KEEPING YOUR LITTLE GHOSTS & GOBLINS SAFE

Halloween is a lot of fun for adults and kids, but nothing ruins the ghoulish night like a trip to the emergency room or a lawsuit. 

This is also a good time to make sure your homeowner’s insurance is current! 

In that “spirit,” I thought I’d share 11 tips to help you balance spooky and safe this year:

1. Survey all approaches to your home, beginning from the property line. Keep an eye out for hazards, including loose bricks/stones, or holes in the yard.

2. Resist using open flames inside or outside. Use electric light effects, glow sticks, or electric candles instead.

3. Check your smoke alarms and make sure all exits to the house are clear of clutter.

4. Before dark, check for exposed extension cords and make sure cords avoid wet areas.

5. Determine how much darkness you really want. Lighted pathways and porches are both inviting and safer for your guests.

6. Make sure children can see in their costumes! Obstructed vision from masks can keep them from noticing cars, hazards, or other excited kids.

7. Also make sure children can be seen by others. Glow sticks are fun “high visibility” items, especially when costumes are dark (also: reflective velcro bicycling bands around ankles or wrists can be a good idea).

8. Never let a child trick-or-treat alone. If they’re going out unsupervised, make sure they stay in a group.

9. Don’t let pets run loose! Halloween is a scary time for pets and they may become aggressive in protecting your home or themselves.

10. Be allergy-sensitive and skip treats with nuts or peanut butter (or offer allergen free alternatives).

11. Do a “treat check” before letting kids dive in, chucking anything questionable either for safety concerns or spoilage.

Have a ghoulishly safe Halloween this year!

RECOGNIZING PREDATORY MORTGAGE LENDERS

A predator is defined as one that preys on others, which is why some lenders have fittingly earned the title as predatory mortgage lenders.  Excessively high interest rates, questionable and/or hidden fees and high pressure tactics used to direct borrowers to a larger loan than they may be able to afford are trademark characteristics of a predatory mortgage lender.

Prey Verses Predator

When it comes to obtaining a mortgage, the rules of the jungle often apply.  If you aren't careful, you may find yourself in the grasp of a questionable foe.  If you are someone who has had past credit problems or simply find yourself struggling to obtain a mortgage, it may seem like a good idea to sign on with any lender who can close the deal.

But wait, jungle etiquette suggests that you should be knowledgeable of your surroundings and always look before you leap.  Before making a quick decision on a loan that nobody else would approve, ask yourself whether or not the deal is a good one for you.

Measuring Up

If you suspect that you have been subjected to a predatory mortgage lender, look at how they measure up to other lenders.  Were you charged fees up front and, if so, how much were they and what were they for?  Do the lender's interest rates compare to current market rates or do they exceed them?  When reading the fine print, do you notice fees that were never mentioned before but have now suddenly appeared in the paperwork?  An honest lender has nothing to hide and will not surprise you with unexpected costs.

Who's At Risk

To put it simply, anyone is at risk for dealing with a predatory mortgage lender.  This likelihood increases, however, if the home buyer lacks the proper knowledge in how to identify an unscrupulous lender who preys on the misfortune of others.

Individuals who are especially vulnerable include those that have been turned down by other lenders and have little or no hope of obtaining a conventional loan.  This may include individuals with severe past credit problems, accounts in collections, first-time home buyers with little or no credit history and the elderly who have difficulty understanding the loan process or reading the fine print.

When it comes to obtaining a home loan, the process can be both exciting and confusing.  There is a lot of paperwork to be signed, details to be worked out and numbers to be crunched.  Your REALTOR® can help to steer you toward a lender that will help you to get the best value for your dollar.

PREVENTING BASEMENT LEAKS

If you have a basement, or even just a crawlspace, the last thing you want is water infiltrating the area. Even a minor leak can cause damage to walls and flooring, and may even lead to mould issues. Here are some precautions worth taking:

Every spring and fall, check the grading around your home. The ground should gently slope away from the foundation. 

Pay particular attention to areas where shrubs and other foliage make the grading difficult to see.

Look for cracks in the foundation. Get them fixed right away. Even a minor crack that doesn't appear to penetrate all the way through can cause problems eventually.

