sherwood park first time buyer advice

Want to Buy Houses in Sherwood Park then here are 5 Goals to set in 2023

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Happy new year everyone! 2023 is finally here and we are excited to bring you this year’s content. If you have plans of purchasing houses in Sherwood Park in the new year, this article is for you! Buying a home is one of the most challenging and important purchases that a person can make. In addition, buying a home requires extensive planning and lots of prior tasks. In order to make your dream of buying a home come true, it is important to set yourself some goals. In this article, we have listed the top five goals that you should set in 2023 if you are looking to purchase a house.

Continue reading below to learn more to get inspiration for your new year’s resolutions!

Goals to Help you Purchase Houses in Sherwood Park!

  1. Improve your Credit.

Your credit score is a crucial part of the home-buying process. In fact, your credit score can significantly affect the amount of money you pay for a home. Furthermore, it can determine whether or not you qualify for a mortgage. Depending on how good or bad your credit score is, you may need to pay a larger down payment and get charged higher interest rates on your loan. If homebuying is a near-future goal for you, then we recommend you start taking the necessary steps to raise your credit score. 

You can improve your credit rating by doing simple tasks every month. For instance, lowering your monthly spending, paying dues on time, eliminating debt, and not opening or closing credit accounts. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid applying for things that require a hard inquiry. Keep up to date with your score by checking your credit report via a credit bureau or by a creditor.

  1. Pay off Debt.

The amount of debt you carry will also significantly impact your ability to purchase a home. Not only does debt affect your credit score, but it also affects the size of the mortgage loan you can acquire. Most mortgage lenders will want to see a debt-to-income ratio of 40% or lower. Anything higher than 50% generally prevents you from attaining a loan with better interest rates. Focus on one payment at a time and make minimum payments on other cards or loans while you work to pay off debt. 

  1. Avoid Big Purchases!

If buying a home is your main goal in 2023, then we suggest that you avoid making large purchases. This means no vacations, no new cars, and anything else that is non-essential. Making an effort to reduce spending will help fast-track your way to buying a home. 

More Goals!

  1. Save for a Downpayment.

Any person who is planning on buying a home should have “saving for a down payment” as their number one priority. Downpayments are one of the most challenging and tedious processes of buying a home. It takes lots of planning and effort in order to wrangle the funds for a down payment on a home. Moreover, the larger your down payment is, the more you’ll save in the long run on interest and insurance. In order to successfully save for a downpayment, it is important to budget each month, spend less, and find resources like grants in your local area for first-time home buyers!

  1. Don’t Start a New Job!

Many people make the mistake of switching jobs when they are looking to purchase a home. Especially at the beginning of the year when most people have new year’s resolutions to improve their lifestyle or change their career path. While it might seem like common sense that a higher-paying job would make you look better at a lender’s office, it’s not necessarily true. In reality, most lenders require you to be at your current job for a specific amount of time in order to prove financial stability. However, if a job change is absolutely necessary, there are steps you can take to mitigate risk. For example, staying in the same field or providing proof of a four-year degree in a similar field. 

Contact Me Today!

For more information about what new year’s resolutions, you should consider setting as a first-time buyer, contact me today! I would be happy to help you set the right goals to buy houses in Sherwood Park in 2023. If you have any questions about buying or selling a home in the new year don’t hesitate to reach out. Be sure to check back on my blog each month for more real estate-related information. For now, happy new year’s everyone! I look forward to working with you all in 2023.

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Year-end Wrap for Properties in Edmonton!

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Over the course of the last year, I’ve written lots of blog articles about all things properties in Edmonton. With December quickly passing us by, I thought it would be fitting to write a year-end blog recap for our 2022 blog content. This way, you can check out all of the posts I wrote and catch up on any missed information about properties in Edmonton. In this article, I will provide you with a short summary of each post, categorized by season. Continue reading below to discover the content you missed from 2022!

Properties in Edmonton – Spring & Summer Blog Recap

May – Why Choose Sherwood Park Real Estate?

Sherwood Park real estate is an appealing place to put down roots. This highly sought-after neighbourhood is located just east of Edmonton. Residents can enjoy a relaxed suburban lifestyle only minutes from Edmonton’s downtown core. Sherwood Park real estate is the perfect balance between big city living and community comforts. Learn more about the various perks of owning Sherwood Park real estate in this article!

June – Why Choose Real Estate in Downtown Edmonton?

