ARE YOU URBAN OR SUBURBAN?

 HGTV Canada’s Urban Suburban Renewed for Second Season and Now in Production

Call for Participants for Upcoming Episodes to Air This Fall

(Vancouver, B.C. – February 20, 2012)  The hit HGTV Canada series Urban Suburban is back for a second season to help prospective home buyers from Victoria to Halifax faced with a tough decision:  should they make their home in the heart of the city, or will a suburban lifestyle suit them best?

Currently filming in locations from coast-to-coast, this popular series is seeking dynamic Canadian families and couples interested in tackling their real-life real estate dilemmas on-camera for the series set to air on HGTV Canada in Fall 2012.

Produced by Force Four Entertainment Inc., Urban Suburban is hosted by real estate agents and siblings Sarah Daniels and Philip DuMoulin. In each half-hour episode a family or couple that can’t agree between a home in the city or one in the suburbs turn to Sarah and Philip who go head-to-head to find the properties that they think their clients will love. Sarah takes on the suburbs while Philip champions the city, and after touring homes the buyers pick their urban or suburban favourites by factoring in price, space, convenience and lifestyle. Eventually, they decide on the perfect home and neighbourhood for their needs – and either Sarah or Philip will come out a winner.

Are you trying to convince your partner that city living is the way to go or a quiet suburban life will give you more bang for your buck? Enthusiastic Canadian families and couples that are looking for a new home, but are torn between urban and suburban, are invited to apply to appear in upcoming episodes.

 Applicants should send an e-mail to casting@forcefour.com with the following:

         - the reasons they are moving

        - the areas they are considering and why

        - approximate budget

        - a photo of the family

        - contact information

Vancouver-based Force Four Entertainment Inc. began operations in 1983, and has now grown into one of Canada’s most successful and respected television production companies. Force Four has produced more than 300 hours of primetime broadcast programming, earning accolades on the national and international stage. 

The company’s highly successful television programs include lifestyle, documentary, and scripted programming that is sold and aired around the world.  Force Four has been awarded the prestigious Peabody Award, 10 Gemini Awards and over 25 Gemini nominations, and is owned by President Rob Bromley, Executive Producer John Ritchie, and Director of Business Affairs Gillian Lowrey. www.forcefour.com

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RAE_Feb22AD-1.pdf Download this file

Condominiums have always been an interesting option for first-time home buyers and people looking to downsize from their current situation. The condo market is even more attractive in Edmonton these days with a very strong selection on the market. Prices have also dipped in the last little while, making that dream of home owner ship a little more affordable. In January, the average condo price dropped 4.9% from December, and was thousands of dollars lower than January of 2011.

Average Condo price, January 2012 - $215,407

Average Condo price, January 2011- $223,807

Average Condo price, December 2011- $227,679

Those numbers suggest that Condo prices slowly climbed, with fluctuations back and forth, over the course of last year. It’s reasonable to believe that prices will start to climb again as we head into spring, but at the moment those lower prices combined with record low interest rates suggest that this might be the time for first-time buyers to really consider their options. Remember, REALTORS® are here when life happens!

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"I've been looking for 30 years for a young guy who's proud to write songs about our country. I'd like to pass the torch to Tim Hus."
~ Stompin' Tom Connors

Following a national tour with the legendary Stompin' Tom Connors in 2009, Tim Hus released his critically acclaimed fifth album Hockeytown. Recently nominated "Roots Artist of the Year" for the 2011 Canadian Music Awards, Tim's music covers roots, folk, rural redneck and blue collar. This independent Canadian troubadour has shared the stage with many other great talents such as Ian Tyson and Gary Fjellgaard, and has recently collaborated with Corb Lund on the song "Hurtin' Albertan." This captivating and crowd-pleasing performer has a "voice sweeter than a Husqvarna chainsaw, a wit sharper than rusty barbed wire, and a list of songs longer than a Saskatchewan fence line."

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OTTAWA – February 15, 2012 – According to statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity retreated in January 2012 from the strong finish reported for December 2011.

Pierre Leduc
Media Relations / Relations auprès des médias
pleduc@crea.ca

The Canadian Real Estate Association / L'Association canadienne de l'immeuble
200 Catherine Street, 6th Floor / 200, rue Catherine, 6e étage    Ottawa, ON K2P 2K9
Tel/Tél: +1 (613) 237-7111    Fax/Téléc: +1 (613) 234-2567

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RAE_Feb15AD-1.pdf Download this file

It’s important to recognize opportunity when it comes knocking. If you’re interested in getting into the Real Estate market, opportunity probably looks a lot like the historically low interest rates and wonderful selection of homes available now in the Edmonton area! Interest rates aren’t expected to rise this year, but listing activity is. That’s a combination that should have potential home buyers excited.

In January, single family home prices were 2.5% higher than a year ago. If you’re currently in a different type of residence, maybe an apartment condo or a townhouse, this might be a chance to upgrade to a single family home.

Your local REALTOR® can help you explore the many choices you have available to you, and to understand exactly what’s happening in the market. Of course, no matter what the interest rates are or how many homes may be available, most people make a decision to buy or sell a home based on what’s happening in their life. REALTORS® are here when life happens. If you’re at a point in your life where you’re watching for a good opportunity to come along – this might be what it looks like!

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RAE_Feb8AD-1.pdf Download this file

At first glance, point seven percent doesn’t seem like a very large number, but what it represents in this case is kind of significant. It’s typical for home prices to drop a little from December to January. While prices did dip slightly in certain categories for the first month of 2012, the average all-residential price for the month was actually up by point seven percent. The all-residential price takes into account single family homes, condos, duplexes and townhomes.

