Attention first-time home buyers and investors! Totally charming high-rise suite with the most breathtaking downtown views and great access to shopping and Public Transportation right on the river valley for all those nature loving and active people. Freshly painted, with high end vinyl flooring being recently installed this spacious one bedroom end unit has an area off the living room for an office set up plus a large walk in storage area. Newer dishwasher, stove and a microwave. Move in ready, simply start to enjoy urban living, conveniently within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Welcome to the Top of the Valley!
Top of the Valley high rise is located in Oliver at 12121 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton. Building was built in 1975 and consist of 106 apartment style condos with a central elevator, exercise room, underground & visitor parking. Top of the Valley condo, which overlook the River Valley, offer quick access to Downtown core, U of A, and trendy 124 street via public transport.
Completely remodeled in two phases and now ready for immediate occupancy! You will have the benefit of purchasing a completely renovated second floor east facing unit with an excellent location in the build as a bonus! Brand new flooring – all solid surface, new baseboards fixtures, backsplash, painted throughout and polished and detailed for the new owner(s)!
Single-family detached homes demand will continue to drive the market with the average price expected to increase six per cent, year over year, to more than $500,000. By comparison, condominiums are forecast to rise about one per cent in average price to about $185,000.
But hey, there is a good news for for first-time and move-up buyers, single-family detached homes in Edmonton remain very reasonable, with only Regina and Winnipeg market’s being more affordable, the study shows.
With more interest from young Canadian professionals and families in British Columbia and Ontario looking to migrate to the city to purchase a home and with Bank of Canada signaling interest rates hike from record lows to combat inflation this spring, it is time to call a real estate specialist in your area to start your house hunting rolling!🏠🗝
I can help you in finding, comparing, and negotiating your next home!
And the best thing, if you are buying a home, it doesn’t cost you money to use a real estate agent!! 😉
Galina Mironova
REALTOR | LOCAL Real Estate🍏
780.504.4470
Galina@soldlocal.ca
According to most forecasts, home prices are likely to continue to rise throughout the year, albeit at a more moderate pace compared to 2021. Home sales, meanwhile, are likely to pull back from last year’s record levels.
“While price growth is not expected to be as extreme in 2022, many of the conditions that supported it right up until the end of 2021 will still be there on New Year’s Day,” the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) told us in its year-end housing forecast for 2022.
While CREA suggests activity could calm down briefly early in the year, it added that this year’s spring market “will no doubt be an interesting one.”
Demand remains strong from an “unobservable but no doubt large number of households waiting for new listings to show up,” according to CREA. But anticipated interest rate hikes later in 2022 could start to deter new homebuyers looking to enter the market.
Here’s a look at some of the key economic and housing forecasts for 2022:
Average home prices: +7.6% (CREA)
Home sales: -8.6% (CREA)
Inflation: 3.4% in 2022 and 2.3% in 2023 (Bank of Canada)
GDP: 4.3% in 2022 and 3.7% in 2023 (Bank of Canada)
If you’re looking to purchase or sell this year, I’d be happy to discuss how this outlook might impact your plans and what options are available for you.
DM me today, so we could start working on your plan tomorrow!
Galina Mironova
Associate | REALTOR
LOCAL Real Estate
CORNER LOT in Malmo Plains! This beautiful, well-maintained property boasts unique features that make it a cut above the rest. To learn more…
Large main floor windows flood the home with morning light. One 2pce bath, kitchen and two living rooms make up the main floor area. Upstairs you will find 4 BEDROOMS with one 4 pce bath, and his/hers closets in the master bedroom. The basement provides for additional storage and living space and is equipped with 100 amp service. Outside you will find a small storage shed, garden and green space for hosting or lawn games. An OVERSIZE GARAGE is equipped with a SHOP in one bay and room for vehicles in the other. This is a rare gem, poised for the opportunity and creativity of the next generation! Fully fenced and minutes away from schools, parks, Southgate Shopping mall & LRT. Discover for yourself why so many residents of Malmo Plains wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!
