Edmonton – A Place To Call Home

We know that relocating to a new place can be a very exciting experience; new beginnings for you and your family, and a new place to call home. Sometimes the only hard part is knowing where to start or establishing a game plan for your move . If you’re a Canadian Force Member and you need to relocate to Edmonton, let us assist you in this transition. We know how hard you work for our country and we’d like to pay it forward by making this process as easy as possible for you.

Photo by Jamie McCaffrey

Edmonton is a very welcoming city that we know you’re going to love once you explore its streets, trails, and the breathtaking river valley.  While you get familiarized with your new surroundings and workplace, we’ll help you organize, plan, and understand what this relocation means for you, your family, and your job.

Take advantage of our expertise and years of experience helping families find the perfect place home in a new city. Contact us today and tell us more about your situation so we can start getting your new home ready for you!

Thank you for all you do for our country. 

Thinking of Becoming A First-time Homeowner?

Are you and your partner Edmonton residents who are thinking about becoming first-time homeowners? Purchasing an Edmonton real estate property before tying the knot is becoming increasingly common among young couples. An article released by The Real Estate Magazine states more and more couples will purchase a home for sale before getting married. The information was collected through a study, and reveals a strong shift of mindset when it comes to homeownership among younger generations. Other interesting numbers in the article include:

• — Over 1 in 3 married homeowners bought their first home together in time for their second wedding anniversary.
• — A small 16% of married adults in the survey had not purchased a home together with their spouse.
• — 80% of participants said that buying a home with their spouse strengthened their relationship as a couple and family. More than any other purchase they made together.
• — 35% of married homeowners confessed they regret not entering into homeownership sooner.

“About one in four married couples between the ages of 18 to 34 purchased their first home together before their wedding date, compared to 14 per cent of those ages 45 and older….While life goals and expectations continue to weigh on young couples, their views of homeownership are transcending their plans of marriage and starting a family, creating a direct effect on the patterns of buying a home altogether,” Click here to view the full article.

If you’re thinking about becoming a first-time Edmonton homeowner, get in touch with the Edmonton Home Pros team. Stephen Lau and his team of professionals have extensive experience in successfully helping couples take the plunge into homeownership. Through a complimentary Home Buyers Consultation, they can determine you and your partner’s needs then help you find an Edmonton property perfect for you. Curious about homes currently on the market? Use this interactive search map to browse through listings. Once you find what speaks to you, give the Edmonton Home Pros team a call!

Supersize Your Mortgage Payments with the Edmonton Home Pros

Do you want to become mortgage free? It is easier than you think! Let Stephen Lau and the Edmonton Home Pros team show you how. Together they’ve developed some interesting tips that can help you make smarter choices when it comes to your mortgage; which can save you money and take years off your mortgage:

Get pre-approved. The last thing that you want is to purchase a property that you cannot afford. Getting a mortgage pre-approval will not only help you better balance your budget, but will also help you understand your limits when house hunting.

Pay often. Once you’ve purchased your home, consider making bi-weekly payments rather than monthly. These payments help your overall credit rating and will add up at the end of the year.

Pay Double. At least once per year, pay twice the amount that is necessary. You would be surprised how much money you can remove from your amortization period with it.

Pay more. It is recommended that you pay more than the minimum amount required on a property’s mortgage. Homeowners who pay only the minimum amount on a mortgage typically take longer to pay it off due to the interests.

In a 2012 survey conducted by the Royal Bank of Canada, over 65% of Canadian homeowners are concerned with their mortgage rates and over 50% confess that their mortgage is much higher than anticipated. Before you take the step towards homeownership, educate yourself and take the guesswork out of mortgages. This will save you stress, time, and money down the road.

The Edmonton Home Pros team has a large number of business affiliates who are ready and willing to work with Edmonton homeowners. These professional associates include: lawyers, mortgage specialists, and financial institution representatives. For more information contact Stephen Lau today.