Real estate in Downtown Edmonton is an exciting place to call home. Homeowners of real estate in Downtown Edmonton can enjoy superb nightlife, great restaurants, new architecture, and plenty of green spaces! Living in Edmonton’s downtown core provides you with endless opportunities for work and pleasure. Discover why you should choose to live in Downtown Edmonton, here.

July – Seller’s FAQ With An Edmonton Real Estate Agent.

When selling a home, many tough questions can arise. For most individuals, your home is your most valuable possession. As your Edmonton real estate agent, I want to ensure that you get the best deal possible for your home. In order to do so, I answered some common questions that I get asked during the selling process. Learn more about this article now! 

Aug – What Makes a Good Sherwood Park Real Estate Agent?

A good Sherwood Park real estate agent is quantified in a number of ways. Your agent will be responsible for negotiating, finding you the right property, helping you market your home for sale, and/or guiding you through the process. There are three major qualities that any great real estate agent must possess. Continue reading this article to find out what these qualities are!

Fall & Winter Blog Recap

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Sept – Sell Your Home Fast & Move Into a Sherwood Park Property.

If you want to sell your home quickly, this is the article for you! Getting your home sold can be a lot of work. However, with the help of a trusted agent and some tips, you’ll sell your home in no time. Move into your dream Sherwood Park Property right on schedule with these home-selling tips!

Oct – Fall Maintenance For Homes in Sherwood Park!

Fall is the perfect time to get ahead on your chores list! Getting your home ready for cooler temperatures is essential. This will help you to avoid issues with your heating, roofing, drainage, and overall safety. Take care of these mundane tasks now, so you can enjoy your winter worry-free! Most of these items are easily completed without the help of an expert. Check out this article for some fall maintenance tips!

Nov – How to Prepare Real Estate in Sherwood Park for the Holidays!

The holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on you. November and December tend to fly by without warning. So, it is important to prepare your real estate in Sherwood Park for the holidays as early as you can. Especially, if you are planning to host guests and holiday events. From deep cleaning to checking that the essentials are in order, it is crucial that you get a head start on the holiday season. In this article, I went over the best tips for preparing your home for the holidays!

Contact Me About Properties in Edmonton!

Properties in Edmonton are a great investment for the new year. I’d like to thank all of my clients for another wonderful year in the Edmonton real estate market. For more information on selling or buying homes, contact me today. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about how to achieve your real estate goals in 2023. Feel free to reach out to me at any time! Be sure to check back next month for more real estate-related information. I look forward to working with you in the near future.

Happy holidays everyone!

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How to Prepare Real Estate in Sherwood Park for the Holidays!

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The holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on you. November and December tend to fly by without warning. So, it is important to prepare your real estate in Sherwood Park for the holidays as early as you can. Especially, if you are planning to host guests and holiday events. From deep cleaning to checking that the essentials are in order, this guide will get you a head start on the holiday season.

In this article, I will be going over the best tips for preparing your home for the holidays. Follow along below to learn more!

Start As Soon As Possible!

The best tip for preparing your home for the holidays is to begin as early as you can. There’s no time like the present when it comes to getting ready for November and December. To make sure that you stay on top of things, try creating a timeline for the weeks leading up to guests’ arrival or festive parties. During the early weeks, it is good to focus on getting the necessary supplies for the holiday season. For instance, gift wrap, food staples, drinks, and gifts. These are the tasks that usually cause the most stress, which is why it is good to get them out of the way early on. You can save chores like cleaning and decorating until guests arrive. 

You may also consider prepping some baked goods or dinners for the upcoming weeks so that you don’t have to worry about cooking on busy days. It is also a good idea to make room in your fridge and freezer for all of the holiday food that is sure to come your way! There’s nothing more satisfying than a clean fridge and freezer. 

Make Sure Your Real Estate in Sherwood Park is Functioning Properly.

As you gear up for the holidays, the most important thing to do is ensure that your home is functioning properly. Colder temperatures and snowfall can cause all sorts of mayhem within your home. This is why it is important to make sure everything is in working order before guests arrive for the holidays. Check the essentials like your heating, A/C, and water pressure. You can check the water pressure of your showers and faucets by purchasing a pressure gauge from your local hardware store. Generally, you want the pressure to be somewhere between 40 and 60 psi. 

