Alberta’s oil and gas sector has been dealing with the repercussions of plummeting oil prices, having deep impacts on the province’s economy, and real estate markets. For this reason, the timing of the COVID-19 public health crisis has been less than ideal for the Alberta real estate markets, which were already fighting to recover from a market slump. Ranked as the third most affordable real estate market out of 16 Canadian cities compared in the 2020 RE/MAX Housing Affordability Report, Edmonton’s average sales prices are low, and have been steadily declining since 2018. The city has bee ..read more

With social distancing advisories and non-essential business closures in place, many people – some realtors included – are scrutinizing whether real estate is an essential service as it has been classified in many regions across Canada and the US. Those who argue against the essential classification are coming from a good place, with hopes that more-stringent lockdowns will stop the spread of COVID-19. On the surface, shutting down such real estate services as those provided by agents, lenders, lawyers and land registry offices may seem like the sensible thing to do given the current ..read more

As the famous saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover – except, of course, when we’re talking about real estate. When buyers are hunting for their dream home, curb appeal can be the deciding factor on whether or not they want to take a closer look inside. Here are five tips to set your listing apart from the others on the block. Improve Your Curb Appeal 5 Easy Tips to Get Started Start with the Basics One of the first things potential buyers will see is your driveway, and it is one of the easiest things for you to fix. Ensure your garbage and recycling bins are always neat and tidy ..read more

Buying or selling a home is one of the most complex transactions most of us will ever make, and Coronavirus hasn’t made the process any easier. While some agents are advising their clients to wait until the pandemic and social distancing orders are lifted before proceeding with non-essential transactions, some people still need to buy or sell a home, and they need help doing it. As a consumer, you have a choice in representation. When choosing to work with real estate agent, you should expect a professional with market experience and an intimate knowledge of your preferred neighbourhood a ..read more

As technology evolves and improves over time, online home listings get more sophisticated. With features such as 3D home tours now available, it is now possible to view a home and go through the entire home purchase online. This is especially pertinent now, given the current situation surrounding COVID-19 and the stress on social distancing. While many online listings are packed full of great photos and lots of information, going through the home buying process virtually and being unable to view a property in person may leave some things overlooked, as they are not as obvious through a screen ..read more

Virtual home selling is a relatively new trend, but it’s certainly been a long time coming. Real estate agents are already leveraging technology to help long-distance buyers complete transactions from afar. Now, perhaps out of necessity rather than convenience, virtual home selling has gained traction as the traditional spring housing market adapts to social distancing measures. From start to finish, here’s what selling your home looks like as a touch-less transaction. Virtual Consultation Your RE/MAX agent will schedule a video conference to discuss your listing goals, current housing market ..read more

With technology always on hand and information literally at their fingertips, the hyper-connected Millennial generation has taken a do-it-yourself approach when it comes to consumables, including everything from products and services, to purchases of every kind – including real estate. Generation Y might as well be called Generation DIY. The appeal in DIY lies in the flexibility, customization and let’s face it, the cost-effectiveness. As a consumer, job one is educating yourself, weighing your options, and making an informed decision. When it comes to real estate, an FSBO could be the right d ..read more

In a buyer’s market, getting your property to stand out form the rest will take some creative know-how. A seller’s market occurs when real estate listings outnumber the number of potential purchasers. This means sellers will have to work a little harder to attract offers to their home. Here’s how you can help tip the scales in your favour, and hopefully get that sale contract signed! Low Down When the amount of real-estate inventory matches the number of buyers shopping the market, people tend to be pickier about the price they’re willing to pay. Really hone in on the listing ..read more

With technology always on hand and information literally at their fingertips, the hyper-connected Millennial generation has taken a do-it-yourself approach when it comes to consumables, including everything from products and services, to purchases of every kind – including real estate. Generation Y might as well be called Generation DIY. The appeal in DIY lies in the flexibility, customization and let’s face it, the cost-effectiveness. As a consumer, job one is educating yourself, weighing your options, and making an informed decision. When it comes to real estate, an FSBO could be the right d ..read more

As first-time homeowners, you might get to a point where it’s time to sell your house and move on to your next home. However, you don’t want to sell your home at the wrong time—you might have trouble finding buyers or you might miss out on making the most money back. Therefore, it’s crucial to watch the market in order to gauge whether it’s time to put your house up for sale. There are several things to consider before doing so, especially when it comes to a decision as big as this. Here are a few tips for watching the market when deciding to sell your house: Consider the time of year Think a ..read more