August 7, 2025 • 38 mins
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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Kelly Whitty. Kelly is a licensed Realtor® with MaxWell Polaris from Edmonton, Alberta, specializing in condos, single family homes, acreages, and recreational property. A born and raised Edmontonian with a passion for the city and its people, Kelly has sold 50 properties in her first 4 years as a Realtor®, capitalizing on her hometown knowledge to find the perfect fit for each of her clients.
Kelly is here to discuss:
→ Current trends in Edmonton real estate, the unique advantages Edmonton has over other markets, and the increased development and accessibility of Edmonton's downtown core.
→ Edmonton's rich cultural scene and beautiful river valley, her favorite local hidden gems and neighborhoods, and the unique communities surrounding the city.
→ Tips to sell your home faster, advice for anyone entering the market, and how she's able to accommodate out-of-town clients.
Kelly Whitty's Website: www.kellywhitty.ca
Kelly Whitty's Instagram: @kellywhittyrealestate
Kelly Whitty's YouTube: @kellywhitty7787
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🎙️ Alberta Bound Podcast: Alberta Bound: Building Wealth Through Real Estate (in Alberta)
📺 Alberta Bound YouTube: @AlbertaBound-Broker
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CONNECT WITH SARAH
📸 Sarah Hainsworth's Instagram: @emeraldmortgages
👥 Sarah Hainsworth's Facebook: @SarahHainsworth
📋 Sarah Hainsworth's LinkedIn: @SarahHainsworth
🔗 Emerald Mortgages Website: www.emeraldmortgages.ca
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
This week on the podcast, I havethe pleasure of speaking with
(00:02):
Kelly Witte, a realtor here inEdmonton.
You're going to get the insight onthe Edmonton real estate market
from two homegrown Edmontonians.
If you are looking at investing in
real estate in Edmonton, thenyou're not going to want to miss
this episode.
Today, I've got Edmonton real
(00:24):
estate expert Kelly Whitty joiningme to break down exactly what
she's seeing on the front lines ofthe Edmonton real estate market.
Whether you're a buyer, seller, oragent, this is something you're
going to want to hear.
Thanks for having me.
I'm Kelly Whitty, real estateagent with Maxwell Polaris here in
Edmonton.
Perfect.
So Kelly and I have been workingtogether for quite a few years
now, and we constantly arelaughing together.
(00:46):
I really enjoy Kelly and ourrelationship.
Kelly, let's do like a littleicebreaker.
And why don't you tell me onething that made you smile this
week?This week?
Oh, I actually had a laugh.
I don't know if you follow, you
know, pop culture stuff in thenews and whatever.
But Ozzy Osbourne, Prince ofDarkness, passed away.
And I didn't realize that my 13-year -old was a big fan.
(01:07):
And so I talked to my mom thismorning.
You know my mom.
Yes.
And she was laughing because shesaid he called her all serious.
And he was like, Yes.
yeah, I'm an Ozzy dog.
That made me smile because he's apretty sensitive kid.
He didn't know Ozzy personally.
Yeah, made me smile well, I think
he lived a good life.
I know he had a lot of fun.
I think he did, 100%.
(01:27):
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah, that's so funny.
Okay, so let's hop into it.
We can kind of get into theEdmonton real estate market and
what's happening.
So do you have any stats available
as far as what's going oncurrently?
I know you were talking about anopportunity.
Just before we hopped on here, somaybe you want to talk a little
bit about that?Yeah, Yeah, sure.
(01:48):
So the single family detachedhousing market in Edmonton is very
strong.
We've seen increases like in the
greater Edmonton area.
So that would be all the
surrounding areas, you know, likeSpruce Grove, Stony Plain,
Beaumont.
Sherwood Park, we've seen a 3 %
increase just from this yearalone.
And then as you had mentioned too,we've seen a 16 % increase just
from Edmonton for single familyhomes.
So that varies from neighborhoodto neighborhood.
(02:09):
You'll see bigger increases inlike some of the more desirable,
you know, the family areas thathave schools like Summerside and
the Orchards and, you know,Ellerslie and then some of those
newer areas to the Northwest too.
Anywhere I think where schools
going in is going to see increasesand lots.
activity because there's going tobe lots of people that want to be
(02:30):
close to those schools.
And then also, I think that there
is a good opportunity for earlyretirees, people that are thinking
about downsizing, couples that arethinking about, you know, they
want to travel more, you know,they want to take some money out
of their house.
There is opportunity for them to
go into the condo market becausethe condo market is doing well,
like a lot better than it has inthe last few years, but it's still
(02:52):
a little bit soft.
So there is an opportunity to sell
high.
and buy a little bit lower in the
condo market.
you know, they because Yeah, I
think that is a big opportunity.
I know property values have been
climbing, I think, in Alberta morethan anywhere else right now.
So have you seen theinterprovincial migration on your
side of things?Yeah, yeah, 100%.
A lot of people coming fromOntario.
We had a mutual client that wasrelocating from the Toronto area
and just going through a lifetransition and wouldn't have been
(03:15):
able to go into the housing marketin that area, but was able to...
she could work remotely she couldcome out to Alberta and get into
the housing market and so againthe condo market is a good
stepping stone to get into thehousing market whether you're a
first -time home buyer an investoror anybody really because the
condo market isn't as scary as itwas because it is a good stepping
(03:37):
stone to start to build equityright and to start to save and not
be paying off somebody else'smortgage essentially right so well
and I think you hit it on the headthere when you say it's a stepping
stone because I mean for somepeople it can be and I think you
hit it on the head there when yousay it's a stepping stone because
I mean for some people it can beyou know, the first step in
building a real estate portfolio,you know, so like that mutual
(03:58):
client we had, she can come here,she can get into the market, and
then she can potentially like usethat as a rental, and then move up
if that's what she decides to do.
Where I think in BC or Ontario,
you really struggle to get yourfoot in the door that way.
And Yeah, I think Alberta just hasso many unique opportunities right
now.
Yeah, definitely.
And like you mentioned, inter-provincial migration.
I think the stat for this yearalone was 60 % of the migration
into Alberta was inter-provincial.
So yeah, that's incredible becausewe still have an affordable
(04:19):
housing market for a lot ofpeople.
And there's great opportunities.
I think people often think of
Alberta as just like an oil pound,but we have the University of
Alberta.
They're doing a big expansion on
stem cell research facility, likethe first of its kind in Canada.
So that's going to attract allsorts of medical professionals
into the area too.
So you see areas around the
(04:39):
university like Belgravia, WindsorPark and everything that have
always been desirable areas forpeople to live in.
And now you're really seeing thetrajectory go up and up there
because professionals want to beclose to work.
And it's a different kind oflifestyle living in that area too,
right?Being more central.
Yeah.
So talking about different
communities, you are fromEdmonton, right?
You grew up here just like I did,right?
(04:59):
Yeah.
What would you say is if you had
to pick your favorite community?and why?
Oh, here well, you know, I'm aSouthside girl now.
I grew up on the West End by WestEdmonton Mall.
And I probably wouldn't go backthere just because of the traffic.
I do like being close to thehighway because, as you know, I've
got property out West.
So I do like that aspect of it.
But I really like the matureareas.
I really do like some of theseolder areas.
(05:20):
Like if you go into areas likeLandrum and Malmo, you know, we're
by Southgate and it's close to theuniversity and it's central.
I think people getting into thoseareas.
I had clients that bought adetached home, you know, a little
bit older home, but the potentialto really, you know, you've got
bigger lots and everything.
I do like that area, but I like
the South.
I mean, for me personally, like my
husband travels lots for work, youknow, he likes to be close to the
(05:44):
airport for him.
So I think that that's good.
And for real estate values, theSouth side does tend to have
higher real estate values.
out this way too.
And I mean, you've probably seenincreases too, just in your area,
like in Leduc and the areas aroundthe city, because as the values
increase in the city, it's goingto push people out to those areas.
on West So do too.
We're proof of that, right?
Like we were in your community, wewere in Summerside and then we
(06:05):
sold, we did do pretty well and wewere able to build a house out
here.
Yeah.
I mean, the appreciation is wildhow much it's gone up already.
Right?Yeah.
I did want to talk to you, though,because I didn't know that you
grew up in the West End because Ialso am a fellow West Ender.
Have we ever talked about this?talked about this?
I don't know.
don't know.
I grew up in Aldergrove.
Yeah, I was in Limburn.
Yeah.
So and I know Limburn.
(06:26):
Well, I mean, there was two placesI grew up.
So La Pearl and Aldergrove.
And so it's pretty funny that we
both ended up on the south side.
Now I'm heading more south because
I'm trying to get further andfurther out of the city.
was in You keep going, you keepgoing.
I know, I will.
Eventually I'll be gone, but.
You're being red here.
I know, right?
No, I feel like that's too far forme.
(06:46):
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Well, I should probably say
congratulations too.
I don't know if you want to talk
about it, but I saw that youbought on social media that you
bought land.
Yes, we did buy some vacant land.
And so that is a new adventure.
I don't know where it's going to
take us, some is a new adventure.
I don't know where it's going to
take us, but I mean, step one,secure the land.
And another thing here is that itis affordable.
(07:06):
Well, I guess I don't really knowwhat goes on in BC and Ontario
when it comes to vacant land, buthere you... are able to secure a
pretty decent sized piece of landbecause you guys have land as well
where you have your cabin, right?Yeah, not a lot.
It's a half acre lot.
It's not a lot of land.
It's not a lot of land.
Yeah.
But there's lots of land for salein that area.
(07:27):
And I follow the property outthere quite a bit too, because I
like to work out there in thesummer.
If I can swing in like, there'smany acres, 72 acres for sale for
like 250, 250 ,000.
I think it's not developed or
anything.
swing in I think not developed or
anything.
So my husband, I wanted to buy it.
And he was like, why?I'm like, I really don't know.
I just want it.
Just because I need to secure it.
(07:48):
I need to secure it.
I just need to secure that, right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's Mark Twain saying buy land.
They're not making any more of it.
So. They're not, right?No, I think we should all buy lots
of land.
Yeah, and I think it's easier to
do that here than anywhere.
And we're going to talk about
Edmonton and Alberta real estatejust as it pertains to Edmonton.
But, you know, it's gettingbusier.
(08:09):
And I think that there are moreopportunities here than anywhere
else right now.
But I am seeing the busyness of
it.
And that's kind of why we're
tending to just keep putting ourfeet a little bit further out of
town.
Because when we were growing up in
the West End, The Henday was kindof where it ended.
And now there's so much developedpast the Henday that it's like, I
don't know how far.
Does St. Albert meet Edmonton now?
Like is Spruce Grove meeting withEdmonton?
Like how close are we getting tothat?
I would say St. Albert.
(08:29):
Well, I don't know for sure.
Actually, that's a good question.
But St. Albert, I think there's
nothing like at a certain point,like St. Albert Trail and going
into back in Edmonton.
I don't think there's any.
buffer anything really in betweenat that point yeah spruce grove
was pretty close yeah for sure onthe highway 16a there and getting
into but then there's devonthere's like the asheson and
(08:51):
everything too kind of separatingyep The two, but yeah, I mean,
Edmonton's growing like crazy.
I mean, I've seen, you know, and
you've seen it too.
Like, I don't know if you
remember, I always say this too.
