apartments in Downtown Edmonton

Apartments in Downtown Edmonton: Creating Your Own Space in a Shared Home

/0 Comments/in /by

When living in apartments in Downtown Edmonton, it can be beneficial to have a roommate. Sharing an apartment with another person can help significantly reduce your cost of living. Moreover, it can help you afford nicer apartments in better neighbourhoods. Even if you have great housemates, it can be hard to get the privacy you are looking for in a shared apartment. A lack of privacy can cause all sorts of problems in a household. In order to avoid tension and maintain privacy there are a few things you and your housemates can do to create your own space. In this article, I will be going over some tips for living in a shared apartment in downtown Edmonton! Follow along below to learn more. 

Tips for Sharing Apartments in Downtown Edmonton:

  1. Set Rules and Communicate

Creating a set of ground rules for your shared apartment is essential. In order to avoid confusion and misunderstandings, it’s best to be on the same page. If you have one bathroom, you might consider having rules about when you get to shower, get ready, etc. Furthermore, you may want to come up with rules about noise and when it’s okay to bring guests over. Creating a written set of rules is a good idea because it will prevent you from stepping on each other’s toes. 

In addition, if you and your housemate come to a disagreement, it’s important to talk about it. Finding ways to resolve conflict is integral when living in a shared apartment. It’s best to resolve conflict sooner rather than later, so don’t avoid the situation. 

  1. Come up With a Cleaning Schedule

Living in clutter is a recipe for disaster. Not only can things get lost and broken, but it can also cause friction between you and your housemates. To avoid conflict, it’s best to establish a cleaning schedule. You can post this schedule on the fridge or email it to each other. Your cleaning schedule should include a list of cleaning tasks and the frequency at which they are to be completed. This way everyone contributes to the cleanliness of the home and there are no inequities. 

Further to this, as a good roommate, it’s critical that you clean up after yourself. After all, the home is not uniquely yours. Whether you spilled something on the floor or left a fork on the counter, be sure to leave each room clean once you are finished using it. Nobody wants to feel like they are living in an unsanitary environment, so be mindful of how your actions impact your housemates. 

apartment in Downtown Edmonton

How to Create Your Own Space and Maintain Privacy in a Shared Apartment?

  1. Establish Boundaries and Keep Belongings Separate

When living with others, it can be easy for people’s belongings to get mixed up. This can cause all sorts of problems and tensions between household members. To avoid frustration and resentment, it is a good idea to establish areas for each person to store their belongings. For instance, you might allocate specific drawers/cupboards/shelves in the kitchen to different housemates. While coming up with rules about who gets what space and when, you should also discuss how to manage household supplies and groceries. 

  1. Soundproof Your Bedroom(s)

One of the best ways to maintain your privacy in a shared living space is to soundproof your bedroom. This is not to say that it needs to be studio quality. However, some additional padding could make all the difference in your privacy. By adding area rugs, putting furniture against the walls, and hanging tapestries, you can reduce noise pollution quite substantially. Furthermore, you may want to invest in soundproof curtains for added benefit. 

  1. Make Your Room Yours

Lastly, in order to make your shared living space feel like your own, consider giving your bedroom a makeover. A few personal touches can make you feel all that much more at home. Adding artwork, knick-knacks you love, painting the walls (if allowed), getting new bedding, or changing the lighting are all great ways to add some personal flare! Pro Tip: Be sure to consider storage when remodelling your bedroom. 

Contact me Today!

Living in a shared space comes with many benefits. And, with a little extra effort, it is possible to maintain your privacy! Contact me today to learn more about apartments in Downtown Edmonton. 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. 

properties-in-st-albert

All About Home Inspections For Properties in Sherwood Park!

/0 Comments/in /by

Home inspections are an important part of any buyer’s journey to finding the right home. Having a home inspection conducted by a trusted professional will ensure that your dream home doesn’t come with any costly issues. Although home inspections aren’t mandatory in Canada, they are strongly recommended! In this article, I will be going over everything you need to know about home inspections for properties in Sherwood Park. Continue reading below to learn more. 

What’s a Home Inspection and Why Get One?

A home inspection is a type of inspection that is done by a house inspector. House inspectors are trained professionals who evaluate homes to determine their condition. Usually, a home inspector is hired before closing to determine if there are any serious/non-serious issues with the home. The main purpose of a home inspection is to ensure that the buyer is investing in a home that is in good condition and worth the sale price. 

As I mentioned earlier, home inspections are not mandatory in Canada. Because of this, many buyers will choose to skip the home inspection in order to seal the deal before the home is snatched up by another buyer. This is especially common in aggressive markets like Toronto. It was also a common trend in 2021 and 2022 when Canada’s real estate market set numerous records because of the pace at which homes were selling. Despite this, nearly any real estate professional will advise you to have an inspection done before buying a home. After all, no one wants to discover costly issues after they’ve already closed the deal. 

Cost, Time, and How to Hire?

A home inspection is a cost that you’ll want to factor into your budget when buying a home. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all cost for home inspections. In Alberta, residents can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $600 on average for a home inspection. This cost fluctuates depending on the square footage of the home that needs to be inspected. For instance, a small apartment or condo will likely cost about $250 for an inspection. Whereas, most single-family detached homes will be closer to the upper end of $600. 

Home inspections take roughly 1-3 hours to complete. However, this timeframe is again dependent on the size of the house. 

Unlike other provinces/territories in Canada, Alberta is one of the only places that regulates home inspectors. This means that finding a trustworthy inspector will be much simpler. Albertan home inspectors must satisfy a few key criteria in order to obtain their mandatory licensing. For instance, a completed application form, a criminal record or police information check, and proof of education. It should be noted that all Albertan home inspectors must have a license provided by Service Alberta. Be sure to do your due diligence when searching for a home inspector. Just like with any other trade, it is important to shop around so that you can find the most suitable candidate for the job!

What’s Covered in a Home Inspection for Properties in Sherwood Park?

Home inspections typically cover a wide range of evaluations of both the interior and exterior of the property. These inspections are non-invasive and meant to uncover any hidden/obvious defects within the home. The areas checked by your home inspector will likely depend on the size of the home. Some areas that are commonly checked include:

  • Electrical wiring
  • Plumbing
  • Ventilation
  • Heating/cooling systems
  • Insulation
  • Basement
  • Attic
  • Windows/doors
  • Ceiling, floors, and walls
  • Roof
  • Gutters
  • Garage
  • Decks
  • Fencing
  • Drainage
  • Foundation
  • The slope of the property (grading)

Once your home inspection is complete, you will receive a report usually within 24 hours. It is worth mentioning that homes never fully pass an inspection. In fact, it is quite common for things like doors and faulty faucets to be listed on the report. However, you’ll want to keep an eye out for issues with the roofing, foundation, plumbing, heating and electrical systems! These are often telltale signs of costly repairs. 

Contact me About Properties in Sherwood Park!

As you can see, getting a home inspection is an important part of the home-buying process. Contact me today to learn more about home inspections for properties in Sherwood Park. For more information on selling or buying real estate in Edmonton, check out my social media. 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. 

sherwood park first time buyer advice

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

/0 Comments/in /by

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.

sherwood park holiday homes for sale

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

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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!

/0 Comments/in /by

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.