anyone to purchase a house in the Toronto area. 

Another city in Canada that lacks affordable housing is Vancouver. Vancouver’s real estate is up there with some of the most expensive housing in the world. The discrepancy between income and housing price is vast in the Vancouver area. For example, the median household would need to spend nearly 82% of their income to pay monthly mortgage payments. This is the most extreme example in all of Canada. 

The average family income would need to be 50% higher than what it is currently in order to comfortably afford your average home in Canada. Affordability has rapidly dissipated from the Canadian housing market. It has been over 27 years since the cost of living has been this high, this fast. Getting on the property ladder has never been so difficult for young buyers. This is because the average household needs to make 154k per year to afford a home.

Properties in Edmonton Are More Affordable than in Other Canadian Cities.

If you don’t make 154k per year, owning a home might seem impossible. Or, too risky for your budget. However, for those looking to make the move to Alberta, homeownership might be in the realm of possibility. Calgary and Edmonton are the only two major markets that boast affordability. Contrary to the rest of Canada, those living in Calgary only need to spend 27% of their income on their mortgages. This is a considerable decrease in price compared to cities like Vancouver or Toronto. In addition, Edmonton has seen an even bigger reduction in price. Edmonton homeowners only need to pay 25% of their income in order to carry a mortgage. Buying a home is more comfortable for middle-class families in Edmonton and Calgary. 

Properties in Edmonton are starting to become even more affordable. This is thanks to higher salaries within the city, more supply, and slowing demand. Furthermore, taxes in Alberta are lower than in other provinces in the country. This ensures that families have a higher disposable income. In addition, your typical Albertan family is likely to be able to afford a home without any concern. Although, there still remains work to be done for low-income families and marginalized populations. Despite this, it is much easier for young buyers and new families to buy properties in Edmonton as opposed to other Canadian cities. 

Contact Us About Properties in Edmonton!

The real estate market is much more affordable if you live in Edmonton. Make the decision to buy properties in Edmonton today for more financial comfort. 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. Be sure to check out our social media for the latest updates and more! We look forward to working with you in the near future!