The Home Tribe Real Estate Blog

We often hear people brag about the loft space in their designer home or their loft-style condo, but with only 200 true converted industrial lofts in Edmonton, those who own them belong to an exclusive club with a lineup of buyers hoping to get in. 

At the heart of the core surrounded by every possible amenity, endless entertainment and downtown nightlife, YEG’s converted industrial lofts are an excellent choice for today’s urban singles and power couples. These properties are well-built and efficient with a minimalist aesthetic. Not only are they smart real estate investments, but they come with a coveted lifestyle inside a rare piece of Edmonton history. 

True converted Edmonton industrial lofts represent just 2% of residential properties in the core and only 6% of those have been listed/sold within the past year. Which means to get into the 200-Loft Club you need an Edmonton real estate advisor with the expertise to help negotiate your membership. That’s where I and the TruHome Real Estate Team come in. 

The TruHome team started researching Edmonton’s lofts because we are passionate about our local history when it pertains to how Edmonton became the city it is today.

Did you know Philips Lofts used to be a storage warehouse with a 20-foot arcade?

Or that Cobogo Lofts is built on the foundation of the Ker Building which burned down in 1913? 

Our team and myself personally, appreciate the uniqueness of loft living and have dedicated time and energy to specialize in these types of properties, we are well connected with current Edmonton loft owners and building managers. If you don’t see what you are looking for on the Edmonton MLS® System, get in touch, as often we have our beat on the pulse and can keep you informed of “not yet on the market” opportunities.

So let me help you jump the lineup into the 200 Loft Club and close the deal on your new life in the core. 

Michael van Butselaar

Your, TruHome Advisor

Michael van Butselaar, your TruHome Real Estate Advisor of RE/MAX Real Estate has a keen eye for finding the unique properties right for his clients. His expertise in high-quality renovations also aids his clients in visualizing the possibilities.

Searching for the ideal Edmonton loft? Learn more about many of Edmonton’s amazing lofts right here, with the latest Edmonton lofts for sale and news.

1. Bigger May Actually Be Better

The Rembrandt offers a range of sizes for condos from 1000-2000 sq ft. You will be able to live a “large” lifestyle in these expansive condo units.

2. Its Named After A Famous Painter

According to wikipedia: “Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a Dutch draughtsman, painter and printmaker. An innovative and prolific master in three media, he is generally considered one of the greatest visual artists in the history of art and the most important in Dutch art history.”

3. It Is A Really Well Managed Edmonton Condo (So Many Upgrades)

In 2018 alone, they completed: New triple pane windows, South side roof was replaced, updated security and locks, updated landscaping and fibre optic internet from Telus.

4. Mill Creek Ravine

Getting to the Mill Creek Ravine from The Rembrandt is less than 1 block away. This ravine is rated #3 on 146 things to do in Edmonton according to Trip Advisor making it a choice location to live for those that like to stay active, enjoy nature or who adore getting outdoors with their dog.

5. Mill Creek Pool

You don’t often get an outdoor pool walking distance from your home. This pool is a popular hot spot for all ages during the summer months.

6. Pet & Children Friendly

This Edmonton condo building welcomes your whole family including your loveable fur-babies.

7. Not To Many Neighbours

There is something to be said about community when you live a condo building with less units. In fact, the 5th floor for example only has 2 units on it.

8. Great Eats

Located within a couple minute walk is some of our favorite places to eat including Route 99 (one of Edmonton’s few classic diners), Mill Creek Ravine (a great place to eat any meal) and Boulangerie Bonjour (an amazing French bakery).

9. The Community of Strathcona

Need we say more? Strathcona and the Whyte Avenue area have so much to offer in terms of a great local scene and commutability.

10. Last, But Not Least, Unbelievable Views

This building offers panoramic views of the river valley and of the downtown skyline. Imagine sipping a glass of wine while taking in the Canada Day fireworks display directly from your balcony.

