Don’t be like most home buyers and wait until the Spring. If you think outside of the box you may benefit in a number of ways. Heres why:

1.  Less Competition

How would you feel if you wait until Spring to find your dream home only to have it snatched away by a competing buyer? Don’t believe all that you hear about our market. The best homes still get snatched up quickly and with multiple offers. Consider being one of the fewer buyers looking now or wait until Spring and join the crowd.

If you buy a home now you will enjoy the strong possibility of being the only buyer negotiating. This gives you leverage you will not enjoy in the Spring.

2.  Lower Prices

Sales prices tend to track lower during January and February. The quickly escalate

Are you looking for a perfect home? You know that one that ticks all of your boxes and is 100% perfect in every way.

I have to break it to you. You won’t find it. Over the years we have helped hundreds of buyers find their homes and not one found the perfect home.

So how close can you get?

Why not consider the concept of the 85% house. It’s got most of what you want but not everything. It approaches your ideal but cut yourself (and the house) some slack.

If you can get close, be flexible. Let some things go. Buy the home, move in and enjoy!

To see ALL homes for sale in real time go to this link: AmbergateHomes.ca

About the author:

You can read more about the author of this blog by clicking this link – Stuart Neal Broker Owner &

Do you want to buy a home? Are you afraid that you have waited too long? Don’t despair. For many home buyers this is the perfect time. Let’s discuss why.

Here are 5 reasons why you should buy now:

1.  There is lots of homes for sale

Based on last year around 2000 home buyers will purchase before the end of the year. Will you be one of them?

2.  Less competition

Many home buyers are starting to give up. If you shop for a home you will face much less competition.

3. You might get a discount

If you can find a home seller that has languished on the market all summer this might be the time to ask them for a big discount. Their choice might be to give up until next year or to allow you to buy it.

4.  You could be home by Christmas

If you have been thinking about buying a home in the metro Edmonton area this could be the time to do it.

Here are 5 reasons why you might want to buy a home soon:

1.  New lending rules

Starting September 2nd, the federal government is launching a new program designed to encourage first time home buyers to enter the market (First Time Home Buyer Incentive see details here). Essentially the government is going to partner with new home buyers to help them create a down payment. This program applies to buyers with a joint income of less than $120,000 a year. In the metro Edmonton market this applies to most of us.

If you choose to use this program your budget has just increased considerably meaning you could buy a much nicer home.

2. 

If you have been sitting on the fence about purchasing a home, this could be the time to get off it. Here’s why:

1.  Its Cream Puff Season!

In our industry we sometimes refer to the very nicest homes as “cream puffs”. When do you think the nicest homes come up for sale? Right about now. Put yourself into the shoes of a seller. If you had the nicest home in the neighbourhood, when will it show best? Typically, between the months of May and August is when homes look best. There is lots of natural light and the yard will look amazing. As a seller, when do most buyers pick their next home? Between May and July is when many homes are sold in the Edmonton area. If you have been looking for that ‘cream puff’ home, you had better start shopping soon.

To ensure that your home buying process is as stress free and enjoyable as possible, we hand pick our preferred service providers.

You would be wise to get your future home inspected by a competent professional before you finally sign off on the contract.

Please consider using Joe Yaretz. Joe has completed many satisfactory home inspections for our clients. Our clients really seem to appreciate his thorough friendly approach. Joe will go out of his way to provide you with a solid understanding of what you are buying, but without scaring you away.

To contact Joe please click on this link: Joe Yaretz – Licensed Inspector

If you are wondering why hiring an inspector is recommended please click on this link: 3 Reasons to Use an Inspector

Getting access to listing information is easy these days. A quick Google search and you have found a website that will give you access to almost all of the condo and house listings in the metro Edmonton area. And if you set up a search, you will get new listings pouring into your email box several times a day. 

So Why Is This a Problem?

Everyone can get this information. So what? You might be asking. Why is this a problem? The problem is that you will be competing against all the other buyers out there. Rarely do sellers put their homes on the market at under market value. And if they do, what happens? You will have to act quickly and will almost always be in a multiple offer situation. Your chances of purchasing at a discount are slim.

So

At some point most of us consider our housing options. Should you rent or buy? That depends on your circumstances. For many downsizers renting makes sense. For single people or folks just starting out its also an attractive option. 

First let’s consider the pros and cons of renting.

Pros

1. Short term fixed costs. You pay the rent and the landlord worries about the mortgage, maintenance and taxes.

2. Low commitment. Most leases run for one year and in some cases two years or more.

3. Easy qualification. Provided you have income and a good credit record most landlords will welcome you with open arms.

Cons

1. Uncertainty. You could be moving in 12 months. If your lease is for only 12 months the landlord has the

These days shopping for home listings is easy. As you know, there are websites and apps everywhere. Or you can drive around neighborhoods that you like and find for sale signs. Surely it would make sense just to call the listing REALTOR® and go see the home. Who needs a REALTOR® these days?

Not so fast is what we advise. There are some solid reasons for you to find one competent REALTOR® to help you.

1.  A Good REALTOR® Knows More Than You Do

How many homes have you bought in your lifetime? When was the last time you purchased a home? Most people have only ever purchased one or two homes. For many, it’s been decades since they last purchased. Don’t be amateur. A good REALTOR® helps people purchase every day. A good REALTOR® will have helped

Perhaps you are sitting on the side lines wondering if you should buy a home now or later. Here are 3 reasons why you should do it now.

1.  More Choice

At the end of January 2019 there was around 400 MORE single family homes for sale than this time last year. If you want to be picky in selecting your next home this could be the time to shop around.

2.  Lower Prices

At the end of January 2019 single family homes sold on average for around $390,000 DOWN by 11% over the same time last year. Condos sold for about 6% LESS than in January 2018 for an average price of $220,000.

You should also know that in most years, prices climb until about July when they start to soften a little bit. These low prices will not continue.

3.  Lower Interest