Check the caulking on basement windows. If it's worn and cracked, it's time for recaulking. The lifespan of most exterior caulking is less than five years.

Watch the eavestroughs when it rains. (You'll get wet, but it's worth it.) Make sure the water drains well away from the foundation.

Doing these simple inspections takes just a few minutes. Yet, if they prevent a basement leak, it's time well spent!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIND A NEW HOME?

If you're planning to look for a new home sometime in the future, you may be wondering how long the process will take. How much time should you set aside for viewings? How many of the listed homes should you see?

Of course, the process varies from person to person. According to the Department of Housing & Urban Development, home buyers view an average of 15 properties before finally choosing to make an offer on one of them. That number may be a good benchmark for you.

On a Saturday afternoon, you can comfortably look at three or four potential properties. You can see more if you want to make a full day of it.

One factor that impacts the home shopping process is how clearly you know what you're looking for.

For example, if you're certain you want a three bedroom backsplit, backing onto a wooded area or ravine, in an upscale neighbourhood, then the process is going to be fairly simple. You're just going to view properties that closely meet that criteria.

But if you're the kind of person who simply says, "I'll know it when I see it", then you'll need to look at several homes on the market. That means carving out plenty of room in your schedule for viewings.

A good REALTOR® can help you understand what's available on the market and which homes are worth seeing. He or she can also help you determine how long the process will likely take, and show you ways to make the process go more quickly and smoothly.

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call me today!

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

The winter months are quickly approaching, and I'm hoping that you'll have a warm, cozy season in your beautiful new home!  

In fact, I'm including with this letter some quick tips for making sure that you and your new home are ready for the winter months ahead!  

I hope that you find these tips to be helpful and useful.  

If you need anything at all, you can reach me at (780) 700-8638 or visit my Web site at www.valeriemcconville.com.

FIVE QUICK TIPS TO GET YOUR HOME READY FOR WINTER 

Roof repairs: If you can safely get onto your roof to inspect for missing shingles or other factors that may lead to a leaky roof, now's the time to do it!  If not, call in a professional organization and have them take care of the rooftop work for you. 

Seal it off: Inspect doors and windows to ensure that the weather-stripping is in good condition.  This will keep your house warmer and cozier in the winter months. 

Hot stuff: Make sure that your heater and ventilation systems are in good working order! Clean out accessible ducts and replace filters where necessary. 

Chimney sweep: Creosote, a black substance that builds up in the chimney when wood is burned, can cause chimney fires.  Inspect your chimney for creosote and call a chimney sweep to keep your fireplace safe and functional. 

Gutter check: Now's the time to clean out those rain gutters again!  If you want to do it yourself, make sure that you can safely access the gutters and then scoop out any debris, blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks you may find along the way.

THANKSGIVING

It's that favorite time of year again!

It's a time when we remember to be thankful for the many blessings we receive throughout the year.  The special relationships we share with friends near and far, the abundance of food to feast upon, and our own personal accomplishments are all reasons to give thanks.

Hoping you and your family have a truly blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

Here is a great recipe just for you!

Fabulously Fast and Fresh Cranberry Sauce

1 navel orange
1½ cups sugar
½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
4 cups fresh cranberries, sorted, rinsed, and drained
½ cup chopped toasted pecans

Grate the peel from the orange, being careful not to include the white part.  Juice the orange.  Combine the orange peel, sugar, and ginger root in a heavy saucepan and stir with a whisk to blend.  Add the orange juice and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved.  Add the fresh cranberries.  Cook and stir until cranberries begin to burst.  Remove from heat and stir in the toasted pecans.  Cool sauce, stir to blend, then cover and store in refrigerator.

SEPTEMBER HOUSING PRICES UP 5.4% FROM LAST YEAR

The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton released market housing statistics for the year to date (YTD) including the month of September. 

The all-residential average price for the first three quarters of the year in the Edmonton CMA is $350,741 as compared to $340,090 in 2012. In September, the all-residential average was $352,057, up 5.4% from a year ago and inching up from $351,455 in the previous month. 

