Canada Home Sales up from Previous Year

According to The Edmonton Sun, as of last month (Dec. 2011), nationwide home sales in Canada have increased by 2.2% since 2010. Furthermore, new homes on the market have increased.

In general, the housing market looks incredible across the country. Edmonton homes are truly a hot commodity, considering the life of the city, access to entertainment, food, jobs and more.

Mortgage rates seem to constantly fluctuate in just about every location. So, with the current Canadian housing market looking like it does, it seems to be a good time to buy. This is especially true if you seek a home in or around Edmonton. The houses are available, it’s just a matter of taking the plunge into the market.

In other words, take advantage of this good housing market and economy while you still can. Who knows how long housing availability will increase? It could start to decline next month for all we know!

Rural Alberta to Receive High-Speed Internet

It probably seems a little late for those of us who have had the luxury of high-speed internet since somewhere around 2003, so, for rural living citizens throughout Alberta, the arrival of something other than dial-up will be more than welcomed.

Alberta’s government has made a $5 million fund for rural areas around the province to use in order to finally have high-speed internet. Somewhere around 72,000 households, businesses and schools still operate without the advantages of fast internet. This push toward universal high-speed internet should help those areas expand economies, competing with other areas on a leveled-out economic playing field.

In general, Alberta will prosper from this. Furthermore, as far as the housing market and living conditions go, province-wide economic development from this internet push should make for the already comfortable and desirable Edmonton and surrounding areas to be even better for living.

Mortgage Rate at Record Low in United States

Freddie Mac released findings from its Primary Mortgage Market Survey today.  The survey showed record lows for mortgage rates.

A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.89% this week, which is a much lower rate than a year ago at this time. The rate during the second week of January last year averaged at 4.71%.

A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.16% this week. This rate is much lower than that of last year, when a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged at 4.08%.

The 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 2.82% this week.  Last year, the 5-year adjustable rate mortgage averaged 3.72 percent. 

The below graphic was posted to the Christian Science Monitor just yesterday.

It shows the highest interest year as 2008.  Since then, the average interest rate has dropped by from 5-6 percent to 4-3 percent.

 Vice President and Chief Economist of Freddie Mac said, “Mortgage rates eased slightly this week to all-time record lows following mixed indicators in the labor market.”

Tips for Shopping for a Home in Edmonton

Things to remember when shopping for a home.

Take photos:

Your memory isn’t going to be 100%. No one’s memory is perfect. Therefore, bring a digital camera or smartphone with you to each Edmonton home you visit. Take a photo of the home from the front yard, so when you look back on the roll you’ll remember which pics were from which house. Then proceed to snap photos of the interior of the house. Not just the best aspects, either! If you fall in love with the house, you might not remember all the little things that were wrong with it.

Take notes:

Write down anything unusual about the house. Is there an original interior design in the dining room? Does the bathroom need to be completely gutted?  The things you write down are going to be things that stand out to you and things you care about.  The real estate agent might love the fireplace, but you might really be concerned with the size of the dining room.  Take notes of everything you can.

Compare and rate:

Immediately after each visit, rate the house against the other Edmonton houses you visited. Do it right away, like in the car on the way to the next house.  If you’ve got the energy, create a comparison sheet before you go house shopping. Rate each house on categories like “Exterior, Design, Price, Ammenities, Space,” etc.

Visit Twice:

Your scale might change a good deal after you’ve gotten through all the Edmonton homes on your list. Perhaps house #1 isn’t looking like an 8 now that you’ve seen how great #5 is. If the home is in your top 5, visit it twice.

Edmonton Christmas Bureau Serves Community

As families throughout Edmonton sit down to their holiday meal this December, it’s important to remember those very close to us who don’t have that luxury.

Since 1940, the Edmonton Christmas Bureau has been providing holiday cheer to locals by providing festive food. The

 Bureau is one of Edmonton’s largest non-profit organizations.

Low income families in Edmonton benefit yearly from the work of the Edmonton Christmas Bureau. The Bureau provides meals for approximately 70,000 individuals every year.

Interested in helping out this season? The Edmonton Christmas Bureau website has loads of information on how to get involved. Whether you’re interested in donating money, gifts, food, or your time, the city of Edmonton thank you.

If you’re a member of the Edmonton community and you are in need of a hot meal, contact the Christmas Bureau. The more the merrier!

Winterproofing Your Edmonton Home

Winter is here, ladies and gentlemen. That means snow, ice, and cold.

This season of the year might bring joy to many, but it also brings worry to others: homeowners. Is your home winterproofed? Can cold get in anywhere? Are pipes protected from freezing? Does your generator work?

The time has come to address each of these issues.

