Craig Finnman and Deanna Jacobson are REALTORS® with Royal LePage Prestige Realty in Sherwood Park who help owners sell, and buyers find, acreages and rural homes across Strathcona County. This guide covers the County's hamlets, what acreage sellers need to prepare, and how acreages are priced and negotiated.
What is Strathcona County?
Strathcona County is a specialized municipality east of Edmonton, granted that status by the Province of Alberta on January 1, 1996. It combines the urban area of Sherwood Park with a large rural area of farms, country residential acreages and eight hamlets, covering about 1,265 square kilometres, according to Strathcona County.
Which hamlets are in rural Strathcona County?
Rural Strathcona County has eight hamlets: Antler Lake, Ardrossan, Collingwood Cove, Half Moon Lake, Hastings Lake, Josephburg, North Cooking Lake and South Cooking Lake. The County plans Ardrossan, Josephburg and South Cooking Lake as growth hamlets. Many acreages sit between these hamlets, off roads such as Wye Road, Highway 14 and Highway 824.
- Ardrossan: About 4 km south of Highway 16 on Highway 824; K–12 public school, separate school, Ardrossan Recreation Complex
- Josephburg: About 10 minutes southeast of Fort Saskatchewan; Farming community, airport, Josephburg Agricultural Society events
- Antler Lake: About 15 minutes east of Sherwood Park, north of Wye Road; Lakeside homes, Hazelnut Island, nearby Uncas Elementary
- Half Moon Lake: About 13 km southeast of Sherwood Park, north of Highway 629; Crescent-shaped lake, summer resort and beach
- South Cooking Lake: 19 km southeast of Sherwood Park on Highway 14; Day-use park, walking trails, waterfowl viewing
- Collingwood Cove: On Cooking Lake; Former summer resort; birds and wildlife
- North Cooking Lake: 26 km southeast of Sherwood Park; Near the Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area trails
- Hastings Lake: About 40 km east of Sherwood Park; Islands, bird watching, mix of homes and cottages
Source: Strathcona County communities. Living closer in? See Craig's Sherwood Park realtor page and guides to Heritage Hills and Glen Allan.
What should you prepare before selling an acreage in Strathcona County?
Before listing a Strathcona County acreage, gather the documents buyers and lenders ask about first: a current Real Property Report showing every building, well and water records, septic system details, utility and heating costs, and any permits for shops or additions. Having these ready reduces conditions, speeds up financing and strengthens your negotiating position.
- Water: well drilling report (many are in Alberta's Water Well Information Database), recent potability test, or cistern details.
- Septic: system type, age and any service or pump-out records.
- Survey: a Real Property Report with municipal compliance, including outbuildings and fences.
- Land use: zoning and any permits from Strathcona County for shops, suites or additions.
- Costs: recent power, natural gas or propane, and internet options, which buyers always ask about.
How are acreages in Strathcona County priced?
Acreages are harder to price than city homes because no two are alike and there are fewer comparable sales. Craig adjusts recent rural sales for land size, house condition, outbuildings, water supply, road access and distance to Sherwood Park. His Canadian Residential Appraiser designation brings appraisal-level discipline to setting a price buyers' lenders will support.
Get a starting range with a free home evaluation.
How does a strong negotiator help acreage sellers?
On an acreage, a strong negotiator protects your price through the conditions, not just the offer. Well flow, water quality, septic and appraisal conditions give buyers room to renegotiate. Craig prepares documents in advance, sets clear condition deadlines, and answers inspection findings with evidence so a firm deal stays firm and on schedule.
Why work with Craig Finnman and Deanna Jacobson for Strathcona County real estate?
Craig was born and raised in Sherwood Park and has 19 years in real estate; Deanna raised her family in the Ardrossan and Sherwood Park area and works with acreages and rural properties. Together they know both town and country buyers. As of October 2026, RankMyAgent shows Craig at 4.95 out of 5 from 214 verified reviews.
See Craig's current listings, search acreages on the map, or read client testimonials.
Frequently asked questions
Which hamlets are in Strathcona County?
Strathcona County has eight rural hamlets: Antler Lake, Ardrossan, Collingwood Cove, Half Moon Lake, Hastings Lake, Josephburg, North Cooking Lake and South Cooking Lake. Sherwood Park is the County's urban area. Acreages and country residential properties are spread across the rural area between these hamlets, east and southeast of Edmonton.
Do Strathcona County acreages have well water and septic?
Many rural acreages in Strathcona County use a private water well or cistern and a private septic system rather than municipal services. The setup varies by property, so sellers should have well records, a recent water test and septic details ready, and buyers should confirm them during their conditions.
How far are Strathcona County acreages from Sherwood Park?
Most rural Strathcona County is a short drive from Sherwood Park. According to Strathcona County, Antler Lake is about 15 minutes east, Half Moon Lake about 13 km southeast and South Cooking Lake 19 km southeast, while Hastings Lake is about 40 km east. Commute time depends on the exact road.
Do I need a special real estate agent to sell an acreage in Strathcona?
You do not need a special licence, but you benefit from an agent who understands rural properties. Acreages involve wells, septic systems, outbuildings, zoning and fewer comparable sales. Deanna Jacobson works with acreages and rural properties, and Craig Finnman brings appraisal training to pricing them, so both price, market and negotiate with those factors in mind.
How do I find acreages for sale near Sherwood Park?
Search current MLS® acreage listings near Sherwood Park on Craig's map search, or ask Craig and Deanna to set up an alert for Strathcona County acreages that match your land size, budget and preferred hamlet. They will also share recent comparable sales so you know what a fair price looks like.
Selling or buying an acreage in Strathcona County? Call Craig Finnman at 780-982-1589, email craig@craigfinnman.ca, or visit Royal LePage Prestige Realty, 425-450 Ordze Road, Sherwood Park. Start with a free home evaluation.
