If you are buying an Edmonton home it is important to know what exactly you are looking for.  Your search for Edmonton real estate should begin with a brainstorm.  Buying an Edmonton home is an investment in your future, whether it is your primary residence or not.

Here are a few things to think about:

• What kind of a home are you looking for? i.e. single detached, apartment, ranch style.
• Location.  Is being near a school, hospital, or shopping important?  Do you want to live downtown?
• Condition. Do you want a new home or a home that has been remodeled recently or are you wanting to remodel and create a home that represents your personal style?
• Price.  Know how much you want to spend and how much money you will qualify for.

The list of criteria can be as long or short as you wish, but it is important to weigh what matters to you so that there are no regrets after buying and moving into your Edmonton home.

If you are considering buying an Edmonton home please contact me today.  I have the ability to show all Edmonton properties that are currently listed for sale and will help utilize your criteria to find the home of your dreams.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

If You Are Buying An Edmonton Home Know What You Are Looking For is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

While there seem to be questions on what may or may not happen with regards to Edmonton real estate one thing is certain, commercial real estate sales in the Alberta capital are up from a year ago.  The figures are seen as representative of a normal and stable economy, one which has put a recession behind.  Other Canadian cities are seeing an increase in commercial real estate sales as well.

Overall Edmonton has seen more positive real estate activity than other parts of the country.  Real estate sales and inventory in Edmonton are representative of a stable real estate market.  In addition retail sales are up in the city, almost 2.5% in the past year.  Relocating to Edmonton is an attractive prospect for many.  Call me today if you would like to examine relocating, or simply investing in Edmonton real estate.

Click here to read a recent article from the Edmonton Journal about commercial real estate sales.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Edmonton Real Estate: Commercial Sales Are Up is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

If you are selling your Edmonton real estate it is important to be prepared.  Take a look at your home through another’s eyes and try to see your Edmonton home the way a potential home buyer would.  Start outside, how is your home’s curb appeal?  Is the exterior of your Edmonton home in good condition?  Are there easy landscaping additions that you can make to zip it up and make it look manicured?

Planting some flowers, whether in a garden or in a pot, can add to any exterior, as can a new shrub or bush.  Likewise take a look at your home’s paint, if it needs a new paint job then it should be considered.  Clean the windows.  Do what needs to be done to make the exterior of your Edmonton real estate stand out and make a good first impression.

Next you should examine the interior of your Edmonton home.  There are three basic steps to prepare your home for sale, de-clutter, clean and organize.  When you de-clutter you de-personalize, getting rid of personal effects like photos and other elements that can get in the way of a potential buyer seeing himself living in your home.  Cleaning and organizing your Edmonton home will make it look its best and maximize its available space. A fresh coat of paint and organized cabinets and closets will go a long way.

Once your home is ready, you should be too.  Give me a call today for a complimentary listing presentation and see what we can do to get your Edmonton home sold in an efficient and timely manner.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Selling Your Edmonton Real Estate? Be Prepared is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

Edmonton is among the top ten cities in which to buy real estate in Canada.  Edmonton sits in the number three position on the list which was compiled by the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN).  The list that was put together is what the group sees as the best cities to invest in, in terms of real estate.  Edmonton real estate is seen as a good investment because it is seen as a growing area and one which focuses on its future.

Edmonton has great transportation, has fantastic income potential from energy and is an affordable marketplace.  Whether you are interested in Edmonton real estate from a home owner perspective or as a landlord, Edmonton has a great number of investment opportunities.

Contact me today to learn more about Edmonton and get to know the up and coming areas, great neighborhoods to live in and great areas to invest in.

Click here to see the complete REIN list.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Edmonton, A Top 10 Investment City is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

When looking to buy Edmonton real estate it is important to choose a mortgage that works best for you.  Choosing which type of mortgage you want to go with can appear to be a daunting decision, but it doesn’t have to be.  There are a few variables to consider in a mortgage, first being the length of a loan, second being the type of loan.

The most common length of a mortgage being 25 years to 35 years.  The length often affects the monthly payment amount.  The benefit for going with a short length would be paying off a mortgage more quickly.  A 35 year loan would have lower monthly payments and could be more beneficial if you don’t plan on staying in your Edmonton home for more than five years.

There are two main types of loans, fixed rate and variable rate.  A fixed rate loan locks you in at a set interest rate for the length of your term, beneficial for those who plan on staying in their home for a while and for times when interest rates look as though they could be heading up. A borrower will have the same monthly payments for the term they choose.

With a variable rate loan the interest rate fluctuates with the prime rate.  The monthly payment can stay the same with more going toward the principal when rates go down and more going toward interest when the rates go up.  The monthly payments can increase if the prime rate increases enough.

