Quiet, ravine-side living in Edmonton’s central northwest! Grovenor is a highly coveted older neighbourhood first settled in the early 1900s. Thanks to its established status, Grovenor is ripe with charm, full of mature trees, walkable amenities and, of course, scenic ravine views.

Single-Family Living 

While Grovenor is home to a few duplex, townhome and low-rise apartment options, the area is more commonly known for its variety of affordable, single-family homes – which account for the majority of real estate in the area. Even better, home buyers have their pick of older, fully upgraded character homes, modern new infill properties and everything in between (with infill properties steadily on the rise since the 1960s).

Check out…

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Effective July 1st, 2020, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is expected to tighten requirements surrounding insured mortgages. How will the changes affect home buyers and the Edmonton real estate market? Here’s what to expect:

What Are the Changes and Why? 

According to officials, COVID 19 has made Canada’s financial markets more vulnerable and, as a result, measures must be taken to protect the economy. Specific measures include:

1. Increasing the minimum credit score to qualify for a mortgage from 600 to 680 (for at least one borrower).

2. Limiting the Gross Debt Service Ratio (GDS) from the standard 39% annual income to 35%.

*Your GDS Ratio is the percentage of income required to pay all monthly housing-related costs…

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Despite an unprecedented slow start to the year due to COVID-19, the Edmonton real estate market is in full swing. Current market statistics have revealed June to be a record month for home sales in and around the capital region.

According to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, the city’s total number of unit sales for June 2020 increased by over 13% compared to May 2019. What’s more, the recent easement of pandemic restrictions has resulted in a massive influx of buying activity – and a 77.27% increase in home sales from May 2020 to the end of June.

New listings are also on the rise, with month over month numbers increasing over 20% from the previous month and 16.57% from the previous year. While Edmonton’s inventory did see a slight…

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Has your home listing expired?

It’s our opinion that your home should have sold. No, really! We know you did everything you could do (or thought you could do) to help sell your home quickly and for top dollar. But the truth is, even with the help of an agent, even the best Edmonton homes don’t sell. And here’s why:

Your Home Needs the Right Positioning 

In today’s competitive market, accurate pricing is crucial. While there’s no doubt you’ve put a lot of love into your property, what you think your home is worth vs. its actual current market value may not be the same (sometimes it’s even worth a whole lot more). The trick is to perfectly position yourself within the market to avoid overpricing (scaring buyers away) or under-pricing (taking a…

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Thinking about buying a home? Here are six common and costly mistakes to avoid:

1. Avoiding the Pre-Approval 

When it comes to home buying, few things are more disheartening than falling in love with a property only to discover it’s out of your price range. That’s why it’s essential to know how much home you can afford before you hit the market. Not only will a pre-approval letter help you narrow down your home search (saving you a ton of time), but it will also ensure you’re taken more seriously by sellers.

2. Overlooking Closing Costs… 

Closing costs are additional one-time fees associated with purchasing a home – they’re also frequently overlooked by buyers. Typically ranging between 1.5-4% of a home’s overall purchase price,…

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A rental income suite can be defined as a separate residence located within a detached, semi-detached or row house with its own living, sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities. While many suites are created through the development or conversion of a basement, other alternatives can include garage and garden suites.

What’s more, rental income suites — or secondary suites — are becoming increasingly popular among Edmonton homeowners and buyers looking to generate additional income and get started in the real estate investment business.

Here are the top 6 advantages of investing in a rental income suite:

Pay Down Your Mortgage Faster 

One of the most significant benefits of owning a secondary suite is the ability to offset your monthly…

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What’s the difference between a mortgage pre-qualification and pre-approval? We’re glad you asked. While both are important steps in the home buying process, there are some key distinctions between the two.

Here’s what you need to know:

What is a Mortgage Pre-Qualification? 

Simply put, a mortgage pre-qualification is a free estimate of how much home you might be able to afford. After making a high-level assessment of your finances (income, debt, assets, etc.), a lender will provide you with a ballpark figure for how much you can expect to borrow. Pre-qualifications are typically done the same day online, in person or over the phone.

Advantages of Getting Pre-Qualified 

  • Knowing how much home you can afford before you begin the home…

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Crestwood is an established Edmonton neighbourhood known for its mature trees, diverse real estate options and scenic river valley views (not to mention, Edmonton’s celebrated Candy Cane Lane). Located in the city’s central west, this highly coveted area features large lots, ample amenities and makes an ideal choice for families looking for a quiet, friendly place to call home.

Family-Friendly Home Styles  

While there are some apartment-style and semi-detached units to choose from, real estate in the area consists primarily of detached, single-family homes (with prices typically starting in the low 500’s). Having been established in the early 1950s Crestwood is a blend of both older, well-kept character homes (many featuring modern…

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From budgeting and maintenance to interior design and the latest Edmonton real estate information, the following apps are a must-have for homeowners.

1. Centriq 

Save some room in your junk drawer with the help of Centriq. A free, award-winning app available to both iOS and Android, this all-in-one tool helps you manage and maintain the products in your home (i.e. appliances). Whenever you invest in a new device, simply take a photo of the product’s label and manual and warranty information will be instantly stored in the app.

In addition to receiving regular reminders on product maintenance and cleaning, you’ll have access to replacement parts info, product recalls and much more (not to mention, far less paper clutter around your home).

…

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Are you looking for a home style that offers all the perks of a single-family dwelling with none of the maintenance? A townhome or semi-detached duplex may be exactly what you’ve been searching for. Here are just a few of the many advantages that come with owning one of these highly popular home styles.

Little to No Maintenance

Townhomes are a desirable choice among Edmonton home buyers looking for low-maintenance living. As many townhome/ semi-detached duplex communities are accompanied by a homeowner’s association (HOA) or condo board, outside chores such as snow removal, landscaping and mowing the lawn are taken care of for you.

*Note: Some Edmonton townhome and semi-detached developments are condo-fee free but will require some homeowner…

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