Top Benefits of New Home Buying

From lower upfront maintenance costs to design flexibility, new construction can provide opportunities for homebuyers navigating a low inventory market. While some homebuyers are holding out for the right house to become available – one with historic charm, outdoor space, square footage, or whatever they’re seeking – others are skipping the search and going straight to new construction. Not only can buyers customize the home to meet most or all of their needs as well as their wants, negotiating the contract can be less complicated. For Edmonton new home buyers struggling to find their dream home in a current low inventory market, Our RE/MAX real estate agents share the top benefits of new construction home.

Less bidding wars when purchasing an Edmonton new build

One of the biggest advantages of new construction is that homes are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. That means no bidding wars – and no need to waive an inspection, appraisal, or other contingencies to make an offer stand out. Appraisers often look at what similar homes in the area have sold for in recent months to help determine a home’s value. That means if it’s been a while since another home has sold in a particular neighborhood, an appraiser may be using outdated information to price a listing in the resale market. Because multiple units are often sold in a new build development section at once, appraisers typically have several recent comparable...

Residential Unit Sales and Average Edmonton Prices Up For February

Total residential unit sales in the Greater Edmonton Area (GEA)* real estate market for February 2021 increased 52.1% compared to February 2020 and increased 36.8% from January 2021. The number of new residential listings is up year over year, increasing 7.6% from February 2020. New residential listings are up month over month, increasing 11.4% from January 2021. Overall inventory in the GEA fell 17.6% from February of last year and increased 7.6% from January 2021.

For the month of February, single-family home unit sales are up 62.2% from February 2020 and up 40.2% from January 2021 at 1033. Condo unit sales increased by 19.5% from February 2020 and increased 26.7% from January 2021.

All residential average prices are up to $377,931, a 7.6% increase from February 2020, and up 3.8% from January 2021. Single-family homes sold for an average of $437,977, a 2.7% year-over-year increase from February 2020, and a 2.4% increase from January 2021. Condominiums sold for an average of $230,929, an 8.4% increase year-over-year, and prices are up 6.6% compared to January 2021. Duplex prices increased 6.6% from February 2020, selling at $343,028 which was a 0.4% decrease from January 2021.

The Edmonton market in February saw a significant increase in year-over-year residential unit sales as well as month-to-month sales,” says REALTORS® Association of Edmonton Chair Tom Shearer. “There have also been more...

Fixed mortgage rates are on the rise

After months of rising housing prices and record-low mortgage rates, the Bank of Canada issued a warning that the real estate market may be starting to overheat. After hitting record lows this summer, some mortgage brokers are warning that fixed mortgage rates are starting to climb back up a little.

Just as the housing market gears up for the traditionally busy spring season, financial institutions across the country are announcing fixed-rate increases of between 0.1 and 0.2 of a percentage point, according to James Laird, co-founder of financial product comparisons site Ratehub.ca and president of CanWise Financial, a mortgage brokerage.

The rate hike would translate into a $32 monthly mortgage payment increase for someone buying a $500,000 home with a 10-per-cent down payment and a 25-year amortization, according to calculations provided by RateHub. With a 1.39 per cent interest rate and a mortgage amount of $463,950, which includes the cost of mortgage default insurance, such a homeowner would pay $1,831 a month. With an increase of 0.15 of a percentage point to a mortgage rate of 1.54 per cent, the same homeowner would be paying $1,863 a month, or $384 per year.

Buying tips: 

Anyone shopping for a home who does not yet have a mortgage pre-approval should get one as soon as possible because it will hold today's rates for 90 to 120 days.

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Darren Sharko RBC Tips:

RBC Royal Bank Mortgage Specialist Darren Sharko...