The Final Step in the Edmonton Home Buying Journey

So here it is.
The day that felt like it would never arrive: possession day.

Also known as the real estate equivalent of Christmas morning.

Everything had been boxed, taped, and jammed into a medium-sized rental truck, which, let’s be honest, somehow felt both too small and way too big at the same time.

I was on standby, watching my phone like a hawk for that glorious “key release” notification.

If you’re unfamiliar with that term, here’s the scoop: it’s the legal green light from both lawyers confirming all documents are in, funds have done their little digital dance, and everyone is officially on the same page. Once that happens, voila, you get the keys. 🎉

Keys in Hand, Chaos in Motion.

When the message finally came through, I was giddy.
Like dance-in-the-driveway giddy.

I grabbed those keys like they were made of gold and dashed to the new place.

My wife was in Portugal at the time (her timing was both impeccable and brutal), so this became a one-man mission to move many years of our lives into a new home. It took longer than expected and was definitely a workout, but it was absolutely worth it.

Why Possession Day Is Quietly Perfect

Honestly, this is probably the shortest blog post I’ll ever write.

And that’s kind of the magic of possession day.

If everything goes according to plan, it’s blissfully uneventful.
No drama.
No surprises.

Just good vibes, sweat equity, and the quiet joy of stepping into a brand-new chapter as a homeowner in Edmonton.

Final Thoughts (a.k.a. The Philosophical Part)

Buying a home is no small feat.

It takes guts.
It takes foresight.
It takes more than a little faith.

But when you’ve done your homework, built a strong team, and stayed the course, it’s one of the most rewarding moves you can make.

Every IKEA build.
Every minor repair.
Every “we’ll fix that later” moment.

They all become badges of pride.

You’re not just moving into a house, you’re building a life, memory by memory.

So here’s to bold steps, fresh starts, and whatever comes next.
Because this is where the good stuff happens.

Thanks for following along on my first-time home buying journey in Edmonton. It’s been a privilege sharing it with you.

Ready to Start Your Own Chapter? Let’s Make It Happen.

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Edmonton, whether it’s your first one or your next one, I’d love to help guide you through the process. From preparation and offers to conditions and possession day, having the right support makes all the difference.

When you’re ready to make your move, connect with me or our team, and let’s turn your vision into reality.

Ludovic Aubertin
Iconic YEG | RE/MAX Real Estate
📞 587-982-8304
📧 ludovic@iconicyeg.com
🌐 ludovic.iconicyeg.com

Financing, Inspections, and Clearing Conditions in Edmonton Real Estate

Ah, condition removal, the moment in the home buying process when things get real.
Like… really real.

Is it stressful? Sometimes.
Is it smooth sailing? Hopefully yes.

Let’s break it down, first-time buyer style, especially for anyone navigating the Edmonton real estate market.

The Two Big Conditions: Financing & Home Inspection

For my purchase, I had two main conditions:

• Financing

• Home Inspection

Pretty standard, and honestly, essential when buying a home in Edmonton.

Financing: Like Butter 

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I came prepared. I was already pre-approved and had my commitment letter from my stellar mortgage broker, aka the unsung hero of this story.

She was responsive, detail-oriented, and handled things the day of.
No crickets.
No radio silence.
Just action.

Because of that preparation (and her hustle), my financing condition was cleared in five days flat. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Done.

Pro Tip:
Get yourself a mortgage broker who knows your financial picture inside and out, stays updated on lender requirements, and can pivot when needed. It makes a huge difference when you’re buying a home in Edmonton.

Property Inspection: Here’s Where It Gets Real 🔍

Let me be very clear:

You will never find a perfect house.
Not now. Not ever.

I don’t care how shiny it looks, there’s always something. The real question is whether that “something” is a deal-breaker.

In my case?
The inspection report was 163 pages long.

Yes. One hundred and sixty-three.

Most of it was cosmetic, loose fixtures, missing caulking, minor wear and tear. About 95% of it wasn’t scary at all.

The other 5%?
That’s where we had a little plot twist.

Why Specialists Matter

The inspector suspected a past sewer back flow issue. He flagged it but didn’t diagnose it, because here’s the key thing many buyers don’t realize:

Your home inspector is a generalist, not a specialist.

