Edmonton Real Estate Blog 
Edmonton Neighbourhoods Show Wide Range of Home Value Increases
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 1:26pm. 38 Views, 0 Comments.
Some 326,500 people got the annual notice from the city, with the amounts based on values as of July 1st 2010. The average difference in price between this assessment and that from last year for single family homes was down 1.7 percent. But that also varied by the district. As an example, Secord…
Property Tax Assessment Notices Sent in Edmonton
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at 1:38pm. 61 Views, 4 Comments.
Edmonton just mailed out its property assessments. If you don’t agree with what arrives in that envelope, you do have a chance to appeal by the March 12th deadline. After that, the assessment stands, which of course affects your property tax rate.
Some 326,600 people will receive the notices, and on average they show a decrease of 1.7 percent in the single family home category. Condo, townhouse and manufactured home owners will see an average decline of 1.9 percent, while apartment owners will see their values increase by a half a percent. Commercial properties saw the largest decline, an average of 2.4 percent.
The city’s manager to Assessment and Taxation, Rod Risling, advises homeowners to compare their valuations with those of their neighbors…
Energy Assessment = Government $$$$.....
Monday, January 16th, 2012 at 2:01pm. 62 Views, 0 Comments.
A few weeks ago we helped a very nice couple purchase a home in the Newton area. During the home inspection the inspector recommended that the couple get a Home Energy Assessment before they purchase any new appliances or preform any renovations to the home.
I figure that since today the weather sucks and old man winter is upon us, why not explain what a Home Energy Assessment is. Plus it will put some extra money in your pockets.
Energy assessments are usually executed in two stages. Before the home improvements and after implementing the improvements but before sending in the paperwork for your rebates.
The preliminary assessment is also known as the “D” assessment, while the “E” assessment is the post-retrofit evaluation. Most…
Are New Rules Around the Corner for Housing Industry?
Friday, December 16th, 2011 at 6:23pm. 193 Views, 0 Comments.
So far the federal government has tightened mortgage laws several times during the housing boom, including rules to require down payments, reduce the amortization time on loans and lower refinance limits for homeowners already in the market. But there is talk that amortization lengths may be lowered again, this time to 25 years. In 2008, loans were allowed for 40 years. They now stand at 30 years.
Royal LePage’s Phil Soper notes that the more practical option is to let the market sort itself out. Things are on an even keel…
Jasper Avenue Getting a Facelift
Thursday, December 8th, 2011 at 11:54am. 151 Views, 0 Comments.
The western end of downtown Jasper Avenue is getting a facelift. Several buildings are being demolished, including the one time dive known as Skinny Legs and Cowgirls, located between 122nd and 123rd Streets on Jasper’s north end. John Day, the developer, has been buying up land on Jasper for the last few years.
The idea is for a mixed use development, the first of which is a three story building going up at 122nd and Japer Street. That structure will have office space including a new Canadian Western Bank branch. Scheduled opening date is sometime in 2013. Day does not have the plans for the rest of the development fully figured out.
The idea is to keep the entire development at three stories, at least along Jasper. It is possible that there will be…
First Floor & Basement Condos, Who Say's They Suck....
Friday, December 2nd, 2011 at 8:27am. 148 Views, 0 Comments.
Got a call from a user on our website that was looking for some information on an investment property he had. He started talking about the flaws of owning a unit on the bottom floor of a condominium project and the inconveniences it can provided.
Being on the bottom floor of a condo project sometimes isn’t the best situation but there are many benefits to owning a first floor or basement unit.
- First floor and basement unit are more times the most affordable units in the building.
- First floor and basement units can definitely keep you cool on hot and humid summer days. Saving you money on air conditioning and electric fans.
- Perfect for people who have mobility issues.
- First floor condos are close to the parking lot, building…
You Can Make Money in a Turbulent Economy
Thursday, November 24th, 2011 at 5:56pm. 82 Views, 0 Comments.
Those who succeed in investing are those that understand the economy and know how to interpret the signs and trends of the times. They have the ability to analyze the market and then take available opportunities and then turn a profit. As they say, knowledge is power, and in this case, the key to success.
Actually, when the economy is in flux, trending on the side of not-so-great, this is a good time to snag one of those opportunities and go…
Multi-Family Real Estate Investing in Canada a Safe Bet
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 at 5:44pm. 113 Views, 0 Comments.
A recent report submitted by both the Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers noted that the real estate market in Canada is the most stable in North America. Entitled Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2012, the publication was a key part of the presentation at a recent meeting of the Edmonton CFA Society. The survey questioned 950 executives in the real estate industry. Eric Bonnor from Brookfield…
To The Edmonton International Airport & Beyond...
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 at 12:30pm. 71 Views, 0 Comments.
Sometimes the simplest idea can take years to develop. Take for example public transit to the international airport. Well it looks like Edmonton might finally be getting this service; Edmonton, welcome to 2011.
The City’s Transportation committee is backing a regularly scheduled bus to The Edmonton International Airport from the South Century Park LRT station.
Scheduled bus hours will be every half-hour during peak times which are 5am-9am and 3pm-7:30pm, and once an hour during mid-day and evenings until 12:30am. The fee will be $5 or a monthly fee for $100.
The new service is not only a good alternative for flight passengers, but it also provides a new mean of transportation for airport employees. With the future closing of the municipal airport…
Edmonton Mortgage Documentation Checklist
Sunday, November 13th, 2011 at 9:33am. 200 Views, 0 Comments.
Verification of Income:
Salaried or Hourly Wage Employees
Letter of Employment on company letterhead with name and contact information for party authorized to verify the information; must state minimum guaranteed income/hours, rate, tenure and position
Most recent pay stub: showing year-to-date earnings if possible
Most recent T4 or ROE*
Most recent 2 years’ Notice of Assessment
*These items may be requested if you are not guaranteed hours
Self – Employed**
Most recent 2 years’ Notice of Assessment
Most recent 2 years’ T1 General with Statement of Business Activities
Articles of Incorporation with list of directors or shareholders
Business Registration
Corporate Tax Return/T2 General
**Any two or more items in this…