Christmas On Us!

The holiday season is here and City Homes is getting in the spirit with a special offer! The holidays can get expensive from buying gifts for the family to big Christmas dinners. We don’t want this to impede you from purchasing your dream home.

City Homes is offering a $1500 gift card to West Edmonton Mall with the purchase of one of our quick possession duplexes in Stewart Greens. Our Humboldt duplexes are stunning with 11-foot ceilings in the living room, a gourmet kitchen with a full stainless steel appliance package, vaulting ceilings in the master retreat, and large windows allowing for lots of natural light throughout the home.

Move-in for the holidays and let City Homes help pay for Christmas. Use this additional money to buy Christmas gifts for your loved ones and make this Christmas one to remember.

How does it work?

City Homes has 5 beautiful move-in-ready duplexes in the sought-after community of Stewart Greens. City Homes will give buyers a $1500 West Edmonton Mall gift card to go toward Christmas gifts if they purchase before Christmas (December 25, 2021) with possession of their home before January 30^th, 2022.

Learn More!

City Homes Garage Event in Glen Ridding Ravine

Free Garage – Limited Time Offer

A garage is a frequently overlooked aspect of a home. Having a functional garage serves many purposes. In Edmonton, the weather is always fluctuating from hot summer days, rainy spring afternoons, crisp fall weeks, and of course snowy winter months. A garage allows us to keep our vehicles pristine during these weather changes. No more brushing off 4 feet of snow from your car at 8 AM before work.

Maybe you don’t drive and you’re wondering what the purpose of a garage would be. Another added benefit is the additional storage you have. Storing large items like suitcases and that awkward Christmas tree is always difficult. With the additional storage, it allows for more flexibility and space within your home. It also gives the option of a flex room, it can be turned into a little oasis for any type of person. A music studio, workshop, theatre room, home gym, yoga studio, home business, or simply an area to teach the kids a thing or 2 about cars. The options are endless.

Come Visit Our Showhomes for More Information

Complete your dream home with a FREE GARAGE. This offer is for a limited time only for the first 3 buyers of a detached home in Glen Ridding Ravine. A 20×20 double-car garage has a value of $25,000 and will increase the resell value of your home drastically. Take advantage of the City Homes Garage Event today by going to visit any of our various showhomes. Our talented sales team will be able to assist you with any questions you may have. The Garage Event starts June 24th, 2021 and ends July 15th, 2021

We look forward to helping you build your dream home.

Eco-friendly Builder in Edmonton: Built Green Certified

When you are building a new home, look for an eco-friendly builder in Edmonton!

City Homes is proud to be Built Green Certified.

This means that our building practices and materials adhere to the strict requirements of the 3rd party company: Built Green. City Homes Master Builder ensures that the homes we built throughout Edmonton respect the environment. Feel good about building your new home, when you work with us you get semi-customizable floorplans, a selection of interior color choices, and finishes. You will also know that while we build your dream home we are doing so while respecting our Earth.

What to expect from our Built Green homes:

A Healthier, More Comfortable Home
Our homes contribute to improved air quality and fewer toxins and dust in the air. This means less stress on the respiratory and immune systems.

Homes have a significant reduction of drafts, cold spots, and temperature variance from room to room. This is due to the attention to the home’s airtightness and ventilation

A More Efficient Home
Our homes are resource-efficient, reducing their environmental impact. Both during the build and in the day-to-day operation of the home.

Economic Benefits
Increased home efficiency means long-term cost savings: reduced water, electricity, and gas bills.

Increased Durability
BUILT GREEN® homes feature a wide variety of durable features. Features include engineered lumber that resists warping. There are durable exterior features such as 30-year shingles to waterproofing foundation walls. We want to ensure that we aren’t building homes that need substantial renovation every five years.

Homeowners of our Built Green Certified homes are automatically eligible for a partial mortgage loan insurance premium refund of 15%!

Built Green Home by City Homes Master Builder

Book an appointment to visit any of our showhomes to learn more about our Built Green standards.

Click Here to See Single Family Homes

New Home in North Edmonton | The Tofino

Enjoy a new home in North Edmonton, our functional layout and gorgeous interior features can be found in our latest model the Tofino!

Cy Becker is a fantastic community in North Edmonton that features an all-season urban park, multiple ponds, and trails. We are proud to introduce a new home in North Edmonton in this community: the Tofino model! This home is surrounded by an all-season park that includes a playground and a splash park for summertime fun. For winter fun there is a skating ribbon and toboggan hill! The community of Cy Becker is the perfect location for you and your family in North Edmonton.