Welcome to Helenslea Estates! This charming 1.5 Storey home BACKING RAVINE with 1 ACRE lot located just 5 MINUTES away from the city limits. The spacious driveway is hidden in a large private greenspace. Walking up the steps you will find an over 2500 sq.ft. of living space for your family to enjoy! The main floor boasts NEWER OAK HARDWOOD (2013), RENOVATED FIREPLACE, MANTLE, & HEARTH (2018), 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (INCLUDING 1 OF 2 ENSUITES), 2 living rooms, kitchen, and a large dining room. The upper level boasts the full master bedroom, 4PC ENSUITE with an office/living room and porch overlooking the front driveway. The basement includes 1 bedroom, laundry room, CRAFTS ROOM, REC ROOM and WORKOUT ROOM. Step out onto the deck and take in the beauty of the HAND-CRAFTED ROCK WATERFALL. Mature trees grace the backyard, with multiple sheds and a VEGETABLE GARDEN in the back.The gates at the front & back open for ACCESS TO VEHICLE STORAGE. A pure serenity just steps away from the city! Welcome HOME!
Address: 24 53226 Range Road 261, Rural Parkland County
No matter where you live, listings for homes in popular neighborhoods are often few and far between. When these homes do hit the market, they typically don’t remain on the market for very long. With that in mind, if you have your heart set on buying in a desired area, starting your house hunt early and having patience means that when the moment comes, you’ll need to act quickly.If you’re really interested in a home, get as much info as you can beforehand: property reports, disclosures and offer due dates. These can usually be requested through your buying agent. Very important is to keep your schedule open, because in hot markets, available properties wait for no one.
Have your proof of funds & pre-approval ready
If you’ve decided you want to throw your hat in the ring and make an offer, always assume that many others have as well. Anticipating a multiple offer situation can help you come out ahead. After you’ve seen a home, speed is often the key. For hot markets, you might only have a day or two to get your offer submitted after viewing the home. Double check with the seller’s agent regarding the offer deadline so that you can be sure yours is submitted on time. In order for you to be “offer ready” when you find the property you want, it’s crucial to have any supplemental paperwork, like your mortgage pre-approval and proof of funds for the down payment, ready to act quickly.
Keep your offer simple
Most offers include conditions — things like completing inspections and receiving a mortgage approval — that need to happen for the transaction to move forward. When looking at offers, sellers tend to see conditions as potential opportunities for the deal to fall apart. As a result, they’re more likely to choose an offer that’s relatively “clean” or reduces their risk of potential hang-ups. In a competitive market, you might see other buyers removing or reducing their conditions periods to make their offer more competitive. However, it’s also crucial that you feel comfortable moving forward. For example, if you choose to waive an inspection condition, you’re agreeing to buy the home regardless of what problems may exist. As you put your offer together, consider the maximum amount you’re willing to pay, what compromises you’re willing to make and how flexible you can be on your closing schedule
Start with a strong sale price
Besides keeping your conditions in check, there is another component of the offer that will help set you apart from the crowd and it’s fairly obvious — the offer price. When you’re bidding for a home in a desirable neighborhood, you need to put your best foot forward.
As for how much you should offer, consider the asking price first. If it’s within your budget you may want to at least offer that amount if not a little more. Consider the amount listed on your pre-approval as your maximum, and work within those limits.
Write an offer letter
On the surface, all offers look the same. That is to say, they all generally include the same information about the buyer. In a situation where the seller is considering multiple offers, all that information can start to blend together. An offer letter, or a personal note you write to the seller explaining why you’re the perfect buyer for the home, might just be the thing that sets your offer apart from the others. Bear in mind that the ideal offer letter is short, sweet, and to the point. Your goal is to connect with the seller emotionally so that they’ll be more inclined to choose your offer. In a few paragraphs, you’ll want to tell the seller why you fell in love with their home and why they should sell to you.
