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        <title>Edmonton Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/2022-06/</link>
        <description>Welcome to the Edmonton Real Estate Blog - We will keep you up to date on the Edmonton Real Estate market with the most current news and market trends.</description>
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    <guid>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/reasons-to-buy-a-condo-over-single-family-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/reasons-to-buy-a-condo-over-single-family-home.html</link>
        <author>info@edmontonrealestate.ca (EdmontonRealEstate .ca)</author>
        <title>Why Buy a Condo Instead of a House: 5 Condo Ownership Perks</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


When moving to an urban area in Canada, buying a condo for sale can have many advantages over a single-family home. Many people living in condos are closer to the action than those in a house in the suburbs, which can also reduce commute times for work. If a single-family home isn't the right fit for you at the moment, don't worry—several other perks to condo ownership make it a desirable way to own a home.


Condos Are Affordable


Generally, condos in urban areas sell for about 50 to 60 percent of the price of a single-family home. Someone who buys a detached house is purchasing the home's land, while condo buyers only buy the space in their unit. Therefore, a condo buyer generally requires a smaller down payment as an initial investment and a smaller monthly mortgage payment.


There are also fewer &quot;things&quot; to insure in a condo, so homeowners insurance costs will be lower over the property's lifetime. The smaller square footage of a condo also means that utility bills are cheaper than in a larger residential home. These lowered costs make condo ownership very attractive to first-time homebuyers.


Condo Owners Have Fewer Maintenance Tasks


Condo owners are responsible for fewer maintenance tasks than single-family homeowners. A condo owner never has to worry about mowing the lawn or shovelling snow out of the driveway because their home does not include those things. 


A condo association maintains commonly owned areas within a building with the funds every condo owner pays monthly. These maintenance tasks pertain to the elevators, building entrances, hallways between units, and more. A condo owner never has to pay to repair the roof as a homeowner might because they don't technically &quot;own&quot; the top of the building. Condo ownership is ideal for buyers who don't have the time, interest, or handyman skills to take care of the maintenance that comes with owning a home.


Condo Communities Usually Come with Great Amenities



One of the big draws to condo ownership is that some great amenities usually accompany the same building. These amenities are communally owned and paid for through monthly fees and provide access to things that would be more expensive for an owner to install in a single-family home.


A private swimming pool is one of the more common amenities condo buildings provide residents. Other common amenities include private movie theatres, valet parking, concierge services, a private fitness center and spa, or a private library.


It's prevalent for the lower floors of a condo building to be occupied by retail businesses, leaving the upper floors available for condos with spectacular views. Condo buildings also provide a close and convenient way for owners to shop for groceries, household items, clothing, accessories, and more.


Be Close to the Action in a Condo


Condo buildings are typically constructed in centralized urban areas. Buildings with many condo units take up less space than a neighbourhood with a similar number of residences. The centralized location of a condo building usually means that it's much closer to all the city's action, nightlife, and other opportunities.


The best nightclubs, fine dining, and even large parks are frequently within a short walk of the building's entrance. Condo buildings may be close to a major sports stadium, concert venue, cultural centers, and art galleries. All these perks can be within just a short walk from a condo. In most cases, people in the suburbs have to drive to access the same amenities. Condos are well suited to those who like participating in the city's main activities.


Condos Have Community Built In


Residents living in condos are much closer to their neighbours than other property types, meaning they frequently encounter each other in the hallways or shared community areas. This presents more opportunities for socializing with neighbours and meeting new people.


Condos also have security measures for residents designed to keep non-residents out. Security guards and surveillance cameras in the lobbies are additional perks that homeowners may or may not have.


Condos Are Excellent Investments


When it's time to move, many people are caught between a condo and a single-family home. Both have their pros and cons, so homebuyers should consider which is the best fit for their current lifestyle. Like all forms of real estate, a condo can be an excellent investment. If the owner upgrades to a single-family detached home later in life, they can often rent their condo to someone else. This can be a great way to earn passive income or to have rent pay for the mortgage on the property.