Our favourite furry friends will enjoy trails throughout the community, enjoy a sunny walk along one of two ponds (or both!). Cy Becker is within walking distance is a local pet shop that will be able to provide you with delicious treats and toys for your four-legged friend! Additionally, there are multiple grocery stores, restaurants, banks, medical and spa services within walking distance.

We are so grateful to be a home builder in North Edmonton this community is an excellent location to build your new home! We offer a range of single-family homes to fit both your budget and needs. Our showhome in Cy Becker is one of our newest models: The Tofino! This home was inspired by the elements with large windows in the rear of the home, and in all bedrooms ensuring each room is filled with natural light. The design of our showhome incorporates woodworking in the standard coffered ceiling, island, and as a focal point on the master bedroom wall.

The Interior

The living room features a linear electric fireplace with built-in shelving and tile to the ceiling. Therefore, creating the perfect spot to enjoy the sunrise with a hot coffee in hand. This open concept main area includes ample storage and space for a work from home desk.

Upstairs you enter into the vaulted bonus room eyes are drawn to a gorgeous wooden beam on the ceiling that creates a dramatic and beautiful feature. The bonus room allows for additional space for movie rooms, playrooms, craft and homework desks. The bonus room can be converted to so many great spaces perfect for your family dynamic.

The master retreat is closed off by double doors; as you enter the oversized room grand windows overlook the urban park in Cy Becker. The ensuite includes a private toilet room, double sinks, freestanding tub, and double shower. The walk-in master closet is attached to the bathroom for ease while getting ready…. to go nowhere thank you 2020/2021.

2 Additional Bedrooms, Main Bathroom and Laundry Room complete this upstairs. The space is perfect for families, with lots of added storage and large-sized bedrooms. Our Tofino showhome in Cy Becker, North Edmonton is Built Green Certified! Enjoy this family-friendly home while reducing your carbon footprint and monthly utility bills.

Cy Becker is beautiful and we are proud to be a new home builder in this North Edmonton community. We offer multiple sizes of single-family homes and have the ability to customize the floorplan to fit your needs, and interior selection to fit your unique style.

Book an Appointment with Ken to View Showhome

New Home in West Edmonton: The Cranbrook

Introducing an exciting new home in West Edmonton!

The Cranbrook is City Homes Master Builders newest model designed as a functional family home that is budget-friendly. This home is currently being sold in the community of Stewart Greens in West Edmonton and will soon be available in Cavanagh! We only have 3 models left in Stewart Greens, run don’t walk, and book an appointment!

Book An Appointment with Trista

The Cranbrook is 1586 sq. feet and features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The master bedroom retreat is complete with an ensuite with double sinks and a walk-in closet. The 2nd-floor living space has a bonus room and laundry room. No more carrying laundry baskets down the stairs, just down the hall! Bedrooms 2 and 3 are excellent sizes, perfect for children, work from home offices, or at home gyms.

On the main floor an closed mudroom allows for privacy when guests are over and additional storage for all of the seasons of Edmonton (aka boots, and more boots). The mudroom features a built-in bench with hooks for coats, hats, book bags and purses. Our floorplans are tactfully planned to include features that benefit the day to day lives of you and your family. The Cranbrook model is built with environmentally friendly products, lowering your carbon footprint.

City Homes Master Builder is proud to be Built Green Certified. Complete with items such as triple pane windows, spray foamed jim joists, high-effiency toilets and so much more. In addition being Built Green certified means when you purchase with us you qualify for a 15% mortgage premium rebate!

As I write this blog we are still in the middle of a pandemic (hopefully like the ¾ mark) and homes are more important now than ever. They are schools, offices, gyms, playgrounds, restaurants, movie theatres. Home is everything.

Stewart Greens is a family-friendly community in West Edmonton. Enjoy a connected nature trails system near ponds and parks. There are multiple schools in the area including Winterburn Elementary & Jr. High School, Bishop David Motiuk Elementary, and Jr. High School, and Michael Phair Junior High School. A short drive from Stewart Greens are multiple shopping complexes for all your daily necessities. Bring your taste buds to life with delicious local and franchise restaurants, all seconds away from your new home.

Learn more about this model: The Cranbrook

Learn more about this community: Stewart Greens

New Duplex Home Model: The Humboldt

City Homes Newest Duplex Model: The Humboldt

Keeping on the trend of naming our models after different cities (big or small) we wanted to name our newest model in honour of a Canadian city, who lost so much, but never their heart. Humboldt. We all know the story, every Canadian, hockey player, hockey fan, every person who reads the news. Heartbreak spread across a nation. People from far and wide gave their support, hockey sticks were placed outside front doors, and those affected by the crash were held up by a world coming together.

