Edmonton Real Estate - Peter Kubiczek

Friday, June 11, 2010 - REALTORSÃ?Â® face relaxed housing market with stable pricing

Edmonton, June 2, 2010: The housing market was relaxed in May with slightly lower sales than last year and prices generally stable. Despite the sales drop, the current sales figures compare favourably with levels set in 2008. “Financial incentives, changes to mortgage qualifying rules and the threat of increasing mortgage rates caused the local market to peak a little earlier this year,” said Larry Westergard, president of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. “Many buyers ex ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:52:06 -0600

Monday, March 29, 2010 - Interest on the rise

Two banks have moved their fixed rates. 5 year fixed rates are up as much as 60bps from 5.25% to 5.85%. I suggest getting any preapprovals or real deals in asap. Have a great day! RBC, TD hike mortgage rates http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/03/29/mortgage-rates-up.html Other banks expected to follow suit Last Updated: Monday, March 29, 2010 | 10:24 AM ET Comments44 Recommend43 Full Article...

posted in General at Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:47:22 -0600

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1/4 per cent

Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1/4 per cent and reiterates conditional commitment to hold current policy rate until the end of the second quarter of 2010 OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1/4 per cent. The Bank Rate is unchanged at 1/2 per cent and the deposit rate is 1/4 per cent. The ongoing global economic recovery is being driven largely by strong domestic demand growth in many emerging-market economie ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:21:39 -0700

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - Using Text messaging to promote your home

TxT2Look's technology and mobile marketing service, available 24/7, responds automatically to requests for detailed property information from potential buyers. The agent simply adds a sign rider with a property identification code and a short code to their For Sale sign. The cell phone user sends a text message such as "prop123" to the advertised code "25665" and within seconds TxT2Look delivers detailed property information to their cell phone. The agent controls the information in the downloa ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:47:15 -0700

Sunday, December 27, 2009 - Existing home sales activity remains strong in November

According to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association, existing home sales activity remained upbeat in November 2009. The current strength of housing demand stands in sharp contrast to weak activity recorded one year ago. A total of 36,383 residential properties traded hands via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of Canadian real estate boards in November 2009. Up 73 per cent from year-ago levels, activity was down just four tenths of a per cent from the highest level of ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:42:33 -0700

Sunday, December 27, 2009 - Consumer confidence in Canada ends on stronger footing

National consumer confidence ended the year 2009 on a stronger footing compared to pre-recession levels, despite having edged down slightly the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter. According to the Conference Board of Canada’s index of consumer confidence, confidence eased slightly in the fourth quarter for the first time in three quarterly periods. The decrease in confidence reflects weakening sentiment about making major purchases. The balance of sentiment about making major p ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:40:45 -0700

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - Existing home sales activity remains strong in November

OTTAWA – December 15th, 2009 – According to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association, existing home sales activity remained upbeat in November 2009. The current strength of housing demand stands in sharp contrast to weak activity recorded one year ago. A total of 36,383 residential properties traded hands via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of Canadian real estate boards in November 2009. Up 73 per cent from year-ago levels, activity was down just four tenth ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:58:43 -0700

Sunday, December 13, 2009 - Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate

Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1/4 per cent and reiterates conditional commitment to hold current policy rate until the end of the second quarter of 2010 OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1/4 per cent. The Bank Rate is unchanged at 1/2 per cent and the deposit rate is 1/4 per cent. While significant fragilities remain, global economic developments have been slightly more positive and the global outlook has ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:41:05 -0700

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Green

Hello All in Edmonton, Below is a list of all the Speed on Green & Red light cameras in Edmonton. Red light and speed on Green violations* • 34 Avenue WB at 91 Street • 91 Street SB at 34 Avenue • 170 Street NB at 95 Avenue • 104 Avenue EB at 109 Street • Yellowhead Trail EB at 149 Street • 127 Street NB at Yellowhead Trail • 50 Street SB at 137 Avenue • 82 Street NB at 153 Avenue • Yellowhead Trail WB at 107 Street • 170 Street SB at Stony Pla ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:46:51 -0700

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Homes sales hit record high; outlook upgraded

Homes sales hit record high; outlook upgraded John Morrissy, Financial Post OTTAWA -- Home sales hit a new record high in October, leading the Canadian Real Estate Association to boost its outlook for 2009 and 2010. Resale home activity was up 41.5% in the month, reaching a total of 42,288 units. On a seasonally adjusted basis, homes sold on the Multiple Listing Service totalled 45,818 units in October. "Low interest rates and upbeat consumer confidence continue to release the pent-up demand th ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:18:28 -0700

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Variable-Rate Mortgages: 3- or 5-Year?