  
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2022 09:20:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/new-construction-home-interior-design.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/new-construction-home-interior-design.html</link>
        <author>info@edmontonrealestate.ca (EdmontonRealEstate .ca)</author>
        <title>Interior Design For New Build Homes: Embrace Customization</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


One of the best things about a new construction home is that the owner can choose the interior design themselves. A custom-built home is a blank slate that can reflect the owner's personality and style; everything is brand new However, owners should know a few things before starting the design process. Keep reading to explore four interior design tips for new construction homes.


Leave Enough Time for Furniture Delivery


Furniture delivery, especially custom pieces, can take a surprising amount of time. Once the owner decides which furniture they want, they should order it up to four months in advance. Otherwise, they might not have it on the move-in day.


Every furniture manufacturer will have different delivery times. Check with each one and find out roughly how long it will take them to deliver everything. Try to order things so that delivery times will correspond with moving in. It's better to have items arrive a day or two in advance than to have them come a week (or more) late.


Another thing to keep in mind is taking proper measurements for new furniture. Even if the owner cannot take measurements inside the house before the move-in date, they are available on the home's floor plans. Order furniture with the correct dimensions for the new home, keeping in mind the width of hallways and other tight spaces.


Finally, remember that everything does not need to be purchased simultaneously. Designing a home's interior can take time, and the expense of buying everything at once can be cost-prohibitive. Take the time to do things right, and don't worry if not every piece is in place after the first month.


Window Treatments Should Be High on the Priority List



Builders typically paint walls the same colour and do not include window treatments. Blinds, curtain rods, and curtains are the new homeowner's responsibility. There's not much privacy in a new home if the windows are uncovered; anyone outside can see into the house.


Curtains or blinds being delivered may need to be ordered ahead of time and might not arrive by the moving day. A quick solution to this problem is buying inexpensive privacy shades at a big box store. If a specific window treatment does not fit the home's design scheme, it can always be swapped out later.


There are many options available when it comes to choosing indoor window treatments. Here are some of the most popular:




Indoor shutters


Roman, solar, or pleated shades


Wood, faux wood, or miniature blinds


Drapery


Curtains


Sheers


Valances, swags, or cascades




For Best Results, Wait a While to Paint


New construction homes are not actually &quot;finished&quot; when the owner finally moves in. Building materials such as wood, drywall, and even the concrete in the foundation can take a year or longer to settle. During this time, the house will shift into its final location.


If the owner repaints the rooms before a house fully settles, it can leave unsightly hairline cracks or bulges in the paint. Waiting until the house has settled avoids this. While it can be tempting to repaint early on, waiting at least one full year for a home to settle is a good rule of thumb, although two years is better.


If a new owner feels the urge to repaint a room, a light coat of breathable paint is the best option. Breathable paint will still allow the drywall behind the paint to dry out. Wallpaper and wall tiling are poor choices to install during the first two years because they can seal in the drywall completely. The best results will always come when the owner waits at least four full seasons before repainting the walls of their new construction home.


Think Beyond the Builder's Catalog


A home improvement store will likely have hundreds of options for fixtures and treatments in a new construction home. Builders, however, do not. Their transparency about the process is a good way to help choose a builder. They will probably offer the owner a choice between a handful of different fixtures which may not entirely match what the buyer wants.


Fortunately, once the homeowner moves in, the house is their property to design. Homeowners should take time to plan the design of the new home. The result will hopefully be the house the owner always dreamed of owning.


Things like door handles, light fixtures, interior and exterior doors, appliances, and cabinet door handles or pulls can be changed to better reflect the owner's personality. Just because a fixture or feature was included in the original home build does not mean it must stay forever. 


Flooring types will be universal throughout the home. For example, wood flooring used in multiple rooms will be the same shade or stain. Changing the flooring or carpeting in a new construction home is a big project but another option that should be kept in mind.


Designing a New Construction Home's Interior Takes Time


Homeowners should take care of some items like furniture and window treatments very close to the owner's move-in date. The overall interior design, however, can take years to complete. Therefore, enjoying and having fun with the process when designing a dream house is essential.




  
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2022 10:28:00 -0600</pubDate>
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