Humboldt brings a memory of devastation and tragedy but also strength and resilience. In honour of those who lost their lives and those who continue the Broncos legacy today, we are proud to name this home in tribute to the families of Humboldt, especially those personally affected by the events of April 6th, 2018

This home features:

Hunter Douglas Blinds
Triple Pane Windows
Luxury Vinyl Plank/Tile
Quartz Kitchen Counters
Moen Spring Align Faucet in Kitchen
Crown Moulding on 40 1/2 Inch Upper Kitchen Cabinets
Whirlpool Stainless Steel Appliances
Kohler Comfort Height Toilet with Soft Close Lid
Large Front & Back Foyers with Closet
Master Retreat with Walk-in Closet & Ensuite complete with double sinks
Built Green Certified (Energy Efficient Home with Guaranteed Mortgage Premium Rebate!)
Some Homes (Depending on the lot) feature a side entrance and garage!

Coming in at an affordable price point this duplex model can be found in the West Edmonton community of Stewart Greens.

Visit Trista at our showhome: 20711 99B Avenue.

Introducing: The Sicily Model

The Sicily: City Homes Newest Home Model!

Introducing the Sicily single-family home. 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, 2^nd Floor Bonus Room, and Main Floor Den! This home is 2049 square feet and features quartz counters complimented by amazing kitchen appliances. Including a stainless steel side by side full fridge and freezer combo. It is SO cool! (get it?!)

As you walk up to the 2nd floor, you’ll find a laundry room, a large bonus room, and a grand entrance master entrance. Double doors take you into the master retreat with vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet, and 5-piece spa ensuite. The carpet is of course stain resistant too (kids & doggos you have met your match!)

Sicily Modern Elevation

Behind the scenes know that your home stays strong in our cold winters and (hopefully) hot summers. Spray foam rim joists keep your feet warm. Triple pane windows keep the cold out and the heat in during those minus 30 temperatures. Our 96% energy efficient furnace means that while you will be nice and toasty, there is minimal wasted energy. Reducing your carbon footprint! As a Built Green builder, we pride ourselves in ensuring our homes are energy efficient. This also a huge bonus to you as you receive a guaranteed 15% rebate on your mortgage insurance!

While the features of this home are amazing there is something about it that makes it extra special.

This new home model was inspired by and named after our now retired Sales Manager Ernie Pipella. Ernie Pipella was with our City Homes team from our opening day until he retired in 2018. Even though Ernie is no longer an official employee that doesn’t stop him from regular lunch meetings with the team, requesting inventory reports, and always bringing joy with his office visits. Ernie is spectacular in every way, shape, and form; we are proud to have the opportunity to continue to learn from his expertise.

At City Homes, all our models are named after different cities! (Check out our models’ page) Ernie’s grandfather was born in Sicily, it is where their families’ traditions started. Ernie has not yet had the chance to visit Sicily. So, we decided to bring Sicily to him!

Ernie Pipella and President/GM Jay Shipton

This surprise party included our sales team, as well as Ernie’s family! It was an amazing celebration in honor of Ernie Pipella, if you know him you know he deserves this moment and so much more.

You can also visit Sicily – our new showhome in the West Edmonton community of Secord Heights!

The Sicily is Available Throughout Edmonton in

New Edmonton Community! Kinglet

New West Edmonton Community

Introducing: Kinglet by Big Lake!

Enjoy the perks of modern city living with a protected environment in your backyard. Filled with nature trails, daycares, colourful birds, shopping, lake activities, golfing and so much more. The community of Kinglet respects and appreciates the surrounding environment.

Kinglet by Big Lake is surrounded by established communities, has easy access to main commuter routes (Anthony Henday and Yellowhead), and best of all, natural beauty from every corner.

Close by Amenities Include:

Glendale Golf Course + Country Club

West Edmonton Mall

Galaxyland
World Water Park
Over 800 stores for all your shopping needs

Enjoy Centre

Fresh flowers and produce
Wellness Within Health and Yoga Centre

Lewis Farms Community Recreation Centre (2025)

Child Care

Lois Hold Centennial Provincial Park

Enjoy endless adventures with Kayaking, Bird Watching, Nature Trails, Fishing.

Kinglet’s name is in respect of the bird, which is native to Alberta. Kinglets aren’t the only birds around this area; there have been a record 235 species of birds around Big Lake. Swans, Short Ear Owls, even Pelicans will be your neighbours. In addition to the birds, there are moose, deer, beavers, and of course plenty of fish in the waters. This West Edmonton community is nestled far enough away from the city living you get to enjoy these natural wonders let close enough to get downtown or to WEM within 10 minutes.