Even better is the fact that you can move into this building between the low $200,000 and higher $300,000’s. This makes this Edmonton condo an ideal location for many Edmonton home buyers, including people looking to down-size and even investors. Take a look at all the Edmonton Condos For Sale In The Rembrandt today.

1. You’ll Love The Viking Theme

According to the Encylcopedia of Brittanica: Valhalla, Old Norse Valhöll, in Norse mythology, the hall of slain warriors, who live there blissfully under the leadership of the god Odin. Valhalla is depicted as a splendid palace, roofed with shields, where the warriors feast on the flesh of a boar slaughtered daily and made whole again each evening. They drink liquor that flows from the udders of a goat, and their sport is to fight one another every day.

The Valhalla in Oliver, lives up to this name with playful Viking imagery through out the building and with its other aesthetic elements.

2. The Valhalla Is Pet Friendly

That’s right, this building welcomes your furry friends, including larger size dogs. Man’s Best Friend offers a wonderful opportunity to say hello to your neighbours.

3. The Valhalla Is Child Friendly

This building is extremely inclusive and definitely checks off “positive” points with the Child Friendly Housing Coalition of Alberta. As more families want to stay in central Edmonton, condos are becoming more of a norm when raising your family. It is great to know, that if you choose to buy in the Valhalla, you’ll never be pressured to leave if you find out your expecting.

4. The Valhalla Offers Incredible Views

To the south of the Valhalla Condos in Edmonton, you have our unbelievable river valley and to the north you have panoramic views of downtown. No matter which direction you face, the units in the Valhalla offer bright, open windows and gorgeous views.

5. The Valhalla Cares About Your Safety

Based on the efforts made to ensure the safety and welling being of their residents, you could say the Valhalla is as safe as Fort Knox. The building had a huge audit done, including seeing if a person could scale up to the large communal deck facing the river valley and trust us when we say they could teach other buildings strategies for maintaining a safe and peaceful building. Experience, new and increased lighting, new door latches, new fencing and a whole bunch of over cool stuff (well cool if you understand the nuances of this).

6. The Valhalla Supports Alternative Transportation: Bikers Welcome

Want to live in central Edmonton and prefer to bike everywhere? The Valhalla Condo in Oliver has you covered. There is no reason you have to store your bike in your condo or track up the elements to your floor, when there is a bike room in the parkade and hooks available for bikes in each parking stall. For those who can’t live without your car, they also offer a tire storage room for your winter/summer tires.

7. People Who Live In The Valhalla Are Social

It isn’t often when you find a larger building with a great sense of community belonging. At the Valhalla, residents are encouraged to get together every once in a while with offerings of Christmas movie nights, annual “yard” sales and even the option to pay for yoga classes available right in the building. There are also great gathering spots including a place to play pool, a breathtaking patio to hang out on and even social room you can book for events or get-togethers.

8. You Don’t Have To Leave To Work Out

No need to pay for a separate gym membership, when everything you need is right in your building. Enjoy the work out equipment where you have the best views in the city. Who wouldn’t want to work out while looking at the River Valley. Not to mention, if you enjoy swimming, this is one of the few private buildings that has maintained an amazing pool for residents to enjoy. Truthfully, I’ve been tempted to visit and get a work-out/swim in because it really is that nice.

9. Overall The Valhalla Is A Well Maintained Building

You may not be buying new here, but you are buying a piece of Edmonton history in a building with a great condo board that is doing a good job of maintaining and upgrading the building. Many of the major upgrades have been completed and a good portion of the condo fees are dedicated to the reserve fund for long term planning and peace of mind for residents.

10. Ideal Spot In Central Edmonton For Urban Nature Lovers

Located right on the River Valley, the Valhalla is perfect for those who love to get out and enjoy Edmonton’s scenic river valley. Whether you like jogging, cycling, or even segwaying with River Valley Adventure Co., Edmonton offers a true gem of outdoor delights.

