If you were moving to another city or got a new job on the other side of town and need to avoid a horriblecommute (maybe not in Edmonton but in NY, LA, Toronto) then it would be one thing.
In your case, what's the point? You travel a lot so you won't be living there much. A new condo in a steady market loses value because in a couple of years the carpeting, appliances etc. will be old. And if you ever try to resell it's easier to sell a $300K condo(the one you have) than a $400K one, especially if the economy goes down. I don't know about Canada but here in the US whwn you sell you're paying 6% commission, about 2% transfer taxes (sometimes split by buyer and seller but often a cash-shortbuyer will expect the seller to pay) plus costs torepaint the old place, new carpet, etc. to make it saleable, plus a couple of months of condo fees and property taxes while the old place is vacant.
As someone who travels a lot you might consider a townhouse. Little maintenance but typically you pay your own utilities so you can turn down the heat hile you're away (not off, pipes willfreeze.)
In your case, what's the point? You travel a lot so you won't be living there much. A new condo in a steady market loses value because in a couple of years the carpeting, appliances etc. will be old. And if you ever try to resell it's easier to sell a $300K condo(the one you have) than a $400K one, especially if the economy goes down. I don't know about Canada but here in the US whwn you sell you're paying 6% commission, about 2% transfer taxes (sometimes split by buyer and seller but often a cash-shortbuyer will expect the seller to pay) plus costs torepaint the old place, new carpet, etc. to make it saleable, plus a couple of months of condo fees and property taxes while the old place is vacant.
As someone who travels a lot you might consider a townhouse. Little maintenance but typically you pay your own utilities so you can turn down the heat hile you're away (not off, pipes willfreeze.)