People are tired of hearing this,
but the Ellerslie area where weare now, or where I am now, we had
to go long distance to get toEllerslie.
(09:13):
And we used to always be, we wereall the 403 area code before, and
then they separated it.
And now we have, I think, four or
five different area codes.
But yeah, I had a friend that
lived in Ellerslie and my mom waslike, don't call her because it
was long distance to call.
Albert, like St. Albert Trail and
going into back in you remember, Ia i actually didn't know that that
(09:33):
is wild i'm aging myself butthat's yeah well no but i remember
when we would call and we didn'thave to put the three digits in
the front it was just the lastseven right and then they were
like you got to put the area codein and i'm like what i'm aging
myself but that's yeah no but iremember when we would call and we
didn't have to put the threedigits in the front it was just
the last seven right and then theywere like you got to put the area
code in and i'm like what I know,right?
(09:54):
And as a son, how many people havephone numbers memorized anymore?
Like, as a son, how many I know.
I don't know my youngest son's
phone number, his cell number.
It's on my phone.
It's an 825 number.
Oh my God, I'm remembering that.
Yeah.
And I only remember my older son's
because his 777, he's got a bunchof sevens in his number.
So it's easy for me to remember.
But I could call my childhood
friends if you ask me to.
Like, I have those numbers stored,
(10:14):
right?Me too.
Along with old song lyrics, right?Oh, yeah, yeah.
I know we've talked about thisbefore.
We're going to get out to karaokeone night.
I know, right?Oh, my goodness.
I'm not that good, but I coulddefinitely try.
I think I am, try.
I think I am, but I'm not.
So Kelly, right now, if you hadany advice for sellers, How can
sellers position their listings tomove faster?
One of the most basic things iscleaning.
of the most basic things iscleaning.
Just cleaning and decluttering,right?
You know, the reality of theEdmonton market right now is a
detached house selling fast ifit's priced well, right?
So you really want to price yourhouse to the market because those
(10:35):
houses that are sitting longer,the majority of the time it's
priced.
Everything will sell at the right
price.
If you're trying to sell your
house and you're not quite sure,have a look at it from a buyer's
eyes.
Like if you were looking at it and
you were coming in to buy it, Youknow, yes, people can get past
paint colors and everything, butyou really, really, really want to
give that good first impressionwalking through the door.
(10:57):
So you want a nicely staged houseis your best bet because you want
it neutral because you want peopleto be able to come in and see, and
right staged house is your bestbet because you want it neutral
because you want people to be ableto come in and see, okay, this is
(11:20):
a good place for a couch.
This is practical.
My couch would probably go here.
This is where my furniture would
fit.
The average buyer has a hard time
seeing the potential vacantproperties too, right?
When there isn't the furniture andeverything.
You think that it might be better,but from my experience and from
the statistics, staged houses dosell faster and for more money
than vacant houses and houses thataren't staged nicely.
Do you have a connection that youwork with that helps with staging
or is that something that you canhelp sellers with?
(11:41):
How do they figure that part of itout?
I do.
I do.
I do have a professional stager.
She'll come in and give a
consultation and I will do that atmy cost.
That's part of my marketing planif the seller wants it.
And then she will discuss kind ofa path forward.
we can all discuss how we want tomove forward with her
recommendations.
She can bring furniture in if
necessary, or she can work withwhat's already there.
So she might say, Hey, let's takethis stuff off the wall.
You know, there's lots of littlestaging tricks, like groups of
three and, you know, certaincolors and, you know, putting
(12:03):
things together that obviouslythey're professionals.
I can give advice.
I mean, my advice is just like,
you're moving anyways, take allyour stuff.
People tend to take it personallywhen you're like, put all this
stuff away, but it's not personal.
It's your stuff.
You're selling your house, notyour thing.
So, you know, just give people theopportunity to come in and be able
to picture their own things inthere while seeing the use of the
(12:24):
space, right?That's my advice.
Yeah, that's really good advice.
And then another thing, because we
are talking about theinterprovincial migration at this
point and the fact like that it'sa real thing here, are you able to
accommodate clients looking topurchase from other provinces?
Like, do you have systems in placethat allow you to do that?
Yeah, definitely.
I mean, everything can be
electronic signing.
I can do buyer presentations and
consultations, you know, like thisover video.
You know, technology is amazing.
(12:45):
Yes, it is.
Yeah.
And so it is actually not a
difficult thing to do if peopleare open to it, right?
Most of my buyer consults,especially if there's like small
kids and stuff involved, I'll say,do you want to do a video call
first?And then, you know, we can meet at
the first property, you know, gofor coffee, have, you know,
further discussion.
But that's usually how I do it
with buyers first off.
A little bit for sellers because
(13:06):
you want to see the house.
buyers, it's easy enough to
schedule a Google meet or a Zoomcall or whatever and get to know
each other that way.
It's also a safety aspect involved
too, right?For realtors, because we need to
kind of vet our clients when we'remeeting with strangers because
there's bad people out there too.
We need to be careful.
The client that we worked with whorelocated from Toronto, client
(13:26):
that we worked with who relocatedfrom Toronto, she had the best
experience with you.
And in my mind, I was like, well,
you've got to have some goodprocesses in place if you're able
to leave that kind of animpression.
not only that, like she purchaseda home.
You guys were able to accommodatetimelines and she came, she saw,
she purchased.
And I think she's now happily
(13:47):
moved in, which is such a funthing for her.
Yeah.
my her.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She comes in August and she'sgoing to stay for a little bit and
start decorating.
Yeah.
She's super happy.
She was so sweet.
Yeah.
She was amazing to work with.
So, I mean, it's, I think thatpeople attract good people too,
right?You attract good clients.
I like to think that anyway, youknow, a lot of talking on the
phone.
I mean, I like text messaging too,
to send a quick message, but whenyou have like important.
(14:08):
information to deliver, I reallythink it's important to get on the
phone.
And I know you're good at that
too, right?I mean, you often pick up the
phone to give me a call when we'rechatting about stuff business
related.
think related.
I mean, it works the other waytoo.
Sometimes if I have, you know, badnews to deliver, not desirable
news, you know, if a deal hasfallen through or, you know,
representing a seller and thebuyer can't get financing or
something like that becausethey're not working with you.
(14:29):
That's right.
Exactly.
Yeah.
And then, you know, it takes a
phone call too.
And yeah, communicate.
is always the key.
Just being able to have good
communication with people.
I mean, I'm far from perfect, but
I think once you at least have avoice call, even if you're not in
person, you can still hear thetone of somebody's voice and you
just don't get that with textmessaging.
And I think a lot of people aremissing out on that now because it
(14:51):
is so easy just to send textmessages.
think out on that now because itis so easy just to send text
messages.
I mean, this is a whole other
conversation, but just becomingmore antisocial, right?
Like people don't, people forgetabout that personal connection.
And I think we all really crave ittoo.
And real estate is such a personalthing and you know, and your
finances are a personal thing.
too, right?
So you need to, you need to have agood relationship and a personal
relationship with people and seewhere they're coming from.
So I know in my business, becauseI am completely virtual, and I do
(15:12):
everything online, I'veincorporated a lot of video within
my process.
So do you use video at all with
your business?You are so good at that.
to, I know in my business, becauseI am completely virtual, and I do
everything online, I'veincorporated a lot of video within
my process.
So do you use video at all with
your business?You so good at that.
And you've been good at that fromthe get go since I've known you.
(15:34):
Yeah.
And I don't use it as a regular
tool I should I try to get moreinto the social media aspect like
with reels and you know YouTubeand stuff because statistically
people do like that too I'velearned that through my business
coaching as well that peoplerelate to you when they see a
video of you right they're like ohokay that's a real person that's
somebody talking about real estateand whatever and so but I think
like you're on the front lines sofor you you're actually meeting
with clients and you're going andseeing places you're meeting at
properties when like there'sbuyers sellers like you meet I
(15:55):
think like you're on the frontlines so for you you're actually
meeting with clients and you'regoing and seeing places you're
meeting at properties when likethere's buyers sellers like you
meet in person.
And so for me, I don't, I won't
meet people in person unless it'sreally necessary.
But generally speaking, everythingthat I can do can be done online.
So maybe video is important.
Yes, in my business, but I think
because you really are making thatface to face.
(16:18):
with clients that maybe it's notas needed actually when you put it
that way that does make sense yesbecause i do i am going to get the
opportunity at one point to meetwith them i did have clients that
bought a couple years ago likethey bought sight unseen and then
they didn't see it until theinspection but i still did have
that opportunity like i did meetwith them in person after the fact
yeah they were in the provincethey were just coming from another
town they were up north but uhyeah i guess that would be the big
difference is that i do eventuallymeet with people in person but i
do take advantage of thetechnology that's there i did that
(16:39):
does make sense yes because i do iam going to get the opportunity at
one point to meet with them i didhave clients that bought a couple
years ago like they bought sightunseen and then they didn't see it
until the inspection but i stilldid have that opportunity like i
did meet with them in person afterthe fact yeah they were in the
province they were just comingfrom another town they were up
north but uh yeah i guess thatwould be the big difference is
that i do eventually meet withpeople in person but i do take
advantage of the technology that'sthere i did walkthrough of a house
(17:00):
with a buyer that was out of town.
It was almost terrifying because I
was there by myself and it waslike this old log home, but it was
right in town.
It was right in Stony Plain and
the basement was absolutelyterrifying.
Oh no, did you go down there?I did, but I was on video and I
was like, listen, if like thescreen goes blank or something,
(17:21):
you have to call 911 or call myhusband or something.
No, call 911.
Don't call my husband.
He won't know what to do, butyeah, you need to, you need to do
something.
So he ended up seeing the house in
person.
And so it was kind of a big joke
between the two of us and I he wasa referral actually from my
stepdad so like I knew he wasn'tgoing but hopefully not murder me
in the basement but I didn't knowwho else was there i until the
they were in the it was right intown.
It was right in no, did you godown do, the didn't know who else
was there Oh my gosh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You really are on the front linesthere.
Like sometimes I forget aboutthat, but yeah, you are definitely
on the front lines.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's interesting.
I've had, I've had a few, I mean,I've never had an incident, like
knock on wood, you know, I try to,I try to be safe, but I, you know,
I even call my mom sometimes if myhusband's traveling and Chris is
traveling, I'll say, you know,mom, just so you know, I'm driving
out of town today.
You know, somebody should know
where I am.
(17:41):
Right.
Kids aren't going to payattention, but they're like, Oh,
I'm hungry.
Where's mom?
Yeah.
Mom never made it home.
to pay Mom never paid at home.
Oh my goodness.
Mom's been gone for two days.
Mom, I'm tired of cereal.
Where's mom?Yeah, where's mom?
If somebody's coming from BC orOntario and they're deciding, hey,
I'm going to choose betweenEdmonton and Calgary, what would
you say to them?And why would you present Edmonton
as an opportunity for them?Our property values are still
(18:02):
lower, property values are stilllower, like our market, you know,
the average loan prices are stilllower than Calgary's.
From a development perspective,and I mean, this could be
changing, but I have heard thatCalgary has a lot more red tape.
When it comes to development, Ithink Calgary is as big as Calgary
can be.
because it's actually bordering
all of the surrounding areas,whereas Edmonton still has a
little bit of room to move, right?And so the market is based on
housing stars and housing doesn'tget started as fast in Calgary
anymore.
