At Home With Valerie

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the affordability of a house and, as a potential homebuyer, it's important that you know what type of mortgage payments are within your budget. Debt-To-Income Ratio As a homebuyer, your first consideration will be the amount of your monthly mortgage payments.  If you owe a lot of debt, lenders may consider you to be a high credit risk, which makes debt-to-income ratio a leading factor in determining how much of a house you can afford. Most lenders will discount any loans that you will have paid off within one year when determining how much of a home you can afford.  As a general rule, your mortgage payment should not exceed 25-30 percent of your monthly take-home pay. Loan Term Although you will end up paying more interest in the long run, you will find that you can afford a more expensive house if you request a loan term of 25-30 years, compared to a shorter term of 15 years. Interest Rates Wh...

Staging your home is an excellent way to make it as market-friendly as possible! When professional stagers first look at a home, one of the first things they notice is what needs to be removed.  They know that the bigger a room looks, the more attractive it will be to buyers.  Great staging means taking away, as much as it means adding to or changing a room. If clutter is a problem, buyers are distracted-they notice the disorder when they should be seeing the beautiful features of your home.  I thought you'd enjoy a few de-cluttering tips from the pros…they've come in handy for me and many homeowners over the years. Home Staging: Create Appeal By Maximizing Space And Minimizing Clutter It's a good idea to start by storing personal pictures, knickknacks, boxes, piles of mail, and any other eye-catching distractions. Expert organizers suggest sorting through collections of books, magazines, CDs and newspapers, and getting rid of those you no longer ...

Today I want to share some simple ways that you can improve the curb appeal of your home.  Whether you have just moved in or are getting ready to sell, curb appeal is something every homeowner needs!  I hope you are finding my Homeowner's Tips useful as you get settled into your new home.  It is important to me to know that you are satisfied with your home-buying experience.  Don't forget to call me with any real estate questions you may have, and remember to tell your friends about me! HOW TO IMPROVE CURB APPEAL Walk across the street and look at your overall landscape. Are shrubs trimmed neatly?  Windows and doors shouldn't be overshadowed by overgrown bushes. Clear your entry, sidewalk, and plant beds of leaves and debris. Add a new layer of attractive mulch to all planting areas. Are there bare spots or weeds in the lawn?  Your local garden supplier can tell you the best way to remedy this problem. Hardscape (bird feeders ...

The biggest gains in terms of price in real estate in June were condos. This, according to statistics from the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. The average sales price of a condominium in the Edmonton region rose by over 10 per cent in the month of June when compared to May, and nearly 9 per cent compared year-over-year with 2012. Overall, the average residential sales price rose by 1 per cent from May and over 4 per cent from the same time period one year ago. As prices creep up in single family dwellings, buyers are finding it a challenge to find a home in their price range. Condos therefore, become an affordable alternative. The average price of a single family dwelling in June was $412,269, up from $402,840 this same time last year. While condos also rose to an average price of $261,854 this year, compared to an average price of $240,822 this same time last year, condos still remain much more affordable than single family dwellings. Nevertheless, sales continue and the av...

In the first six months of the year, housing prices in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) showed slow, steady increases. According to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, the all-residential average price was up 5.6% from the average price on December 31, 2012. Compared to June 2012, the current average price is up 4.2%. According to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, the economy in Edmonton and surrouding areas have been relatively positive. Although housing inventory has increased slightly in the past two years, it is still lower than it was in June, 2012. This has resulted in housing prices increasing slowly but steadily.  The average all-residential price for the Edmonton CMA in June was $359,631. This was up 0.8% from May 2013. The average price of a single family property in June was $412,269, up 2.3% from last June when the price was $402,840. Condominium prices followed a similar path with June prices at $261,854 compared to a year ago at $240,822....

HAPPY CANADA DAY! While summertime offers us a great opportunity to make the most of our sunny Saturdays, you might find yourself with some extra free time.  What to do?  Why not take a little time each weekend to give your beautiful new home a little extra care?  One of the best things about owning a home is the pride and satisfaction derived from making it look as beautiful as possible! With this letter, I'm including a list of some practical summer to-do's that will help to keep your home and garden in wonderful shape.  Enjoy!  And if you need any further information, or would like to discuss any real estate questions, please feel free to call me at (780) 700-8638 OR visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com! 7 TIPS FOR EASY SUMMER HOME CARE Keep it green: Harsh summer heat can up the ante when it comes to caring for your lawn.  Make sure to keep it watered and fertilized! Fire it up: Get a head start for the upcoming winter ...