Indoors, be amazed by our City Homes difference. Our homes offer high-efficient furnaces, stunning appliances, customizable layouts, triple pane windows, hardwood floors and so much more. From spray foamed rim joists to quartz counters, the design of your new home will be beautiful from top to bottom.

Visit our Milan showhome and get information on quick possessions, lots, your custom home and so much more!

5 Things to Do After Buying a House! Answering the “Now What” Question

Hi Yeggers!

I am grateful the sun is back out and shining in good old Y-E-G, we needed the rain, but my sanity needed the sun.

My name is Kimberley, and I am the Sales and Marketing Coordinator with City Homes Master Builder. Just recently, my boyfriend and I purchased a duplex in the North Edmonton community of McConachie. YAY! – guess the builder *cough City Homes cough*) It is a pre-sale so we have a few months to wait before we take possession of our new home. The paperwork is signed, the mortgage handled, we had our meeting with the Décor team and selected our upgrades. That alone seems like a lot when I write it down, but… now what?! There are so many things you need when buying a new home. We have until November, and my Pinterest cannot handle one more home décor pin.

Here is my list of “Things To Do After You Buy A House”

Set a budget: Even if you are like us with a move-in date that’s months away, don’t book that trip to Vegas! (Oops – where was this list when I needed it?!). Unless you already own furniture, things like couches, TVs, even things you probably take for granted like spices and TP, those things add up! It’s nice to have a financial cushion as well to make sure those first few months of adjusting to new mortgage and utility payments don’t cause you stress. You are a homeowner now, you got bills my friends (and lots of them).

TIP 1: Download the Mint App. You can set budgets, preview spending, and allow for alerts. https://www.mint.com/ It is that simple, it will help you make sure that you are saving your hard-earned money, and treating yourself just enough!
TIP 2: I personally bank at RBC, there is a thing called NOMI that uses an algorithm to track your spending, and automatically pulls different amounts of money and puts it into a separate account. Having this app within a short few months, I’ve saved hundreds and didn’t even notice the money had left my chequing’s. Talk to your bank and see if they offer something similar or set up automatic withdrawals!

Look for sales: Sooo I still live with my parents, and besides a few small things, I have no house items. Bless them for buying me pots and pans and bless Simons for having throw blankets and cute kitchen trinkets. SO, omg, as I said above these things are $$$, yet I still need them. We are going to start spending a bit of each paycheque towards items we need that are on sale, and our best friend has been the FLIPP app. Pop your postal code in and flyers from your area come up! Saving the earth and getting deals! There is even a search bar if you are looking to a specific something. We are currently searching for a vacuum and TV (cannot wait to be watching tv from our clean floor).

New Address, Who’s This: So, you move into your new home and everything is great until… oh s%&*! You realized that the online shoe order you just placed was going to your saved address which is not your new address. See the list below of places and people who need to know your current living situation.

Alberta Registry Services: You will need a driver’s license with an updated address.
Your Bank(s)
Current Employer: If you have had a different employer within the last year they will also need to know, as they mail out T-4 slips.
Insurance Company
Doctor/Dentist/Vet
Your favourite online stores that you’ve saved your info in
Family & Friends: The most important!

Canada Post: New Address Services

View the above link to learn more about Canada Post and the different mail forwarding services they offer. This link will also include information about getting your mailbox keys!

WIFI/Utilities: Imagine, you move into your house and…. NO WIFI SIGNAL?! Hellllooo, HOT water, where you at?! These first-world problems can gladly be taken care of BEFORE you move in. Find the telecommunication company you want to work with (In Edmonton your options are Telus or Shaw). Let them know your move-in date, and things will be arranged so that on the day of or shortly after those 3 beautiful bars will be in full force. The same thing is to be said for water, power, and gas. Getting this organized prior to your move-in is guaranteed to remove post-possession stress.

Sweat the Small Stuff: Even though it’s the middle of summer as I write this, I know me and I know my life and if I don’t get a shovel ASAP, I’m doomed. I mean it’s Edmonton so it could snow on August 31st. There are so many little things that can get overshadowed by the beds and tables when buying a house. Check out the graphic below on some small things that you might not be able to live without. (yes, I’m a drama queen but when you are bleeding and need a first aid kit you will thank me).

These are a few things I am currently doing/will be doing in the future! If you have thoughts, think of something I missed, please leave a comment below. This list wouldn’t have been possible without the adulterer adults in my life.

Congratulations on moving into your new home! Wishing you a lifetime of goal crushing and happiness!

Be Fierce!