We can’t say enough wonderful things about the Valhalla, however, there is 1 more benefit – you can move into this building between the low $200,000 and mid $300,000’s. This make this condo a perfect for first time home buyers, people looking to down-size and even investors. Take a look at the Edmonton Condos For Sale In The Valhalla today.

Are you ready to purchase a new home and are considering the Edmonton condo lifestyle? There are different requirements that must be considered when choosing to buy a condo compared to a standard single family house? Furthermore, there are different things you need to know about when buying an Edmonton condo.  These are all important items to consider and are something that you real estate agent can walk you through in more depth. However, there are several answers that you can find via this article.

How to Choose an Edmonton Condo

When it comes to condos, you are going to find that there are several that are available that are going to fit the style that you have, the budget that you want, and the type of lifestyle that you want. It is important to note that when you purchase a condo, you are purchasing the unit that you want, along with shared ownership of the common property that is in the area. Your unit is going to be like your own little house, thus you are responsible for its upkeep just as you would be if you had purchased a house that sat on its own.

There are basically two types of condos that are out there:

Conventional condo: This is the most common and refers to a condo that is located within a large building. Those who purchase here have ownership of everything inside their unit and shared ownership of the common property that may include air conditioning, plumbing, fitness centres, pools and the like.

Bare Land Condos:  Unlike a conventional condo, where the boundaries of unit are wall to wall, a bareland condo is defined by a parcel of land in which the units boundaries are defined by reference to survey markers. Often times, a bareland condo will contain a structure (home) on it such as a townhouse, duplex or detached home. Depending on the corporations bylaws, an owner will typically have greater responsibility for their unit such as landscaping, exterior repairs etc.  In some complexes, bare land condos will feature enhanced shared amenities such as pools, fitness centres etc. 

Should You Buy New?

When condo shopping, one of the biggest questions that you will be asked is whether you want a brand-new unit that no one has lived in or in buying one that is used and has been lived in? Buying new is often a dream of many people, however, they need to truly understand what they are going to be gaining and losing in buying new. The drawbacks of buying new include:

• You may have to wait for months for the condo to be complete
• You may be relying on drawings and 3-D constructions of what you are buying rather than seeing it in person
• Move in dates are flexible with a new condo
• When buying new you are responsible for paying gst.

The pros of buying new include:

• It is move in ready once it has been complete
• You may be able to customize features when buying
• You get access to a new home warranty coverage (10 years)
• You may find something that is more modern compared to buying one already on the market

A resale Edmonton condo can be a great option for those who are not interested in a new condo. However, this also has pros and cons as well. The pros for buying a resale condo include:

• You usually get to move in sooner since you are not having to wait for construction to be complete
• You can physically see the unit and know what you are getting
• You can talk with others to see if the complex is something that you are going to be interested in

The cons of buying a resale include:

• The unit may need renovations since it may be older
• The amenities of the condo may be limited if it is older

Documents Needed for Purchasing am Edmonton Condo

There are several documents that you are going to need in order to purchase a condo. These documents will differ based on whether you are buying new or buying resale. However, some documents that may be required include:

• A purchase agreement
• By-laws of the condo
• Home warranty insurance contract
• Annual General Meeting of the condo board
• Management agreement of the condo board
• Certificate of Title
• Condo Minutes 
• Insurance coverage
• Real property report
• Reserve Fund Study

At TruHome, we understand the in’s and outs of buying an Edmonton condo and would be happy to walk you through the process, including what you will need based on your personal situation and what type of condo you are interested in buying.

Tips for Buying a Condo

For those who are ready to buy an Edmonton condo, here are a few tips that can make this process easier and allow you to find the condo that is going to be a great fit for you in the future.