And so, whereas we still have a
lot of new housing parts here inEdmonton, Calgary is still a
beautiful city.
And I mean, I think it applies to
(18:22):
the outdoor lifestyle too, right?Because you're closer to the
mountains and everything inCalgary.
But I think as far as likeaffordability and opportunity, I
think, you know, come to Edmonton,I still think that with the
development of the hospital,hospital and cool things going on
at the U of A and, and the Oilers.
a applies to the the Oilers.
I'm just going to throw it outthere because I mean, honestly
though, like I feel like when theOilers are winning and they are
winning most of the time, it feelslike the city really comes
(18:43):
together.
Let's be honest.
it out there because comestogether.
Let's be honest.
I know.
I'm hoping that this next yearthey can kind of do their thing a
little bit.
But no, I think that the Oilers
really do bring Edmonton together.
And it's funny because you go down
the street and it does feel moreof like a tight knit community
(19:04):
because you see somebody wearingan Oilers jersey and you say hello
and yeah, go Oilers, right?Yeah, it's such an energy.
right?Yeah, it's such an energy.
Yeah, absolutely.
I couldn't agree more.
And I think too, like, you know,Edmonton also, like we used to be
anyways, a festival city.
So I mean, summer, every weekend
there's something going on.
We've got K &A's going on now.
There's the Taste of Edmonton.
(19:25):
I think Street Performers was last
week.
Yeah.
You know, Edmonton is a hoppingcity.
Edmonton is a beautiful city inthe summer.
Like we have the biggest rivervalley system in North America.
You know, I think we have just alot of things, you know, that
aren't talked about.
We have a great restaurant scene.
Like there's so many greatrestaurants, you know, Sabor and
what's the new one in the JWdowntown now, the, you know, Black
Glots.
(19:46):
And I would love to see, I want
everybody to move downtown.
Please move downtown and make
downtown a viable place.
That's what I want to see.
I love it.
I love downtown condos.
I love showing downtown condos.
I love that market.
But I think if we can revitalizedowntown too, you know, it's not
as often of a place as some of thedowntown centers.
I recently, actually, I went to aconference in Halifax.
Oh my goodness.
Halifax.
Now there's a cool place.
Yeah.
Oh, so busy.
And like all age groups, like I
(20:08):
didn't feel old going out, youknow, after 10 o 'clock.
Well, you're not old, Now there'sa cool place.
Yeah.
not old, so you shouldn't feel
old.
Yeah.
Because if you're old, then I'mold.
And then I'm not.
Because if you're old, then I'm
old.
And then I'm not.
Then what?Then what?
Yeah.
Yeah.
But, you know, I would love to seeEdmonton have more of that.
I don't think we make use of ourriver valley enough.
(20:30):
Have you ever gone down the riverin Edmonton?
Edmonton?We didn't have gone down the
river?yeah you went on the river you
know what's really funny in mypast life I what that's dangerous
but no in my past life I actuallyI worked on the riverboat and so I
used to mop the deck and that wasreally fun you did not know that I
did yeah I did go down oh ofcourse I was young but it was a
cool job right there said Sarahmop the deck I said aye aye aye
(20:53):
captain let's go aye aye captaindown the river?
my fun you did not know that I Idid yeah I did go down oh of
course I was young but it was acool job right there said Sarah
mop the deck I said Sarah mop thedeck I aye aye aye captain let's
go aye aye captain aye captainRight?
Like there's lots of activity onthe river.
Like not enough, I don't think,but you can go downstream.
You have to take two vehicles andtwo people and your flotation.
(21:13):
So you drop a vehicle off inCapilano and then you drive up to
the Laurier to the other dog.
You have to take two vehicles and
two people and Capilano and thenyou drive up to the Laurier to the
other dog.
And then you float back down to
Capilano and then you got to, youknow, you got to drive.
There's a little bit of planningand everything that goes with it.
But it takes, depending on theflow of the river and everything,
(21:36):
it takes like three to four hours.
dog.
with it.
And yeah, take a little ruler and
there's some snacks and stuff.
actually really nice like you get
to see a side of the city thatyou've never seen before so yeah
I've lived in Edmonton all my lifeI've done it once it was a lot of
fun good to know yeah I haven'tI've also lived here my whole life
and I've never done it I have swamin it up by Devon because that's
where it's beautiful it's nice andclear and then kind of when it
(21:57):
comes through yeah so I'vedefinitely done that that's a nice
area well there was thataccidental beach there a few years
ago yeah one thing I wanted totalk about too when you were
talking about downtown I don'tknow if a lot of fun good to know
yeah I haven't I've also livedhere my whole life and I've never
done it I have swam in it up byDevon because that's where it's
beautiful it's nice and clear andthen kind of when it comes through
(22:19):
yeah so I've definitely done thatthat's a of when it comes area
well there was accidental beachthere few years ago one thing I
wanted to talk about too when youwere talking about downtown I
don't know if everybody knows thisbut downtown is actually connected
underground and you can kind ofget everywhere through pedways and
underground like connection if youknow where to go so yeah people
are worried about the cold i had aproperty it was the cambridge
lofts and i was able to take theelevator down to the train and hop
on a train and go anywhere that iwanted so accessibility downtown
is great i know that they'reworking on building our transit
system a little bit better but youdon't have to be scared of the
cold It is cold, but you don'thave to be scared of it.
it. Yeah, before real estate, Iworked downtown too.
(22:41):
And I worked in the, it used to becalled the Oxford Tower.
I think it's the MVP Tower now.
It's right across from, well,
pretty much across from Rogersnow.
And the Pedway system there, youknow, went through the city center
mall and went down and you couldget all the way to Canada Place,
which is probably what, sevenblocks from there.
And yeah, and you know, and thenback to Commerce Place and all the
office buildings.
And there used to be lots of
shopping and everything.
I mean, I think every... city has
suffered in certain areas becauseof the pandemic.
(23:02):
But like I said, I would love tosee, because that area has so much
potential to be really, reallycool, really accessible, you know,
and especially like where the icedistrict is now, like everything
around Rogers place, since webuilt the new arena, new there's a
grocery store down there.
I mean, I think that's a really
cool opportunity for people whowant to be in the city center and
want the accessibility, right?Like, I don't know if it could be
a walkable city just yet, but it'sgetting there with the LRT.
I think that's great.
Like for people who maybe don't
want to drive.
I do have clients.
that live downtown that don'tdrive or they only have one
vehicle.
Like they want to be a one vehicle
household, which is really smartfor insurance and the cost of
owning two vehicles.
Right.
Yeah.
When you brought up the Rogers
place, I think that is so wildbecause I remember when they put
it out there that they were goingto build it.
(23:22):
And I thought in my mind, I said,well, where the heck are they
going to put it?Right.
And they literally put it deadcenter in everything.
And they built this beautifulvenue.
I think it's changed downtown ahundred percent.
And they're able to host likesome.
pretty massive events there, whichis really cool.
And When I'm talking about thepedways and stuff, like you don't
actually have to go outside andbrave the elements.
(23:43):
Like when we would go to hockeygames, there's certain parking
places that you can go and youjust go through all the pedways
and you literally leave yourvehicle.
You go to a heated garage, you gothrough the pedways to the venue
and yeah, you never actually haveto go outside.
No. And there's more than enoughparking down there.
Like it's not all right at Rogers,but like you said, like you can
park over some of the hotelsthere.
You can park in that MVP tower andtake the pedway across.
(24:07):
Like, yeah.
It's great for games and, you
know, concerts and stuff in thewinter.
I think that is something thatterrifies people about Edmonton is
that we do get like really,really, really cold winters, like
crazily cold, but not forever.
Like we get a couple of weeks of
minus 40.
winter.
of 40.
I thought you were going to say we
get a couple of weeks of plus 30.
I'm like, yeah, just a couple.
I don't think we've had that thissummer yet.
I know.
I know it's cold this summer.
(24:28):
know it's cold this summer.
So I love a good, true and false
session, especially when it comesto Edmonton.
hometown so I've got a couple ofquestions here for you and I'm
guessing you're going to get themall right because you're a fellow
Edmontonian okay so true or falseWest Edmonton Mall is larger than
Central Park in New York oh uhtrue nope it's false but
Edmonton's River Valley Parksystem is so it's about 22 times
larger than Central Park which ispretty cool cool That's true.
(24:49):
Yes, I knew that one.
Yeah.
So okay, so true or false,Edmonton is one of the only major
cities in the world with no ratpopulation.
Oh, true.
I brag about that to all my family
in Newfoundland.
Yeah.
I know.
Yeah.
They've got some rats runningaround.
Yeah.
That's why we got to keep those
Florida guys out of here.
That's right.
Damn panthers.
to all my Yeah.
Alberta has a province wide ratcontrol program since the 1950s
and Edmonton proudly remains ratfree, which I like.
You know what?And I didn't realize we, yeah, I
guess how do you stay rat freewithout a program?
(25:12):
good thing to know too since the1950s yeah i'm gonna take that
away with you today thank you yeahgood i know i love trivia so this
is this is where i get it in youknow okay so true or false in june
edmonton gets up to 17 hours ofdaylight true yes edmonton is one
of canada's sunniest cities in thesummer with extremely long
(25:32):
daylight hours but we're ineternal darkness let's not talk
about that i know we're nottalking about that good i know i
love trivia so this is this iswhere i get it in you know is
where i so true or false in juneedmonton gets up to 17 hours of
daylight true yes edmonton is oneof canada's sunniest cities in the
summer with extremely longdaylight hours we're in eternal
darkness let's not talk about thatknow we're not talking about that
We're not going to bring that partup.
(25:54):
know 17 hours of sunlight.
It was tough with little kids.
And you probably remember thattoo, right?
When you had to like put liketinfoil on your windows.
I never did that, but yeah, butyeah, you had to get blackout
curtains.
So your kids would sleep more than
four hours.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, and I think the further up
you go, like I know Grand Prairie,there was times where we were
sitting out at a campfire and, youknow, we had to work in the
(26:15):
morning, but like, it's like.
11 30 at night and the sun is
still up and so we're still up andmy dad spent some time in white
horse years ago like in the 80sand he was there in the summer
during the period where it'spretty much 24 hours daylight for
a period of time crazy when you'rethat far north yeah see that's
wild okay so last one here true orfalse i know you're gonna get this
(26:40):
one there is a ufo landing pad 30minutes outside of edmonton still
up and my dad spent some time inwhite horse years ago like in the
80s and he was there in the summerduring the period where it's
pretty much 24 hours daylight fora period of time crazy when you're
that far north yeah spent crazywhen you're that far north yeah
(27:05):
see that's wild okay so last onehere true or false i know you're
gonna get this one there is a ufolanding pad 30 minutes outside of
edmonton Yes, that's true.
It's in St. Paul.
St. Paul.
It's in St. Paul.
I knew that.
We used to do hockey tournaments
(27:26):
there.
St. Paul.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So in 1967, during Canada's
Sentinel.
It even includes a UFO museum.
Just crazy.
I like St. like St. Paul is a nice
little town.
We did a few hockey tournaments
there when my oldest playedhockey.
They have lots of lakes in thatarea.
Like it's beautiful countryside.
And I think their pizza place that
we ordered the pizza was UFOpizza.
It would be.
would be.
I mean, that makes sense.
(27:47):
It's probably out of this world.