They’re not plumbers, electricians, or HVAC experts. Their job is to give you a wide-angle overview and recommend when to bring in someone with specialized tools.

So that’s exactly what I did.
I called in a licensed plumber to scope the sewer line.

Cue dramatic basement moment.

He finishes up, calls me down, and I’m sweating bullets.

His verdict?

“Ludovic, your sewer line is fine, bud.”

Cue internal confetti cannon 🎉

He confirmed everything was normal for the age of the home, gave us a few helpful tips for the future, and off he went.

Conditions Cleared = Stress Evaporated

With both conditions officially removed, I could finally say we were in the home stretch.

At that point, all that was left was to let the lawyers, mortgage broker, and insurance folks do their thing.

The big takeaway?

Your team matters.

Having the right people in place makes the entire Edmonton home buying process far less chaotic. And if you don’t have a full dream team yet, don’t worry, at Iconic YEG, we’re happy to share a vetted list of trusted professionals.

Now? I wait.

Possession day was just nine days away.

The final chapter of this six-part first-time buyer journey is coming soon, and spoiler alert, it ends with keys in hand and champagne in the fridge 🥂🔑

Clearing Conditions Doesn’t Have to Feel Overwhelming - Let’s Talk.

Condition removal is often where buyers feel the most pressure. Timelines are tight, emotions are high, and every decision suddenly feels critical. Having the right guidance and the right team in place can make all the difference between stress and confidence.

If you’re buying a home in Edmonton and want support through every stage of the process, from writing the offer to clearing conditions and beyond, I’d be happy to help. My approach is straightforward, responsive, and focused on making sure you feel informed and supported the entire way.

Whether you’re actively house hunting or just starting to plan your next move, feel free to reach out anytime.

Ludovic Aubertin
Iconic YEG | RE/MAX Real Estate
📞 587-982-8304
📧 ludovic@iconicyeg.com
🌐 ludovic.iconicyeg.com

Let’s make sure your home buying journey stays calm, clear, and on track, right through to possession day.

So, we did it.

On April 21st, we got the words every home buyer dreams of:
“Your offer has been accepted.”

And let me tell you, it felt amazing. The excitement was real. The adrenaline was still pumping… and the reality check hit just as fast.

For context, this wasn’t our first rodeo. Once again, we had found ourselves in the middle of a bidding war. As my wife firmly declared, “We’re not losing this one!” Same script, new property.

We bid.
The competition countered.
We went higher and sent a heartfelt letter.

They outbid us, by a lot, but ultimately lost the house.

Why?

Because of that letter.

The Power of an Emotional Sale

I witnessed firsthand the power of an emotional sale in the Edmonton real estate market. Some sellers aren’t just looking for the highest offer, they’re looking for the right people to take over their home.

That human connection?
It matters.

So when my mentor called to say, “You got the house!” it wasn’t just good news, it was validation.

But if you think that’s the finish line… buckle up.
The real work begins now.

The Conditions Countdown

With our offer accepted, we set a one-week deadline to clear two critical conditions:

• Financing

• Property Inspection

This is where things shift from champagne clinks to spreadsheets, emails, and phone calls.

I was in non-stop contact with our mortgage specialist. The paperwork floodgates are officially open, and I cannot stress this enough:

When they ask for documents — RESPOND. IMMEDIATELY.

Look, I get it. Life is busy. You might be a nurse in surgery, a lawyer in court, a driver on shift, or buried in back-to-back calls all day.

But this is not the time to ghost your broker.

Every hour counts when you’re trying to secure financing and lock in a great mortgage rate in Edmonton. The faster you respond, the smoother this process goes.

At the time of writing, we were expecting the mortgage paperwork to come through the next day, with final confirmation (fingers crossed!) on Friday, a few days later. The home inspection was scheduled for Saturday, another major hurdle before we could breathe easy.

🧠 The Takeaway

An accepted offer is a milestone, not the finale.

If you’re about to dive into the Edmonton home-buying process, remember this:

• Celebrate the win 🎉

• Stay sharp for what comes next

• And for the love of all things real estate… do not buy a car just after approval

Because in real estate, nothing is over until the ink is dry and the keys are in your hand.

Once the conditions are satisfied, you’ll know everything is officially moving ahead, and that’s when you grab yourself a cold beer and celebrate properly.

Ready for the Next Step? Let’s Navigate It Together.

