Downtown Edmonton is loved by residents and visitors alike for its forests, pathways and parks along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River.

Most downtown Edmonton condo properties come in under $1 Million, with some entry level units in older buildings in the low six figures. Living here, you’ll find quick access to exciting night spots, world class cuisine, coffee shops and bars galore, arts, fashion, culture and more.

There are five districts in the zone: Commercial Core, Government Centre, Warehouse District, McKay Avenue and Rice Howard Way.

There’s also an exciting new arrival on the skyline: The Pearl. It’s topped by a condo with this description: “On the market at $2,295,000, this 3,476-square-foot Edmonton penthouse is situated at the top of a 36-storey masterpiece offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city."

Keep watching the news for updates on Canada’s mortgage regulations.

On February 18, Bill Morneau, Canada’s Minister of Finance, unveiled changes to the “stress test” that were scheduled to come into effect on April 6. “The new benchmark rate will be the weekly median 5-year fixed insured mortgage rate from mortgage insurance applications, plus 2%,” he announced at the time. These changes are now on hold, pending further review as a result of the current COVID-19 situation.

Industry experts had recently suggested the “stress test rate” be adjusted to make it easier for people qualifying for mortgages. The Canadian government heard them and had initially acted on their recommendations. The basic idea behind the stress test? Even if interest rates rise or you run into financial difficulties, you’re approved for an amount you’d still have a good shot at paying back.

For information on federal and provincial financial support right now if you need it, please visit Canada.ca (Government of Canada) and alberta.ca (Government of Alberta) websites where you’ll find information regarding COVID-19 on each home page.

Upscale by downsizing
Selling a single family home and moving to a condo can give you a whole new lease on life! When the hectic years of raising a family flow into the tranquility of retired or semi-retired empty-nesting-for-two, your equity can go a long way. And this switch to condo ownership can work for all generations, not just retirees. Downsizing to a cozy and secure condo can free up money while simultaneously upgrading your lifestyle.

Minimal maintenance – No shovel required
In condo land, there’s no grass to cut and no exterior maintenance. As a condo owner, you can watch the work happen while you continue with what you do for a living. Also, the work you actually do yourself (cleaning and minor repairs) isn’t going to take as long as it might in a mansion.

Awesome amenities – Gyms, pools, patios, parties
The condo lifestyle can be as active as you want it to be, with plenty of options via amenities. Work out in gyms. Attend yoga sessions. Swim. Relax on the patios. When the timing is right again, organize parties! Great amenities have become important selling features of urban complexes everywhere.

Community – Exciting shared experiences
Living in a condo development during non-crisis times, you’ll often meet an interesting, varied assortment of neighbours. Most of the time, sharing “community space” in condo developments tends to be a great experience for all. At the moment, please exercise caution.

Affordability – Entry level price points
While condos in high density urban zones like New York City and London can be pricey, most condos aren’t. In Western Canada, many outstanding condos can be found, around town, at reasonable entry-level price points for first-timers.

1. A wave of new buyers.

Spring brings an enormous wave of new buyers into the marketplace, looking for homes. These are both first-timers – many of them Millennials – and people re-sizing (either up or down as their families grow or the nest empties). They come out of hibernation on a Spring mission to upgrade their lifestyles, putting in long hours in the sunshine, looking for their next perfect home. If you’ve had your property on the market for a while, this makes it a whole new game and your best chance to close a sale. If you’ve been thinking of listing, price it right and do it now.

2. Homes show better.

With the extended daylight hours and warmer temperatures, snowbanks melt and the landscape gets greener. Because of this, homes simply “show better” in the Spring. To stage for the season, try adding flowerboxes and plants around your front entrance (see our next article for a grower’s head-start). Without question, planters can make your home more appealing to prospects. Give your property a thorough Spring cleaning. Minimize clutter and let some of the outdoors into your home, if possible. Everything should look bright and fresh, including your chances for a sale.

3. Prices spike and often peak.

This could be because people get money back from Revenue Canada in April/May. It might be because they’re more inclined to spend large sums of money during the invigorating Spring season of renewal. Or, most likely, it’s because of the wave. With more people out looking for a home in the Spring, there’s more competition for homes and a much greater sense of urgency. Heightened demand can lead to bidding wars that drive up prices.

4. Days on Market gets shorter.

As days get longer, time to sell gets shorter! Historically, homes sell faster during the Spring months than most other times of year. With more people out looking (and for more hours every day), they’re often seeing each other at showings. To avoid being out-bid on “perfect homes,” buyers tend to make their offers – and close on their purchases – faster in the Spring. Quick sales and higher sale prices tend to happen together at this time of year.

5. Moving is more fun.

If you have children in school, finding a new home in the Spring means you’ll probably be moving into it after the school year ends. A move during the more leisurely days of summer is simply more relaxing. It can even be fun. Fall and winter moves, by contrast, can coincide with horrendous weather, making it a miserable proposition. And even though we have Spring blizzards in Western Canada, the snow usually melts quickly and moves are more manageable.