This great article from Canadian Mortgage Trends certainly supports the new MERIX 3 year ARM at Prime-.25%. Variable-Rate Mortgages: 3- or 5-Year? November 16, 2009 We ve seen a noticeable increase in the number of people making variable-rate mortgage inquires. Perhaps it s because the media keeps reiterating how the Bank of Canada won t be upping rates until at least Q3 of next year. Whatever the case, the popular options for closed variable-rate mortgages have been: • 3-year variables ne ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:17:57 -0700

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Rapid rebound fuels fears of housing bubble

Garry Marr, Financial Post Canadian existing home prices are now rising at a pace not seen in 20 years, fueling talk that a bubble may be forming in the market. The average price of a home sold last month was $341,079, a 20.7% increase from a year ago, the Ottawa-based Canadian Real Estate Association said Monday. Sales also continued to climb with 42,288 units trading hands, a 41% jump from October, 2008. At the same time that demand continues to surge and interest rates remain at historic lo ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:17:17 -0700

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - 'Everything for sale at a price'

Rick Spence, Financial Post Maybe there are just two types of entrepreneurs: those who stand ready to sell their companies at a moment's notice, and those who think of their businesses as intensely personal achievements, fused to their skills, their self-image, and their hopes and dreams. Both types showed up at an all-star business panel in Toronto last week organized by WXN, the Women's Executive Network, to discuss the buying and selling of businesses. The participants included two brawler ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:16:35 -0700

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Canadian Banks Cut Rate

THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO - Several of Canada's big banks said Wednesday they would cut their posted rates for fixed-rate mortgages by up to 0.25 percentage points. The Royal Bank (TSX:RY) cut its rates for one, two and three-year closed mortgages by 0.20 percentage points, effective Thursday. Canada's largest bank cut is posted five-year closed rate by 0.15 percentage points to 5.59 per cent, while its special five-year closed rate was cut by the same amounted to 4.29 per cent. Bank of Montre ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:15:20 -0700

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - Calgary's house, condo sales up

Oct 27, 2009 — For the sixth consecutive month, MLS residential sales in Calgary have increased from year-ago levels in both the single-family home and condominium markets, another sign the local real estate market has rebounded from its malaise earlier in the year. The strength of the market can also be seen in average house prices. Today, single-family homes, for example, are selling in the neighbourhood of $50,000 more than they were in January.

posted in General at Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:54 -0600

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1/4 per cent and reiterates

Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1/4 per cent and reiterates conditional commitment to hold current policy rate until the end of the second quarter of 2010 OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1/4 per cent. The Bank Rate is unchanged at 1/2 per cent and the deposit rate is 1/4 per cent. Recent indicators point to the start of a global recovery from a deep, synchronous recession. Global economic and financial dev ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:15:54 -0600

Thursday, October 15, 2009 - Canadian Housing Continues Turnaround

Canadian housing sales continued their remarkable turnaround, recording the best third quarter ever on record. The Canadian Real Estate Association, which represents about 100 boards across the country, also said prices are now beginning to follow sales. The average national sales price in the third quarter was $327,736, an 11% increase from a year ago. Prices increases are getting bigger. The Ottawa-based group said the average Canadian sale price of a home last month was $331,602, a 13.6% inc ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:50:27 -0600

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - Bank of Canada wonâ??t follow Australiaâ??s rate hike: CIBC

The Reserve Bank of Australia surprised markets when it hiked interest rates this week, but CIBC World Markets Inc. says that doesn’t mean that Canada is close behind. After the surprise move, “the money market reaction was greater in Canada than it was down under,” CIBC observes, noting that, “Global investors tend to lump the two countries together as commodities exporting, dollar-bloc economies, and viewed Australia’s move as a harbinger of things to come here. ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:40:27 -0600

Friday, October 9, 2009 - Moving and Storage Made Easy

Welcome RE/MAX Affiliates So, you're moving down the street, clear across the map, or maybe you need storage. Either way, PODS® is here to help you move and store. We keep it simple by combining the perks of doing-it-yourself with the help of a reliable company. Moving Pack at your own pace Ground-level loading No renting or driving a truck Storage Secure, clean Storage Center Lock it, and you keep the key Pack once—no repacking Special Offer For RE/MAX Clients 10% off Local moves & ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:31:25 -0600

