The Home Tribe Real Estate Blog

We can get you where you want to be. Home. Did you know that TruHome has a native app available on for download on your iPhone? Packed full of great features, this app is sure to become a go to favourite when browsing for Edmonton Real Estate on the go. Edmonton’s best option for real estate apps, explore thousands of homes for sale in the Edmonton region. Our app offers various searching options, from latest listings, to gps enabled searching and by your desired community. The Your TruHome app is there to help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Edmonton real estate market.

Find a house you want to see – let us know and one of TruHome’s experienced real estate partners will be in touch. Our goal is to make the home buying process easier by helping you find the right home and connecting you to the right real estate experts.

The Your TruHome app has everything you want when it comes to finding your Edmonton home on the go.

Key Features:

• Browse all Edmonton homes for sale, including what is on the MLS® System.
• Explore every type of home, from single family, to condos, to townhouses and more.
• Search homes the way you like: Via map, communities or latest listings

Stay tuned, as we release more enhanced features. Ready to try out our app? Download our Edmonton Real Estate app here.

Last week we had the pleasure of attending the Edmonton Housing Forecast that featured 3 economists (from CMHC, Alberta and the City of Edmonton) and the new chair of our board to gain a deeper understanding of what is happening in the economy overall and more specifically Edmonton. Surprisingly, all 3 economists shared similar views about Edmonton’s market for 2017. The best way to describe it would be “fairly steady” which is not a bad thing to hear considering all that has been occurring in Alberta over the last few years.

• Edmonton will outperform Alberta due to it’s relatively diverse economy.
• Unemployment in the Edmonton region will stabilize in the 7.5% range in early 2017.
• 2016 looked a lot like 2015 when it came to Real Estate – Strong prices, high inventory, dipping sales

What Was The Outcome For The Edmonton Real Estate Market In 2016?

What Are The Predictions For The Edmonton Real Estate Market In 2017?

So, what exactly does this mean? We are feeling optimistic about the market. It is a great time to invest in Edmonton real estate. That being said, remember, this only tells one aspect of the story, since this is only a general overview of the entire city. Each neighbourhood in the city will have it’s own story to tell. The good news, is that the TruHome team has a full time data scientist on our team to better evaluate the market to provide more in depth data and advice.

Interested in discussing your unique home buying and selling needs, be sure to connect with us today. 

Renting verses buying is a big decision as there are many factors when deciding whether it is a good time to buy or not.  Typically, people often rent for many different reasons including:

1. Some renters are afraid they may not qualify for a home.
2. There is the convenience of knowing that everything is taken care of for you.
3. There is a perception that often rent is “cheaper” than a mortgage payment.

Here at TruHome we believe there are many benefits to buying an Edmonton home.

Here are 5 reasons to consider:

It is important to understand your options when it comes to buying a home and beginning the home search process.  Here are some key reasons to consider buying verses renting:

Building wealth and securing your future.  When renting you’re ultimately the one who is paying your landlords mortgage.  This may not be all that appealing.  Wouldn’t it be better to use your money to invest in your home?  Doesn’t building your own equity make more sense?

Build funds for your retirement. The money that you invest in your home can help build funds for your retirement.  Your home helps secure your future. It is never a bad investment whether you choose to live in your home until you are ready to retire or upgrade to something bigger as your family grows. Owning a home helps you be more financially prepared.

Owning provides more stability. With a fixed 5 year mortgage you will know exactly what you are paying each month.  Unlike renting where you have very little control over rent increases. Enjoy peace of mind by knowing that your mortgage will stay the same over a set period of time.

Establish roots in a community. Unlike homeowners, renters are more mobile, making it harder to establish roots in a specific community. Building relationships within a neighbourhood would be considered essential for most families. Being a part of a community and knowing your neighbours provides a true sense of “home.”

Be seen as financially responsible. Did you know that homeowners are viewed as being more financially responsible than renters. Building a stronger credit history has many benefits including lower interest rates, willingness of banks to lend larger amounts of money and various other perks.

At TruHome we strive to help you find that perfect home whether it be a house with that big beautiful yard or a condo where there is little to no maintenance involved. Either way, our Tru Home Team is here to provide you with the best options that work for you. 

Need more information or would you like to chat about whether renting or owning is better for you, let us know. 

TruHome always wants to give our clients the best information possible when it comes to buying and selling in Edmonton.  We are sure you know that finding the right mortgage is often the first major step when it comes to purchasing a new home.

One of our team members was recently on the hunt for mortgage information and found that going directly to their bank was less than ideal. They felt the person they spoke to “lacked the human touch” – they wanted to develop a connection and feel that their banker would guide them through the process: stress free and easy.  To get them back on track – we wanted to connect with a likeminded person who would provide the guidance they were seeking. Step 1 was introducing them to some of the amazing Edmonton mortgage brokers we have worked with over the years. This made a huge difference with the service they experienced.

We wanted to share with you some of the outstanding insights to common questions that many first time home buyers have when it comes to obtaining an Edmonton mortgage.

What advice would you give to a first time home buyer when it comes to getting a mortgage?

” Really really understand your living budget. Know what it takes to run your home and make sure those numbers actually work for you. It is so important that you understand more than just qualifying for your mortgage. Owning a home can be affordable if you plan well. Think about how long you want to own that home and what you want to accomplish financially in 5 to 10 year increments.  Talk to someone who understands the upfront costs, and the back end costs. Treat this purchase as an investment in our overall portfolio of investments. You have to live somewhere so learn how to make money on your purchase.” ~ Yvonne Wilchewski, River City Financial

” My advice when getting a mortgage is call and let’s get you pre approved.  We can sit down and find out exactly what your price range is,  that way when you go to the Realtor you are ready.  There is nothing worse than going out and looking for a home and finding the home of your dreams, make an offer on it and find out it is way above your price range. It is what disappoints all  buyers.” – Suzette Hawkes from RBC Mortgages

“Buyers sometimes jump in too quickly before getting their ducks in a row.  Preparation beforehand is ALWAYS a good idea. Income, credit, down payment and stability needs to be addressed before the actual buying process begins.  Sit down with an experienced mortgage broker to discuss your personal situation and steps to getting pre-approved! ~ Julian Izquiredo, CIBC Mortgage

What advice would you give a person if they are worried about their credit?

“Bad credit? No problem!If you are worried about your credit then come in and let’s see just how bad it is.  Bad credit is never going to go away, so let’s sit down pull a credit bureau and see what we need to do to get you back on track and ready to go. Also you may be surprised that it isn’t as bad as you thought. ~ Suzette Hawkes from RBC

“I would say let’s talk about why you are worried and explore where that fear is derived from. Let’s investigate and educate how purchases affect your credit, how payments affect your credit, and how balances affect your credit. Utilize Equifax a free service to view your credit. Lenders look at your history and your habits on your credit report. They look to see how you have managed and paid little bills and this is used as an indicator of how you will pay your big bills ( i.e., your mortgage payments)”. ~ Yvonne Wilchewski, River City Financial

“The rules of lending have changed it’s a different market now, and banks are more cautious, and more risk assessment is being done. More insurers like CMHC and Genworth are more sticky when there are blemishes on a credit bureau. Be transparent with the mortgage broker so they can understand the full story rather than experience financial surprises somewhere down the road. Also keep in mind that having poor credit or lack of credit is quite normal for many people and that it can and will get better by us providing our professional guidance to help point you in the right direction.” ~ Julian Izquiredo, CIBC

Have additional mortgage questions or want to get pre-approved for a mortgage – be sure to connect with our team today.  We can also get you set up looking for your TruHome and advice on the steps you need to take to get there.