In addition to this, you’ll want to clean out your vents, fans, filters, and AC registers. Whether you’re having guests over or not, this is a good maintenance task to add to the list. Many people neglect to clean the places where air circulates which causes poorer air quality. Especially, because people tend to spend more time indoors during the winter months. 

Furthermore, you will want to check your furnace before it is time to kick on the heat. During the summer when your furnace is not used, it will typically collect dust. It is important to clean the dust off of your furnace before you turn it on to avoid the burning smell that will otherwise happen. You may also want to have a professional come and inspect your furnace if you believe there is anything wrong with it. 

Get Cleaning and Make Necessary Improvements.

Finally, the last thing you’ll need to do is clean and make any necessary improvements. You can begin by decluttering and donating any unused items. Not only is this a good way to keep things neat and tidy, but it is also a great way to help out your community during the holidays. Things like old winter clothes, toys, blankets, and pillows are all good donation items. Once you have effectively decluttered, you can get into the cleaning. 

Before your guests arrive, it is important that you vacuum, wipe dusty surfaces, clean the kitchen and remove any grime from the bathrooms. This will help keep the dust down and remove any germs. With guests from out of town and changing weather, it is easy to get sick during the holidays. This is why it is so important to keep your home clean and tidy!

Contact Me Today!

Preparing your home for the holidays in advance will help you minimize stress and maximize relaxation time. Create a basic to-do list and get started with preparing your real estate in Sherwood park for the holidays. For more information on selling or buying homes, contact me today. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about how to achieve your real estate goals. Feel free to reach out to me at any time! Be sure to check back next month for more real estate-related information. I look forward to working with you in the near future. 

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Fall Maintenance For Homes in Sherwood Park!

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Summer weather is in the past, as we quickly approach October. The change in temperature is a sign to begin preparing homes in Sherwood Park for the winter. Fall is the perfect time to get ahead on your chores list! Getting your home ready for cooler temperatures is essential. This will help you to avoid issues with your heating, roofing, drainage, and overall safety. Take care of these mundane tasks now, so you can enjoy your winter worry-free! Follow along as I go through a fall maintenance checklist below. Most of these items are easily completed without the help of an expert. However, if you would instead hire a professional, I have plenty of contacts to put you in touch with. Continue reading below for more information!

1. Clean Your Gutters!

One of the first things you need to take care of as a homeowner is cleaning your gutters. These little troughs are responsible for dealing with water runoff and preventing disasters like floods and water damage. You’ll want to clean your gutters during the fall because winter and spring come with lots of water and debris. Clogged gutters are a recipe for disaster and it’s important that you make cleaning them a number one priority. Call a local gutter cleaning company if you prefer to hire a professional. You may also want to consider installing mesh guards to prevent build-up in the future. 

2. Homes in Sherwood Park Need to Be Well-Insulated

Poor insulation is the leading cause of costly energy bills. In order to save some cash during the cooler months and prevent draftiness, it is important that you insulate any air leaks. The most common places for air leaks to occur are around doors and windows. This happens when the seal or caulk develops gaps due to basic wear and tear. You can find an appropriate caulk at your local hardware store. Find any gaps around windows or doors and apply the caulk to seal up any holes. If draftiness continues to be an issue for you, start by checking the weatherstripping of your windows and doors. You can also replace windows with a newer, more energy-efficient model. 

3. Make Sure Your Roof is in Good Condition!

There’s nothing more frustrating than a problem with your roof. Especially during the winter and spring. It is crucial that you take a good look at your roof before winter rears its head. If you already have a problem with a leak in your roof, you need to get it looked at right away. This issue is one that will only get worse with snow and ice. If you are considering hiring a professional for any of these tasks, this would be the one. Your roof is a key component of having a stable and comfortable home. If you do the inspection yourself, keep these things in mind. 

  1. Damage to metal flashing in valleys, around vents and chimneys
  2. Cracked or wind-damaged ridge shingles
  3. A build-up of granules inside your gutters. 
  4. Missing, curled or damaged shingles

4. Homes in Sherwood Park Need to Blow Out Sprinklers 

Freezing and thawing water is hard on most materials. In your home, these conditions can ruin an underground sprinkler system and cause costly repairs. It is important that before the temperature gets below freezing, homeowners take the time to ensure outdoor faucets and in-ground irrigation systems are winterized. This means draining all excess water from the lines. Most landscaping companies offer help to homeowners who are trying to winterize their front and back yards. Hiring a professional can be well worth the cost if you don’t have the time to get the job done or you aren’t sure how to do it properly. Having your yard winterized by an expert is a great way to avoid costly damage and sleep easy knowing your home is ready for winter!

