Cantiro

What are the biggest challenges facing the industry in 2022 in Edmonton? And how do you plan to cope with them? Similar to this past year, the biggest challenges the industry will continue to face are supply chain issues and inflation of costs. It’s effects impact so many areas of the real estate business, especially when it comes to the cost and timing of our construction. It’s important to proceed with patience and flexibility to navigate through any volatility the market can throw at us.

Although pre-sales have always been a large part of our housing business, we are approaching them a little more cautiously and relying on the amazing trade partner relationships we have built upon over the years.

2020 and 2021 seemed to have been a boon for the new home market contrary to predictions. Was there anything that surprised you on how those lockdown years went for you? Any insights that you can give readers on how the market behaved? What is the big takeaway from events of last year? We were definitely surprised by the uptick is sales during the pandemic, in fact at the very onset our team worked diligently to pivot some of our business planning and practices to accommodate. None of it was in vain however, as they helped us facilitate the volume of sales that were coming through in the months following and set us up for future successes.

George Cantalini

CEO and Founder Cantiro

What we saw were people saving money that would have been otherwise spent on travelling, entertaining, and eating out. Also, people were spending more time in their homes than ever before and realizing that their existing home was no longer meeting their needs. For the first time their home truly became their space for living and the lack of a dedicated workspace, homework nook, play area for the kids, and space to unwind drove people to search for a better home.

What elements are essential in the success of new community developments? Any new designs you are implementing in your communities? What factors will affect the decision to buy a new home? The design of a community needs to be approached holistically. It’s not about how many homes we can fit into the community, but about truly creating an environment for amazing lives to happen (hint: this is the Cantiro purpose). There needs to be full amenities within walking distance, plenty of parks, walking/biking paths, commercial, schools, transit services and environmental awareness. Everyone’s decision to purchase a new home or move into a new community is unique to them and will depend on their life stage, personal economic circumstances, and their need to change.

Where do you see growth in the market? Why do you think so? One of the biggest growth segments that we’ll see in the market is senior rentals. With cost rising for not only homes, but basic necessities like food and supplies, not everyone in this group will be able to afford to downsize into a home while still maintaining a high quality of life.