At Home With Valerie

Summertime is coming to an end and there are early signs of fall.   It's time to put away our summer clothes!   Turn off the air conditioner!   Perhaps one last chance to use the barbeque. For most of us, Labor Day signals the waning of summer. Have you ever wondered how we came to celebrate a holiday with the odd name of Labor Day?  Someone always asks, “Why is it called Labor Day when nobody labors on that day?” While there is some disagreement regarding the original founder of Labor Day, we know that the first Labor Day parade was held by the Central Labor Union, September 5, 1882, in New York City.  Common laborers were lobbying for recognition and appreciation for their long days and hard work (back then they received little pay and even less thanks).  Over the next decade unions in other states began to adopt the day as a day of celebration and recognition of the contributions of the common laborer.  Finally on June 28, 1894, Congr...

Always dreamed of renovating a home exactly to your specifications, or have you found an older house that is structurally sound but needs a lot of work inside?  Perhaps the price is right and you can't resist all that house you can get for your money.  Whatever the reason, buying a fixer-upper can be both an exciting and rewarding purchase or a financial and time consuming disaster, depending on whether you are prepared for what you have gotten yourself into.  So what should you know before buying a home that requires a little or a lot of tender loving care? The Benefits The benefits of purchasing a fixer-upper are obvious.  The price is usually right, and if the seller wants a quick sale because of decreased interest in the home, you may be able to negotiate a really great price.  Also, if you intend to flip the home after the renovations, the profit for the money and time you have invested can be quite considerable.  The trick to getting these ...

When it comes to a home, you have two options: buy or rent.  What is right for one person may not be right for another, which is why it's important to know which is the best option for your individual situation.  Why People Rent There are a number of reasons why someone may either choose or be forced to rent, including sporadic or unpredictable income, a high debt-to-income ratio, a bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last six months, unpaid collection accounts or judgments, frequent relocating for employment or the inability to save enough money for a required down payment on the purchase of a home. Maintenance Matters As a homeowner, you will be responsible for any maintenance or repair issues that arise.  This is a big consideration when choosing whether to rent or buy.  When you rent, the property owner is responsible for repairs and it may not always be obvious that these issues can be very costly. How To Know When It's Time To Buy If...

When it comes to entertaining outdoors, there's no place quite like your very own backyard.  Many families enjoy the warm summer weather by spending as much time outside as possible, and one way of doing that is by making it a fun place to be. Get Out Your Grill The smell of a freshly grilled hot dog or hamburger… the unmistakable taste of a meal that's been prepared outdoors… the excitement of getting together with family and friends for a barbecue… these are all things that you are sure to enjoy and, if you really want to get things cooking, you will get out your grill and cook up something that your entire family will love. A cookout is a fantastic idea for summer entertainment, which means it is perfect for both small and large groups.  Whether you prefer a quiet dinner with your family or you want to make your outdoor grilling adventure into a party by inviting your friends from the neighborhood, outdoor grilling is a fun way to make use of the summer heat....

Sales of residential properties are up in double digit increments in all categories when compared to last year, according to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. Total residential sales in July were up 24.9% year-over-year with 1,875 sales (1,736 reported). Sales figures are adjusted to account for unreported transactions at month end. Prices were also up year-over-year in all categories. The average price for a single family detached (SFD) property in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in July was $410,372, down 0.5% from June but up 3.4% from a year ago. Condominium average prices dropped 7.4% m/m but were up 2.6% y/y at $242,516. Duplex/row house prices were up 8.6% y/y (down 2.8% m/m) at $330,906. The all-residential average price in the Edmonton CMA in July was $350,726 (down 2.5% m/m, up 3.3% y/y). “These are the highest figures for July that we have seen since 2009,” said President Darrell Cook. “Prices and sales have peaked for the year and the month-over-...

One of the best things about owning your own home-particularly in the summertime-is the opportunity to enjoy your privacy and to entertain guests.  Want to make the most of these luxuries?  I've compiled a list of fun summer activities that I thought you might enjoy. By the way, if you need any additional advice pertaining to real estate or to your new home, please don't hesitate to call me at (780) 700-8638 or visit my web site at www.valeriemcconville.com ! FIVE FUN SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR HOMEOWNERS Barbecue: Nothing says summertime as much as an old-fashioned barbecue!  Do you have friends or family who still haven't had the chance to see your beautiful new home?  Invite them over for an afternoon of sun, fun, and a tour of the house. Camp out fun: Another longstanding tradition is the summer camp out-but this doesn't mean you have to drive hundreds of miles to find a great location.  Your backyard is a great camping spot!  Dig the flas...