Relocating to Edmonton

I often work with clients relocating to Edmonton.  Most years I help 10 or more families relocating from other cities and regions of Canada or other countries and into the Metro Edmonton area.  I've put together a few questions and answers that might be of help should you be relocating.

Question: Should I have my home sold before I buy?

Answer:  This is a big one.  I highly recommend you sell your current home first, you should have a firm, unconditional offer on your existing home.  Even if you can financially swing buying before you sell, it converts you from a want to seller to a have to seller.  Your negotiating power on the selling of your home is definitely weakened when you have the added pressure of paying for two households.  The other problem is if you do have to sell your current home in order to buy the new home, the seller will most likely put on a 24/48/72 hour clause condition, which means your offer can be bumped at anytime by another buyer.  This is a very emotionally draining position for a family to be in.  You think you have your dream home tied up and it is pulled out from under you.  Not fun. 

Question: How many homes should I be looking at?

Answer: The average number of homes a local buyer will physically look at when they are utilizing the internet in their search is 8.  I find that my buyers that are from out of the area normally look at double that number  (15 or so).  That does not mean everyone looks at that amount, as it depends on how many homes are for sale in your price range and area, but it is a fairly accurate average. What sometimes takes more time when people relocate is narrowing down to the area they want to live in.  I completely understand it can be difficult to pick a neighbourhood when you have not actually lived in the city you are relocating to.

Question: I only have a week to find a home.  Is a week enough time?

Answer: Surprisingly yes!  I have actually found that 2 or 3 days of power shopping (looking at 8 or more homes per day) normally is enough time to pick your new home.  That still gives you time to line up a building inspection and be present for the inspection before you have to return to your current home.  In fact, I do not ever remember having a client not being able to find a home in the week they were given.

If you have questions, or need more information about Edmonton, please don't hesitate to contact me at Relocating to Edmonton