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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. 

Homes in Sherwood Park

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. 

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What Makes a Good Sherwood Park Real Estate Agent?

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A good Sherwood Park real estate agent is quantified in a number of ways. Having a great real estate agent is essential to your success as a home buyer or seller. 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. Whether you are buying or selling real estate it is important that your real estate agent has your best interests in mind. That being said, there are three major qualities that any great real estate agent must possess. These include communication, resourcefulness, and expertise. 

1. Sherwood Park Real Estate Agents Must Be Communicative!

A real estate agent’s ability to communicate is key. Especially if you have a busy schedule that makes it difficult to find time to meet with an agent. This is why a good agent needs to be responsive at all times during the day. In order to help you reach your goals, they must be able to bend and flex when you are available. Communication also goes a long way in helping promote your listing if you are a seller. On the other hand, as a buyer, you’ll want your agent to have great communication so that they can eloquently secure a deal on a home you love. 

In addition to this, a REALTOR’S® ability to communicate should take into account how well they listen. Most successful agents are great listeners. Being able to listen helps agents learn about their clients and their competitors so that they can form the best plan of action. This will in turn enhance the client experience and ensure that your aspirations are met. 

Furthermore, good communication skills allow real estate agents to keep in tune with current trends. The real estate market is always changing and it is important that your agent stays on top of these changes. Don’t settle for an agent who isn’t communicative with their clients. Keeping you informed is an essential part of a real estate agent’s job!

2. A Good Agent is a Resourceful Agent.

An agent’s ability to be resourceful is another quality of a great REALTOR®. They will be able to work around problems with regard to both buyers and sellers. Having a solid understanding of the market and a large network of contacts behind them will help you as you work to achieve your real estate goals. Understanding the market and the history of housing in the area is another key part of a good agent. To gauge an agent’s knowledge of the market ask them in-depth questions about the area.

Additionally, your agent should have a solid number of contacts in their network. The more people your agent knows, the better. A real estate agent who has relationships with contractors, inspectors, and city officials will be helpful during both the buying and selling process. A resourceful agent will also be able to help you stick to a certain budget. Finding a REALTOR® who is creative and offers a wide range of solutions is vital to your success as a property owner.

3. They Are Experts in What They Do. 

A great real estate agent will know the area like the back of their hand. Local expertise is crucial when it comes to buying and selling real estate. Being an expert in the area will help you as the client in so many ways. Local knowledge will give your agent the upper hand over other REALTORS®. This is because they will be able to give you hyper-local information about nearby interest points, future city plans, up-and-coming neighbourhoods and so much more. You can get a sense of the agent’s knowledge of the area by determining where they’ve completed the most transactions. Avoid agents who focus on broad statistics like provincial sales and national averages. A great agent will have a healthy knowledge of both local and regional statistics. 

Additionally, a great agent will be an expert when it comes to negotiating and marketing. REALTORS® who have experience in buying and selling homes know the value of these two skills. 

For more information on buying or selling 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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Seller’s FAQ With An Edmonton Real Estate Agent.

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When selling a home, many tough questions can arise. For most individuals, your home is your most valuable possession. So, it makes sense if you get protective during the selling process. 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’d like to first answer some common questions that I get asked during the selling process. For instance, what areas to focus on when preparing your home for sale? How to correctly price your home for sale? And, what are your commissions like? Follow along below to learn all of the answers to these questions. 

Edmonton Real Estate Agent On Preparing Your Home For Sale.

In my experience with sellers, most questions usually pertain to what could be done inside the property prior to listing. Everyone is always focused on what they can do in order to guarantee top dollar during the selling process. However, there isn’t a blanket answer to this question. Oftentimes, there is a very specific answer for each home. Although, in general, the answers I provide are typically geared toward maximizing the current space available. This is most easily solved by decluttering and deep cleaning the home. Some of the biggest areas to pay attention to are closets, countertops, the kitchen, and cupboards. These are areas that prospective buyers always look at! The ability to show that your home has more than enough room is always key in making a good first impression. 

How to Prep Your Home For Sale? 

When preparing for your showing, ensure that there are as few items as possible on your countertops. In the kitchen this means putting away unused appliances, emptying your dish rack, and removing random knick-knacks. Your kitchen countertop(s) should have nothing but the essentials on them. The same thing applies to bathroom countertops. Only soap and a hand towel should be present on your bathroom countertops. Everything else can be neatly organized in the cabinets. 

Another great trick to make it seem like there is more storage in your home is to pack up all of the items you don’t use that are in your closet(s). For example, if you are selling your home during the summer, pack away all of your winter clothing and put it in storage. This will make your closet appear much emptier and give sellers the impression that there is plenty of space. 

Additionally, it might be worth it to reorganize your cupboards and pantry. Buyers often will open cupboard doors, and having them neat and tidy makes a much better first impression. You can find affordable organizers at your local dollar store or department store to help with this.

Pricing Your Home Correctly.

The second question that I often receive from sellers is about finding the right price for their home. In this game, the longer you sit, the riskier selling your home becomes. For instance,  your property may begin to appear stale, dated, and/or look like something is wrong with the home—even when it’s not the case.  In every listing appointment, I touch on pricing increments. Additionally, I go over what demographics we can appeal to. Of course, there’s always a “test the market” price that might get a seller a touch more money than they expected. However, in specific markets, it usually makes more sense to price aggressively. Thus, hopefully, sparking a bidding war for the property. In any event, the property usually sells in less time using this tactic. 

Finding the right price is done on a case-by-case analysis. Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific guide on how to price your home correctly. Through in-depth market research, I will be able to help you find a price that works!

My Commissions As An Edmonton Real Estate Agent

Lastly, the biggest question I get from sellers is about commissions. This is a fair question and a necessary component of the selling process. I pride myself on offering amazing, personalized services. Compared to my industry peers, most clients would agree that I am more affordable in many respects. All the while, providing an experience that’s generally more hands-on. Because I’m not the biggest name in Real Estate, I usually work with 50-60 client’s a year and have a better opportunity to treat them like family, rather than a number in a database. To me, the selling process needs to be about more than just getting something sold. Clients looking to sell their homes are a priority to me. This means that I am available to answer their questions at all times during the day. In addition, it means that my relationship with industry colleagues is about respect and professionalism. Clients must have a good idea of who I am, in order to entrust me with selling their homes.  

For more information on selling homes, contact me today. I’d be happy to answer any other questions you have about the selling process. 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.