Kimberley

Lock Down Your Future with Low Interest Rates

It’s Spring and rates have been steadily dropping over the last month. Further drops are not out of the picture which is great news for buyers and anyone coming up for renewal or looking to refinance!

Insured 5-year fixed mortgage rates (less than 20% down payment) are hovering at 2.89% with a handful of lenders. Uninsured 5-year fixed mortgage rates are closer to 3% and some lenders are offering 2.99% and lower. We anticipate some competition between lenders to begin shortly.

Variable rates were more of the popular choice over the last year due to the 1% discount off Prime Rate, however, clients are leaning more towards a fixed rate now that they are below 3%. A fixed rate offers clients the stability of knowing what their payment will be each month over the next 5 years. Prime Rate is currently sitting at 3.95% and buyers can expect at least a 1% discount bringing them to 2.95% for an insured mortgage, however, there could be some fluctuation in your payments. Over the next 5 years, Prime Rate will likely decrease and increase a few times, therefore, clients are taking advantage of the current fixed rate terms.

You may be thinking that maybe you should wait to see if the rates drop down any further. No need! Most lenders offer float downs therefore if you get approved and the rate drops prior to your possession, I can still get you the lower rate. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get the home you have been waiting for. As always, rates change daily and may also vary from province to province. Therefore, dealing with a broker is helpful – a broker will do the work for you by shopping for the best rate and term for each individual file.

This is a Guest Blog written by Karen Pacheco of Mortgage Architects.

You can contact her at www.karenpacheco.com or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!

Top 3 reasons why you need to stop renting &buy a new home NOW!

Let us start by saying buying a home does not replace RRSPs, investments and all that magic stuff the bank can do with your money to make it multiple; so, you can retire in Phoenix like everyone else in Edmonton. You will make fantastic gains owning opposed to renting however, it is important to have a diverse financial profile.

So why should you buy a home NOW opposed to later when you are more “ready. Very simplistically, it is for these 3 reasons:

Equity: The sooner you start the sooner you build up your “nest egg”. Cue google search for nest egg: “A sum of money saved for the future.” How you ask will buying a home increase your wealth when it is so darn expensive? Equity! In 20- 25 years you will have no mortgage! People who have achieved this say it is an exciting part of their life, letting them retire stress-free with a beautiful tangible asset. On this note, if you wait 5 years until a “better time to buy” you will miss out on $43,983 in equity you will build up by getting into the home of your dreams today.

Use your investment: You get to live in an enjoy your investment. In your new home, you get to see every day where your money has gone – unlike in an investment saving profile (which again, is a good idea). That money is not accessible until you are done working. Which for a millennial is a long time! So you might as well make an investment with a large immediate payout – shelter (& a beautiful one!)

Interest Rates: Interest rates are LOW, sadly, they will not stay there. You can get interest rates for a 5-year fixed mortgage at 3.5% or even lower! The interest rates right now from a historical standpoint are exceptionally low and are projected to go up in the near future. So back to that nest egg – if you build a new home now you score an awesome interest rate.

At City Homes, we know that with current mortgage application rules it can be tough, and saving for a down payment?! What savings!? We get it. That part is tricky, so we recommend sitting down with a financial planner or mortgage specialist and working out a plan to get you into a home opposed to paying off someone else’s mortgage. The reality for many Edmontonians’ is starting in a lower square footage duplex or townhome. While that is not always the case it is good to know that there are options in the market that are excellent quality and will still fit into your budget. If you have any questions, drop a comment – we would love to hear from you!

Discover the Difference

Your City Homes Team

Company Update

A big thank you

A big thank you to Jason, Matt, Brandon and James who have had to brave this long stretch of cold weather outside. Not only does this weather we have had make it very uncomfortable to work, but it also presents significant construction challenges. We appreciate your efforts very much.

Community support

We are doing a collection of the most needed items for WIN House for the month of March starting on March 8^th which is International Women’s Day. WIN House has been operating and providing for women and children fleeing domestic abuse for 50 years as of this year! The situations can be so incredibly challenging, and the services WIN House offers are critical to the people that use them. They say it allows them to “catch their breath”. WIN House gives these women and children some hope for their future and some tools to help them to see and achieve a safe living environment.

Some stats on WIN House:

WIN House has 3 shelters in confidential locations in the City. 2 of them are emergency shelters.
WIN House received 3000 calls on their help line in 2018.
WIN House takes in 800-900 women and children each year.
WIN House had to turn away 2200 women and children last year.

In summary, WIN House does amazing work, but they need more help. They need more housing. They need more supplies. They need more awareness to be spread.

Stay tuned for more information on this initiative.