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

✨ Introduction

Buying a home for the first time is more than a financial transaction—it’s an emotional experience that can shake you up in ways you may not expect. I say this not just as someone in the industry, but as someone who’s also just navigated this process for the first time a few months ago.

There’s an unspoken weight that comes with the decision to purchase real estate. You’re not just investing money, you’re investing your future, your routines, your relationships, and your sense of stability. It can be overwhelming, and that’s entirely valid.

Whether you're exploring homes for sale in Edmonton, considering your first mortgage pre-approval, or trying to understand the Edmonton real estate market, this part of the journey matters just as much as the paperwork.

💭 The Emotional Toll Is Real

Behind the excitement of home viewings, scrolling through Edmonton MLS listings, and mortgage approvals is often a quieter struggle—doubt, pressure, and sometimes even fear.

Am I doing the right thing?
Can I actually afford this?
What if I change my mind?

These questions creep in, especially when everyone around you seems so sure of their own path.

As a first-time buyer, you’re doing this without a personal reference point. You’re making massive decisions based on research, gut instinct, and the guidance of others. That’s a lot to carry, and it’s why this journey can be emotionally exhausting even when you’re confident in your “why.”

🧭 Be Honest About Your Motivation

One of the most important things I’ve learned (and continue to reflect on) is the significance of buying for the right reasons.

If you’re doing it because you feel behind, or because others are encouraging you to, you might end up making choices that don’t actually serve your long-term goals. This is your life, not a race to the closing date.

This applies whether you're thinking about buying your first condo in downtown Edmonton, purchasing a single-family home in Terwillegar, or simply browsing to get a feel for the market.

⏸️ It’s Okay to Wait. It’s Okay to Feel Everything.

If you’re not quite ready—financially, emotionally, or otherwise—it’s okay. Pressing pause doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re being thoughtful and intentional.

And if you are ready, knowing what you’re stepping into emotionally can make all the difference in how you handle the process.

No matter where you are in this journey, know this: you’re not alone. The process is complex, but it’s also filled with opportunities to learn and grow. And when you do find the place that feels right, it’s worth every step.

🤝 Let’s Talk About It

If you're wrestling with the weight of this decision, I was right there with you.
So let’s talk about it—honestly, openly, and without any pressure.

Whether you’re planning to buy a home in Edmonton soon or simply trying to understand what comes next, I’m here to walk the journey with you.

Why preparation matters—but flexibility matters even more.

As I approach the end of my first year in residential real estate in Edmonton, I’ve come to understand something that every agent eventually learns: there are lessons in this business you simply cannot prepare for until you’re in the moment.

The Edmonton real estate market is as diverse and dynamic as the people who live here. One day you’re helping a first-time buyer navigate mortgage options; the next, you’re managing multiple offers on a property in a fast-moving neighborhood. No two days are ever the same—and that’s both the challenge and the beauty of working in Edmonton’s real estate industry.

📘 The Reality: You Can’t Prepare for Everything

For someone like me who values preparation, this realization wasn’t easy. I’ve always believed in the old British saying:

“Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance.”

Known as the “6 P’s,” this phrase has guided much of my career. But in real estate, especially in a city as active as Edmonton, even the best preparation won’t cover every situation. Deals fall through. Market conditions shift overnight. Clients change their minds.

And yet—each of these challenges brings growth. You learn how to adapt, communicate, and problem-solve in ways you never expected.

👥 The Power of Teamwork in Edmonton Real Estate

One of the best decisions I made early on was to work within a team. The mentorship and collaboration that come from being part of a real estate team in Edmonton have been invaluable.

My mentor has nearly a decade of experience in Edmonton residential real estate, and even they continue to encounter new situations every year. Watching how seasoned professionals handle uncertainty with agility and composure has taught me lessons no classroom ever could.

If you’re a newcomer to the industry, my strongest recommendation is this:

Join a real estate team during your formative years.

The collective experience, support, and shared resources will accelerate your learning and build your confidence far faster than working solo.

🌆 A Final Thought: Embrace the Unpredictable

Real estate in Edmonton isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to grow through experience. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every client you help, every deal you close, and every lesson you learn contributes to your evolution as an agent, and as a person.

So while I’ll always believe in preparation, I now know that growth in Edmonton’s real estate market comes from embracing the unknown and learning through action.