And did you know the giant Easteregg in Vagerville celebrated its
like 50th anniversary this yeartoo?
No, I didn't know that.
St. Paul, so that's where my
grandma's from.
And we actually grew up, there's a
lake out there called Garner Lake.
And that's where I basically have
all of my best childhood memories.
So there's the Easter egg.
And then there is big mushrooms ina place called Vilna.
Have you ever seen the sausage inMandir?
Yeah.
Big sausage out there.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Big sausage out there.
Yeah.
I didn't know about Vilna though,because Vilna is kind of past
Westlock, isn't it?Vilna is by St. Paul.
Okay.
I was confused.
I think I've been out that way,but my mom was born in St. kind of
(28:09):
born in St. Paul.
What?
I did not know that.
Shout out to St. Paul.
They're just creating great womenout there.
Wow.
Right?
That's crazy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So some of her family like spent
more time.
Yeah.
So some of her family like spentmore time.
out there but yeah she was born inSt. Paul and then they moved to
Edmonton yeah you know they haveout there in the summer actually I
think in August they do a reallygreat event called Haying in the
(28:30):
30s and it is just an homage tothe 30s and they have a bunch of
vendors out there and actually myuncle is one of them he's a
leather maker so he does leatherhe travels all the way from BC to
come down here and do this eventand it is um you know they have
out there in the summer actually Ithink in August they do a really
great event called Haying in the30s and it is just an homage to
the 30s and they have a bunch ofvendors out there and actually my
uncle is one of them he's aleather maker so he does leather
he travels all the way from BC tocome down here and do this event
and it is um I believe it's afundraiser.
I'm not exactly sure for what, butthey do raise funds for, I
believe, a charity.
It's a really good turnout.
So that's really cool.
I didn't know that.
that.
(28:50):
Like just diverting to talk about
the little town two hours away.
Yeah, I know, right?
Don't move to St. Paul.
Move to Edmonton.
Yeah, move to Edmonton.
But St. Paul, I just want to go
visit.
It's a good place.
right?to go visit.
It's a good Yeah.
I'm not trying to promote St. not
trying to promote St. Paul realestate.
No, this is not the St. Paulpodcast.
(29:12):
However, it is in Alberta.
So.
Yes.
Yeah, we want to be proud of all
of our little towns.
of our towns.
St. Paul, Villeneuve.
That's right.
Bakerville.
Yeah.
It's funny that we have all theseplaces that have these big
monuments.
too.
Like what's your biggest thing inVagerville?
Yeah.
The Easter egg, you know, like,
it's just funny that that's what.
it's just funny that that's what.
They do around here.
Well, and then, Well, and then, I
(29:33):
mean, we could really talk aboutall the monuments.
And I mean, remember the guy thatgot stuck in the Talos Falls there
a couple of years ago on the day?Those balls are real news.
I think that was national news.
We talked about this poor guy and
then they find him.
They find him for mischief or
something for climbing all overthese balls.
So for anybody that, you know,doesn't understand what these are,
(29:54):
like they're giant silver ballskind of in this pyramid thing,
just shiny by our river underneaththe bridge.
Yeah.
And this guy was climbing on them.
He got stuck in them.
And then it turned out that they
actually.
have a trap door for emergencies,
I guess.
Somebody later discovered this,
that he could have maybe escaped.
are real news.
I think that was national thing,just shiny by our river could
escaped.
He could have released himself
from the shiny balls.
He could have released himself
from the shiny balls.
Okay.
So when you have the biggestanything, it still can be
(30:16):
dangerous.
Yeah.
biggest anything, it still can bedangerous.
Yeah.
Yes, that's right.
Well, you know what else we didn'tbring up?
I know because you again are afellow West Ender.
I'm just going to make my own trueor false here.
True or false.
There is a massive cowboy boot in
Alberta that you can actuallystand inside.
I didn't know you could stand init, but I know that there is a
giant boot at the biker apparelstore on 100th Avenue.
I almost went there the other day.
Because my youngest, he's gotten
into dirt biking.
And so we bought him a little dirt
bike out of the cabin.
And so we were looking for boots
for him.
And I was trying to see where we
could find boots his size becausehe's small.
And that was one of the optionsthat came up.
And I'm like, I'm going to go allover to the west side.
(30:39):
dirt was one of the options thatcame up.
And I'm like, Yeah.
But we should talk about that
Edmonton is a very accessible cityto get from one end of Edmonton
under normal circumstances, likewithout major construction or
anything.
I mean, really 35 minutes anywhere
in Edmonton, which a lot of citiesdon't have that either.
Right.
I think that's something that
should be mentioned.
Our traffic flows pretty well.
(30:59):
I mean, summer is constructionseason, but.
which I mean, summer isconstruction season, but.
Well, the Hyundai helps with that.
I mean, you can go either way on
that, which is really nice.
Okay.
So I have.
Some rapid fire questions just for
you.
They're just like lighthearted.
But what is your favorite localcoffee shop in Edmonton?
So I ordered my beans from a localroaster and he opened up a coffee
shop downtown.
I ordered my beans from a local
roaster and he opened up a coffeeshop downtown.
(31:22):
And I can't remember the name ofit, but it's on 105th and Jasper.
So the beans to order online isDecapo, but the coffee shop
doesn't have the same name.
That's my favorite.
When I go downtown, I always haveto stop in to see my friend
Antonio's coffee shop.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So my favorite, I know you didn't
ask me, but I'm going to tell you,is Crumb.
And I feel like I took you there.
I feel like you've definitely been
there.
Yes.
Yeah.
We've gone there twice, I think.
Yeah.
Cause it's my favorite place and I
love that it's locally owned.
(31:42):
I know that there's a couple.
sisters that own it.
They actually did some wonderful
gift baskets for me this year toofor Christmas.
Yeah, which was really nice.
I feel like you got one of those
too.
Yes, like you've I did.
Prom is really good.
I've taken people there since you
took me there.
I've met people there on the south
side.
Yeah, and their rhubarb bar,
rhubarb raspberry bar is like sogood.
Yeah, really good.
You know what I love about them is
that they are all about supportinglocal.
there on know what I love aboutthem is that they are all about
(32:05):
supporting local.
So when you go there, everything
that you see is locally done.
And I just love that.
Oh, it's awesome.
there, awesome.
Yeah, support local for sure.
So what's a must know hidden gem
neighborhood?what's a must know hidden gem
neighborhood?I really like Kavanaugh.
really like Kavanaugh.
They just... to finish.
They're doing something with thesewer lines there, but I like it
because you're close to theravine.
Have you ever walked down there?No. Where is Cavanaugh?
So when you're coming out ofSummerside, so you're up southeast
(32:28):
side of Edmonton for every listingand you're covering trail and get
we boulevard.
you know, go right through
Edmonton.
It's right off of Calgary Trail.
And it's like where those hotelsare.
There's some neighborhoods likeRutherford and everything is over
there too.
Yeah.
And then there's the ravine.
Yeah, there actually used to be a
campground.
I can't remember what it was
called.
It was on the outskirts of the
city before the city grew up thatway.
But you can actually see the oldpower and the stalls and
everything and some of theconcrete from the old campground
(32:48):
when you walk through there.
So it's really, it's really
pretty.
Yeah, people go down there and
take pictures and photography andstuff like that down there.
Yeah, I like that Cavanaughneighborhood.
I think there's still ravine lotsavailable in there.
If you're looking for a lot with aview, there's a few ravine lots
available, you know, backing ontosomething pretty.
I am especially fond of theParkview area.
hotels through there.
So it's there.
Yeah, you know, backing ontosomething pretty.
I am especially fond of theParkview area.
(33:11):
So I love it down there.
My grandparents have an older
bungalow down there and it is justbeautiful.
They've got the most beautifultrees.
I feel like the lots that theyhave out there, they don't make
them like that anymore.
You know, you've got lane access.
They're massive lots.
There's a couple other
communities.
down in that area but I feel like
you're tucked in away from thebusyness of downtown but you're so
(33:32):
close to everything so yeahParkview you could get to West Ed
probably within five minutes Iknow you could probably walk there
so there's Crestwood ParkviewLaurier Laurier.
Yep.
Do you know that community when
you go through the roundabout andyou go straight through down by
the zoo, what that community iscalled?
Cause that I feel like is a reallynice community too.
Laurier Heights, Heights, Ibelieve is that community down
there.
That's a pretty affluent area too.
I mean, the property values arehigher there and there's a lot of
(33:52):
infill development.
Infill development is kind of
controversial, but I feel like alot of the builds there have kept
up with the aesthetic of theneighborhood, like a lot of
craftsman style houses, not justyour typical skinny, typical city
infill, which is nice to see.
Yeah.
gorgeous property down there forsure and down by the river and
then there's patricia heights isover there too yes i feel like
patricia heights is beautiful yeahyeah that's a nice area too
(34:13):
gorgeous property you don't see aton of turnover like those houses
are usually been in the family foryou know 50 years or whatever and
so when they do sell they sellfast because there's not a lot and
then when you go further down thenthere's like westbrook and when
you're coming towards the south imean those are all gorgeous areas
that have you know views of theriver valley so kelly before we
say goodbye to our listeners canyou you share one piece of advice
for buyers or sellers entering inthe market in the next few months
here in Edmonton?feel typical is beautiful yeah
(34:34):
yeah that's a nice area toogorgeous property you don't see a
ton of turnover like those housesare usually been in the family for
you know 50 years or whatever andso when they do sell they sell
fast because there's not a lot andthen when you go further down then
there's like westbrook and whenyou're coming towards the south i
mean those are all gorgeous areasthat have you know views of the
river valley kelly before we saygoodbye to our listeners can you
(34:54):
you share one piece of advice forbuyers or sellers entering in the
market in the next few months herein Edmonton?
My best advice is to think aboutthe long term.
best advice is to think about thelong term.
I think real estate is not meantto be a short term, make money,
fast investment.
People have, don't get me wrong,
but I think five years ahead whenyou're getting into real estate,
think where you want to be fiveyears ahead and plan to stay
somewhere for five years becausethat's where you're going to see
the greatest gains.
So don't necessarily pay attention
(35:15):
to the news and the doom andgloom.
So often, you know, oh, things arecrashing because a lot of times
it's Canada.
Why?
We're a bit of a niche market herein Alberta at the moment compared
to the rest of Canada.
So yeah, I think five years ahead
and, you know, I don't have acrystal ball, but I think you'll
always see an upward trajectory infive years would be my best
advice.
And if you have the opportunity
(35:36):
to, you know, rent out a basementsuite, that's a really good
opportunity too, because we dohave a housing shortage across
Canada.
So if you're willing to take on
something and take on a renter, Ithink there's a lot of opportunity
to really save money and makemoney in those areas.
Yeah.
And then I think I'll just, I'll
touch on the mortgage side alittle bit.
And as always, I'm always going tosay, get pre -approved.
(36:00):
You don't ever want to be out.
shopping thinking that you can
yeah that you can afford somethingand you can't right no it's a
realtor's nightmare to work withsomebody who's not pre -approved
just go get pre -approved and thenyou're not disappointed and if
you're not ready then at least youcan get a game plan talk to sarah
get a game plan yeah that's rightokay kelly where can listeners
find you like are you on instagramwhat's your website do you have
youtube i'm on and you can't rightno it's a realtor's nightmare to
(36:23):
work with somebody who's not pre-approved just go get pre
-approved and then you're notdisappointed and if you're not
ready then at least you can get agame plan talk to sarah get a game
plan -approved that's right okaykelly where can listeners find you
like are you on instagram what'syour website do you have youtube
i'm on Instagram.