Contact Me About Homes in Sherwood Park Today!

Winterizing your home is an essential step in preserving its value and protecting yourself from costly repairs. Fall is the perfect time to get started with this essential maintenance checklist. For more information on selling or buying homes, contact me today. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about how to achieve your real estate goals. Feel free to reach out to me at any time! Be sure to check back next month for more real estate-related information. I look forward to working with you in the near future. 

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Sell Your Home Fast & Move Into a Sherwood Park Property

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If you’re looking to sell your home quickly, then this is the article for you! Getting your home sold can be a lot of work. However, with the help of a trusted agent and some tips, you’ll sell your home in no time. Move into your dream Sherwood Park Property right on schedule with these home-selling tips! Follow along below to learn more about how you can sell your home quickly! 

Hire a Great Real Estate Agent!

The first step in selling your home during a time crunch is hiring the service of an experienced real estate agent. There are tons of reasons why hiring a REALTOR® will accelerate the sale of your property. For instance, a real estate agent has marketing knowledge and resources that will help to promote your property. It is hard to get this kind of platform when you choose to sell your home as an FSBO.  REALTORS® have access to a Rolodex of contacts, and an efficient marketing team.  These factors make hiring an agent an invaluable investment. 

Furthermore, a real estate agent’s job is to sell your house. This means that all of their time is spent on making your real estate dreams come true. If you were to sell the home on your own, there might be other responsibilities that hinder your ability to sell the home on a schedule. Lastly, a real estate professional will be able to give you advice and provide information about areas of uncertainty. This will help save you money and time. 

Showcase Your Home’s Greatest Assets.

If you’ve recently made some renovations to your home or added some cosmetic improvements, be sure to showcase these in your listing. Features like these will capture buyers’ attention when they check out your listing. If you think your home lacks a stand-out feature, talk with your real estate agent about how to change this. Or, try doing a bit of landscaping to clean up your yard. Nothing jumps out at buyers more than great curb appeal. Consider planting some colourful flowers, and invest in a new welcome mat. You can also buy a new front door or paint it a fun colour. Ensuring that all garden beds are weeded and the lawn is mowed are also key factors in good curb appeal. Do what you can within your budget to set your home apart from your neighbours! This will help to draw people toward your home. By doing so, you’ll be one step closer to your dream Sherwood Park property!

One Coat of Paint = One Step Closer to Your Sherwood Park Property!

So, you decided to paint your walls neon green. Unfortunately, this isn’t going to fly with most buyers scouring the market. If you have some crazy coloured walls, you may want to consider changing up the colour palette. Buyers need to be able to envision themselves and their things in the space. Sadly, most people can’t do that with neon wall colours. Opting for something neutral like white is usually a good move. Repainting will give the home a fresh smell and help brighten up the place. It’s also a good idea to declutter the shelves, walls, and countertops of your home. Do this by removing any family photos and personal items. This is an important step because it makes room for others to envision themselves in the home. 

Stage 1-2 Key Rooms In Your Home.

In some cases, spending the money to hire a professional stager can help you sell your home more quickly. Many sellers opt to stage their homes for a variety of reasons. For example, outdated furniture, too many personal items, or not enough furniture. Staging your home is a great way to remove your personality from the home and add value to the property. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to stage every room in your house. In fact, staging 1-2 rooms can be just enough to entice buyers. Areas that you would want to stage are the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen. 

Be sure to finish any incomplete renovation or home improvement projects. These are not appealing for a buyer to have to take on. Sometimes, unfinished projects can be a red flag to buyers. Avoid this by completing all of your handy work!

Make Sure the Listing Price is Perfect.

This is a step where having a real estate agent is incredibly helpful. Pricing your property right is essential in selling your home and making a good profit. Ask your agent to help you find a price that suits your property. If you want a second opinion, ask a home appraiser to provide you with a complete report on your home’s worth. Using a home appraiser will provide you with an impartial idea of the value of your property. This will be based on market conditions, and any time limitations you have. 

Contact Me About Buying a Sherwood Park Property Today.

For more information on buying a Sherwood Park property, contact me today. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about how to achieve your real estate goals. Feel free to reach out to me at any time! Be sure to check back next month for more real estate-related information. I look forward to working with you in the near future.