Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Home buyers may look at many attributes in a home before putting in a bid. Common things they look at include upgrades in the kitchen or bathroom, number of bedrooms, presence of smart technology, useable yard space, and green features. One thing that's sometimes overlooked is commute time—but overlooking this is a big mistake.

Many new homeowners are shocked to learn how long it takes to commute because of high traffic volumes or lack of proximity to major roadways. Commute times matter. Here are four questions to consider before making a seller an offer.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

How Long Will the Commute Take?

Perhaps the

Home prices tend to rise over time, so when you sell a home you've owned for a while, you may turn a profit. You have a capital gain. In Canada, taxes must be paid on most capital gains.

However, there's an exception available to most Canadian homeowners called the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). It says that homeowners don't have to pay capital gains tax on a home that has been their principal residence. Most people who've lived in their homes are eligible for PRE, but there are still conditions homeowners must meet.

If the home was not the owner's principal residence the whole time, the owner might have to pay part or all of the capital gains tax. If it was a money-making property, the owner has some tax to pay. Even if a homeowner is

For a first-time home buyer, the Canadian mortgage process can be daunting. You may have heard terms such a pre-qualify, pre-approve and condition of finance. You may wonder how these apply to you and your home purchase. However, if you break the mortgage process down into its steps, it becomes more understandable and less intimidating.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage or home loan professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Can I Afford a Mortgage?

The first step is to sit down and decide if you can afford a mortgage and, if so, for how much. As a rule of thumb, you can pay up to 32% of your income for housing costs and up to 40% for all your debts, including other loans. You also

When it comes to buying a West Edmonton home, hopeful owners are often asked to step outside their comfort zone. Maybe they're forced to look in different neighborhoods than they would have originally considered or to settle for a home with a smaller kitchen than they wanted. Beyond these compromises though, there are also complications that will affect the buyer's finances. Learn more about the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and how lenders use it to decide on potential candidates.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, tax, or financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

One Number of Many

Buyers are understandably confused when it comes to how lenders assess them. If everyone's focused on the

Using drones in real estate is not a new concept. However, there have been some recent changes in exactly how drones are being employed to sell properties. Given the drop in price in the technology, it's opened the possibility of drones to more than just the luxury market. Learn more about why drones are more effective at giving Northeast Edmonton buyers the scope of a home before stepping foot on the property.

The True Scale

It's easy to see why drones would have dominated luxury home marketing. A property with several acres of land and a 12-bedroom home sitting squarely in the middle simply demands to be shot from above. Drones show not just the extent of the property, but also the outdoor amenities (e.g., the deck, a summerhouse, a pond, etc.)

Many people buying their first Northwest Edmonton home have a focus on affordability, easy maintenance and room for growth. Knowing what home styles meet these criteria can help you decide what kind of home to buy. If you're a first time home buyer, here's what you need to know.

4 Popular Styles

Of all the types of homes in Canada, four of them stand out as being especially well suited for first-time home buyers. These styles tend to be newer, which means they require less maintenance, and also tend to have plenty of room. Here's what you need to know.

Rancher

Ranch-style homes are spread out on one floor, so they're safe for households with small children just learning how to walk. Because they're all contained to one floor, many

Home buyers are attracted to modern bathrooms with all the amenities. If you're a Stony Plain homeowner who would like to sell your home soon, performing these standard upgrades can help. These high ROI bathroom improvements make your bathroom more attractive, more functional and overall more desirable to buyers.

Age In Place Features

Age in place features make it easier for homeowners to stay in their home into their old age. There are many qualities that make bathrooms safer for seniors, including:

• Non-slip floors prevent seniors from falling even when the floors in the bathroom get wet.
• Curbless showers are easy to get into and out of without slipping.
• Extra lighting makes it easier to use the bathroom without slipping.

Most

The kitchen and bathroom are the notorious rooms to improve for those who want to increase the resale value of their Spruce Grove home. But this general advice doesn't really answer just how much the homeowner will get back from every dollar spent on renovations. Homeowners who want to crunch the numbers before jumping into a project (or two) should consider how renovations affect their return on investment (ROI).

The Basics

Buyers don't need need to be told when to buy more eggs, and partially because the price range of a home is determined by more than their kitchen upgrades. It's why Canadian homebuyers are encouraged to start with small, affordable renovations that will warrant the investment. The exception to this rule would be homeowners in

A short sale is a way to keep a home from going into foreclosure, but the process isn't always well understood. Sherwood Park homeowners considering a short sale will need to take into account everything from their credit score to their lender to the appraisal value of the home. Before getting started, here are a few facts that can help homeowners navigate the system.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Credit Scores and Short Sales

Selling a home through a short sale starts with understanding the consequences of the alternatives. If the homeowner is unable to catch up on their mortgage payments, they may only have a choice between

Are you buying a Fort Saskatchewan home sometime in the next few months? If so, then you'll need some good tools on hand. If you've been a renter up to this point, you probably have a few random screw drivers, but landlords have likely been doing home maintenance for you. Now is the time for you to buy some tools that will help you take care of your yard and assist you through the move-in process.

Power Drill

Power drills are useful for putting shelves up on walls, installing curtain rods and hanging heavy items like big mirrors. Power drills are relatively inexpensive and can shave half an hour or more off a task, depending on what that task is. Homeowners who want to assemble structures like a back yard deck or a swing set for children may also