One of the biggest factors that impacts how buyers feel when they walk into a home isn’t flooring, paint colour, or even renovations…

It’s clutter.

A cluttered home feels smaller, darker, and more stressful — even if it’s actually a great property. The good news? Decluttering doesn’t require a massive renovation or expensive upgrades. Small, intentional steps can completely change how your home shows and photographs.

Here are 8 simple, realistic decluttering strategies that actually work.

1. Start Somewhere (Anywhere)

Decluttering can feel overwhelming when you look at the entire house at once. That’s usually why people procrastinate.

Instead of tackling everything, choose one small starting point:

• a pile of papers

• a junk drawer

• a single closet

• a bathroom cabinet

Momentum matters more than perfection. Once you begin, it becomes much easier to continue.

2. Create Three Categories: Keep, Donate, Sell

This is the easiest system to stay organized.

Every item you pick up goes into one of three piles:
Keep | Donate | Sell

Use boxes or bins while you work. When a box fills, set it aside and grab another so you don’t stop your progress. The key is making a decision immediately — not later.

3. Use the 5-Second Rule

Here’s a powerful test:

If you pick up an item and you can’t remember the last time you used it within 5 seconds, you probably don’t need it.

We often hold onto things “just in case,” but rarely use them. Items you haven’t used in years quietly take up valuable visual and physical space.

4. Ask: Does It Actually Bring You Joy?

This sounds simple, but it works.

If an item doesn’t:

• serve a purpose, or

• make you happy

…why is it still in your home?

Buyers notice emotional clutter just as much as physical clutter. The goal is to make the space feel calm, clean, and easy to live in.

5. Eliminate Duplicates

Most homes have far more duplicates than owners realize.

Examples:

• multiple spatulas

• extra kitchen tools

• old linens

• duplicate cleaning supplies

• backup decor items

You don’t need three of everything. Keeping only your best or favourite items instantly makes cabinets and drawers feel larger.

6. Recycle What You Can

Many homes store unused items that simply need to leave:

• old cell phones

• magazines

• outdated paperwork

• broken electronics

These items don’t belong in storage — they belong in recycling. Removing them frees up both space and mental load.

7. Set Time Limits

Decluttering doesn’t need to consume your entire weekend.

Set a timer:
20 minutes per room or area.

A time limit helps prevent overthinking. If you’re debating an item for longer than a few seconds, that’s usually your answer — it can go.

Short focused sessions are far more effective than occasional marathon cleaning days.

8. Don’t Let the Boxes Sit

This is the step most people miss.

You’ve sorted everything… but the donation boxes stay in the garage for months.

Once your boxes are full:

• donate them

• schedule pickup

• list sale items immediately

Decluttering only works when items actually leave the house.

Why This Matters When Selling

Decluttering is one of the highest-return “upgrades” you can make before listing your home.

It helps:

• rooms appear larger

• photos look brighter

• buyers focus on the home (not your belongings)

• showings feel more comfortable

• offers come faster

In many cases, proper decluttering alone can increase perceived value more than small renovations.

If you’re thinking about selling in Edmonton and want to know what specifically you should remove, store, or keep, our MetroYEG team can walk through your home and give you a personalized pre-listing plan.

Sometimes you don’t need to renovate — you just need to simplify.

Canada’s latest inflation report just came out, and while it may look like a small change on paper, it actually matters quite a bit for interest rates, mortgage payments, and buyer confidence — especially here in the Edmonton area.

In January, Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.3% year-over-year, slightly down from 2.4% in December. At first glance, a 0.1% drop sounds insignificant — but for economists and the Bank of Canada, it’s an important signal about where borrowing costs could head next.

Let’s break down what actually happened and, more importantly, what it means for homeowners, buyers, and anyone with a mortgage.

Why Inflation Fell

The biggest driver behind the drop in inflation was gasoline prices.

Fuel prices were 16.7% lower than a year ago, a larger decline than in December. This wasn’t because gas suddenly became cheap overnight — it was mainly due to a base-year effect. In early 2025, oil prices were rising sharply, so current prices look much lower in comparison.