Year-over-year sales were also up 19.4% with 1,466 (adjusted, 1,357 actual) all-residential sales in September. There were 13,691 residential sales in the Edmonton CMA in the first three quarters of 2013 as compared to just 12,876 sales at the same time last year. 

“Our members report that the market is very active with many properties attracting multiple offers,” said President Darrell Cook. “The increases in the Alberta population are driving the market and because of the steady sales there are inventory shortages at the lower price ranges.” 

There were 926 (adjusted, actual 857) single-family detached sales in September at an average price of $408,642 (up 3.9% Y/Y) as compared to 773 sales a year ago at an average price of $393,374. Condos sold on average in September for $243,655 (438 adjusted sales, 406 actual), up from $224,330 last September (up 8.6%). Duplex/row house sales were up with 79 (adjusted ,73 actual) sales, valued on average at $338,250 ($316,973 last year). 

“Average sales prices are the highest they have been in five years,” said Cook. “Combined with the highest sales numbers since 2012, we have year-to-date residential sales values totaling $4.8 million. Strong market fundamentals, increasing population and the persistence of low mortgage rates have convinced many buyers that an investment in real estate is secure.” 

The September sales-to-listing ratio of 65% was the result of 2,089 residential listings and 1,357 residential sales. The inventory of available homes on the Edmonton MLS® System was down from 5,557 units in August to 5,111 units in September. It took 54 days on average (up one) to sell a home in the Edmonton area. A REALTOR® has access to all the latest market data and effective marketing tools and is the best source of real estate advice for both buyers and sellers. 

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HOME INSPECTOR BEFORE BUYING YOUR HOME

When you buy a home, you need to know exactly what you’re buying. Imagine how frustrated you’d be to find out that the hot water heater wasn’t working—in the middle of a shower! This is why you should have a home inspection before you buy your home. A home inspection is an important part of buying your home. Before you hire a home inspector, ask candidates a few questions to make sure you hire a trustworthy inspector.

What does your inspection cover? Not all inspections are the same. Ask for copies of previous home inspections so you can see exactly what they will check inside the [city] home. If you are concerned about something specific, like a leaky faucet in the bathroom, mention that to the inspector so they can check it out.

Are you licensed or certified? If you live in a state that licenses home inspectors, ask to see their license. At the very least, choose a home inspector who belongs to American Society of Home Inspectors. This shows a level of professionalism and education that you can trust.

What kind of report will you give me? You should expect a written report detailing what the inspector found. Most inspectors will give you a typed report within a week of the inspection. Make sure the inspector will be available to explain anything on the report that doesn’t make sense to you.

Will I be able to attend the inspection? If the inspector refuses to let you be present during the home inspection, find someone else. This is your chance to know exactly what you are buying and what potential repairs you or the seller will have to make.

As your real estate agent, I will guide you through the home buying process. Let me help you find your new home. Call me today at (780) 700-8638 or email me at valerie@valeriemcconville.com.

LINKS:

Home inspection - http://edmonton.pillartopost.com/

Canadian Home Builders Association - http://www.chbaalberta.ca/

Renovation or building projects - http://www.hiringacontractor.com/

FIVE IDEAS FOR FALL DECORATING

Fall has arrived, and with the changing of the season, why not bring some fall atmosphere into your own home? Here are five ideas for giving your home a fall feel.

1. Fun with foliage: One of the unmistakable signs of fall is the changing—and eventually, falling—leaves. Pick up some faux silk leaves from your local craft store and use them to accent a bookshelf or table centerpiece.

 2. Add some orange: Orange is the unofficial color of fall, so adding a little orange to your home will definitely create some fall flavor—just don’t go overboard. Try adding some orange accents to white furniture.

3. Pumpkins and gourds: This is a sure way to give your home a touch of autumn, and even if orange isn’t your thing, you could try white pumpkins instead.

4. Natural elements: Fall feels rustic and outdoorsy. You can bring that feeling into your home with feathers, weathered wood, or some antlers. Those items are perfect for your mantel.

5. Hang a wreath: Wreaths aren’t just for the winter holidays. Find one with some fall foliage and other season-appropriate accents. It’s an easy way to bring the outdoors into your kitchen or living room.