Friday, October 9, 2009 - CURRENT ECONOMIC INDICATORS

According to some recent statistics, Alberta is still leading Canada in a few very important economic metrics. Over the past 12 months Alberta let the country in population growth, adding 2.7% for a total just over 3.6 million people. Compared to a Canada wide population increase of 1.2% and the next highest province (BC) having a 1.7% increase, Alberta is still growing at a strong pace. In terms of interprovincial migration, Alberta is faring quite well. While all other provinces have had nega ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:26:06 -0600

Friday, October 9, 2009 - HOMEOWNER TIPS

Five Tips to Help Prepare Your Home for Winter: 1. Furnace Inspection. Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts. Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly. 2. Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows. Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes – seal them. Use weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows. 3. Inspect Roof, Gutters and Downspouts. Replace worn roof shingles or ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:23:35 -0600

Friday, October 9, 2009 - Beware of Mortgage or Title Fraud

In a time where identity theft and Ponzi schemes are plastered across the daily news, the last thing you want to worry about is yet another way to lose your hard-earned money. But as a homeowner, you need to be aware of crimes on the rise known as mortgage fraud and real estate title fraud. Mortgage Fraud The most common type of mortgage fraud involves a criminal obtaining a property, then increasing its value through a series of sales and resales involving the fraudster and someone working in ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:22:40 -0600

Friday, October 9, 2009 - Hot housing market could fuel rate hike: report

The possibility of a stronger-than-expected Canadian real estate market may impact the course of monetary policy in Canada, TD Bank economists say. In a research note issued Tuesday, TD economists say that the housing market is an upside risk factor worth keeping an eye on as far as the Bank of Canada is concerned. Recently, home prices have rebounded, but the Bank of Canada expects this strength to be temporary. However, if the rebound proves stronger than anticipated, TD suggests that the ce ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:20:07 -0600

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - CURRENT ECONOMIC

According to some recent statistics, Alberta is still leading Canada in a few very important economic metrics. Over the past 12 months Alberta let the country in population growth, adding 2.7% for a total just over 3.6 million people. Compared to a Canada wide population increase of 1.2% and the next highest province (BC) having a 1.7% increase, Alberta is still growing at a strong pace. In terms of interprovincial migration, Alberta is faring quite well. While all other provinces have had nega ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:35:32 -0600

Thursday, September 24, 2009 - Global economic recovery underway, says TD economists

Bank raises 2010 global forecast to 3.8% growth TD Bank Financial Group has revised its forecast for how much the global economy will grow in 2010 by a full percentage point, to 3.8%. “The global economic recovery is underway, and worries about a double-dip recession will likely prove unfounded,” TD chief economist Don Drummond wrote in the bank's quarterly economic report on Wednesday. The report notes that real estate markets that were the epicentre of the financial crisis in t ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:06:18 -0600

Monday, September 14, 2009 - Clear signals of recovery now visible:

Clear signals of recovery now visible: OECD Canada’s composite leading indicators rise 1.3 points in July Clear signals of recovery are now visible in all of the G7 economies, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said in its September update of composite leading indicators. The update, released on Friday, showed that the composite for the OECD area increased by 1.5 points in July 2009, putting it 1.9 points lower than its July 2008 level. The composite leading indi ... Full Article...

posted in General at Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:23:56 -0600

Thursday, May 14, 2009 - May 2009 Real Estate Newsletter

Just uploaded the May 2009 Real Estate Newsletter, take a look or download and print many interesting topics with current market statistics and summary provided by the Edmonton Realtor Association. if you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail fell free to e-mail me at peter@kubiczekteam.com

posted in General at Thu, 14 May 2009 15:01:09 -0600

Friday, May 1, 2009 - Foreclosures in Alberta - Protecting Yourself

Foreclosures in Alberta - Protecting Yourself (City), AB – April __, 2009. (Local Board) and the Alberta Real Estate Association offer advice to consumers looking to pick up a deal on foreclosed properties and those who may be worried about their own property going into foreclosure. “We are seeing more advertising now about foreclosed properties,” says (local board rep.) “It’s in the newspapers, on television and even on Facebook.” While some ads are local, s ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 01 May 2009 09:29:24 -0600

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - Existing MLSÂ® home sales activity increased

Existing MLS® home sales activity increased for the second month in a row in March 2009, according to statistics released by CREA. The number of new listings also continued trending lower in March, which firmed up the balance of supply to demand. A seasonally adjusted total of 31,135 homes traded hands nationally via the MLS® in March 2009. This is an increase of 7% from the previous month, and builds on the 10.3% activity gain in February. The number of transactions in March 2009 stands 18% a ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:40:23 -0600

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 - Bank of Canada lowers overnight rate

Bank of Canada lowers overnight rate target by 1/4 percentage point to 1/4 per cent and, conditional on the inflation outlook, commits to hold current policy rate until the end of the second quarter of 2010 OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada today announced that it is lowering its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of a percentage point to 1/4 per cent, which the Bank judges to be the effective lower bound for that rate. The Bank Rate is correspondingly lowered to 1/2 per cent. The deposit r ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:50:54 -0600

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 - OTTAWA - Will they or won't they?

