What is the forecast for Fort McMurray’s housing market? As we enter the 3rd quarter of 2018, it’s cautiously optimistic for those both selling and buying a house in Fort McMurray, the active spring and summer markets suggest a steady path to recovery.

If you’re considering selling your Fort McMurray home, here is some positive news: Sale to list price ratios: Sellers are receiving an average of 95% of their list price thus far in the month of July and  number of sales are strengthening. You should be noticing more of those lovely red sold signs recently, as June posted the highest number of sales for Single Family Detached Properties so far in 2018, with nearly the highest since 2015. 70 Sales= a whopping 45.85% increase over 2017 numbers. Prices fell only an average of 2.5% year over year, with Inventory down year over year.

Pricing your home properly remains essential to gaining the highest and best price and a timely sale, and those that do are selling in very reasonable time frames with the average days on market at 92 days. To stay competitive, conside

r scrutinizing recent sales data for your street and neighbourhood (your Realtor can provide this data) and discuss with your Lore Group Real Estate Agent competitive pricing and marketing strategies.

Buyer confidence is noticeably returning to the Fort McMurray Real Estate Market, with an increase in 1st time home buyers entering the market and scooping up homes while prices have reached a level that is more affordable, renting no longer makes sense for many. There are generally plenty of options out there for a variety of home buyers and incomes. Interest rates remain attractive with Scotia’s Prime lending rate posts at 3.70%. With the expectation that mortgage rates will increase throughout the year, now is the time to take advantage and get pre-approval while rates are low!

What are the hot properties in Fort McMurray? Where can I find deals? The condo market saw the biggest decline, year over year as the average list price of an apartment condo in the month of June was $170,335; representing a 22.81% drop in pricing from June 2017. Condo life has never been more affordable. Vacant lots continue to move with prices falling 15% from May 2018. The average price of a city lot is in areas such as Stone Creek, North Parsons Creek, Beaconhill, Abasand and Waterways is $106,629. Saprae Creek Estate recently rolled back pricing on country residential 2 acre lots starting at $124,900. Keep an eye o

n the repo market, there is currently 45 Fort McMurray foreclosures and more anticipated in the coming year.

Oil has far exceeded what most experts said would happen this year with prices jumping past $71.00 a barrel however the Fort McMurray housing market has been slow to respond as investors continue to exercise caution.The housing market in Fort McMurray isn’t necessarily booming, but it’s not a weak market either. If you’re getting ready to buy or sell and would like more information contact one of The Lore Group, Coldwell Banker Fort McMurray experts to help guide you.

As we’ve previously profiled, with doorbells a-ringing and children a-carroling “Trick or Treat”, the neighborhood comes alive on Halloween; and home is at the center of it all.

For many, Halloween is the most fun time of the year; the last hurrah before winter comes and sends most of the country indoors until spring.  While some are satisfied to celebrate by just setting a candy bowl outside of their front door with the “Take One Please” note posted to its side, you may be wanting to provide your family and friends with more.  And what oozes the Halloween spirit more than turning your home into a haunted house for the party of the year!

You want to make this year the Halloween people are talking about for years to come.  Here are some tips and tricks to turn your house into a haunted one Michael Myers would be proud to call home.

Go Big or Go Home

The first thing to plan out once you decide to make the ultimate haunted house is establish the boundaries for your fright fest.  Do you want a completely immersive experience taking place in every room from backyard (as long as it’s not too chilly) to attic?  Or is limiting your guests to the basement or garage going to allow for the most fun?

You will also want to take ages of those who will be attending into consideration when planning out the activities.  Are you going for terrifying? silly? or both?  If this is a silly and fun “haunted” house for young children, maybe recreating the prom scene from Carrie isn’t the best idea.

Set the Mood

Halloween is all about the mood.  It is that feeling crawling up your spine when you hear the door creak while you are curled up on the couch with the blanket up to your eyes watching Scream.

Lighting: It worked for Wes Craven, so making sure the lighting works to perfection will work for you too.  Black lights are a quick and easy way to set the mood for the entire night.  Strobe lights are another great way to get the blood pumping.  Cover your furniture with sheets to make the lighting work even better and give more of an “abandoned” feel to your house.

Music: This is going to be the soundtrack to your night.  There are also plenty of classics and modern day tracks (“The Monster Mash” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” are pretty much required) to choose from, so make sure your playlist satisfies everyone attending.

Fog:  Who knew a fog machine (or dry ice) could make all the difference in the world?  Your guests will be so impressed with your attention to detail they won’t care if they are scared out of their minds!

You can also start your guests off with a frightening thrill by the way you set up the walk to your front door! 

Must Have Decorations

Now that the mood is set and your guests SOMEHOW survived the walk to the entrance of your haunted house, you want the inside to be just as death-defying.

Wall Decorations: A couple of packs of fake spider webs to cover your furniture and fixtures is a great start.  But there are also scene setters and huge Halloween themed wallpaper you can purchase that will transform any door or wall in your home.

Hanging Decorations: Use fishing wire to hang fake bats and spiders along your ceiling.  You can hang them at different levels also to give a feel that the scariness is all around you!

Its All About the Details:  This is where your creative juices will be put to the test.  Every Halloween themed party needs a bowl of eyeballs (peeled grapes) and dish of brains (cooked spaghetti), but besides that, how creative are you willing to get?  Is each room going to be based on a different scene from your favorite horror flicks?  Is there going to be an operating room from the hospital of your nightmares filled with guts and brains? Or a witches lair with smoky cauldron, broomsticks and black cats? Here is where you can put your own spin on the haunted house!

Ask Your Minions For Help

Have a few friends willing to go all out with you or have the budget to hire some actors?  Strategically place them around corners dressed in their most frightening costumes (mummies and witches are the favorites) to scare all of your guests!

While a haunted house is a fun way to get everyone together, Halloween doesn’t have to be all scary. Plan other activities like a costume contest, pumpkin carving competition or send your guests home with one of these delicious dessert ideas!  But most importantly enjoy the holiday with family and friends!

Get Yesterday’s Prices – This Weekend, at Heritage Landing!

With prices starting at just $259,900, over 50% percent of the condos in phase 1 are already sold.

Come to the Grand Opening of the sales centre, on location at the development property at 121 Denholm Gate, just off of the far south end of Franklin Ave, to start your trip back in time, when the price of a home was still affordable.

It will be an opportunity to visit the Sales Centre, meet the realtors in person and get information about the Heritage Landing Development. One lucky buyer will receive a 1 week luxury trip for two, back in time to London, England! (compliments of Highstreet Ventures, restrictions apply).

Go back to in time by contacting Susan Lore at The Lore Group, Coldwell Banker Fort McMurray 780.370.3325 or visit fortmaccondos.com