Tag Archive for: Sherwood Park Real Estate

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Energy Efficiency & Sherwood Park Homes for Sale!

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Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important. With the rise in climate concerns, a number of homeowners across the country are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Thankfully, there are tons of new energy-efficient alternatives to basic home fixtures. And, contrary to popular belief, most of these options can be implemented without breaking the bank. In fact, the majority of homeowners who incorporate green alternatives, end up saving money! In addition to this, a Vancouver-based company has just released new software to generate energy efficiency ratings for single-family homes in Edmonton and Calgary. To learn more about how to make Sherwood Park homes for sale energy efficient, continue reading this article!

Minimizing the Carbon Footprint of Sherwood Park Homes for Sale

  1. Replace Incandescent Bulbs with LEDs

Incandescent light bulbs make a huge impact on your carbon footprint. Those who still have incandescent bulbs in their homes will have a much higher carbon footprint than those who use LEDs. In general, LED bulbs use 85% less energy than their incandescent counterparts. By replacing 30 incandescent bulbs, you can save as much as 4000 lbs of CO2 per year. Not to mention, LEDs are way cheaper since they require less energy. Furthermore, LED bulbs are good for roughly 50,000-100,000 hours. By comparison, incandescent bulbs only last about 1,200 hours.

  1. Air Seal and Insulate Your Home

Air sealing your home can vastly improve its energy efficiency. Closing up any gaps in your insulation will keep your home cooler during the summer and warmer during winter. Hiring a professional air sealing company and upgrading your insulation can eliminate a host of household problems. For instance, eliminating that pesky draft, or keeping critters from getting inside. Ensuring that your home is sealed properly has also been proven to enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system as well—talk about a win-win. 

More Ways to Go Green!

  1. Use Less Water (Specifically, Hot Water)

Another way that homeowners can minimize their carbon footprint, is by using less water. More specifically, by using less hot water. Hot water is much more resource intensive than cold water. One of the easiest ways to reduce your hot water usage is to do your laundry with cold water. This simple switch can bring down your carbon footprint and make your clothes last longer.

  1. Switch to Solar

While this solution is not as affordable as the others, it does make an impactful difference. Solar energy is a great way to cut down on carbon emissions and reduce monthly energy bills. Depending on where you are located, your municipality may have solar initiatives that incentivize homeowners to invest in solar by paying for a portion of the cost. So, solar doesn’t always have to be expensive. Investing in solar wherever possible is a great idea. Even solar-powered generators can make a huge difference. 

The Future of Energy Efficiency in Edmonton Homes

Earlier in the article, I mentioned a new technology that can generate energy efficiency ratings for single-family homes. This software was rolled out on March 30th by a Vancouver-based company called Lightspark. According to Lightspark, the site’s beta version will run for three to six months as a pilot project. However, it has been under development for the past few years. 

This technology uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to determine the energy efficiency of homes in the area. On the map on their website, you can see which homes in Calgary and Edmonton are more energy efficient and which homes are less efficient. Houses that appear red are considered inefficient and houses that appear green are very efficient. 

Lightspark uses data from the census, EnerGuide labels, light detection, and property tax rates to approximate the efficiency of each home. To help advance the software, homeowners can register their homes with Lightspark and provide more information to improvise the scores’ accuracy.

Edmonton city officials are excited about this software as it will ideally help the city reach its carbon reduction targets sooner. Unfortunately, as it is right now, both Edmonton and Calgary would require homes to undergo energy-efficient upgrades every year until 2050 in order to reach their goals surrounding carbon emissions. 

Contact me About Sherwood Park Homes for Sale

Considering ways that you can cut back on carbon emissions is essential to our future. Plus, in most cases, being energy efficient means spending less money over time. 

Contact me today to learn more about Sherwood Park homes for sale. For more information on reducing your carbon footprint, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about how to achieve your real estate goals. 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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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.