OTTAWA - Will they or won't they? With the Bank of Canada's key lending rate already a historic low 0.5 per cent, the country's central monetary policy-makers are facing the decision of whether to reduce further in an attempt to stimulate the economy, or end the cycle of rate cutting that began in October. The Bank of Canada is slated to make an announcement on interest rates Tuesday morning. The consensus of analysts polled by Reuters is that the rate will be left unchanged, which would be t ... Full Article...

posted in General at Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:50:56 -0600

Monday, April 20, 2009 - Affordability Index

While the Canadian housing market has felt the strain of the contraction in the domestic economy since the fourth quarter of 2008, improved housing affordability is mitigating some of the stress felt by home buyers, according to the latest housing report released Thursday by RBC Economics. “Declining consumer confidence amid dimming employment prospects and the turmoil in credit markets have had a predictable impact on Canada’s housing markets -- home sales have dropped; prices hav ... Full Article...

posted in General at Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:59:56 -0600

Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Skyscrapers are getting taller

Skyscrapers are getting taller Despite the economic downturn, The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) says 2008 was the single most successful year for tall building construction in history, both in terms of skyscrapers built and average height achieved. Furthermore, iconic structures are expected to continue to rise across the globe, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, to the point that the world’s current tallest building – the Taipei 101 – is likely t ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:11:46 -0600

Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Poll asks what women want in home

Poll asks what women want in home Women who have purchased a home say financial security, a backyard or garden and a quiet and private space to themselves are the best things about home ownership, according to a TD Canada Trust poll. Forty-three per cent of women say financial security is the best thing about home ownership, followed by having a backyard or garden (35 per cent) and having a quiet, private space to themselves (34 per cent). The poll, which reveals behaviours and attitudes of C ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:08:46 -0600

Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Greenrealestate: Energy audits a success in England

Greenrealestate: Energy audits a success in England Canada’s largest province has made it clear that mandatory home energy audits will soon be a fact of life in the Ontario real estate market. So far, the positive response this announced legislation has received indicates that sooner or later other jurisdictions in Canada will likely follow. The legislation itself is hardly unprecedented – other jurisdictions such as Germany and the United Kingdom have already implemented mandatory ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:01:32 -0600

Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Canadians still intend to buy - poll

Canadians still intend to buy - poll Sixty-five per cent of Canadians think it’s a buyers’ market right now and more than a quarter of those surveyed say they intend to purchase a home during over the next two years, says the 16th Annual RBC Homeownership Survey. The number of people who say they will buy within the next two years is up four points from 23 per cent in 2008. Almost half of those surveyed say it makes more sense to buy a home now than waiting until next year. The RB ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:00:32 -0600

Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Re/Max teams with home staging expert

Re/Max teams with home staging expert Re/Max has teamed with home staging expert Carla Woolnough to help educate home sellers about ways to make their home more marketable. Woolnough is host of the DVD series How to Stage Your Own Home and owner of Nex-Step Design. The Re/Max initiative, Fit to Sell, encourages homeowners to increase their stake in the home-selling process by working with their real estate professional to bring their home to the market. “Sellers are no longer in the dri ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:58:26 -0600

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - Home-renovation sector sees silver lining

Home-renovation sector sees silver lining Landscapers expect a boost in projects, thanks to HRTC Despite continuing reports of economic doom and gloom, Canadians are not closing the door on home renovations. "Generally our renovators are optimistic in most areas of the country about their prospects for this coming year," says Don Johnston, senior director of technology and policy for the national office of the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) in Ottawa. "In terms of the coming year, ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:35:44 -0600

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - Spring home maintenance tips

Spring home maintenance tipsIf you're like most Canadians, your home is probably your most important investment. It's also the place where you and your family tend to spend a great deal of time. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can help you protect that investment for years to come, and help keep your home – and your family – healthy, safe and sound all year round. This spring, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a short checklist of simple inspections and r ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:22:28 -0600