However, when you remove gasoline from the calculation, inflation was still sitting at 3.0%, which tells us underlying inflation pressures haven’t completely disappeared.

Some Prices Are Still Rising Quickly

Even though headline inflation cooled, many everyday costs are still climbing — and some quite sharply.

Here are some of the biggest increases:

• Restaurant meals: +12.3%

• Alcoholic beverages (store): +7.9%

• Alcohol in restaurants/bars: +9.0%

• Toys & hobby supplies: +8.7%

• Children’s clothing: +6.3%

• Grocery store food: +4.8%

One interesting change: fresh fruit prices actually fell 3.1%, largely due to strong harvests in producing regions (berries, oranges, and melons led the decline).

The Most Important Part for Homeowners: Shelter Costs

This is where the report becomes especially relevant to real estate and mortgages.

Shelter inflation — which includes rent and mortgage interest — slowed significantly.

• Shelter cost growth: 1.7% year-over-year

• Rent increases slowed to 4.3%

• Mortgage interest cost increases slowed to 1.2%

This is a big deal.

It’s the first time in nearly five years shelter inflation has dropped below 2%. Slower growth in rents and mortgage costs is exactly what the Bank of Canada has been waiting to see after its aggressive rate hikes over the past couple of years.

In simple terms:
Higher interest rates worked. They cooled the housing cost pressure in the economy.

What About Interest Rates?

Here’s the question everyone really wants answered:

Will the Bank of Canada cut rates now?

Probably not yet.

While inflation is easing, the Bank of Canada is still cautious. The central bank recently held its policy rate at 2.25% and has signaled it does not want to stimulate the economy too quickly. Governor Tiff Macklem warned that cutting rates prematurely — especially during economic uncertainty — could reignite inflation.

Another major factor:
Ongoing uncertainty around trade and U.S. tariffs. The Bank wants clearer economic conditions before making a move.

The core inflation measures the Bank watches most closely did improve:

• Median inflation: 2.5% (down from 2.6%)

• Trim inflation: 2.4% (down from 2.7%)

This is encouraging, but not enough by itself to trigger an immediate rate cut.

What This Means for Buyers

This report actually creates a scenario we often call a “window of opportunity.”

Here’s why:

Interest rates are likely near their peak, but the Bank of Canada is not rushing to cut yet. That means:

• Payments are stable

• Competition is still moderate

• Prices haven’t surged yet

• Many buyers are still waiting

Historically, the housing market becomes most competitive after rate cuts begin — not before. When rates drop, demand spikes quickly and prices tend to follow.

What This Means for Homeowners & Renewals

If you have a mortgage renewal coming up, this data is helpful.

Mortgage interest cost inflation slowing strongly suggests:

• We are past the worst of rate increases

• Variable rates are unlikely to rise again

• Fixed rates may gradually trend downward over time

However, waiting without a plan can be risky. Lenders often price renewals higher than necessary because many borrowers simply sign the offer they receive.

This is exactly where a mortgage broker can make a big financial difference — comparing multiple lenders rather than just accepting your bank’s renewal.

The Bottom Line

Inflation is cooling — slowly but steadily.

We are not quite at the stage where the Bank of Canada will immediately cut rates, but the direction is clearly improving. The biggest missing piece right now isn’t inflation anymore — it’s economic certainty.

Once confidence improves, housing activity is expected to rebound, and historically that happens quickly.

For buyers, this is often the calm before the storm.
For homeowners, it’s the time to review your mortgage strategy — not after rates change, but before.

Tax season is here, and for many homeowners in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, Beaumont, and Leduc, filing your taxes involves more than just your employment income.

If you purchased, sold, refinanced, or renewed a mortgage in the past year, your home can directly impact your taxes — and many homeowners don’t realize it until they speak with their accountant or an Edmonton mortgage broker.