Do you want to renovate your Edmonton home, but lack the patience and knowledge? To save time and stress: Ask a contractor for help. Their experience, access to materials, and technical knowledge set them apart as expert home renovators. Many home improvement contractors operate in Edmonton; however, not all of them are true professionals. So take some precautions when hiring a contractor:  (more…)

Are you tired of making rent payments that don’t go towards something? Transitioning from renter, to first-time home owner is easier than you think! Edmontonians are fortunate to live in a city that has a strong housing market, low interest rates, and favourable conditions for first-time home buyers. Choosing a condominium property as your first home has many benefits:

• 1) Low Competitive Prices: There is an array of condos to choose from in the city with more and more developments in the pipeline. Search through our extensive list of Edmonton Condos For Sale and you will surely find something!
• 2) Extensive Support For Home-Buyers: The Edmonton Home Pros Team are industry leaders and professionals. They provide extensive Real Estate support to first-time home buyers. Stephen Lau and his team also makes sure you have tons of resources and information available to help you along the way.
• 3) Attainable Mortgage Rates: Low interest rates make a huge impact your opportunities to purchase an Edmonton condo. Depending on the property your mortgage payments could be lower than what you currently pay for rent!

If you’re concerned about making the Down Payment on your first condo, consider turning to a financial institutions for support. Many of them offer programs to help you with the deposit on your first Edmonton condo. The Edmonton Home Pros team also has a list of business associates which include Mortgage Professionals, Lawyers, and even Developers. Start a conversation today and you will be well on your way to home ownership. Contact Stephen Lau and the Edmonton Home Pros Team!

Photo by: Miken32

The City of Edmonton has a home for every family and a long list of options for current house hunters. But do you know what type of Edmonton home can suit your needs? As you prepare to purchase a For Sale property, the Edmonton Home Pros recommend that you know how to recognize these types of homes in the Edmonton Real Estate Market; as it will help keep your home buying experience stress-free. Some of the Edmonton homes you will encounter are:
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Its back to school season in Edmonton! From cheerful Elementary kids taking the yellow school bus to University students on the LRT, Edmonton streets are once again filled with backpacks and coiled notebooks heading to class. So how do educational institutions affect the local real estate market? To start with, housing prices are always higher near reputable schools due to the strong demand. If you are looking to buy an Edmonton home for sale during the late Summer of Fall, there are couple of things you should keep in mind:
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As Summertime comes to an end and September approaches, the thing on many people’s mind is back to school. The return of students at Edmonton’s post secondaries means increased, rush hour traffic, fresh faces in Downtown Edmonton and back to school commercials on T.V. But what can it mean to an Edmonton homeowner and how can they use it to their advantage?

Secondary entrances to the secondary suite are best.

This Summer, Edmonton Home Pros invites you to explore the world of Landscaping. Whether you are building a new home and want to give it a special touch, or creating an outdoor oasis, the team has some handy tips for you before you begin your next Landscaping adventure.

Research: Know your plants, facts, and landscape designs. Have fun with researching all the different options for your yard or backyard. Remember that you are not trying to “Keep Up With The Joneses,” you are creating an outdoor living space that’s right for you, based on your personal budget and taste.

Photo by: Jim’s Garden

Low Maintenance VS Regular Upkeep: Decide how much time you are willing to invest in your garden. While all Gardens require attention and tending, some need a little more than others. If you plan on having an elaborate garden setting, be prepared to keep it immaculately groomed with crisp clippings on your hedging and well-pruned flowering shrubs. If you prefer a low key garden, consider going with self sufficient shrubs, trees, and plants.

Calling A Pro: There is no shame in consulting with a professional on your Edmonton Home’s garden and landscaping plan. Don’t underestimate the amount of work associated with your project. Some homeowners setting up the landscaping on their Edmonton homes will require large equipment and intense labour. There are multiple landscaping companies in the city, so be sure to research each one and compare prices. Feel free to ask them lots of questions about your Edmonton home’s landscaping potential.

Do you have your own Edmonton landscaping tips, or stories to share? Leave your comments below. For all your Edmonton real estate needs, trust the Edmonton Home Pros team of professionals to be your real estate solution. Contact Stephen Lau today.