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - Economists forecast interest rates will remain lower at least for the coming

Economists forecast interest rates will remain lower at least for the comingUnder current conditions , only after you think about what house prices, your credit rating and your employment status will be down the line should you worry about where interest rates will be in one, three or five years. Economists expect rates to remain low for a year or so, then rise 2% to 3% as the effect of stimulus packages cause an increase in the consumer price index. A major aspect of the fixed-variable decisio ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:37:41 -0600

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - Credit access looks to be improving

Credit access looks to be improvingOTTAWA -- Signs emerged on Tuesday that banks and other market players might have enough credit at their disposal for the time being, as simultaneous auctions held by the Bank of Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. aimed at pumping additional liquidity went under subscribed. Analysts said this is the latest sign that Canadian efforts to improve credit access during this financial crisis are working. "The [market] does not have as much pressing need fo ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:32:24 -0600

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - Low rates not the only factor

Low rates not the only factorAs mortgage rates remain low, homeowners looking to renew their mortgages can get some great deals. However, those people who are hoping to secure a good rate are also likely to be assessing their own wider financial well-being, what with increasing job losses, stock-market routs and the recession. "If you [are] in a market sector that may be subject to layoffs or you believe that your employer may have issues and may not be there for you tomorrow, you may want to a ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:22:47 -0600

Thursday, April 2, 2009 - Stocks rise on G20 optimism

Stocks rise on G20 optimism Stock markets registered sharp gains for a third day in a row today as the rally received another shot of momentum from positive news at the G20 conference and a change to U.S. accounting rules that had forced banks to value their assets at current prices. Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index rose 131.32 points to 9,073.14. The strong showing extended a rally that started March 10 that has lifted the TSX 20 per cent higher – and into positive territory year to ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:58:59 -0600

Thursday, April 2, 2009 - First quarter housing prices hover around $350,000

First quarter housing prices hover around $350,000 Edmonton, April 2, 2009: The average* price of single family homes in the Edmonton area has hovered around the $350,000 mark for the first quarter of this year, reported the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. At the beginning of January the average price for a SFD was $351,870. The price varied slightly and at the end of March the average SFD price was $349,716, up 0.7% from the previous month. Condo prices were a little more volatile but popp ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:50:40 -0600

Thursday, April 2, 2009 - Migration is up

In the last quarter of 2008, 6,198 people packed up their belongings and moved to Alberta which brings the province’s population to 3,632,483 as of January 1. Alberta was the only province with substantial interprovincial migration: BC came in next with 1,453 new residents according to statistics compiled by Statistics Canada, CMHC and the Conference Board of Canada. Now that our newest residents have been in the province for a while and have secured stable jobs and lifestyles, they are ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:22:55 -0600

Friday, March 13, 2009 - Edmonton Stats from March 1 to March 13, 2009

MLS® Daily MTD Activity for March 2009 Value of Solds Sold Units Average Sold Price New Listings Active Listings RESIDENTIAL Single Family(House) 122,974,988 353 348,371 753 4,376 Single Family(Condo) 36,084,237 153 235,844 371 2,575 Residential(Other) 8,793,400 34 258,629 ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:27:58 -0600

Friday, March 13, 2009 - Another Leaky Basement

Another Leaky Basement Cases regarding leaky basements are quite common. In this case, the new owner was not successful in claiming damages against the former owner. A summary of the law in this area: Where there is a hidden or latent defect, the new owner may have a claim against the previous owner. However, it is up to the new owner to prove the previous owner knew about the defect or problem. The seller has a duty to disclose known defects that are hidden or latent. Failure to do so consti ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:06:29 -0600

Friday, March 13, 2009 - You can outsell a FSBO (Part 2)

Realtors outsell a FSBO (Part 2) Who offers the most choice? There are over 7,000 homes listed for sale in Edmonton on the MLS®. With over 1,000 sales a month that is a six month supply. And over 2,400 more homes are listed each month. The REALTOR® can keep up because MLXchange is updated every three minutes and lists all homes currently available for sale through the Edmonton and Calgary MLS®. The average home is on the MLS® for less than 70 days and many properties sell in less than a month ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:04:24 -0600

Monday, March 9, 2009 - Two Strongest Provinces

Hot Topics in Economics Regular short commentaries from our economics team. Canada’s New Economic Powerhouse Mario Lefebvre Director Centre for Municipal Studies Let me tell you one of the most incredible Canadian economic success stories of the past decade. I like to think that the economists of The Conference Board of Canada have an enviable reputation. Yet, if any one of us had predicted what could potentially unfold in 2009, I strongly believe that our credibility would have been ... Full Article...

posted in General at Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:52:02 -0600

Saturday, February 21, 2009 - Why are you Renting ?

