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.

Rent or Own: Which is Better?

One decision that many people struggle with is whether to rent or own.

Owning a home means making an investment in your future.  Instead of writing a rent check and never seeing that money again, your check goes toward further owning your home.  Each check cashed is one step closer to having a place to truly call your own.

Another benefit of owning your own home is the deductions on your taxes.  Mortgage loan interest can be deducted from your federal income tax.  You can also deduct property taxes.

Think of it this way:  if you rent a home for ten years, the money you paid in rent for all of those ten years is gone forever.  If you own a home for ten years, the money you paid went into completely owning that home.  If you ever choose to sell that house, you will get that money back!

Moving to Edmonton: What to Expect

People move to Edmonton for various reasons but career and ‘quality of life’ are high on the list. As a city known for its cleanliness, open spaces and fresh air, Edmonton still finds a way to maintain its big city feel and is ideal for everyone from young urbanites to families and retirees.

Because Edmonton boasts lower average house prices, people in the city are able to own their own homes at a younger age than people in other Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Taxes are also lower in Edmonton.

City Facts:

• In 2010, the average home price in Edmonton was $323,488.
• Each year Edmonton hosts over 30 entertaining festivals and events.
• Summer sunshine in Edmonton is known to last as long as 17 hours and even winter days can be sunny too.
• Edmonton’s Capital Health region has ranked number 1 in Canada for 5 years in a row.
• Edmonton boasts over 60 art galleries and public exhibits.
• Nightlife includes concerts, theatre, art shows and nightclubs.

Those considering a move to Edmonton will find a vibrant city filled with friendly people who like to play as hard as they work.

Alexis Hlady is a real estate professional specializing in Houses for Sale in Edmonton, Alberta.

Advice for First Time Home Buyers

If you’re a first time home buyer, you might be looking for a little friendly advice.  Anyone who has ever owned a home knows the feeling.

“Am I getting a good deal?”
“Are there problems with the house that I don’t know about?”
“Can I trust my realtor?”
“What if something better comes up after I sign?”

 Some of these questions are harder to answer than others.  Most of these questions never have to be asked when you have a good realtor to work with.

If you’re working with a real estate agent who is experienced both in homes where you want to live and in new home buyers, you might be okay.  This real estate agent also needs to be PATIENT.  Buying a home is no quick process.  Your realtor must be ready to walk you through every step of the process.

If you’re not sure about your realtor, find the names of those who have bought houses from him or her in the past.  Are they still living in those homes?  Are they satisfied with your realtor’s work?  Try looking for reviews online as well.  People are eager to share their opinions when they’re upset about something.

For more advice on buying a home for the first time, check back soon.