Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Weekly rate minder provided by: Souchita Rattanarasy Dominion Lending Centres Optimum 780-932-2225. Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on http://www.souchita.com/

Over $80,000 spent on upgrading and renovating this 3 bedroom bungalow with a one bedroom basement suite, and a double heated garage.  Newer oak kitchen, formal dining area, and brightly lit living room complete with fireplace.  3 Bedrooms up, and a 4pce bath.  Suite has full kitchen, large living room, 1 bedroom and 3 pce bath.  Heated and insulated double detached garage.  Low maintenaince backyard patio and shaded area, perfect for summer!  Listed for only $329,900 Call me today to view 780-995-6520 or view all pictures at www.findmyhouse.ca

•     Beautiful home that is a 10 – Just move in and enjoy!

•     Situated on a quiet street in the popular Carlisle neighborhood

•     Extensive upgrades have been done (hardwood, laminate, carpeting, windows, doors, 98% high efficiency furnace, hot water tank, shingles)

•     Enjoy summer BBQs on your exposed aggregate patio while you entertain your new neighbors and friends in your outstanding landscaped yard with new fencing, small vegetable garden, landscaping rock, and many shrubs

 Or visit us at http://www.findmyhouse.ca/list_properties_office.php to view more information and pictures

Weekly rate minder provided by: Souchita Rattanarasy Dominion Lending Centres Optimum 780-932-2225. Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on  http://www.souchita.com/

This is a picture of Tanya and Dustin and their wedding last week that I was invited to and here is our story.

A few months back I was contacted by Tanya who had found me on my website asking for help finding a new home for her and Dustin.  Up to that point they had been working with another realtor and she just wasn’t happy with what that realtor had been showing her and the level of service she was being provided.  At this point I agreed to take on the challenge of finding this young couple their new home.

Tanya and I were instantly comfortable with each other and she had faith that I would be able to help her find the home for them in the time frame she needed.  Dustin was away most of the time working hard out of town… I am sure trying to put in overtime to help pay for the wedding.

It was long after we looked at a few homes when Tanya said this is the one.  Serge you found our new home.  I think she called me a magician… I promise I didn’t keep anything up my sleeve.  The joy that I could see and feel when I have helped someone acheive and get their home is worth more than what we make as realtors.  Sharing those kinds of moments are what makes life great.

But in that short time that we had gotten to know each other we developed a relationship that was more than just realtor and client.  This is always one of my goals whenever I work with clients I treat them the way I would like to be treated but also as my friends as I hope that we will become, and be for a very long time.

Tanya surprised me by inviting me to her wedding.  And what a wedding and reception it was.  Tanya couldn’t have been more beautiful in her wedding dress and Dustin for a dude well what can I say.  The whole ceremony was so heart felt and beautiful.  I was thrown aback by the Catholic priest during the ceremony talking about love and sex.  I think many of the people there including myself had to pick up our lower jaw off the floor, but it was great, and sex should be an expression of love.

Once the reception had started the laughs started and continued for the rest of the time I was there. Both myself and my companion that night agreed that it was the best wedding and ceremony we had ever been to.  Unfortunately I had to leave the ceremony much earlier than I had hoped when I got a message on my blackberry that someone broke into one of the homes I had listed.

But again the words that were shared by all who spoke that night about the love between Tanya and Dustin and the aspirations of the start of their new life together made me so happy and proud that I was a small part in the beginning of this new couples life, and this is why I love being a realtor.

Tanya… Dustin… may your love continue to grow for the rest of your life, and I hope that you will always keep a special place for me and be able to consider me not only as your realtor but your friend.

To view all picture click on the following link: http://www.findmyhouse.ca/view_listing/Satoo/mls/E3186017

This condo has brand new siding, newer fence, new flooring on main floor, end unit backing on to green belt, with a tandem parking stall, quiet neighbourhood.  Have peace of mind knowing that your children are in walking distance to either their elementary or junior high school.  It is close to all amenities, on a major bus route, & close to the Anthony Henday & the Whitemud for convenience to easily get almost anywhere in the city.  Enjoy watching your children play in the back yard, from your large window in the oversized kitchen. Break out the BBQ and enjoy the summer sun in your fenced backyard.  List price $197,500

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Weekly rate minder provided by: Souchita Rattanarasy Dominion Lending Centres Optimum 780-932-2225. Apply online : www.dlconline.com

When it’s Showtime!

You have inspected your house and taken care of problems. Now you are ready for showings. You will need a plan of action that assigns duties to each family member so the place can quickly be whipped into shape.

• Open all drapes, blinds, etc. and turn on lights to make the house bright.
• Air out the house to get rid of cooking, pet odours, and so on.
• Have fresh flowers in view.
• Pick up clutter and empty garbage.
• Make sure everything is spotless.
• Set your thermostat at a comfortable level.
• Remove pets from the house or put them outside.
• If you have an agent, leave when the house is being shown. If you are selling it yourself, you need to strike a balance between being helpful and crowding the buyer.
• In poor weather, provide a place for boots, overshoes and umbrellas.
• Display photos of the house in summer to show landscaping if selling in the winter months.
• Leave out heating and hydro bills.
• For those on a septic system and/or well, leave out inspection and maintenance information.

