Looking for a few fun family activities to do at home (that go beyond regular board game night)? We have some suggestions:

1. Plan a Scavenger Hunt

Have some scavenger-hunt fun by hiding items in and around your home (outside in your yard if possible). Give each member a personalized list of things to find and offer prizes for the winner.

See 5 Steps to An Unforgettable Indoor Scavenger Hunt for tips and ideas

2. Cultural Cuisine 

A culinary experience and learning opportunity rolled into one! Choose a country you’d like to know more about as a family and prepare an authentic meal that might be served there. For instance, if you chose England, you may opt to make Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Bread and Butter Pudding. Serve a…

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To our clients, families and friends (and friends we’ve yet to meet): See below for some important information regarding the government’s Emergency Response Package in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effectively immediately the government has announced an $82-billion-dollar aid package, including wage subsidies, income support and tax referrals, to assist Canadians and Canadian business owners in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With $27 billion designated towards direct support and $55 billion to assist business liquidity through tax referrals, the response package will assist Canadians in paying for their rent/mortgages and groceries while helping businesses meet payroll and bill requirements.

Details of the response package include:

  • …

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Cast off the winter blues and ready your home for spring’s arrival with the help of these ultra-useful spring cleaning tips:

Plan Ahead 

Cleaning your home from top to bottom can feel like a pretty daunting task when you’re unprepared. Stay on track and prevent overwhelm with the help of a cleaning schedule or to-do list. If possible, make a plan for each room (one room at a time) and spread your list over several days to ensure you can get everything done without feeling overburdened.

Clear Clutter First 

Spring marks a great time to purge. As you move from room to room, take stock of items that may be donated, sold or recycled, paying extra attention to drawers, closets and other clutter-accumulating areas. Decluttering won’t just make…

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Bulk-up your down payment savings with the help of these simple, practical strategies:

Finding Money in the Margins 

Save your down payment faster by doing away with lavish expenses and saving any additional funds that come your way: 

  • Amass windfalls – Instead of looking at work bonuses, raises, or other unexpected monies as a reason to spend, consider them a reason to save (if feasible, you may even want to consider asking for a raise).
  • Consider a staycation – Trading in your tropical getaway for a week at home may not sound glamourous, but it will be worth the sacrifice when you’re holding the keys to your new home.
  • Sell some stuff – If you have any stocks, now is a good time to cash in. Otherwise, you may be able to capitalize on…

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The 5 Key Advantages of Buying a Home This Spring Featured Image

Spring is upon us and with it brings the most popular time of year for real estate in Edmonton – and for good reason! If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in the capital region this spring, here are five key advantages to look forward to.

1. It’s a Buyer’s Market 

In real estate, a buyer’s market refers to when the number of homes available on the market outweighs the current demand – ultimately resulting in lower sale prices. And, although spring typically sees more Edmonton homebuyers than any other time of year, this buyer-favouring trend is expected to continue. Other advantages of a buyer’s market include:

  • Less Competition
  • More Room For Negotiation
  • Fewer Bidding Wars
  • More Buyer Concessions
  • Etc.

2. More…

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Become mortgage-free a whole lot faster with the help of these five easy tips:

1. Opt For Accelerated Payments

Depending on the terms and conditions outlined in your mortgage contract, you may be able to make accelerated payments. This option allows you to make weekly or biweekly payments, amounting to roughly the same total you’d expect monthly. However, by paying more than once a month, you’ll be able to save on interest charges and make approximately one extra mortgage payment per year.

2. Increase Your Payments 

Of course, increasing how much you pay, even if it’s only by a small amount, is a surefire way to become mortgage-free faster. Here again, you’ll have to refer to your mortgage contract as you may only be able to boost your…

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Whether you’re thinking about putting your home up for sale or simply looking for ways to improve its overall value, these top 3 renovations will deliver the biggest bang for your buck:

Kitchen Renovation and/or Update 

While kitchen renovations can be among the most expensive, they also carry the healthiest ROL.

ROI = 75-100%

Average Cost:

Smaller Renovation (i.e. fresh paint, refinishing cabinets upgrading hardware and a new backsplash) = $13,049 – $19,574

Larger Renovation (custom cabinetry, granite countertops, hardwood flooring and high-end appliances) = $40,000 and up

Budget Recommendation = 5-15% of your home’s overall value

Tips For Saving On Your Kitchen Renovation:

  • Opt for Stock Instead of Custom – For instance,…

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From increasing your monthly income to padding your retirement fund, with the right planning and the right property, real estate has the potential to deliver some incredible benefits.

Here are just a few of the many great reasons why you should consider investing in real estate:

A Steadier Cash Flow

One of the first and most obvious reasons why people opt to invest in real estate is to improve their cash flow. A great way to supplement your current earnings, income properties can deliver a significant financial surplus depending on how and where you choose to invest. In short, any funds left after paying the mortgage and additional expenses (which may include utilities, repairs and maintenance, etc.) is extra money in your pocket.

Building…

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Sell your home quickly (and for more money) by avoiding these common, costly mistakes.

1. Doing It On Your Own 

Many home sellers opt to forgo commission costs by attempting to sell their own home. However, For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) transactions often result in homes sitting on the market longer – costing the seller the same amount (if not more), than if they’d chosen to work with a REALTOR® in the first place. 

Other expenses FSBO sellers may not be prepared for, but are otherwise covered by a REALTOR®, are real estate advertising and marketing costs – which are absolutely necessary if you hope to attract qualified buyers to your home.

2. Not Pricing Correctly 

Yet another perk of working with a qualified Edmonton REALTOR® is that many…

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Don’t let buyer’s market conditions deter you from listing your home for a great sale. Instead, take advantage of these top three buyer’s market benefits.

1. You Have a REALTOR® on Your Side 

Home sellers working with a qualified Edmonton REALTOR® will always have the edge they need to succeed in a buyer’s market. Here’s why:

  • Your REALTOR® will help you capitalize and improve upon your home’s value as much as possible prior to listing, allowing you squeeze every dollar from your home sale. 
  • They’ll list your home for a fair yet competitive asking price, putting you in a good position to sell your home fast and for top dollar.
  • They will create a competitive marketing plan that guarantees you’ll be noticed by buyers (this includes an…

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