Archive | October, 2008
Weekly Update – Don’t be tricked by a bad economy, many treats await for the Edmonton housing market

Weekly Update – Don’t be tricked by a bad economy, many treats await for the Edmonton housing market

Here is our update on the Edmonton real estate market. (Previous week’s numbers are in brackets). For the past 7 days: New listings: 373 (467, 367, 567)# Sales: 149 (177, 211, 237)Ratio: 40% (38%, 57%, 42%)# Price changes: 375 (471, 326, 429)# Expired Listings: 279 (166, 223, 211)# Canceled/withdrawn/terminated listings: 33 (47, 38, 36)Net loss/gain in listings this week: [...]

Read full storyComments Off del.icio.us Digg
Edmonton Neighbourhoods: Queen Alexandra

Edmonton Neighbourhoods: Queen Alexandra

The Queen Alexandra neighbourhood is located just south of the University of Alberta and has a number of well maintained older executive-style homes. Just over half of the homes in the area were built between 1961 and 1980.  This area is attracting a number of new condominium developments, perfect for professional couples and families. Daily conveniences are in close [...]

Read full storyComments { 7 } del.icio.us Digg
The Long Play

The Long Play

  I currently sit on an advisory board that oversees millions of dollars of investments for an insurance company. The rate of return on our investments has gone up 4.1% since the beginning of the year, even considering that the market average of the world’s stock indexes have gone down 20 – 30% in the last few weeks.  This brought [...]

Read full storyComments { 5 } del.icio.us Digg
A Call to Regulate Edmonton Home Builders

A Call to Regulate Edmonton Home Builders

Everyone has opinions on why the supply of real estate is so high in some markets. I often hear that the problem was speculators, and 0 down mortgages and the like. Well that’s great but I didn’t sell  a single speculator a property.  Sold many for people looking for a good agent on their way out, and I had [...]

Read full storyComments { 21 } del.icio.us Digg
U-Haul Moving Box Exchange

U-Haul Moving Box Exchange

U-Haul has set up an online message board for finding and getting rid of used moving boxes. I think this is a great idea! It seem like such a waste to buy new boxes when you have to move, and to just get rid of them after you’ve moved. Now you can find people who have boxes they’re giving [...]

Read full storyComments { 1 } del.icio.us Digg
Weekly Update on the Edmonton Real Estate Market

Weekly Update on the Edmonton Real Estate Market

Here is our update on the Edmonton real estate market. (Previous week’s numbers are in brackets). For the past 7 days: New listings: 467 (367, 567, 479)# Sales: 177 (211, 237, 255)Ratio: 38% (57%, 42%, 53%)# Price changes: 471 (326, 429, 457)# Expired Listings: 166 (223, 211, 699)# Canceled/withdrawn/terminated listings: 47 (38, 36, 68)Net loss/gain in listings this week: [...]

Read full storyComments { 41 } del.icio.us Digg
What’s Up With Mortgages?

What’s Up With Mortgages?

We’re getting a lot of questions lately about mortgages, so we thought we’d get an expert to answer some of them. Gord McCallum, the Broker at First Foundation Mortgages here in Edmonton has provided some answers below, and will be contributing to the blog periodically to update us on what’s going on with mortgages.Is it harder to get a [...]

Read full storyComments { 13 } del.icio.us Digg
Repair or Rebate?

Repair or Rebate?

When looking for a home, many people find a home that is almost perfect for them. Great location, great floor plan, great price…but there are always a few things that aren’t perfect. Common examples:The furnace is old The carpets are stainedThe appliances are oldA window needs to be repaired or replacedIt needs to be re-paintedThe roof needs to be [...]

Read full storyComments { 2 } del.icio.us Digg
Don’t Rent Out a New Home!

Don’t Rent Out a New Home!

We’ve written about this before, but many people don’t believe it will happen to them. Well, we’ve put together some photographic evidence of what can happen to a new home, after tenants have had their way with it.Example 1: These floors are only 6 months old:The tenants in this home not only destroyed the hardwood, but they also ruined the [...]

Read full storyComments { 30 } del.icio.us Digg
Weekly Update on the Edmonton Real Estate Market

Weekly Update on the Edmonton Real Estate Market

Here is our update on the Edmonton real estate market. (Previous week’s numbers are in brackets). For the past 7 days: New listings: 367 (567, 479, 434)# Sales: 211 (237, 255, 274)Ratio: 57% (42%, 53%, 63%)# Price changes: 326 (429, 457, 441)# Expired Listings: 223 (211, 699, 209)# Canceled/withdrawn/terminated listings: 38 (36, 68, 49)Net loss/gain in listings this week: [...]

Read full storyComments { 33 } del.icio.us Digg