        Average All-Residential price for January 2012 -$318,034

That’s also 2.6% higher than the all residential average in 2011. The greatest increases were in townhome and row house prices (up 8.3% from December). Condo prices kept the overall increase from climbing too high, as they took a 4.9 percent dip. While point seven percent may not seem like a lot, it’s the start of a slow, steady pattern that REALTORS® are predicting for the market this year and a sign of market strength heading into spring. No one can say for sure what’s going to happen to prices in the coming months, but you can rest assured that REALTORS® are here when life happens!

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CMHC_Starts_Jan2012.pdf Download this file

According to preliminary figures released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), housing starts in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) increased in January to 578 units compared with 363 in January 2011. The increase occurred in both the single-detached and multi-family sectors.

Single-detached starts in January increased by 53 per cent year-over-year to 314 units, up from 205 in January 2011. “The gain represents a strong start to the year for Edmonton’s single-detached builders,” noted Richard Goatcher, CMHC’s Senior Market Analyst for Edmonton. “However, it should be noted that last year’s starts were hampered by heavy snow and cold temperatures which delayed production across the Capital region,” he added.

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The ROOPH Awards (Recognizing Outstanding Organizations and People in Housing) celebrates the achievements of people and organizations who address affordable housing and homeless initiatives in Edmonton. Founded in 2006, the awards ceremony serves as an opportunity for community members to recognize the accomplishments of the leaders working in the housing and homelessness sector.

Over the past 25 years the REALTORS® Community Foundation has partnered with literally hundreds of organizations to provide assistance in their housing needs. Over $3 million has been given to organizations to buy flooring, bunk beds, roofs and other materials that provide living situations for people in distress or need. About 75% of the Foundations grants are directed to housing needs. The Foundation gets most of its money from REALTORS®. The REALTORS® Assocaition of Edmonton provides an annual operating grant that covers the office and staffing costs of the Assocaition. In addition any fines levied on members is directred to the Foundation. Finally, individual REALTORS® give a portion of the proceeds from a property sale to the Foundation or buy tickets to the various raffles and events hosted by the Foundation.

The Foundation was nominated in the partnership category.

Partnerships for Success

Recognizes the important role of partnerships between private, not-for-profit, and/or public agencies to address homelessness or affordable housing needs and/or support services within our community.

Nominations are encouraged for a key person playing a pivotal role within a partnership.

For more information about the ROOPH Awards or to attend the awards luncheon see the website at http://www.homewardtrust.ca/programs/rooph-awards.php

2012 ROOPH Awards

Thursday, March 8, 2012

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Westin Hotel, 10135 100th Street

Tickets

Individual ticket: $55.00

Table of 8: $400

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Edmonton, February 2, 2012: It was a typical January. The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton reports that housing prices in January softened and sales numbers were low as compared to the previous month. This January followed the usual trend with prices generally lower than the previous month and sales on par with December. However, except for the condo market, year-over-year prices and residential sales were up.

“We are predicting a slow but steady growth pattern for the market in 2012 and, as usual, this year started off slowly but is already showing signs of strength as we roll into spring,” said REALTORS® Association of Edmonton President (2012) Doug Singleton. “Listing and sales activity is up markedly as compared to a year ago. Listings in January as compared to December are up over 126%.” There were 5,303 residential properties in the local MLS® System at the end of January.

In January, the average price of a single family detached (SFD) home was $362,926, down just 1.1% from December 2011. A year ago the average price was $354,180. The condo market is still showing signs of distress. The average price of a condo in January was $215,407, down 4.9% from the December price. A year ago the average condo price was $223,807. Duplex and rowhouse properties sold on average for $304,590; an 8.3% improvement from last month and up 2.8% from a year ago.

The average residential price (including all SFD, condo, duplex and townhouse properties sold in the Greater Edmonton Area) was $318,034: up 0.7% from December and up 2.6% from last January. Sales are not keeping pace with new listings and the sales-to-listing ratio was low at just 36%. There were 2,441 residential properties listed and 881 sold in January (up 7.1% from a year ago). Average days-on-market in January was 65, the same as December.

“Interest rates remain at a historic low point and are not expected to rise this year. Combined with an expected increase in listing activity, the low interest rates make this a great time to enter the real estate market,” said Singleton. “Buyers have increased choice and there is a massive amount of information in the real estate market. REALTORS® are uniquely qualified to sort through the data and help buyers and sellers to make informed decisions that support their hopes and dreams. REALTORS® are here when life happens.”

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Review these statistics and more at www.ereb.com.

Highlights of MLS^® System activity

^[1] Residential includes SFD, condos and duplex/row houses.

² Single Family Dwelling

³ The middle figure in a list of all sales prices

⁴ Includes residential, rural and commercial sales

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2011 was a busy year for REALTORS® in Edmonton.  REALTORS® were involved in more than 60 thousand real estate transactions, and advised on thousands of others.  Beyond those transactions, your local REALTOR® is busy with so many more endeavors behind the scenes!  The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton provided funding of $300,000 to 44 different community groups in 2011, through the REALTORS® Community Foundation.  They also supported artistic, heritage and community events.  Of course, individual REALTORS®  participate in a great many volunteer activities, helping to keep the communities they live and work in strong.  Over 1000 members of the REALTORS® Association also took part in professional development courses.  And you’re holding one of the REALTORS® Associations ongoing efforts to help keep the community informed in your hands right now. In 2011, the REALTORS® Association put out 51 editions of the Real Estate Weekly, printing more than 2.5 million copies (REALTORS® didn’t do the actual printing, but you get the idea).  Hopefully, you’ll continue to turn to this source through 2012, to learn what’s happening in Real Estate in Edmonton, and to get a sense of what your local REALTOR® is up to. 

REALTORS®: Here when life happens.

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