At Home With Valerie

Homeowners who are thinking of selling are often warned against choosing bright and bold paint colors for their walls.  These colors can be difficult to cover up, usually require a number of coats to look good, and can dramatically change the feel of a room.  If the color is not selected with a bit of planning and forethought, it can sometimes turn into a decorating nightmare.  But with a little forethought and these helpful tips, you can create a beautiful space that reflects you and your family's personality with no restrictions! Define The Space The colors you choose for your walls should always reflect the mood of the room.  Certain colors invoke particular moods, and can produce even physical and emotional reactions.  Being aware of this can really make your choice one you will be happy with for years to come.  For example, red stimulates appetite and so is a great choice for kitchens, while yellow stimulates creativity and may work well ...

What makes a Realty Executives REALTOR® different? Because we care. For all your real estate needs, please visit my website today at:  www.valeriemcconville.com

This video explains why consumers should always use a  REALTOR®  when buying, selling, or leasing a property. For all your real estate needs or to view more videos, please visit my website at:  www.valeriemcconville.com

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a new home is affordability. As a general rule, mortgage payments should not exceed 25-30 percent of your monthly take-home pay.  The best way to know what you can afford is to determine the possible payment range by comparing the price of the home with other essential ingredients. Figure Out How Much You Want To Borrow Your first step to calculating your monthly mortgage payment is knowing how much you want to borrow.  This can be determined by subtracting your down payment amount from the purchase price of the home, which will give you the amount that you will need to request from a lender. Know Your Rates The next step is to determine the current interest rates for the purchase of a home.  Rates vary and may change often, so check with your lender for current rates.  It's worth noting that the interest rates you receive will, in part, be based on your...

Housing sales activity in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) slowed in May according to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. Housing sales dropped 10% when compared to the same time last year. Single family detached homes (SFD) were down 14.4% Y/Y and duplex/row house sales were down 20.3%. However, condo sales were up 4.9% compared to May 2012. According to Daryl Cook, President of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, some buyers are having difficulty finding their perfect home. He states that inventory levels are rising but below traditional norms and that there is a shortage of attractive single family homes at the lower end of the price market which is causing many buyers to hold back from entering the market. First time buyers are having to find a condo that are in their price range as compared to a traditional home. Listing activity picked up in May with 1,969 SFDs (single family dwellings) listed (up 1.3% Y/Y) and 963 condos (up 0.3% Y/Y) for an overall ...

The traditional view of home ownership usually includes a married couple, but times have changed, and more and more single women are entering the housing market.   In fact, almost twice as many single women are purchasing homes than single men, and almost one in five homes purchased today are purchased by single women.   So why are single women making up such a large part of the housing market, and what are the special considerations single women should make when purchasing a home? What Women Want! The demographics of single women buying homes are quite diverse.   From young professional women in their 20's to divorced mothers in their 40's, there are really no typical single women making home purchases, and their needs are just as diverse.   Overall, however, there do appear to be a few trends in the market, and here is a list of what the average single woman is looking for in a new home. Most spend less than $200,000 Prefer two bedrooms or more ...

Are you ready for summer in your new home?   We all know that summer brings to mind relaxation, vacation, and rest-but we also know that it can get hot!   I thought you might like to have a few tips on keeping cool in the upcoming summer, so that you can enjoy life to the fullest in your beautiful new house. Remember, if you have any real estate questions on your mind, I hope you'll remember to call me at [PHONE] or visit my Web site [WEB ADDRESS]!   I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have! COOL-DOWN TRICKS FOR THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS Spin it: Ceiling fans are an excellent way to keep everyone cool, and they're beautiful as well.   But did you know that they can also help you save on your energy bill?   By circulating cool air throughout your home, you won't need to keep the thermostat set as low as you would without the help of one, two or more well-placed fans. Green is good: There's no debating how refreshing a large patch of sha...