Summary
It can feel overwhelming shopping for a home amongst crazy competition, but don’t be discouraged. With the right amount of preparation, you’ll be ready to make the necessary moves to secure the home of your dreams.
Thinking of buying a house and need help? Contact me at 780.504.4470 or galina@soldlocal.ca! I can help!
Former show home, corner unit with all the upgrades! In fact, it still presents new like a Showhome too!
One of the BEST benefits on this corner unit and where it is positioned in the complex is the all-day SUNSHINE, making this home cheerful and a happy place to dwell. Decked out in all the Showhome extras including upgraded appliances, stunning granite countertops, FULLY finished 9ft basement with full wet bar /serving counter large windows, storage-built in’s, walk in master bedroom shower, all window coverings and upscale lighting throughout. This unit does not back a busy road (Lessard) it backs west and enjoys beautiful sunsets on the private deck. Located right in the heart of west ends walking district – walk to everything from here and fabulous walking trails too!
This wonderful home has all the features a large family needs! It’s OPEN ENTRYWAY, MUDROOM, HUGE DINING SPACE, MASSIVE BONUS ROOM, 3 GOOD SIZED BEDROOMS + SPACIOUS MASTER & ENSUITE are just the tip of the iceberg!
This 4 bedroom beauty also comes with hardwood floors, quartz countertops throughout, hot water on demand, central A/C and more! It’s in fantastic condition and tucked in on a quiet crescent in the popular southwest family community of Ambleside. Boasting a prime location, backing the walking trail (thats right, the back neighbors are far,far away!) and just down the street from the school. Enjoy all amenities nearby (Currents of Windermere, Windermere Crossing) and quick access to major commuter routes. As if this all wasn’t enough, one last note… No homes in front either, so LOTS OF STREET PARKING!
Let me just say that walking into a potential new client listing meeting and noticing the KonMari method in action got me really, really excited. My client was super impressed that I kept noticing everywhere she had “KonMari’d” her residence – such as the big glass jars in the pantry labelled clearly, the rolled towels in the nearly empty hall closet, and the uniquely folded clothing in her dresser drawers. She was especially proud of her undies drawer, which was super endearing that she would share this with me. As it turns out we had both recently binge-watched Marie Kondo’s Netflix series “Tidying Up” and read pieces of her book “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”.
I would like to first commend and congratulate those that have undergone this drastic decluttering method for themselves. Sometimes I think I’m more of an eclectic hoarder than I like to admit but having the time to do more things with my family because I’m not wasting my time moving clutter around seemed very appealing to me. That – and the concept of ‘sparking joy’ really resonated with me. Imagine being happy in every room of your home, with every cup you drink from and with every article of clothing you put on your body. If you are fully surrounded by things that bring your happiness what is there to be sad about then right? There is something to be said for this happiness and how it pertains to listing your home in our real estate market.
For those of you unfamiliar with the KonMari method I highly recommend her Netflix series and there are a multitude of resources on the subject, but here’s my take on the key principles.
Marie Kondo recommends using a 5-step-5-category approach of organizing instead of trying to organize room to room. This can be an emotionally taxing process and its recommended to do this all in one go for the best overall effect and impact on your life moving forward. If you get stuck along the way try to remember that you are envisioning your ideal future life and only want to bring those items with you to this new life that align with what you are creating for yourself. Kondo maintains that each item that is kept should ‘spark joy’ within you – think of holding a newborn baby, a little puppy or a stapler if office supplies are what do it for you. Once you internalize the sensation of “sparking joy” it gets easier to recognize the feeling and trust your intuition as you go through the process. Also – do this with your family – because Kondo believes that tidying your home will tidy your relationships too.
Clothing – Put all of the clothing from the entire house into one room and then go through it. Touch/hold each article one by one and see if it “sparks joy” – so if the item speaks to your heart you keep it and if it doesn’t you thank it for its service to you and let it go. The thanking of items is very important – especially when you later get to more sentimental items.
