Despite the doom and gloom of the national news media, the report from boots on the ground in the real estate trenches in Edmonton are remarkably positive. As inventory has continued to rise again this month, as we would expect in the normal seasonal swell, the undeserved fear and trepidation the media has been peddling hasn't seemed to affect the average prices much at all. Some categories have seen slight retraction to be sure, however for the amount of effort that has been exerted in making buyers scared of Alberta real estate, Albertans are a hearty bunch used to the ebbs and flows of an active and dynamic market. The bottom line for you, the consuming public? Well its simple, you have more to choose from as a buyer and more competition as a seller, but my advice for both buyers and sellers is that the BEST homes ALWAYS sell FIRST and FAST. Buyers should be prepared to buyer when the right home comes on and be prepared for multiple offers as other buyers are doing the same. Sellers need that extra edge by hiring the right agent who can help them BE that home!