Every year we meet clients across the MetroYEG area who either miss available credits or unknowingly create issues with the CRA simply because they didn’t know the rules. Here are some important tax-season reminders for homeowners in the Edmonton real estate market.

First-Time Home Buyers in Edmonton: Don’t Miss This Credit

If 2025 was the year you bought your first home, you may qualify for the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit.

Eligible buyers can claim up to $10,000, which typically provides about $1,500 in tax savings.

This applies to many buyers who entered the Edmonton market last year — especially those purchasing:

• New builds in Chappelle, Keswick, or Orchards

• Townhomes in Fort Saskatchewan

• Condos in downtown Edmonton

• Starter homes in Sherwood Park

If you purchased with a spouse or partner, you can split the credit. Be sure your accountant knows it was your first principal residence.

Moving for Work in Alberta? You May Be Able to Deduct Expenses

The Edmonton region is heavily employment-driven. We frequently see relocations due to:

• Oil & gas jobs

• Trades work

• Healthcare positions

• Military postings

• RCMP transfers

If you moved at least 40 km closer to your new workplace, certain moving expenses may be deductible on your tax return.

This commonly applies to homeowners moving from rural Alberta into Edmonton or relocating within the Greater Edmonton Area for employment.

Working From Home in Edmonton

Working from home is now extremely common, and many homeowners are unaware they may qualify to claim home-office expenses.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim a portion of:

• Utilities

• Internet

• Home operating costs

• Workspace area

Rules differ between employees and self-employed individuals, so proper documentation is important.

Sold Your House in Edmonton? You Still Must Report It

This one surprises a lot of people.

Even though the principal residence exemption usually means you won’t pay capital gains tax, the sale of your home still must be reported to the CRA.

We frequently see missed reporting when homeowners:

• Upgrade from a condo to a detached home

• Move from Edmonton to Sherwood Park or St. Albert

• Downsize after retirement

• Convert a home into a rental property

Failure to report the sale can lead to penalties — even when no tax is owed.

Rental Properties & Basement Suites

Edmonton is one of Canada’s strongest rental markets, and many homeowners now own:

• Basement suites

• Duplexes

• Legal secondary suites

• Investment condos

If you earned rental income, it must be reported. The good news is many expenses can often be deducted, including certain property costs and financing expenses depending on how funds were used.

This is especially important if you used a refinance or HELOC to purchase an investment property.

Refinancing or Mortgage Changes Can Affect Taxes

Over the past year, many homeowners contacted a mortgage broker in Edmonton to:

• Consolidate debt

• Access home equity

• Renovate

• Invest in real estate

• Switch lenders at renewal

While a mortgage refinance itself is not taxable, the purpose of the borrowed funds matters. For example, borrowing to invest or run a business can change how interest is treated for tax purposes.

This is one reason we often coordinate with clients and their accountants during refinancing.

Mortgage Renewal in Edmonton: Why Tax Season Is the Perfect Time

Tax season is actually one of the best times to review your mortgage.

Your tax return gives a clear picture of:

• Income

• Debt levels

• Cash flow

• Qualification ability

If your mortgage renewal in Edmonton is coming up within the next 12–18 months, planning early can:

• Lower your payment

• Avoid lender penalties

• Improve approval options

• Position you to buy another property

Many homeowners wait until their bank sends a renewal letter — which is often the most expensive time to make a decision.

Why Speak With an Edmonton Mortgage Broker?

Your accountant helps you file taxes.
A mortgage broker helps you structure your mortgage around your financial future.

In the Edmonton real estate market, homeowners often have more equity than they realize, and tax season frequently reveals opportunities like:

• Debt consolidation

• Investment property purchases

• Equity take-outs

• Payment reductions

Need Mortgage Advice in Edmonton?

Whether you bought, sold, refinanced, or your mortgage renewal is approaching, the MetroYEG Mortgage Team is happy to review your options.

We help homeowners across:
Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Beaumont, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan and surrounding communities.

A quick review now can prevent costly mistakes later — and sometimes save thousands over the life of your mortgage.