Yeah.
Kelly witty real estate.
I'm on YouTube.
Kelly witty seven, seven, eight,seven, I think we'll add it to the
(36:44):
show notes as well.
notes as well.
And my website is Kelly .ca.
Yeah.
And all my information that youcan contact me through there.
Yeah.
That's W H I T T Y witty.
You bet.
Yeah.
And Kelly with a Y. Perfect.
Okay.
Well, thank you for coming on thepodcast today and we'll chat soon.
Awesome.
Thanks Sarah.
You have a great day.
This week on the podcast, I havethe pleasure of speaking with
(00:02):
Kelly Witte, a realtor here inEdmonton.
You're going to get the insight onthe Edmonton real estate market
from two homegrown Edmontonians.
If you are looking at investing in
real estate in Edmonton, thenyou're not going to want to miss
this episode.
Today, I've got Edmonton real
(00:24):
estate expert Kelly Whitty joiningme to break down exactly what
she's seeing on the front lines ofthe Edmonton real estate market.
Whether you're a buyer, seller, oragent, this is something you're
going to want to hear.
Thanks for having me.
I'm Kelly Whitty, real estateagent with Maxwell Polaris here in
Edmonton.
Perfect.
So Kelly and I have been workingtogether for quite a few years
now, and we constantly arelaughing together.
(00:46):
I really enjoy Kelly and ourrelationship.
Kelly, let's do like a littleicebreaker.
And why don't you tell me onething that made you smile this
week?This week?
Oh, I actually had a laugh.
I don't know if you follow, you
know, pop culture stuff in thenews and whatever.
But Ozzy Osbourne, Prince ofDarkness, passed away.
And I didn't realize that my 13-year -old was a big fan.
(01:07):
And so I talked to my mom thismorning.
You know my mom.
Yes.
And she was laughing because shesaid he called her all serious.
And he was like, Yes.
yeah, I'm an Ozzy dog.
That made me smile because he's apretty sensitive kid.
He didn't know Ozzy personally.
Yeah, made me smile well, I think
he lived a good life.
I know he had a lot of fun.
I think he did, 100%.
(01:27):
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah, that's so funny.
Okay, so let's hop into it.
We can kind of get into theEdmonton real estate market and
what's happening.
So do you have any stats available
as far as what's going oncurrently?
I know you were talking about anopportunity.
Just before we hopped on here, somaybe you want to talk a little
bit about that?Yeah, Yeah, sure.
(01:48):
So the single family detachedhousing market in Edmonton is very
strong.
We've seen increases like in the
greater Edmonton area.
So that would be all the
surrounding areas, you know, likeSpruce Grove, Stony Plain,
Beaumont.
Sherwood Park, we've seen a 3 %
increase just from this yearalone.
And then as you had mentioned too,we've seen a 16 % increase just
from Edmonton for single familyhomes.
So that varies from neighborhoodto neighborhood.
(02:09):
You'll see bigger increases inlike some of the more desirable,
you know, the family areas thathave schools like Summerside and
the Orchards and, you know,Ellerslie and then some of those
newer areas to the Northwest too.
Anywhere I think where schools
going in is going to see increasesand lots.
activity because there's going tobe lots of people that want to be
(02:30):
close to those schools.
And then also, I think that there
is a good opportunity for earlyretirees, people that are thinking
about downsizing, couples that arethinking about, you know, they
want to travel more, you know,they want to take some money out
of their house.
There is opportunity for them to
go into the condo market becausethe condo market is doing well,
like a lot better than it has inthe last few years, but it's still
(02:52):
a little bit soft.
So there is an opportunity to sell
high.
and buy a little bit lower in the
condo market.
you know, they because Yeah, I
think that is a big opportunity.
I know property values have been
climbing, I think, in Alberta morethan anywhere else right now.
So have you seen theinterprovincial migration on your
side of things?Yeah, yeah, 100%.
A lot of people coming fromOntario.
We had a mutual client that wasrelocating from the Toronto area
and just going through a lifetransition and wouldn't have been
(03:15):
able to go into the housing marketin that area, but was able to...
she could work remotely she couldcome out to Alberta and get into
the housing market and so againthe condo market is a good
stepping stone to get into thehousing market whether you're a
first -time home buyer an investoror anybody really because the
condo market isn't as scary as itwas because it is a good stepping
(03:37):
stone to start to build equityright and to start to save and not
be paying off somebody else'smortgage essentially right so well
and I think you hit it on the headthere when you say it's a stepping
stone because I mean for somepeople it can be and I think you
hit it on the head there when yousay it's a stepping stone because
I mean for some people it can beyou know, the first step in
building a real estate portfolio,you know, so like that mutual
(03:58):
client we had, she can come here,she can get into the market, and
then she can potentially like usethat as a rental, and then move up
if that's what she decides to do.
Where I think in BC or Ontario,
you really struggle to get yourfoot in the door that way.
And Yeah, I think Alberta just hasso many unique opportunities right
now.
Yeah, definitely.
And like you mentioned, inter-provincial migration.
I think the stat for this yearalone was 60 % of the migration
into Alberta was inter-provincial.
So yeah, that's incredible becausewe still have an affordable
(04:19):
housing market for a lot ofpeople.
And there's great opportunities.
I think people often think of
Alberta as just like an oil pound,but we have the University of
Alberta.
They're doing a big expansion on
stem cell research facility, likethe first of its kind in Canada.
So that's going to attract allsorts of medical professionals
into the area too.
So you see areas around the
(04:39):
university like Belgravia, WindsorPark and everything that have
always been desirable areas forpeople to live in.
And now you're really seeing thetrajectory go up and up there
because professionals want to beclose to work.
And it's a different kind oflifestyle living in that area too,
right?Being more central.
Yeah.
So talking about different
communities, you are fromEdmonton, right?
You grew up here just like I did,right?
(04:59):
Yeah.
What would you say is if you had
to pick your favorite community?and why?
Oh, here well, you know, I'm aSouthside girl now.
I grew up on the West End by WestEdmonton Mall.
And I probably wouldn't go backthere just because of the traffic.
I do like being close to thehighway because, as you know, I've
got property out West.
So I do like that aspect of it.
But I really like the matureareas.
I really do like some of theseolder areas.
(05:20):
Like if you go into areas likeLandrum and Malmo, you know, we're
by Southgate and it's close to theuniversity and it's central.
I think people getting into thoseareas.
I had clients that bought adetached home, you know, a little
bit older home, but the potentialto really, you know, you've got
bigger lots and everything.
I do like that area, but I like
the South.
I mean, for me personally, like my
husband travels lots for work, youknow, he likes to be close to the
(05:44):
airport for him.
So I think that that's good.
And for real estate values, theSouth side does tend to have
higher real estate values.
out this way too.
And I mean, you've probably seenincreases too, just in your area,
like in Leduc and the areas aroundthe city, because as the values
increase in the city, it's goingto push people out to those areas.
on West So do too.
We're proof of that, right?
Like we were in your community, wewere in Summerside and then we
(06:05):
sold, we did do pretty well and wewere able to build a house out
here.
Yeah.
I mean, the appreciation is wildhow much it's gone up already.
Right?Yeah.
I did want to talk to you, though,because I didn't know that you
grew up in the West End because Ialso am a fellow West Ender.
Have we ever talked about this?talked about this?
I don't know.
don't know.
I grew up in Aldergrove.
Yeah, I was in Limburn.
Yeah.
So and I know Limburn.
(06:26):
Well, I mean, there was two placesI grew up.
So La Pearl and Aldergrove.
And so it's pretty funny that we
both ended up on the south side.
Now I'm heading more south because
I'm trying to get further andfurther out of the city.
was in You keep going, you keepgoing.
I know, I will.
Eventually I'll be gone, but.
You're being red here.
I know, right?
No, I feel like that's too far forme.
(06:46):
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Well, I should probably say
congratulations too.
I don't know if you want to talk
about it, but I saw that youbought on social media that you
bought land.
Yes, we did buy some vacant land.
And so that is a new adventure.
I don't know where it's going to
take us, some is a new adventure.
I don't know where it's going to
take us, but I mean, step one,secure the land.
And another thing here is that itis affordable.
(07:06):
Well, I guess I don't really knowwhat goes on in BC and Ontario
when it comes to vacant land, buthere you... are able to secure a
pretty decent sized piece of landbecause you guys have land as well
where you have your cabin, right?Yeah, not a lot.
It's a half acre lot.
It's not a lot of land.
It's not a lot of land.
Yeah.
But there's lots of land for salein that area.
(07:27):
And I follow the property outthere quite a bit too, because I
like to work out there in thesummer.
If I can swing in like, there'smany acres, 72 acres for sale for
like 250, 250 ,000.
I think it's not developed or
anything.
swing in I think not developed or
anything.
So my husband, I wanted to buy it.
And he was like, why?I'm like, I really don't know.
I just want it.
Just because I need to secure it.
(07:48):
I need to secure it.
I just need to secure that, right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's Mark Twain saying buy land.
They're not making any more of it.
So. They're not, right?No, I think we should all buy lots
of land.
Yeah, and I think it's easier to
do that here than anywhere.
And we're going to talk about
Edmonton and Alberta real estatejust as it pertains to Edmonton.
But, you know, it's gettingbusier.
(08:09):
And I think that there are moreopportunities here than anywhere
else right now.
But I am seeing the busyness of
it.
And that's kind of why we're
tending to just keep putting ourfeet a little bit further out of
town.
Because when we were growing up in
the West End, The Henday was kindof where it ended.
And now there's so much developedpast the Henday that it's like, I
don't know how far.
Does St. Albert meet Edmonton now?
Like is Spruce Grove meeting withEdmonton?
Like how close are we getting tothat?
I would say St. Albert.
(08:29):
Well, I don't know for sure.
Actually, that's a good question.
But St. Albert, I think there's
nothing like at a certain point,like St. Albert Trail and going
into back in Edmonton.
I don't think there's any.
buffer anything really in betweenat that point yeah spruce grove
was pretty close yeah for sure onthe highway 16a there and getting
into but then there's devonthere's like the asheson and
(08:51):
everything too kind of separatingyep The two, but yeah, I mean,
Edmonton's growing like crazy.
I mean, I've seen, you know, and
you've seen it too.
Like, I don't know if you
remember, I always say this too.
People are tired of hearing this,
but the Ellerslie area where weare now, or where I am now, we had
to go long distance to get toEllerslie.
(09:13):
And we used to always be, we wereall the 403 area code before, and
then they separated it.
And now we have, I think, four or
five different area codes.
But yeah, I had a friend that
lived in Ellerslie and my mom waslike, don't call her because it
was long distance to call.
Albert, like St. Albert Trail and
going into back in you remember, Ia i actually didn't know that that
(09:33):
is wild i'm aging myself butthat's yeah well no but i remember
when we would call and we didn'thave to put the three digits in
the front it was just the lastseven right and then they were
like you got to put the area codein and i'm like what i'm aging
myself but that's yeah no but iremember when we would call and we
didn't have to put the threedigits in the front it was just
the last seven right and then theywere like you got to put the area
code in and i'm like what I know,right?