When looking to buy Edmonton real estate it is a good idea to sit down with a lender and examine which type of loan is best for you.  Click here to read a recent article from the Edmonton Sun regarding mortgage types.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Edmonton Real Estate, Choosing A Mortgage that Works For You is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

If you are selling an empty Edmonton home you may want to consider staging it.  Staging a home involves placing furniture and decor strategically throughout it, making it look its best.  In addition, staging a home makes it look lived in and can give a prospective home buyer a feel for what it would be like living in it.  Staging can also spruce up a home by giving it a designer feel.  Often people have moved from a home before it has sold and staging is an alternative to leaving it empty.

Setting your Edmonton real estate out on the right foot can be the difference in selling it right away or having it languish on the market.  It is easy to focus on price, but appearance is equally important.  Minimizing personal effects and maximizing the use of your Edmonton home’s space is key to helping it looks its best.

Contact me today to learn more about setting your Edmonton property up for selling success.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Selling An Empty Edmonton Home? Consider Staging is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

The Fringe Festival is coming to Edmonton later next week.  The Fringe Theatre Festival is in its 29th year and will take place from August 12th through the 22nd in Old Strathcona.  The Fringe festival brings talent from around the world, setting the stage in Edmonton and offering residents and visitors alike the ability to watch one-of-a-kind performances.

This year’s Fringe Festival is called “We’ll Show You Ours”, offering a variety of performances that kick off with a parade on the 12th.   After the parade a performance titled “Free For All” will take place outdoor in Edmonton, on the Edmonton Journal Stage in McIntyre Park, an opportunity to see some great improvisation and get a glimpse of what’s in store.  Click here to learn more about the Fringe festival and see the lineup.

Contact me today to learn more about Edmonton.  I would be happy to help educate you on relocating to Alberta’s capital city as well as the opportunities that exist here.  Edmonton is a city filled with events and festivals, offering something for everyone.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Theatre Festival Coming to Edmonton is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

When it comes to Edmonton real estate, inventory is high.  High inventory is good news for potential home buyers because it means that there is a lot of choice and when there is more choice the buyer typically has a bit more negotiating power.  On the flip side, the good news for Edmonton home owners is that prices of Edmonton homes have yet to drop when it comes to single family detached units.

Overall it appears that the Edmonton real estate market is steady, with no drastic increases or decreases when it comes to volume or values.  A larger inventory however does indicate the necessity of pricing homes appropriately.  Pricing an Edmonton home is essential when placing it for sale.  Pricing a home too high can deter potential home buyers and real estate professionals from looking at it.

If you are interested in selling your Edmonton home please contact me today.  I can conduct a comparative market analysis and help price your home to current market conditions.  It is important to be prepared to sell your Edmonton property and get started on the right foot.

Click here to read a recent article from Edmonton Real Estate Weekly on inventory levels in regards to Edmonton real estate.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Edmonton Real Estate: Inventory is High is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

Edmonton real estate values appear strong.  In fact while other parts of Canada are seeing small dips in property values, those in Edmonton appear to be rising a bit.  Recent data shows that Edmonton properties are showing not just increases in values but steady and strong sales as well.  The real estate market is expected to slow at some point during the second half of the year, which is expected to see home prices leveling off as well.

The stable housing market in Edmonton is positive news for Alberta’s capitol city.  In a world of uncertainty and recovering economies, Edmonton’s housing market has shown consistent growth and a stability that is admired.  The steady increase compared with 2009 is good news for Edmonton home owners as there are still expected to be some home buyers who get into the market now to avoid the expected interest rate increase.

Click here to read a report by Royal LePage regarding Edmonton housing statistics.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Edmonton Real Estate Values Appear Strong is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR

Edmonton is a great city for commuting, with a growing number of residents riding buses and taking the LRT.  Leaving the car at home is good for the environment and good for the city of Edmonton.  A recent article in the Edmonton Journal notes the increased numbers of those who choose to ride the bus or LRT as opposed to driving themselves to work or play.  The most recent figures show the percentage of people who use public transportation to commute is 50% up from 33% in 2004.

Edmonton has a great deal going for it, including its self-proclaimed title of “Festival City” and its famed hockey team, The Edmonton Oilers.  A stable commuting system only stabilizes the city and what it has to offer.  The addition of new LRT lines will only help the city’s core and help make commuting easier for many more.

Click here to learn more about transportation in Edmonton from a recent article in the Edmonton Journal.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

Edmonton A Great Commuting City is a post from: Edmonton Real Estate | Homes and Condos | Mark Walker REALTOR