• Be sure that you fully look at the property if you are buying a resale. What do you like about the area? Are there things that you dislike? Do you think you can live with these dislikes?
• Be sure to talk to current condo owners in the area when buying resale. You need to know whether you are going to like living here due to the neighbours. Those who live here already can be a great source of what the feel of the area is.
• When buying new, be sure that you study the blueprints and proposed outlines of what the condo is going to be like.
• Consider whether you like the actual land location of a new condo before committing to buying this.
• Be sure to work with a real estate agent in either case, whether you are planning on buying a new condo or reselling one. You will find that the knowledge of a real estate agent can help save you from a potentially huge costly mistake in the future.

Buying an Edmonton condo is not very different from buying any other home on the market. You simply have to find the one condo that you love and can picture yourself in for years to come.

Explore all Edmonton Condos here. Have an Edmonton Condo question? Let’s Chat!

There is a lot to consider when going through the home buying process. The process can be intimidating for anyone, and that is especially true if you are getting ready to make your first purchase. With so much money on the line, it is easy to get overwhelmed at one point or another. However, if you are going to cross the finish line successfully – that is, with the keys to a great home in your hand – you need to keep a cool head and take it step by step.

Looking for more insight: Download Our Edmonton Home Buyers Guide: First Time Home Buyers

In this post, we are going to talk about the benefits of getting a home inspection before you complete your purchase. This is an important topic because some buyers – especially first-time buyers – consider skipping this step to streamline the process. Often times, this would be a mistake. Sure, you could save a little bit of time and money if you skip the inspection, but those savings will not be worth it in the long run. Working with an experienced home inspector is a wise decision, as it will allow you to eventually buy a home you love with total confidence.

Know What You Are Getting

The main reason that you will want to go through with a home inspection is so you can know exactly what you are getting into when you buy a house. No home is perfect, so something is likely to come up during any inspection process. The key is to pay attention to the details. Are these small points that can be easily rectified, or are these major issues that will impact the long-term health and stability of the structure? Once you have a completed home inspection in hand, you can read it carefully and decide if you are still interested in pursuing the property.

Adjusting Your Offer

Once you have settled on a home that you would like to purchase, the next step is usually to make an offer. There will be a listing price attached to the home, of course, but that doesn’t mean you need to offer that exact number. Typically, you will work together with your agent to come up with a competitive offer, based on things like other sales in the area, the perceived competition for the home, and more. It’s always a tricky process to come up with the right offer, as you don’t want to go too high or too low. Offering too low may mean the home goes to another buyer, while coming in too high will cost you more money. The value of an experienced real estate agent really comes into play here.

If your offer is contingent on a home inspection, which it should be, you will have the opportunity to bring in an inspector after the offer has been accepted. When the inspection is complete, you can go over the report with your agent to discuss potential changes to your offer. If the inspection went well and there were no major issues to deal with, you may decide to just leave your offer as-is. Or, if there are some problems that need to be addressed, you can decide how you would like to move forward.

In most cases, you will pick between one of two options. First, you may decide to ask the seller to make the necessary improvements to the property before closing the sale. In this case, your offer won’t necessarily change, as you will simply request that the seller pays for the work that needs to be done. On the other hand, you could tell the seller that they don’t need to worry about the work, but you are going to lower your offer by an appropriate amount instead. Then, after you take ownership of the home, you can have the work completed. Both of these approaches can work, so you’ll need to pick the right one based on the details of your situation.

Don’t Be Distracted

When you first walk through a home that is for sale on the Edmonton real estate market, you might be impressed with its appearance. Everything has been cared for nicely, the surfaces are clean and tidy, and the landscaping around the home is kept up as well. All in all, the home looks to be in great shape. Unfortunately, this first impression does not necessarily reflect the actual condition of the home.

Many homebuyers have made the mistake of thinking that a home which looks great to the naked eye doesn’t need to be inspected. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is possible that issues are developing behind the scenes, without the homeowners knowing about any problems. Or, it is possible that the homeowners do know about some issues, and they are hoping to sell the home to someone who won’t bother with an inspection. Either way, you don’t want to find yourself in a position where you buy a home based on its appearance only to discover later that the structure has serious problems which will be expensive to correct.