Article by: CMHC

This is Part 3 of a 3 Part Series

Virtual Tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsEceTeL6Vc        

The best of everything!

This home is a “10” – completely custom built and no expense spared!  Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, it’s the envy of the neighborhood with front yard gardens and rich green grass (thanks to the underground sprinkler system).  18ft vaulted ceilings in the foyer, living room, and dining area.  Oak and ceramic abound!  Large kitchen and breakfast nook that overlooks maintenance free deck and fully fenced backyard.  Family room has oak and mirror feature wall with fireplace and massive window.  Main floor laundry and lots of storage.  Back yard vegetable garden, fruit trees, and beautifully landscaped flowerbeds.  A 5-piece master ensuite to die for!      

2177 sq ft                                                      2 Storrey  

3 Bedrooms                                                3 Bathrooms    

Price: $524,900      

To view more pictures view our featured listings page!    

For more information call Serge @ 780-488-4000 and have him paged.      

Serge Bourgoin

Re/Max Real Estate 780-488-4000

Now, Let’s Go Indoors

A prospective buyer will usually enter through your front door; so, that is where you should begin your interior inspection. You want your buyer to see a neat, clean, well-lit interior. Get clutter out of sight; ensure that carpets are clean and floors are scrubbed and polished; and that walls and trim show fresh paint (preferably neutral or light colours).

Take a sniff. Are there any unpleasant odours in your home? If there are, track them down and eliminate them. Ensure all your lights work and are free of cobwebs. You want your home to look spacious, bright and fresh.

If you have considerable family memorabilia, consider thinning it out. Your objective is to help potential buyers feel as if they could live in your home. That mental leap becomes more difficult for them if your house resembles a shrine to your family.

Professional realtors and decorators say the most important areas of your home to upgrade and modernize are the kitchen and bathrooms. Buyers also want to see new or recently installed floor coverings throughout.

General Interior

• Check stairs for loose boards, ripped carpeting, and missing or loose handrails and guards.
• Most problems with interior walls are cosmetic and can be repaired with spackling compound and paint.
• Ensure doors open and shut properly. Minor sticking is normal but excessive binding indicates possible structural problems.
• Open and close all windows to ensure they work properly. Fogging between the panes of a sealed window indicates the seal is broken and the unit needs to be replaced.
• Keep furniture to a minimum so rooms do not appear smaller than they are. Ensure that traffic can flow in or through rooms unimpeded. If they contain bookshelves or cabinets overflowing with books, magazines and knick-knacks, remove some of these items.
• Ensure closets look spacious, organized and uncluttered. Create space by getting rid of old clothes and junk.
• Remove or lock away valuables such as jewellery, coins, currency, cameras and compact disks.

Kitchen and Bathrooms

• People splash water around in the kitchen and bathrooms so check around sinks, tubs and toilets for rotting countertops and floors. Problems could be due to poor caulking or plumbing leaks. Fogged windows, moulds and sweating toilet tanks indicate high humidity levels, which you can remedy with exhaust fans.
• In the kitchen, clean all appliances, including your oven. Clean or replace your greasy stove hood filter. Clean your cabinets inside and out, as well as your countertops and backsplashes. Repair dripping faucets.
• Remove anything stored on top of your fridge and remove artwork and magnets.
• Remove any items stored on countertops.
• Remove items stored under the sink.
• In bathrooms, scrub sinks, tubs and toilets, taking care to remove any rust stains. Remove mildew from showers and bathtubs. Fix dripping faucets or trickling toilets, and vacuum your fan grill.
• Clean mirrors, light switch plates and cupboard handles.
• Consider installing new 6-litre toilets if you currently have water-guzzlers.
• If you have ceramic tile in either your kitchen or bathroom, ensure grouting is intact and clean.

Basement

The condition of the foundation and main structural members in the basement are critical to the fitness of any house. The purpose of your inspection is to make sure these are sound and durable.

• Look for cracks, water seepage, efflorescence (white powder-like substance), crumbling mortar or concrete, and rotting wood. If any of these problems are present, you need to do further research to learn about causes and possible solutions.
• If your basement is damp or musty, consider using a dehumidifier.
• Like all other areas of your home, your basement should be organized and clutter-free.
• Change the filters in the furnace and have it cleaned-this is the number one item purchasers want done after a home inspection.
• If you have a pet with a litterbox, ensure the litterbox is clean.

Garage

• Get rid of the broken tools, old car parts, discarded bicycles, empty paint cans and the hundreds of other useless items that accumulate in garages. Again, you want a clutter-free zone.
• Use cleaning solutions to remove oil stains from the floor.

Article by: CMHC

Tomorrow is Part 3 of a 3 Part Series