(09:54):
And as a son, how many people havephone numbers memorized anymore?
Like, as a son, how many I know.
I don't know my youngest son's
phone number, his cell number.
It's on my phone.
It's an 825 number.
Oh my God, I'm remembering that.
Yeah.
And I only remember my older son's
because his 777, he's got a bunchof sevens in his number.
So it's easy for me to remember.
But I could call my childhood
friends if you ask me to.
Like, I have those numbers stored,
(10:14):
right?Me too.
Along with old song lyrics, right?Oh, yeah, yeah.
I know we've talked about thisbefore.
We're going to get out to karaokeone night.
I know, right?Oh, my goodness.
I'm not that good, but I coulddefinitely try.
I think I am, try.
I think I am, but I'm not.
So Kelly, right now, if you hadany advice for sellers, How can
sellers position their listings tomove faster?
One of the most basic things iscleaning.
of the most basic things iscleaning.
Just cleaning and decluttering,right?
You know, the reality of theEdmonton market right now is a
detached house selling fast ifit's priced well, right?
So you really want to price yourhouse to the market because those
(10:35):
houses that are sitting longer,the majority of the time it's
priced.
Everything will sell at the right
price.
If you're trying to sell your
house and you're not quite sure,have a look at it from a buyer's
eyes.
Like if you were looking at it and
you were coming in to buy it, Youknow, yes, people can get past
paint colors and everything, butyou really, really, really want to
give that good first impressionwalking through the door.
(10:57):
So you want a nicely staged houseis your best bet because you want
it neutral because you want peopleto be able to come in and see, and
right staged house is your bestbet because you want it neutral
because you want people to be ableto come in and see, okay, this is
(11:20):
a good place for a couch.
This is practical.
My couch would probably go here.
This is where my furniture would
fit.
The average buyer has a hard time
seeing the potential vacantproperties too, right?
When there isn't the furniture andeverything.
You think that it might be better,but from my experience and from
the statistics, staged houses dosell faster and for more money
than vacant houses and houses thataren't staged nicely.
Do you have a connection that youwork with that helps with staging
or is that something that you canhelp sellers with?
(11:41):
How do they figure that part of itout?
I do.
I do.
I do have a professional stager.
She'll come in and give a
consultation and I will do that atmy cost.
That's part of my marketing planif the seller wants it.
And then she will discuss kind ofa path forward.
we can all discuss how we want tomove forward with her
recommendations.
She can bring furniture in if
necessary, or she can work withwhat's already there.
So she might say, Hey, let's takethis stuff off the wall.
You know, there's lots of littlestaging tricks, like groups of
three and, you know, certaincolors and, you know, putting
(12:03):
things together that obviouslythey're professionals.
I can give advice.
I mean, my advice is just like,
you're moving anyways, take allyour stuff.
People tend to take it personallywhen you're like, put all this
stuff away, but it's not personal.
It's your stuff.
You're selling your house, notyour thing.
So, you know, just give people theopportunity to come in and be able
to picture their own things inthere while seeing the use of the
(12:24):
space, right?That's my advice.
Yeah, that's really good advice.
And then another thing, because we
are talking about theinterprovincial migration at this
point and the fact like that it'sa real thing here, are you able to
accommodate clients looking topurchase from other provinces?
Like, do you have systems in placethat allow you to do that?
Yeah, definitely.
I mean, everything can be
electronic signing.
I can do buyer presentations and
consultations, you know, like thisover video.
You know, technology is amazing.
(12:45):
Yes, it is.
Yeah.
And so it is actually not a
difficult thing to do if peopleare open to it, right?
Most of my buyer consults,especially if there's like small
kids and stuff involved, I'll say,do you want to do a video call
first?And then, you know, we can meet at
the first property, you know, gofor coffee, have, you know,
further discussion.
But that's usually how I do it
with buyers first off.
A little bit for sellers because
(13:06):
you want to see the house.
buyers, it's easy enough to
schedule a Google meet or a Zoomcall or whatever and get to know
each other that way.
It's also a safety aspect involved
too, right?For realtors, because we need to
kind of vet our clients when we'remeeting with strangers because
there's bad people out there too.
We need to be careful.
The client that we worked with whorelocated from Toronto, client
(13:26):
that we worked with who relocatedfrom Toronto, she had the best
experience with you.
And in my mind, I was like, well,
you've got to have some goodprocesses in place if you're able
to leave that kind of animpression.
not only that, like she purchaseda home.
You guys were able to accommodatetimelines and she came, she saw,
she purchased.
And I think she's now happily
(13:47):
moved in, which is such a funthing for her.
Yeah.
my her.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She comes in August and she'sgoing to stay for a little bit and
start decorating.
Yeah.
She's super happy.
She was so sweet.
Yeah.
She was amazing to work with.
So, I mean, it's, I think thatpeople attract good people too,
right?You attract good clients.
I like to think that anyway, youknow, a lot of talking on the
phone.
I mean, I like text messaging too,
to send a quick message, but whenyou have like important.
(14:08):
information to deliver, I reallythink it's important to get on the
phone.
And I know you're good at that
too, right?I mean, you often pick up the
phone to give me a call when we'rechatting about stuff business
related.
think related.
I mean, it works the other waytoo.
Sometimes if I have, you know, badnews to deliver, not desirable
news, you know, if a deal hasfallen through or, you know,
representing a seller and thebuyer can't get financing or
something like that becausethey're not working with you.
(14:29):
That's right.
Exactly.
Yeah.
And then, you know, it takes a
phone call too.
And yeah, communicate.
is always the key.
Just being able to have good
communication with people.
I mean, I'm far from perfect, but
I think once you at least have avoice call, even if you're not in
person, you can still hear thetone of somebody's voice and you
just don't get that with textmessaging.
And I think a lot of people aremissing out on that now because it
(14:51):
is so easy just to send textmessages.
think out on that now because itis so easy just to send text
messages.
I mean, this is a whole other
conversation, but just becomingmore antisocial, right?
Like people don't, people forgetabout that personal connection.
And I think we all really crave ittoo.
And real estate is such a personalthing and you know, and your
finances are a personal thing.
too, right?
So you need to, you need to have agood relationship and a personal
relationship with people and seewhere they're coming from.
So I know in my business, becauseI am completely virtual, and I do
(15:12):
everything online, I'veincorporated a lot of video within
my process.
So do you use video at all with
your business?You are so good at that.
to, I know in my business, becauseI am completely virtual, and I do
everything online, I'veincorporated a lot of video within
my process.
So do you use video at all with
your business?You so good at that.
And you've been good at that fromthe get go since I've known you.
(15:34):
Yeah.
And I don't use it as a regular
tool I should I try to get moreinto the social media aspect like
with reels and you know YouTubeand stuff because statistically
people do like that too I'velearned that through my business
coaching as well that peoplerelate to you when they see a
video of you right they're like ohokay that's a real person that's
somebody talking about real estateand whatever and so but I think
like you're on the front lines sofor you you're actually meeting
with clients and you're going andseeing places you're meeting at
properties when like there'sbuyers sellers like you meet I
(15:55):
think like you're on the frontlines so for you you're actually
meeting with clients and you'regoing and seeing places you're
meeting at properties when likethere's buyers sellers like you
meet in person.
And so for me, I don't, I won't
meet people in person unless it'sreally necessary.
But generally speaking, everythingthat I can do can be done online.
So maybe video is important.
Yes, in my business, but I think
because you really are making thatface to face.
(16:18):
with clients that maybe it's notas needed actually when you put it
that way that does make sense yesbecause i do i am going to get the
opportunity at one point to meetwith them i did have clients that
bought a couple years ago likethey bought sight unseen and then
they didn't see it until theinspection but i still did have
that opportunity like i did meetwith them in person after the fact
yeah they were in the provincethey were just coming from another
town they were up north but uhyeah i guess that would be the big
difference is that i do eventuallymeet with people in person but i
do take advantage of thetechnology that's there i did that
(16:39):
does make sense yes because i do iam going to get the opportunity at
one point to meet with them i didhave clients that bought a couple
years ago like they bought sightunseen and then they didn't see it
until the inspection but i stilldid have that opportunity like i
did meet with them in person afterthe fact yeah they were in the
province they were just comingfrom another town they were up
north but uh yeah i guess thatwould be the big difference is
that i do eventually meet withpeople in person but i do take
advantage of the technology that'sthere i did walkthrough of a house
(17:00):
with a buyer that was out of town.
It was almost terrifying because I
was there by myself and it waslike this old log home, but it was
right in town.
It was right in Stony Plain and
the basement was absolutelyterrifying.
Oh no, did you go down there?I did, but I was on video and I
was like, listen, if like thescreen goes blank or something,
(17:21):
you have to call 911 or call myhusband or something.
No, call 911.
Don't call my husband.
He won't know what to do, butyeah, you need to, you need to do
something.
So he ended up seeing the house in
person.
And so it was kind of a big joke
between the two of us and I he wasa referral actually from my
stepdad so like I knew he wasn'tgoing but hopefully not murder me
in the basement but I didn't knowwho else was there i until the
they were in the it was right intown.
It was right in no, did you godown do, the didn't know who else
was there Oh my gosh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You really are on the front linesthere.
Like sometimes I forget aboutthat, but yeah, you are definitely
on the front lines.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's interesting.
I've had, I've had a few, I mean,I've never had an incident, like
knock on wood, you know, I try to,I try to be safe, but I, you know,
I even call my mom sometimes if myhusband's traveling and Chris is
traveling, I'll say, you know,mom, just so you know, I'm driving
out of town today.
You know, somebody should know
where I am.
(17:41):
Right.
Kids aren't going to payattention, but they're like, Oh,
I'm hungry.
Where's mom?
Yeah.
Mom never made it home.
to pay Mom never paid at home.
Oh my goodness.
Mom's been gone for two days.
Mom, I'm tired of cereal.
Where's mom?Yeah, where's mom?
If somebody's coming from BC orOntario and they're deciding, hey,
I'm going to choose betweenEdmonton and Calgary, what would
you say to them?And why would you present Edmonton
as an opportunity for them?Our property values are still
(18:02):
lower, property values are stilllower, like our market, you know,
the average loan prices are stilllower than Calgary's.
From a development perspective,and I mean, this could be
changing, but I have heard thatCalgary has a lot more red tape.
When it comes to development, Ithink Calgary is as big as Calgary
can be.
because it's actually bordering
all of the surrounding areas,whereas Edmonton still has a
little bit of room to move, right?And so the market is based on
housing stars and housing doesn'tget started as fast in Calgary
anymore.
And so, whereas we still have a
lot of new housing parts here inEdmonton, Calgary is still a
beautiful city.
And I mean, I think it applies to
(18:22):
the outdoor lifestyle too, right?Because you're closer to the
mountains and everything inCalgary.
But I think as far as likeaffordability and opportunity, I
think, you know, come to Edmonton,I still think that with the
development of the hospital,hospital and cool things going on
at the U of A and, and the Oilers.
a applies to the the Oilers.
I'm just going to throw it outthere because I mean, honestly
though, like I feel like when theOilers are winning and they are
winning most of the time, it feelslike the city really comes
(18:43):
together.
Let's be honest.
it out there because comestogether.
Let's be honest.
I know.
I'm hoping that this next yearthey can kind of do their thing a
little bit.