The Other Side of the Coin

So far, we have been talking about home inspections from the perspective of a buyer. But what if you are the seller? Does it make sense to pay for an inspection of your own home before you sell it? Believe it or not, this might be a good idea, depending on your circumstances.

The main benefit here is avoiding those adjustments to an offer that we discussed earlier. If you have already had an inspection performed, and you have taken care of the issues that come up, it is likely that a buyer’s inspection will come up clean. That means you won’t have to accept any reductions to the offers you receive, and you may wind up making more money in the end.

When a home is going to change hands, an inspection should not be seen as an optional part of the process. There are huge benefits attached to having an inspection performed, and the cost of bringing in a professional to do the job are relatively low. With so much money at stake for both parties, opting for an inspection is an easy choice.

Looking for more advice on buying an Edmonton home and where to find a great home inspector? The TruHome Real Estate team can assist you with this and more! Let’s chat.

When you get deep into the process of buying a property, you will start to deal with some topics that you may not have been familiar with previously. For instance, the subject of Real Property Reports and Title Insurance will likely come up. What are these? Is one better than the other? Are they necessary when you are purchasing (or selling) a home? Let’s take a closer look to provide you with some clarity on the matter.

The Basics

First up, we’ll talk about Real Property Reports. These are legal documents that provide critical information about the property in question. Specifically, they will outline the precise boundaries of the property, along with the location of any buildings (known as improvements). Rather than just assuming that you know where a given property begins and ends, the Real Property Report will take any guesswork out of the equation. You will be able to look at this document and confirm that the property is exactly what you believed it to be.

Title insurance is a little different. As the name ‘insurance would indicate, there is some protection that comes along with this policy. If you have title insurance, you are protected in the case that some of the improvements on a property do not actually comply with zoning laws. You may just assume that a property you purchase will be in compliance with the local laws, but that might not be the case. When you carry title insurance, you may have financial protection if you have to make changes to your property in order to become compliant with the laws.

It might help to walk through an example to better illustrate this concept. Let’s imagine you purchase a property with two different structures (improvements) on the land. One of the structures is the main home, while the other is a shed/storage building. There is nothing wrong with the home from a zoning perspective, but you find out later that you are not allowed to have an additional building in the location of the shed. That means the shed must come down, and completing such a project is not cheap. Without title insurance, you would be stuck to foot the bill all on your own. If you do have title insurance in place, your policy should cover the cost of bringing your property up to code.

Not the Same Thing

It should be clear by this point in the article that Real Property Reports and title insurance are not the same thing. They do deal with the same general subject – making sure the property that you purchase is compliant with local zoning requirements – but they perform their functions differently. The Real Property Report is just that – a report. It doesn’t provide you with any coverage, but it does provide you with valuable information. With title insurance, the story is the opposite. You really aren’t learning anything about your property, but you are getting coverage in case something comes up down the line.

Time is a Factor

One of the things to consider when thinking about Real Property Reports and title insurance is the fact that getting an RPR takes time. You might not be able to get one quickly, so the entire process of purchasing a home could be delayed as a result. And, if you as the buyer request an RPR, you could be at a disadvantage compared to other potential buyers. If the homeowner has other offers, and one of those offers doesn’t ask for an RPR, you may lose out on the home altogether. In theory, a seller should have a valid RPR available as it considered a normal closing document, however, this is not always the case.

The beauty of title insurance is the speed. You or the seller will have to pay for this policy, however once purchased, you should be able to close your deal promptly, without any delays. In addition to providing coverage for issues that would come up during the creation of a Real Property Report, title insurance also provides coverage that goes beyond the scope of an RPR. So, even with an RPR in hand, there is still an argument to be made for purchasing title insurance.