Books – Same as clothing. That’s right – one by one and really think about if you are keeping it for a memory or if it will serve purpose in your ideal life you are working to create.
Paper – Same as above. Gather every paper into one room including every document, every newspaper clipping or drawing you have been holding onto. (…and you thought clothing was hard!!!)
Kimono – MISCELLANEOUS – Everything else like the kitchen, bathrooms and garage. Take everything out and don’t put it back unless it can inspire joy moving forward and there is a specific place for it.
Mementos/Sentimental –Honor these special treasures by putting them in a beautiful box that is easily accessible so that you can visit these sacred items every time you need to. Think about displaying these items in a special way instead of having them hiding in a closet somewhere.
***Remember that everything that is kept has a specific place and will be cherished. It is organized into bins, containers or drawer dividers and visible upon looking into a cupboard or opening a drawer. When you see what you have and everything has its own home there is a certain state of calm within the mind because the excess is no longer a burden to you. There is also no time or extra energy exerted trying to constantly make room things or look for things that have gone missing.
I remember staging my first condo for sale in St. Albert over 10 years ago. We had so much stuff that we rented a pod and took everything “extra” out of the condo while we lived in our new residence having showings and waiting for it to sell. After we sold, a month after moving in, we emptied the pod out and filled our house back up with excess items we didn’t need. Reflecting back, this was a very rudimentary version of the KonMari method – except the point is we didn’t need or miss all of the items that were in the pod. And we ended up just trying to cram them into our new house, creating burden and strain in our new life.
So how does this all relate to real estate and help you to maximize the price for your home and most importantly your well-being in the future???
YOU ARE CREATING THE LIFE YOU WANT WHEN YOU MOVE – You are not dragging extra items with you to your new residence. If you declutter using this method you will only be bringing items that spark joy and align with the future that you envision for yourself. Imagine the feeling of moving into your new home being surrounded by only what is meaningful to you. (Bonus – you will probably save a lot on moving costs too!!)
NO STRESS SHOWINGS – A quick wipe and things are show-ready as opposed to a major overhaul and cramming-items-into-every-crevice-panic-attack each time your realtor calls. Selling a home can be a stressful process on its own so any chance of removing additional stress can’t hurt.
NO CLUTTER MAKES HOUSES FEEL BIGGER – Potential buyers aren’t distracted by your personal items, tastes and extras. They will be looking more at the space in general as opposed to being distracted by a multitude of items. They will also easily notice the abundance of space for their belongings in the closets, the pantry and the other rooms of the house.
PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP – Having an organized and clean house means you care about the environment that you live in which easily translates to potential buyers. If your home is organized it shows buyers that you are the type of person that will stay on top of maintenance, upkeep and have done everything you can to maximize the life span of the home. This bodes well for envisioning their new future there.
BUYERS VISIT YOUR SPACE AND FEEL HAPPINESS – I personally believe in energy and the positive energy that families who have undergone the KonMari method have transferred into their homes is indescribable. They are experiencing joy together every day and it is emanating and pulsing from their home. They have also thanked their home for its service to their family and have put out the intention for the new life they are wanting to create – so they are aligning their past and present worlds. Gratitude and love are the strongest energies of all and are my personal inspiration when I perform a house clearing. (That’s why I couldn’t believe it when I saw Marie Kondo thank the house – I instantly understood what she was doing on a different level because it relates so much to what I help clients with!!)
In the end, like everything in life just take what resonates with you from the KonMari method and leave the rest. I have done my closet and my pantry yet I am far from finished with my home – but it is my process and it will move as fast and as slow as it needs to. If you are feeling overwhelmed in your space or planning on listing then this decluttering method may hold strong merit in your world. And if you need any help I’m always here.
-Lisa Bergmann, Realtor with Kennedy Real Estate Edmonton