Getting an offer accepted feels incredible, but as you’ve just read, it’s only part of the journey. The period between acceptance and possession is where details matter, timelines tighten, and having the right support can make all the difference.

If you’re buying a home in Edmonton and want clear guidance through every stage, from writing offers to conditions, inspections, and beyond, I’d be happy to help. My approach is honest, proactive, and always focused on protecting your best interests.

If you’re ready to talk about your next move, or just want to ask a few questions, reach out anytime.

Ludovic Aubertin
Iconic YEG | RE/MAX Real Estate
📞 587-982-8304
📧 ludovic@iconicyeg.com
🌐 ludovic.iconicyeg.com

Looking back, house shopping was a uniquely emotional experience. It invited us to dream, but also demanded that we stay grounded. It asked us to imagine a future, while constantly reminding us of our limitations at the time. It was a journey filled with anticipation, hard lessons, and, at moments, genuine heartbreak, especially in a competitive Edmonton real estate market.

My wife and I were right in the thick of it. When I think back to that period, I remember how deeply we felt the disappointment of losing out on a home we genuinely loved. We submitted an offer. We gave it our best shot. And still, we were outbid, three times, by about $30,000. Someone else simply had more money, and that was that.

It stung.
And in some ways, it stayed with us longer than we expected.

Knowing Our Budget Wasn’t Always Enough

At the time, our budget topped out at $430,000. Knowing how competitive the Edmonton housing market was, we intentionally targeted homes listed closer to $400,000. The goal was to leave room for negotiations in a multiple-offer situation.

It was a smart strategy.
But it also required constant discipline.

Looking back, one of the hardest lessons was learning not to get emotionally attached to the listing price—because in Edmonton real estate, it was rarely the final number.

We would walk into a $400,000 home, fall in love with the light in the kitchen or the way the layout suited our lifestyle, and immediately start picturing our life there. When those homes sold for $430,000 or $440,000, it forced us to question whether the dream had been unrealistic, or whether the market simply wasn’t fair.

And in hindsight, the answer was often both.

Accepting What We Wouldn’t Get (At Least Not Right Away)

One of the most difficult adjustments we had to make was accepting what we wouldn’t have, at least in our first home.

For me, that was the kitchen.

I had a clear vision: wide countertops, a gas range, custom cabinetry, a true chef’s space. But reality required me to trade that vision for something simpler, with the understanding that future renovations would come later.

That adjustment didn’t happen overnight.
I had to grieve the dream a little before moving forward.

Looking back, that shift in mindset was pivotal. Once I accepted that buying a home in Edmonton was a journey, not a one-time win, the process became far more manageable. I stopped searching for the perfect home and started focusing on the right one.

A home with good bones.
With potential.
With possibilities we could build on over time.

Why We Learned Not to Get Excited Too Early

If I were offering advice now, especially to first-time home buyers in Edmonton, this would be it:

Don’t get excited too early.

Not when you find the listing.
Not during the showing.
Not even after submitting the offer.

Hope and optimism are important, but looking back, keeping excitement measured protects us emotionally.

When we submitted offers, we learned to choose numbers we were genuinely comfortable with, offers where, if someone outbid us, we could walk away with our heads high and our hearts intact (a lesson I credit to my brilliant mentor).

It wasn’t just about financial limits.
It was about emotional ones, too.

The Edmonton Real Estate Market, in Hindsight

Looking back, the Edmonton real estate market felt vast and unpredictable.

We made multiple offers.
We faced rejection.
We felt frustration more than once.

But with time and perspective, it became clear that unpredictability also meant opportunity. There was never just one home we were meant to have.

There were many homes where we could build a life.

And often, the ones that didn’t work out quietly made space for the one that eventually did.

What Staying Grounded Ultimately Taught Us

Looking back, staying grounded, while not always easy, was what allowed us to keep going.

Home buying wasn’t just a transaction. It was a test of patience, preparation, and emotional balance. We didn’t need to settle; we needed to stay strategic, steady, and realistic.

And in hindsight, that made all the difference.

The right house was out there.
And when we found it, we were ready.

Thinking About Your Own Home Buying Journey? Let’s Talk.