Not an Either-Or Situation

You don’t have to pick between one or the other in this discussion. There is plenty of room for Real Property Reports and title insurance to exist side-by-side. In fact, that is often the best solution in the end. The Real Property Report serves a valuable purpose, and it can give home buyers important peace of mind as they make an offer and prepare to close a deal. However, title insurance has its own peace of mind to offer, and it lasts for the entire duration that the buyer owns the property in question.

As is always the case in real estate, every situation is unique. If you are getting ready to make an offer on an Edmonton home, you will want to think about the details of your situation before deciding how to proceed on this part of the deal. For example, if you are buying a property that has a recent RPR in place, and there are no obvious trouble spots to worry about with regard to zoning, you may feel comfortable going without title insurance. Or, if there is no RPR and you don’t want to delay the sale by asking for one, you might opt for title insurance to hopefully cover your bases. It is impossible to provide advice that would apply to all situations, since each real estate transaction is different. If you have questions, your agent and lawyer are great resources for information.

When you enter the home buying process, it is important to have as much information on your side as possible. Real Property Reports and title insurance might not be the most important part of making a deal, but they do matter. If you have any remaining questions, speak with your agent about the pros and cons of having an updated  RPR, as well as the pros and cons of carrying title insurance. In the end, make the decision that gives you a good feeling about the purchase as a whole.

TruHome is a local Edmonton real estate team: hyper engaged in the city of yeg and here to help you with all your buying and selling needs. Let’s chat!

It’s almost tax time again so let’s look at the First-Time Home Buyer’s Credit. It’s a fairly simple process and you can claim $5000 if you meet these two standards in 2017: (according to the Government of Canada)

• you or your spouse or common-law partner acquired a qualifying home; and
• you did not live in another home owned by you or your spouse or common-law partner in the year of acquisition or in any of the four preceding years (first-time home buyer).

Qualifying home means…

“registered in your and/or your spouse’s or common-law partner’s name in accordance with the applicable land registration system and it must be located in Canada. It includes existing homes and homes under construction.”

The following are considered qualifying homes:

• single-family houses;
• semi-detached houses;
• townhouses;
• mobile homes;
• condominium units; and
• apartments in duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, or apartment buildings.

If you’re unsure of whether you qualify or just want more information, be sure to read more HERE.

Today really touched our hearts with Joan getting the keys to her new Fort Saskatchewan condo. One of our favourite opportunities is when we get to work with clients who are looking to downsize. This is ultimately a very big decision in ones life and there is always the debate of whether to list first or find the right property to move into first. Our job is to make this journey as fun and stress-free as possible. Often times these purchases involve the whole family, which means we not only get the pleasure of meeting our buyer, but we also get to work with their partners or adult-kids through out the process as well. Such a big moment in ones life and we are always truly honoured when we get the chance to be part of this journey.

Views for days, we hope Joan has many happy days and beautiful new memories here!

Interested in learning about downsizing, age restricted Edmonton condos and buying an Edmonton & Area condo? Let’s chat! 

The best feeling in the world is when you get the opportunity to help first time home buyers, especially when they are looking at homes in some of our most favourite Edmonton neighbourhoods. Kaylee and Justin were so upbeat and optimistic through out the process and we really had a lot of fun going out searching for the right home for them. The community of Woodcroft is such a great choice for them, especially the investment opportunity of the legal basement suite. Woodcroft offers close proximity to downtown, is kid friendly and features beautiful tree lined streets. This neighbourhood is a great option for first time home buyers or growing families, especially with it’s affordable average sale price of $393,473 for 2017.

Looking to buy a home in Woodcroft or would like to learn more about this gorgeous community? Search all Woodcroft homes here.

This buyer encompasses everything about Core Living. Her interests in hyper-local, downtown core businesses and community made this purchase in Parkdale the ideal fit.  The cutest home on a mature street, with access to the ever bustling and forever expanding Alberta Avenue will stand out in my memory for a long time.  Quick access to downtown, and long-standing residents that not only take pride in their homes but also enjoy the restoration of them and not just the infill opportunities truly make Parkdale the ideal spot.