Depending on where your piece of Alberta real estate is, you might get more winter than others. No, this does not mean you should move to another area in Alberta. It means you must take proper precautions in order to save money and energy this winter.

Edmonton homewoners should take a tour of their entire house, feeling for leaks under doors or windows. If something is inadequate, replace it. It is more economical than moving to a new home. At the very least, lay towels in front of cracks in doors and windows. This will prevent too much cold air from entering your Edmonton home.

When it comes to energy concerns, it’s important to be practical. Plugging in too many space heaters can short circuits and cost a handful. Having electronics on during a blistery evening can lead to a power outage. Be sure to have a working backup generator. Every home in Edmonton could use the protection that a generator brings.

If you’re living in a newly purchased home in Alberta, contact the person who owned the home before you.  What issues did they face when they lived there?  What parts of the house were affected the most by a blistery winter?

The key thing to remember is that sooner is always better than later.  Don’t wait until a big winter storm hits before winterproofing your Edmonton home!

Economic Facts to Consider Before Moving to Alberta

The government of Alberta Canada recently released a new document detailing the state of Alberta’s economy.  Across the board, Alberta’s economical statistics are improving.  Alberta’s stats are also much better than that of Canada as a whole.  The burgeoning economy of Alberta can be seen in the information below.

The unemployment rate in Alberta is steadily decreasing, while remaining 2% below the national average.  Alberta Canada added 7,500 jobs to its area over the past 30 days.

The population in Alberta continues to rise at a pace higher than the national average.  More people are moving into the prosperous city because it boasts more jobs and better economic conditions. Canadians are looking to Alberta as a safe and cost-efficient place to live.  This makes Alberta the 4th largest Canadian province after Quebec.

The steady cost of new homes is another reason people are moving to Alberta.  While homes in Canada are on average 2.3% higher on the new home price index than they were a year ago, Alberta homes have not increased in price at all.

 Even Wikipedia reports Alberta as having one of the strongest economies in Canada!

Reasons for Selling Your Home

When you’re deciding whether or not to sell your home, there are a lot of things you must consider.  Is this the right decision for you financially?  How will this affect your family?  Can you afford to move?  Will your house even sell?

Here are a few reasons why selling your home is the best decision for you.

Lack of money to improve, rebuild, or redesign your home can be a good reason to sell.  If your home is in less-than-ideal condition, you may need to sell.  You might find that your home doesn’t fit your style or personality, but don’t have the proper funds to change it.  A new or different home might be better for your style.

Expansion of your family can lead to a lack of space in your home.  New babies, the addition of elderly family members, or the moving in of temporary residents can mean a need for a larger home.

In a similar light, you may find that your place of residence is more than you can take care of.  Kids going to college and leaving empty rooms or roommates moving out can leave you with too much space, high heating prices, or impossible requirements.
 
An increase in the price of local costs can make a move necessary.  As certain cities get more and more expensive, others get cheaper.  The price of living can be a great reason for moving. 

One of the most common reasons for relocation to a new home is work.  A new job can mean a pay raise and with it a new home.  Perhaps your new job is too far from your current place of residence.  With gas prices as high as they are, a long commute might not be feasible.   Some jobs require relocation.

Remember, no reason is too big or too small.  You need to do what is right for you.

 
Didn’t see your reason for selling your home in this post?  Comment below so we can add it.

Historically Low Home Prices in Alberta

The Edmonton Journal reported recently that Alberta was not part of the national surge in the prices of Canadian homes.

According to the Journal, prices of homes in Canada rose 5.7 – 7.8 percent this year when compared to the same time last year (the 3rd quarter of 2011). 

More homes were traded in Alberta than other areas of Canada but the prices of these homes did not increase.  Alberta has actually been seeing a combination of historically low borrowing costs and home prices.

Ken Shearer from Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate noted that “renewed investment in the energy sector has made finding employment in Alberta attractive, resulting in an increase in real estate activity from provincial immigration.”

Facts About Residential Live in St. Albert

St. Albert, Alberta is the second largest city in the Edmonton area, and yet it is one of the safest cities in Canada; St. Albert is home to arts and culture, not crime. 

For over 100 years (St. Albert celebrates it’s 150th anniversary in 2011) St. Albert has been a historic city in Alberta.  There is the Art Gallery of St. Albert, the Michif Institute, the Musee Heritage Museum, and St. Albert Children’s Theatre Group.  In the heart of St. Albert lies St. Albert Botanic Park, displaying 18 acres of beautiful flowers and plants, as well as the largest outdoor farmers’ market in western Canada.

25 minutes from downtown Edmonton, St. Albert is a good distance for those looking to reside right outside of the city.  While Edmonton offers much lower residential living taxes, St. Albert is the best choice for those looking for a unique living opportunity in a safe community.