Edmonton, October 2, 2015:  The average residential price in September for the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is down less than 1% year-over-year (YoY) despite reported sales being down 6.76%. Single family sales (down 9.72% YoY) and condo sales (down 9.07%) continue to be down over levels reported in September of 2014, while duplex/rowhouses (up 17.21% YoY) buck the trend.

“The strength of prices in the Edmonton market is an excellent indication that we are maintaining stability,” explains Geneva Tetreault, Chair of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. “Buyers continue to see the benefits of a healthy inventory but we haven’t seen many sellers dropping prices significantly in order to compete. Last year’s market and its low inventory made buyers feel pressure to jump into an offer if they found something they like. We are seeing buyers take a little more time in the decision making process this year.”

A single family...

(NC) Did you know that Canadians spend nearly 90 per cent of their time indoors? This is especially true in colder months. Consequently, concern about indoor air quality is increasing – and rightly so.

Air pollution and contaminants can be found in abundance throughout our homes in products and materials that we are in contact with every day. Poor air quality can be caused by household chemicals, by biological pollutants such as mould, mildew, and dust mites, and by off-gassing from building materials and HVAC systems. Advancements in home construction have also created dwellings that are more airtight than ever before which seal in harmful pollutants. The potential health implications can be serious.

Health Canada indicates that incidences of asthma have increased fourfold in the past 15 years. Furthermore, 52 per cent of those households linked poor indoor air quality as a direct cause. Yet, even as the issue's prevalence grows, homeowners can take some preventative...

Are you thinking abeout selling in the Spring?  Here are four very good tips for preparing your lawn now so that it is looking its best!

Many people feed their lawns every other month throughout the spring and summer months. But did you know that fall feeding is considered the most important application of the year? A lawn fed three to four times a year develops a deep root system to resist heat, drought, and wear. It also develops thick green top growth to naturally resist weeds, disease, and insects. Feeding when the grass no longer needs mowing, before the ground freezes, gives the lawn the extra nutrients it needs to survive the winter and bounce back in spring.

Look for a fertilizer with higher nitrogen (N) and potassium content (K), the first and last numbers on the bag. These are the nutrients that help promote a stronger root structure, disease resistance, and hardiness in cold weather.

A properly-fed lawn produces a deeper root structure,...

(NC) As the weather cools and homeowners begin to begrudgingly pack away their tools and equipment from the summer, it's common for tools to get piled haphazardly and forgotten. The result of this approach is often a garage or shed that looks like an abandoned storage locker.

If stored this way, when it's time to start the engines the following season homeowners may find their tools in permanent hibernation. The best tool maintenance requires a little servicing before storage, not after.

“It is not uncommon for people to forget to service their tools,” says Michelle Sordi, director of marketing at Husqvarna Canada, a leader in outdoor power products. “Spending some time preparing your tools for storage is an important step towards ensuring power tools will operate effectively the following season.”

These tips from the pros will ensure a hassle-free start next year:

• Fresh and clean: The moisture left by cut grass is very...

(NC) We all know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, however when it comes to real estate, first impressions go a long way.

Homebuyers tend to use the exterior of a home and its yard as a gauge on what the inside looks like.  Buyers will often do a 'drive-by' before deciding whether or not to request a showing. First impressions are critical to capture the attention of homebuyers and send the message that the home has been well cared for, inside and out.

To ensure your home stands out and gets noticed for the right reasons this fall, Verge recommends taking care of these simple steps before listing:

• Cut: Make sure trees and bushes are neatly trimmed.

• Clear: Remove leaves and sticks from gutters. Make sure the lawn is mowed, leaves are raked and weeds are removed.

• Clean: Wash windows, pressure-wash dirty siding and decks, and kill mould and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof and driveway.

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