One of the biggest lessons from this stage of the process was how valuable it was to have honest conversations, about budget, expectations, emotions, and strategy. House shopping in a competitive market like Edmonton can feel overwhelming, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you’re a first-time buyer (or even just considering the idea), I’m here to help you make sense of the process—from setting realistic expectations to writing offers you can feel confident about. My approach is straightforward, pressure-free, and grounded in real experience, both personal and professional.

If you’re ready to talk through your next steps, or even just want to ask a few questions, I’d love to connect.

Call, text or email me anytime:
 Ludovic Aubertin                                                                                                                                                                     Iconic YEG | RE/MAX Real Estate
📞 587-982-8304
📧 ludovic@iconicyeg.com
🌐 ludovic.iconicyeg.com

Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance: The Emotional Truth of Getting Ready to Buy a Home

There’s a saying in the UK military world: Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. It’s blunt. It’s a bit cheeky. But it’s also one of the most grounding truths you’ll ever hear, especially when you're gearing up to buy your first home.

Because here’s the reality no one tells you upfront: preparing to buy isn’t just about paperwork, credit scores, and mortgage rates. It’s emotional. It's vulnerable. And sometimes, it feels like you’re being judged before you’ve even had a chance to prove you’re ready.

The Emotional Toll of Getting “Mortgage-Ready”

No one really prepares you for how exposed the process can feel. Every financial decision you’ve ever made is suddenly under a microscope.

Your spending habits.
Your debts.
Your savings.

It can feel invasive, even shame-inducing, like someone is holding up a mirror to your past and asking, “Are you really ready for this?”

But here’s what I’ve learned: most of that pressure is internal. It’s not about anyone actually judging you, it's about learning to face your finances with honesty and clarity, even when it’s uncomfortable. And when you do, you start to realize that preparation isn’t just about improving the numbers. It’s about taking control of your own narrative.

My Own Prep Work

In my case, I knew I wanted to qualify for a mortgage that gave me some breathing room. So, I made a hard choice—I paid off my car in full. That wasn’t easy. But it dramatically changed how lenders looked at my debt-to-income ratio. If you’re not in a place to clear a loan entirely, even paying down a chunk can help more than you realize.

I also started making quieter shifts in how I spent my money. I stopped justifying those small, silly purchases—the ones that seemed harmless at the time but stacked up over the month. Not because I couldn’t afford them, but because I realized that every dollar I saved brought me closer to home ownership. That mindset shift was the real win.

And yeah, some days felt like a sacrifice. But most days felt empowering, like I was finally steering the ship.

You Are Not Your Credit Score

If you're in the thick of preparation and you're feeling discouraged, let me say this: you are not your credit score. You are not defined by your past choices. And you are certainly not a failure because someone asked you for more documents or said you needed to save a bit longer.

Getting ready to buy a home takes courage. It takes discipline. But it also takes grace—for yourself, and for the version of you who’s trying to do better.

The Payoff of Preparation

The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel when the right home comes along.

You won’t hesitate.
You won’t scramble.
You’ll already know your numbers, your budget, and your limits.

And most importantly, you’ll know that you earned this moment—not just through saving and planning, but through the emotional resilience it took to get there.

Because real estate doesn’t reward perfection. It rewards preparedness.

So take it from someone who's living it: Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance—but more than that, it builds the quiet confidence you’ll need to make one of the biggest decisions of your life.

And trust me, you’ll be proud you did!

📞 Ready to Start Your Home Buying Journey? Let’s Do It Together.

If you’re thinking about buying your first home—whether you’re months away or just starting to explore your options—you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Preparing to buy a home takes courage, clarity, and the right guidance, and I’m here to support you through every step.

As a first-time buyer myself, and as someone working directly inside the Edmonton real estate market, I understand both the emotional and practical sides of this journey. My goal is simple: to help you feel prepared, confident, and empowered as you move toward home ownership.

If you’re ready to talk about your next steps, your financing, your timeline, or even just your fears and questions—reach out.
Let’s have a real conversation, with zero pressure and complete honesty.

👉 Call or text me, Ludovic, anytime you’re ready to begin.

CONTACT ME
Together, we can turn preparation into progress, and progress into the keys to your first home.

Ludovic Aubertin

Iconic YEG | RE/MAX Real Estate
Phone: 587-982-8304
Email: ludovic@iconicyeg.com
Website: ludovic.iconicyeg.com