If you are on the fence about home ownership or renting, take a look at my website under For buyers heading and drop down to rent-to-own. There you will find unquestionable information on advantages of becoming a home owner. Just consider the fact that if you are currently paying $ 1600 per month, at the end of 10 years you would have payed your landlord over $ 253,000, and nothing to show for it except receits.

posted in General at Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:31:07 -0700

Saturday, February 21, 2009 - Government Programs

Please have a look at the page Government Programs which contains printable application forms as well as direct links to federal government website, which contain specific grants, rebates and renovation programs available to home owners and investors.

posted in General at Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:25:02 -0700

Friday, February 20, 2009 - Canadian Government Buys Mortgages

Canada Buys C$2.34 Bln of Mortgages to Aid New Loans (Update2) By Greg Quinn Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) -- The Canadian government bought C$2.34 billion ($1.86 billion) of mortgages from banks, less than the C$7 billion it offered to buy, as part of a program to purchase as much as C$125 billion of the securities and encourage new bank lending. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., a state-run agency, announced the purchase today on its Web site. The transaction is aimed at helping banks fund new loans ... Full Article...

posted in General at Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:25:47 -0700

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - City expands opportunities for Secondary Suites

The City of Edmonton has taken another big step towards making more affordable housing available by allowing more secondary suites in mature neighbourhoods. “The City is taking action on this issue, giving more homeowners the option of building a suite in their basement or elsewhere on their property,” says Peter Ohm, Manager, Land Use Policy Planning Branch. “We are also protecting renters by ensuring secondary suites are up to proper building and fire codes.” New suite ... Full Article...

posted in General at Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:48:50 -0700

Monday, February 9, 2009 - New Market Newsletter

I just added my market newsletter for February 2009, you can find one for print or download under Blog and News and drop down to newsletters. Good luck and i hope you will enjoy this months edition, if you have any questions, comments or concern please let me know at 780-456-6300

posted in General at Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:16:31 -0700

Sunday, January 18, 2009 - Re/Max Western Canada Forecast

Threat of global recession to hinder home sales in major Canadian housing markets in 2008 and 2009, says RE/MAX Recovery linked to economic stability next year Global economic uncertainty weighed heavily on residential real estate activity in most major Canadian centres during the latter half of 2008. Although the forecast for 2009 promises more of the same, most markets are expected to weather the storm, says RE/MAX. Housing market performance will clearly be contingent on economic perform ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:25:21 -0700

Sunday, January 18, 2009 -

Threat of global recession to hinder home sales in major Canadian housing markets in 2008 and 2009, says RE/MAX Recovery linked to economic stability next year Global economic uncertainty weighed heavily on residential real estate activity in most major Canadian centres during the latter half of 2008. Although the forecast for 2009 promises more of the same, most markets are expected to weather the storm, says RE/MAX. Housing market performance will clearly be contingent on economic perform ... Full Article...

posted in General at Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:25:20 -0700

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - January Market Newsletter

My January Real Estate Market Newsletter has just been e-mail to our client database. If you would like to read this newsletter you can find it from a direct link on the bottom of the HOME page, or you can contact me directly at 780-456-6300 or e-mail peter@kubiczekteam.com and ask to be put on our client mailout list. You will be contacted via e-mail with my monthly newsletter, just listed, important buyera nd seller reports, special offers and promotions as well as new advertising compaigns. ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:21:55 -0700

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - Re/Max and Google, great partnership

RE/MAX launched a new Internet strategy using Google Analytics. The RE/MAX franchise network is a global real estate system operating in 62 countries with more than 5,800 independently owned offices and 114,000 member sales associates who lead the industry in providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, relocation, and asset management. "We will be able to capture leads, pass them directly to our agents, and track and measure our lead to sale conversion rate. This will ... Full Article...

posted in General at Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:14:25 -0700

Monday, January 12, 2009 - Divorce Special Report

Divorce is a tough situation which opens up many emotional and financial issues to be solved. One of the most important decisions is what to do about the house. In the midst of the heavy emotional and financial turmoil, what you need most is some non-emotional, straightforward, specific answers.

posted in General at Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:30:56 -0700

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - The New Website!

Today marks the first day of the new website. The new site offers a wealth of fresh industry information that's constantly being updated. Have a great time checking it out!

posted in General at Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:52:04 -0700