But no, I think that the Oilers
really do bring Edmonton together.
And it's funny because you go down
the street and it does feel moreof like a tight knit community
(19:04):
because you see somebody wearingan Oilers jersey and you say hello
and yeah, go Oilers, right?Yeah, it's such an energy.
right?Yeah, it's such an energy.
Yeah, absolutely.
I couldn't agree more.
And I think too, like, you know,Edmonton also, like we used to be
anyways, a festival city.
So I mean, summer, every weekend
there's something going on.
We've got K &A's going on now.
There's the Taste of Edmonton.
(19:25):
I think Street Performers was last
week.
Yeah.
You know, Edmonton is a hoppingcity.
Edmonton is a beautiful city inthe summer.
Like we have the biggest rivervalley system in North America.
You know, I think we have just alot of things, you know, that
aren't talked about.
We have a great restaurant scene.
Like there's so many greatrestaurants, you know, Sabor and
what's the new one in the JWdowntown now, the, you know, Black
Glots.
(19:46):
And I would love to see, I want
everybody to move downtown.
Please move downtown and make
downtown a viable place.
That's what I want to see.
I love it.
I love downtown condos.
I love showing downtown condos.
I love that market.
But I think if we can revitalizedowntown too, you know, it's not
as often of a place as some of thedowntown centers.
I recently, actually, I went to aconference in Halifax.
Oh my goodness.
Halifax.
Now there's a cool place.
Yeah.
Oh, so busy.
And like all age groups, like I
(20:08):
didn't feel old going out, youknow, after 10 o 'clock.
Well, you're not old, Now there'sa cool place.
Yeah.
not old, so you shouldn't feel
old.
Yeah.
Because if you're old, then I'mold.
And then I'm not.
Because if you're old, then I'm
old.
And then I'm not.
Then what?Then what?
Yeah.
Yeah.
But, you know, I would love to seeEdmonton have more of that.
I don't think we make use of ourriver valley enough.
(20:30):
Have you ever gone down the riverin Edmonton?
Edmonton?We didn't have gone down the
river?yeah you went on the river you
know what's really funny in mypast life I what that's dangerous
but no in my past life I actuallyI worked on the riverboat and so I
used to mop the deck and that wasreally fun you did not know that I
did yeah I did go down oh ofcourse I was young but it was a
cool job right there said Sarahmop the deck I said aye aye aye
(20:53):
captain let's go aye aye captaindown the river?
my fun you did not know that I Idid yeah I did go down oh of
course I was young but it was acool job right there said Sarah
mop the deck I said Sarah mop thedeck I aye aye aye captain let's
go aye aye captain aye captainRight?
Like there's lots of activity onthe river.
Like not enough, I don't think,but you can go downstream.
You have to take two vehicles andtwo people and your flotation.
(21:13):
So you drop a vehicle off inCapilano and then you drive up to
the Laurier to the other dog.
You have to take two vehicles and
two people and Capilano and thenyou drive up to the Laurier to the
other dog.
And then you float back down to
Capilano and then you got to, youknow, you got to drive.
There's a little bit of planningand everything that goes with it.
But it takes, depending on theflow of the river and everything,
(21:36):
it takes like three to four hours.
dog.
with it.
And yeah, take a little ruler and
there's some snacks and stuff.
actually really nice like you get
to see a side of the city thatyou've never seen before so yeah
I've lived in Edmonton all my lifeI've done it once it was a lot of
fun good to know yeah I haven'tI've also lived here my whole life
and I've never done it I have swamin it up by Devon because that's
where it's beautiful it's nice andclear and then kind of when it
(21:57):
comes through yeah so I'vedefinitely done that that's a nice
area well there was thataccidental beach there a few years
ago yeah one thing I wanted totalk about too when you were
talking about downtown I don'tknow if a lot of fun good to know
yeah I haven't I've also livedhere my whole life and I've never
done it I have swam in it up byDevon because that's where it's
beautiful it's nice and clear andthen kind of when it comes through
(22:19):
yeah so I've definitely done thatthat's a of when it comes area
well there was accidental beachthere few years ago one thing I
wanted to talk about too when youwere talking about downtown I
don't know if everybody knows thisbut downtown is actually connected
underground and you can kind ofget everywhere through pedways and
underground like connection if youknow where to go so yeah people
are worried about the cold i had aproperty it was the cambridge
lofts and i was able to take theelevator down to the train and hop
on a train and go anywhere that iwanted so accessibility downtown
is great i know that they'reworking on building our transit
system a little bit better but youdon't have to be scared of the
cold It is cold, but you don'thave to be scared of it.
it. Yeah, before real estate, Iworked downtown too.
(22:41):
And I worked in the, it used to becalled the Oxford Tower.
I think it's the MVP Tower now.
It's right across from, well,
pretty much across from Rogersnow.
And the Pedway system there, youknow, went through the city center
mall and went down and you couldget all the way to Canada Place,
which is probably what, sevenblocks from there.
And yeah, and you know, and thenback to Commerce Place and all the
office buildings.
And there used to be lots of
shopping and everything.
I mean, I think every... city has
suffered in certain areas becauseof the pandemic.
(23:02):
But like I said, I would love tosee, because that area has so much
potential to be really, reallycool, really accessible, you know,
and especially like where the icedistrict is now, like everything
around Rogers place, since webuilt the new arena, new there's a
grocery store down there.
I mean, I think that's a really
cool opportunity for people whowant to be in the city center and
want the accessibility, right?Like, I don't know if it could be
a walkable city just yet, but it'sgetting there with the LRT.
I think that's great.
Like for people who maybe don't
want to drive.
I do have clients.
that live downtown that don'tdrive or they only have one
vehicle.
Like they want to be a one vehicle
household, which is really smartfor insurance and the cost of
owning two vehicles.
Right.
Yeah.
When you brought up the Rogers
place, I think that is so wildbecause I remember when they put
it out there that they were goingto build it.
(23:22):
And I thought in my mind, I said,well, where the heck are they
going to put it?Right.
And they literally put it deadcenter in everything.
And they built this beautifulvenue.
I think it's changed downtown ahundred percent.
And they're able to host likesome.
pretty massive events there, whichis really cool.
And When I'm talking about thepedways and stuff, like you don't
actually have to go outside andbrave the elements.
(23:43):
Like when we would go to hockeygames, there's certain parking
places that you can go and youjust go through all the pedways
and you literally leave yourvehicle.
You go to a heated garage, you gothrough the pedways to the venue
and yeah, you never actually haveto go outside.
No. And there's more than enoughparking down there.
Like it's not all right at Rogers,but like you said, like you can
park over some of the hotelsthere.
You can park in that MVP tower andtake the pedway across.
(24:07):
Like, yeah.
It's great for games and, you
know, concerts and stuff in thewinter.
I think that is something thatterrifies people about Edmonton is
that we do get like really,really, really cold winters, like
crazily cold, but not forever.
Like we get a couple of weeks of
minus 40.
winter.
of 40.
I thought you were going to say we
get a couple of weeks of plus 30.
I'm like, yeah, just a couple.
I don't think we've had that thissummer yet.
I know.
I know it's cold this summer.
(24:28):
know it's cold this summer.
So I love a good, true and false
session, especially when it comesto Edmonton.
hometown so I've got a couple ofquestions here for you and I'm
guessing you're going to get themall right because you're a fellow
Edmontonian okay so true or falseWest Edmonton Mall is larger than
Central Park in New York oh uhtrue nope it's false but
Edmonton's River Valley Parksystem is so it's about 22 times
larger than Central Park which ispretty cool cool That's true.
(24:49):
Yes, I knew that one.
Yeah.
So okay, so true or false,Edmonton is one of the only major
cities in the world with no ratpopulation.
Oh, true.
I brag about that to all my family
in Newfoundland.
Yeah.
I know.
Yeah.
They've got some rats runningaround.
Yeah.
That's why we got to keep those
Florida guys out of here.
That's right.
Damn panthers.
to all my Yeah.
Alberta has a province wide ratcontrol program since the 1950s
and Edmonton proudly remains ratfree, which I like.
You know what?And I didn't realize we, yeah, I
guess how do you stay rat freewithout a program?
(25:12):
good thing to know too since the1950s yeah i'm gonna take that
away with you today thank you yeahgood i know i love trivia so this
is this is where i get it in youknow okay so true or false in june
edmonton gets up to 17 hours ofdaylight true yes edmonton is one
of canada's sunniest cities in thesummer with extremely long
(25:32):
daylight hours but we're ineternal darkness let's not talk
about that i know we're nottalking about that good i know i
love trivia so this is this iswhere i get it in you know is
where i so true or false in juneedmonton gets up to 17 hours of
daylight true yes edmonton is oneof canada's sunniest cities in the
summer with extremely longdaylight hours we're in eternal
darkness let's not talk about thatknow we're not talking about that
We're not going to bring that partup.
(25:54):
know 17 hours of sunlight.
It was tough with little kids.
And you probably remember thattoo, right?
When you had to like put liketinfoil on your windows.
I never did that, but yeah, butyeah, you had to get blackout
curtains.
So your kids would sleep more than
four hours.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, and I think the further up
you go, like I know Grand Prairie,there was times where we were
sitting out at a campfire and, youknow, we had to work in the
(26:15):
morning, but like, it's like.
11 30 at night and the sun is
still up and so we're still up andmy dad spent some time in white
horse years ago like in the 80sand he was there in the summer
during the period where it'spretty much 24 hours daylight for
a period of time crazy when you'rethat far north yeah see that's
wild okay so last one here true orfalse i know you're gonna get this
(26:40):
one there is a ufo landing pad 30minutes outside of edmonton still
up and my dad spent some time inwhite horse years ago like in the
80s and he was there in the summerduring the period where it's
pretty much 24 hours daylight fora period of time crazy when you're
that far north yeah spent crazywhen you're that far north yeah
(27:05):
see that's wild okay so last onehere true or false i know you're
gonna get this one there is a ufolanding pad 30 minutes outside of
edmonton Yes, that's true.
It's in St. Paul.
St. Paul.
It's in St. Paul.
I knew that.
We used to do hockey tournaments
(27:26):
there.
St. Paul.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So in 1967, during Canada's
Sentinel.
It even includes a UFO museum.
Just crazy.
I like St. like St. Paul is a nice
little town.
We did a few hockey tournaments
there when my oldest playedhockey.
They have lots of lakes in thatarea.
Like it's beautiful countryside.
And I think their pizza place that
we ordered the pizza was UFOpizza.
It would be.
would be.
I mean, that makes sense.
(27:47):
It's probably out of this world.
And did you know the giant Easteregg in Vagerville celebrated its
like 50th anniversary this yeartoo?
No, I didn't know that.
St. Paul, so that's where my
grandma's from.
And we actually grew up, there's a
lake out there called Garner Lake.
And that's where I basically have
all of my best childhood memories.
So there's the Easter egg.
And then there is big mushrooms ina place called Vilna.
Have you ever seen the sausage inMandir?
Yeah.
Big sausage out there.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Big sausage out there.
Yeah.
I didn't know about Vilna though,because Vilna is kind of past
Westlock, isn't it?Vilna is by St. Paul.
Okay.
I was confused.
I think I've been out that way,but my mom was born in St. kind of
(28:09):
born in St. Paul.
What?
I did not know that.
Shout out to St. Paul.
They're just creating great womenout there.
