There are several big picture issues that are influencing the real estate market in Alberta, positive and negative.  On the positive side, oil prices are up again and there appears to be some good news on the pipeline front – Kinder Morgan still in progress rather than stopped completely, Enbridge’s Line 9 has received further approvals in the U.S (although there are still some regulatory hurdles) and even the long-delayed Keystone appears to be making headway.  And, for the first time in three years, Alberta experienced a positive net interprovincial population increase in the first quarter of 2018.

On the negative side, the escalating trade war between Canada and the U.S. is causing some real financial stress for some, but more importantly,

There are several big picture issues that are influencing the real estate market in Alberta, positive and negative.  On the positive side, oil prices are up again and there appears to be some good news on the pipeline front – Kinder Morgan still in progress rather than stopped completely, Enbridge’s Line 9 has received further approvals in the U.S (although there are still some regulatory hurdles) and even the long-delayed Keystone appears to be making headway.  And, for the first time in three years, Alberta experienced a positive net interprovincial population increase in the first quarter of 2018.

On the negative side, the escalating trade war between Canada and the U.S. is causing some real financial stress for some, but more importantly,

Can we say plateau.. I'll let the charts describe the market this month. This is supposed to be the peak of the season for sales & that doesn't say much for the rest of the year.. It is in the writer's opinion that there are a number of political factors causing both frustration & anxiety throughout the Western Canadian provinces.

Information Based on Red Deer Real Estate Board MLS® Stats 2014-2018

I'll let the charts explain this month! This is supposed to be the peak of the season & we're at an all time low for sales... It is in the writer's opinion that there are a number of political factors causing both frustration & anxiety throughout the Western Canadian provinces.

Information Based on Red Deer Real Estate Board MLS® Stats 2014-2018

If you're selling your home and want to use some tried-and-true home staging ideas to make it stand out, you can work some major magic in the bedroom. At their best, bedrooms can make buyers dream of drifting off under the sheets. At their worst, they can wake them up to an idea that they could never, ever feel at peace in your home.

So here's how to stage your bedroom so it feels calm, cozy, and ultimately irresistible to anyone who sets foot inside.

Keep it single-use

With the exception of master suites with separate sitting areas, bedrooms should be staged as a single-function room, recommends Amy Bell, an interior decorator with Red Chair Home Interiors in Cary, NC.

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From winter, directly into summer!

Sales in April are showing a good amount of traction & remain ahead of 2017 so far this year. Though the average sale price overall is down, things are beginning to move. Sellers & industry professionals will have to be patient with high inventory statistics, as both the number of listings & the number of days to sell is at an all time high from the last four years. Buyers... it is time!

The residential real estate market is experiencing a definite increase in activity, which we hope leads to a healthier year in real estate.

Information Based on Red Deer Real Estate Board MLS® Stats 2014-2018

From winter, directly into summer!

Sales in April are showing a good amount of traction & remain ahead of 2017 so far this year. Though the average sale price overall is down, things are beginning to move. Sellers & industry professionals will have to be patient with high inventory statistics, as both the number of listings & the number of days to sell is at an all time high from the last four years. Buyers... it is time!

The residential real estate market is experiencing a definite increase in activity, which we hope leads to a healthier year in real estate.

Information Based on Red Deer Real Estate Board MLS® Stats 2014-2018

Ready to sell your home?

Don’t just list it without any advance preparation. A few minor touch-ups can go a long way towards making a favorable impression on potential buyers — and perhaps cinching a deal.

“Put your buyer’s hat on and walk thru your home like it is the first time,” says Marilou Young, an Accredited Staging Professional and an Associate Broker with Virtual Properties Realty.

“Make notes on what you, as a buyer, would notice,” Young advises, “and then repair or replace those items.”

Some of her top recommendations include getting rid of clutter, hiding family photos, cleaning out closets, removing excess or oversized furniture, and cleaning.

These tips are among the 21 top ways to prepare your home for a sale. Let’s look at

Nobody ever cheers at the thought of tackling home repairs. They’re annoying, costly, time-sucking endeavors. So often we put them off, over and over, justifying to ourselves that they can wait. Light switch doesn’t work? Whatever—you never go in that room anyway. Squeaky floors? You’re already used to them!

But there are some home improvement projects that simply can’t wait, lest you risk much bigger problems (and costly expenses) down the line. Here are 12 home repairs experts say you should never put off:

1. A leaking roof

If you see water stains on your ceiling or down your walls, get moving on the repair stat—there are a host of problems that can arise and get progressively

With the coldest Easter on record out of the way, we're sure to have some warmer weather in the near future!

Sales in March were stuck at a plateau from February earlier this year. Perhaps the late winter & colder temperatures have kept the buyers at bay. The increased number of listings are likely the result of a build up of sellers, who have been unable to sell in recent markets. This back up of unsold houses can provide a healthy inventory for potential buyers to choose from.

The residential real estate market is experiencing a definite increase in activity, which we hope leads to a healthier year in real estate.

Information Based on Red Deer Real Estate Board MLS® Stats 2014-2018