RAEdio Podcast

How Affordability and Design Are Shaping Edmonton's Housing Market / Nicholas Carels

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600

In this insightful interview, Nicholas Carels, Vice President of StreetSide Developments & Qualico Fort McMurray, shares his journey into home building, market trends and the future of Edmonton's housing landscape. Discover how affordability, design and community considerations shape the homes of tomorrow.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Nicholas Carels and Edmonton Real Estate

01:25
Lessons Learned in Home Building and Development

03:37
Understanding Timelines and Decision-Making in New Builds

04:51
Changing Buyer Priorities: Size, Style and Features

06:27
The Shift Toward Smaller, More Functional Homes

08:47
Overview of StreetSide Developments and Broadview Homes

10:09
Greenfield and Infill Projects in Edmonton

11:13
Community Considerations and Managing Neighbours

14:11
The Rise of Multi-family Housing in Edmonton

16:23
Innovative Housing Solutions: Garage Suites and Missing Middle Housing

17:46
Partnerships with REALTORS® and Sales Strategies

21:14
Future Trends in Edmonton Housing Market

23:01
Innovations in Construction: Offsite and Factory Techniques

25:13
What Makes a House a Home?

Resources

Guest Links

LinkedIn

Before You Sign: Legal Realities Every Buyer and Seller Should Know / Asa Hagel / Barr LLP

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600

In this insightful interview, real estate lawyer Asa Hagel shares her expertise on the legal aspects of real estate transactions, common misconceptions, and how buyers and sellers can navigate the process confidently. Learn about disclosure obligations, the importance of inspections, and tips for choosing the right legal support.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Real Estate Law

02:01
Common Misconceptions in Real Estate Transactions

04:01
The Role of a Real Estate Lawyer

06:00
Understanding Conditions in Real Estate Transactions

08:58
Legal Responsibilities of Sellers

11:48
The Importance of Inspections

14:00
Post-Closing Issues and Holdbacks

17:04
Advice for REALTORS®

17:56
Key Takeaways for Buyers and Sellers

19:53
Foreclosure Properties and Risks

21:45
Additional Services of a Real Estate Lawyer

23:29
Making a House a Home

23:41
Final Thoughts and Resources

Guest Links

Mortgage 101: How to Plan, Prepare and Buy with Confidence / Heather Bowie / Flare Mortgage Group

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Heather Bowie, a licensed mortgage broker, shares expert insights on the home-buying process, emphasizing the importance of planning, understanding mortgage options and working effectively with REALTORS®. Learn how to prepare financially and strategically for a successful home purchase.

Key Topics

Importance of planning before house hunting
Difference between a mortgage broker and a bank
How to determine affordable monthly payments
Pre-approval process and its benefits
Fixed vs variable mortgage rates
Understanding mortgage terms and amortization
Improving credit score for better rates
Managing interest rate fluctuations

Website:
https://www.flaremortgagegroup.com

Email:
heather@flaremortgagegroup.com

From Chaos to Closing / A Conversation with Kaytlyn Beakhouse of Sort and Simple Professional Organizing

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0600

In this engaging interview, Kaytlyn Beakhouse from Sort and Simple Professional Organizing shares insights on the art of decluttering, emotional challenges, and strategic planning for home organization and downsizing. Discover practical tips for REALTORS®, homeowners and anyone looking to create a more functional and joyful living space.

Key Topics

The evolution of professional organizing as an industry
Emotional challenges in decluttering and how to address them
Timing and planning for downsizing and estate clearouts

Website:
https://www.sortandsimple.ca/

Email:
kaytlyn@sortandsimple.ca

Building a Better Community Together / Amber Blaszkiewicz & Marla Poelzer

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0600

This conversation features Amber Blaszkiewicz and Marla Poelzer, leaders of the REALTORS® Community Foundation and the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation, respectively. They discuss their organizations' missions, the importance of community support, and the impact of domestic violence. The dialogue emphasizes the need for funding, volunteerism and awareness in addressing these critical issues. They also highlight the significance of creating safe spaces for individuals affected by domestic violence and the collaborative efforts between their foundations to foster positive change in the community.

Takeaways

The REALTORS® Community Foundation was established in 1986 to give back to the community.
The Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation supports survivors of domestic violence.
Funding decisions are made through a rigorous rubric and community needs assessment.
Diverse funding sources are crucial for non-profit sustainability.
Volunteers play a vital role in supporting charitable organizations.
Domestic violence has far-reaching impacts on society and costs millions annually.
Community engagement is essential for raising awareness and funds.
Everyone can contribute to the cause, regardless of their profession.
Celebrating 40 years of impact highlights the foundation's achievements.
Creating a safe home is a fundamental right for everyone.

Websites:
https://www.realtorscommunityfoundation.com/
https://jessicamartelmemorialfoundation.com/

Emails:
amber@realtorscommunityfoundation.com
marla.poelzer@jmmf.ca

Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with RAE CEO Larry Westergard

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0600

In this conversation, Larry Westergard, CEO of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, shares his journey from being a REALTOR® to leading the association. He discusses the challenges and misconceptions about REALTORS®, the importance of trust in real estate transactions and the association's role in supporting its members and consumers. Larry also provides insights into the current real estate market trends and reflects on what makes a house a home.

Takeaways

Larry Westergaard transitioned from a REALTOR® to CEO of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton.
His journey into real estate was influenced by his father's advice.
REALTORS® often face misconceptions about their profession being monolithic.
Each REALTOR® operates as an individual business, not just part of a larger entity.
Trust is crucial in real estate transactions, as it's often the largest financial decision for consumers.
The REALTORS® Association provides a central point for compliance with rules and ethics.
Professionalism in real estate involves both skill and ethical behaviour.
The current market is shifting towards a more balanced state.
Understanding local markets is essential for REALTORS® and consumers alike.
A home is defined by the presence of loved ones, not just the physical space.

Website:
https://realtorsofedmonton.com/

Email:
Larry.westergard@therae.com

The Power of REALTORS® — Advocacy, Affordability & the Path to Homeownership / James Mabey

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0700

In this conversation, James Mabey, a member of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton and past chair of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), discusses CREA's vital role in advocating for housing solutions across Canada. He emphasizes the importance of grassroots involvement from REALTORS®, the significance of data in shaping policy and the need for collaboration among various stakeholders in the real estate sector. Mabey also reflects on the challenges of balancing diverse interests across different regions and the critical issues of zoning and housing supply.

What's Ahead for 2026 / Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0700

In this conversation, Mayor Andrew Knack discusses the housing challenges facing Edmonton, emphasizing the importance of balancing rapid population growth with the need for affordable housing. He addresses the complexities of infill development, the relationship between affordable and low-income housing, and the necessity of increasing housing supply to maintain affordability. The mayor also highlights the significance of collaboration with REALTORS® and other municipalities to foster regional growth and cooperation. Ultimately, he reflects on the evolving definition of home and the importance of community amenities in enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Let's Get Started / Darlene Reid

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Mark interviews Darlene Reid, the board chair of the Realtor Association of Edmonton. They discuss the role of realtors, the importance of professionalism in the industry, market trends in Edmonton, and the home buying process. Darlene emphasizes the significance of education and training for realtors, the negotiable nature of commissions, and the subjective nature of home affordability. The conversation also touches on the importance of trust in the realtor-client relationship and what makes a house a home.

The RAEdio Podcast is coming... January 2026!

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:01:26 -0700

Who doesn't like to talk about Real Estate? Host Mark Connolly and Producer Bryn Griffiths chat about a new podcast coming mid January- The RAEdio Podcast. What's it all about? They'll explain.