Wow.
Right?
That's crazy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So some of her family like spent
more time.
Yeah.
So some of her family like spentmore time.
out there but yeah she was born inSt. Paul and then they moved to
Edmonton yeah you know they haveout there in the summer actually I
think in August they do a reallygreat event called Haying in the
(28:30):
30s and it is just an homage tothe 30s and they have a bunch of
vendors out there and actually myuncle is one of them he's a
leather maker so he does leatherhe travels all the way from BC to
come down here and do this eventand it is um you know they have
out there in the summer actually Ithink in August they do a really
great event called Haying in the30s and it is just an homage to
the 30s and they have a bunch ofvendors out there and actually my
uncle is one of them he's aleather maker so he does leather
he travels all the way from BC tocome down here and do this event
and it is um I believe it's afundraiser.
I'm not exactly sure for what, butthey do raise funds for, I
believe, a charity.
It's a really good turnout.
So that's really cool.
I didn't know that.
that.
(28:50):
Like just diverting to talk about
the little town two hours away.
Yeah, I know, right?
Don't move to St. Paul.
Move to Edmonton.
Yeah, move to Edmonton.
But St. Paul, I just want to go
visit.
It's a good place.
right?to go visit.
It's a good Yeah.
I'm not trying to promote St. not
trying to promote St. Paul realestate.
No, this is not the St. Paulpodcast.
(29:12):
However, it is in Alberta.
So.
Yes.
Yeah, we want to be proud of all
of our little towns.
of our towns.
St. Paul, Villeneuve.
That's right.
Bakerville.
Yeah.
It's funny that we have all theseplaces that have these big
monuments.
too.
Like what's your biggest thing inVagerville?
Yeah.
The Easter egg, you know, like,
it's just funny that that's what.
it's just funny that that's what.
They do around here.
Well, and then, Well, and then, I
(29:33):
mean, we could really talk aboutall the monuments.
And I mean, remember the guy thatgot stuck in the Talos Falls there
a couple of years ago on the day?Those balls are real news.
I think that was national news.
We talked about this poor guy and
then they find him.
They find him for mischief or
something for climbing all overthese balls.
So for anybody that, you know,doesn't understand what these are,
(29:54):
like they're giant silver ballskind of in this pyramid thing,
just shiny by our river underneaththe bridge.
Yeah.
And this guy was climbing on them.
He got stuck in them.
And then it turned out that they
actually.
have a trap door for emergencies,
I guess.
Somebody later discovered this,
that he could have maybe escaped.
are real news.
I think that was national thing,just shiny by our river could
escaped.
He could have released himself
from the shiny balls.
He could have released himself
from the shiny balls.
Okay.
So when you have the biggestanything, it still can be
(30:16):
dangerous.
Yeah.
biggest anything, it still can bedangerous.
Yeah.
Yes, that's right.
Well, you know what else we didn'tbring up?
I know because you again are afellow West Ender.
I'm just going to make my own trueor false here.
True or false.
There is a massive cowboy boot in
Alberta that you can actuallystand inside.
I didn't know you could stand init, but I know that there is a
giant boot at the biker apparelstore on 100th Avenue.
I almost went there the other day.
Because my youngest, he's gotten
into dirt biking.
And so we bought him a little dirt
bike out of the cabin.
And so we were looking for boots
for him.
And I was trying to see where we
could find boots his size becausehe's small.
And that was one of the optionsthat came up.
And I'm like, I'm going to go allover to the west side.
(30:39):
dirt was one of the options thatcame up.
And I'm like, Yeah.
But we should talk about that
Edmonton is a very accessible cityto get from one end of Edmonton
under normal circumstances, likewithout major construction or
anything.
I mean, really 35 minutes anywhere
in Edmonton, which a lot of citiesdon't have that either.
Right.
I think that's something that
should be mentioned.
Our traffic flows pretty well.
(30:59):
I mean, summer is constructionseason, but.
which I mean, summer isconstruction season, but.
Well, the Hyundai helps with that.
I mean, you can go either way on
that, which is really nice.
Okay.
So I have.
Some rapid fire questions just for
you.
They're just like lighthearted.
But what is your favorite localcoffee shop in Edmonton?
So I ordered my beans from a localroaster and he opened up a coffee
shop downtown.
I ordered my beans from a local
roaster and he opened up a coffeeshop downtown.
(31:22):
And I can't remember the name ofit, but it's on 105th and Jasper.
So the beans to order online isDecapo, but the coffee shop
doesn't have the same name.
That's my favorite.
When I go downtown, I always haveto stop in to see my friend
Antonio's coffee shop.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So my favorite, I know you didn't
ask me, but I'm going to tell you,is Crumb.
And I feel like I took you there.
I feel like you've definitely been
there.
Yes.
Yeah.
We've gone there twice, I think.
Yeah.
Cause it's my favorite place and I
love that it's locally owned.
(31:42):
I know that there's a couple.
sisters that own it.
They actually did some wonderful
gift baskets for me this year toofor Christmas.
Yeah, which was really nice.
I feel like you got one of those
too.
Yes, like you've I did.
Prom is really good.
I've taken people there since you
took me there.
I've met people there on the south
side.
Yeah, and their rhubarb bar,
rhubarb raspberry bar is like sogood.
Yeah, really good.
You know what I love about them is
that they are all about supportinglocal.
there on know what I love aboutthem is that they are all about
(32:05):
supporting local.
So when you go there, everything
that you see is locally done.
And I just love that.
Oh, it's awesome.
there, awesome.
Yeah, support local for sure.
So what's a must know hidden gem
neighborhood?what's a must know hidden gem
neighborhood?I really like Kavanaugh.
really like Kavanaugh.
They just... to finish.
They're doing something with thesewer lines there, but I like it
because you're close to theravine.
Have you ever walked down there?No. Where is Cavanaugh?
So when you're coming out ofSummerside, so you're up southeast
(32:28):
side of Edmonton for every listingand you're covering trail and get
we boulevard.
you know, go right through
Edmonton.
It's right off of Calgary Trail.
And it's like where those hotelsare.
There's some neighborhoods likeRutherford and everything is over
there too.
Yeah.
And then there's the ravine.
Yeah, there actually used to be a
campground.
I can't remember what it was
called.
It was on the outskirts of the
city before the city grew up thatway.
But you can actually see the oldpower and the stalls and
everything and some of theconcrete from the old campground
(32:48):
when you walk through there.
So it's really, it's really
pretty.
Yeah, people go down there and
take pictures and photography andstuff like that down there.
Yeah, I like that Cavanaughneighborhood.
I think there's still ravine lotsavailable in there.
If you're looking for a lot with aview, there's a few ravine lots
available, you know, backing ontosomething pretty.
I am especially fond of theParkview area.
hotels through there.
So it's there.
Yeah, you know, backing ontosomething pretty.
I am especially fond of theParkview area.
(33:11):
So I love it down there.
My grandparents have an older
bungalow down there and it is justbeautiful.
They've got the most beautifultrees.
I feel like the lots that theyhave out there, they don't make
them like that anymore.
You know, you've got lane access.
They're massive lots.
There's a couple other
communities.
down in that area but I feel like
you're tucked in away from thebusyness of downtown but you're so
(33:32):
close to everything so yeahParkview you could get to West Ed
probably within five minutes Iknow you could probably walk there
so there's Crestwood ParkviewLaurier Laurier.
Yep.
Do you know that community when
you go through the roundabout andyou go straight through down by
the zoo, what that community iscalled?
Cause that I feel like is a reallynice community too.
Laurier Heights, Heights, Ibelieve is that community down
there.
That's a pretty affluent area too.
I mean, the property values arehigher there and there's a lot of
(33:52):
infill development.
Infill development is kind of
controversial, but I feel like alot of the builds there have kept
up with the aesthetic of theneighborhood, like a lot of
craftsman style houses, not justyour typical skinny, typical city
infill, which is nice to see.
Yeah.
gorgeous property down there forsure and down by the river and
then there's patricia heights isover there too yes i feel like
patricia heights is beautiful yeahyeah that's a nice area too
(34:13):
gorgeous property you don't see aton of turnover like those houses
are usually been in the family foryou know 50 years or whatever and
so when they do sell they sellfast because there's not a lot and
then when you go further down thenthere's like westbrook and when
you're coming towards the south imean those are all gorgeous areas
that have you know views of theriver valley so kelly before we
say goodbye to our listeners canyou you share one piece of advice
for buyers or sellers entering inthe market in the next few months
here in Edmonton?feel typical is beautiful yeah
(34:34):
yeah that's a nice area toogorgeous property you don't see a
ton of turnover like those housesare usually been in the family for
you know 50 years or whatever andso when they do sell they sell
fast because there's not a lot andthen when you go further down then
there's like westbrook and whenyou're coming towards the south i
mean those are all gorgeous areasthat have you know views of the
river valley kelly before we saygoodbye to our listeners can you
(34:54):
you share one piece of advice forbuyers or sellers entering in the
market in the next few months herein Edmonton?
My best advice is to think aboutthe long term.
best advice is to think about thelong term.
I think real estate is not meantto be a short term, make money,
fast investment.
People have, don't get me wrong,
but I think five years ahead whenyou're getting into real estate,
think where you want to be fiveyears ahead and plan to stay
somewhere for five years becausethat's where you're going to see
the greatest gains.
So don't necessarily pay attention
(35:15):
to the news and the doom andgloom.
So often, you know, oh, things arecrashing because a lot of times
it's Canada.
Why?
We're a bit of a niche market herein Alberta at the moment compared
to the rest of Canada.
So yeah, I think five years ahead
and, you know, I don't have acrystal ball, but I think you'll
always see an upward trajectory infive years would be my best
advice.
And if you have the opportunity
(35:36):
to, you know, rent out a basementsuite, that's a really good
opportunity too, because we dohave a housing shortage across
Canada.
So if you're willing to take on
something and take on a renter, Ithink there's a lot of opportunity
to really save money and makemoney in those areas.
Yeah.
And then I think I'll just, I'll
touch on the mortgage side alittle bit.
And as always, I'm always going tosay, get pre -approved.
(36:00):
You don't ever want to be out.
shopping thinking that you can
yeah that you can afford somethingand you can't right no it's a
realtor's nightmare to work withsomebody who's not pre -approved
just go get pre -approved and thenyou're not disappointed and if
you're not ready then at least youcan get a game plan talk to sarah
get a game plan yeah that's rightokay kelly where can listeners
find you like are you on instagramwhat's your website do you have
youtube i'm on and you can't rightno it's a realtor's nightmare to
(36:23):
work with somebody who's not pre-approved just go get pre
-approved and then you're notdisappointed and if you're not
ready then at least you can get agame plan talk to sarah get a game
plan -approved that's right okaykelly where can listeners find you
like are you on instagram what'syour website do you have youtube
i'm on Instagram.
Yeah.
Kelly witty real estate.
I'm on YouTube.
Kelly witty seven, seven, eight,seven, I think we'll add it to the
(36:44):
show notes as well.
notes as well.
And my website is Kelly .ca.
Yeah.
And all my information that youcan contact me through there.
Yeah.
That's W H I T T Y witty.
You bet.
Yeah.
And Kelly with a Y. Perfect.
Okay.
Well, thank you for coming on thepodcast today and we'll chat soon.
Awesome.
Thanks Sarah.
You have a great day.
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