At Home With Valerie

Find yourself too tired to tackle those personal projects at night?  Always fighting fires during the day instead of working on what matters?  Here’s some help on how (and why!) to become a morning person. How to Become a Morning Person When you are your business, being a morning person gives you a big advantage in life. Mornings are super productive times for me, but you don’t have to be in real estate to reap the benefits. Mornings also set the tone for the day.   You feel great knowing you’ve paid yourself first... there’s no procrastination guilt. If you’ve ever suspected you’re squandering your time at night, just keep a time journal. Write down how you spent your hours. That alone might motivate you to make a change! You have way more willpower in the morning.   During the day, exercising your willpower wears it out. By the time night rolls around, how often are you charged up to get down to work on your next big project? The morning is wh

My blog is dedicated to my friends and colleagues in the United States. It’s hard to believe Memorial Day is already behind us.  I always think of Memorial Day as the true arrival of summer, a busy season when many of the families I work with are anxious to be settled before the new school year arrives. I hope all of my fellow agents are well and enjoyed a little rest and relaxation on the long Memorial Day Weekend.  The smell of BBQs in the air and the sounds of kids playing is always a fortunate reminder of how much we have to be thankful for in our community. This year I was also heartened to see people remember those families throughout history who have paid the ultimate price for the freedom we’re enjoying this summer.  Sadly, we do not have to look very far into the past to remember those who have died.  We have people in our community who have recently lost fathers, daughters, sons, and mothers. Even though Memorial Day has passed, I encourage you to continue

You have decided to purchase a home and need to obtain a loan. What do you do next? How do you obtain a loan? Here is my step-by-step guide in doing so. Now that you've decided to purchase a new home, it's important to know what to expect throughout the loan process.  With the right knowledge, the road to home ownership is just ahead. Choose A Home Some lenders may offer a pre-approval, but others require that you have a specific home chosen before they will discuss loan options.  Therefore, the first step to obtaining a home loan is to first select a home.  Some sellers may require you to provide an earnest money deposit, which secures the home while you obtain financing and have the necessary inspections completed in order to finalize the purchase. Check Your Credit Before you even think about applying for a mortgage, it's important to know where you stand from the lender's point of view.  Checking your credit report is a good idea for many reas

A primary concern with many aging Baby Boomers is whether or not their home will suit them as they age. Recently I’ve spoken to a number of clients who have concerns about their home as they age. You (or someone close to you) may be facing similar questions. As we all age, our thoughts inevitably turn to the question of the quality of our lives in the future. Where we live is an important part of that equation. I know I’ve thought about it, and I’ve definitely worked with people who have dealt with the uncertainty. How will I know when maintaining my home becomes too much? How can I remain comfortable, safe, and independent in my own home? If my home becomes to big for me, how do I find one that meets my needs? Who will protect my interests when it comes time to sell my home? If you find yourself wondering about these issues, or worrying about them on behalf of an aging parent or friend, I would be glad to offer my assistance. As a real estate agent with a special in

Is your kitchen cramped? Check out these simple kitchen hacks to open up your space and make it more usable. You probably don’t need a scientific study to tell you that the kitchen is one of the most used spaces in a family home. It serves as a hub for food, a communal space for gathering, and often a message center for family traffic. Some consider it the “brain” of the home. While giant master bedrooms might sound nice, a kitchen with abundant space can be surprisingly satisfying! Unfortunately, many homes have kitchens which are small or overrun by clutter. The mess can be a major barrier to enjoying the space, and without some systems in place to keep it organized, the kitchen can be rendered almost useless for many of the enjoyable aspects of cooking and entertaining. So, what’s the solution? Does opening up your kitchen require a total renovation? Not necessarily. Below are six clever kitchen hacks to open up your usable space. Hack #1: Hang it high. Long-handled

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson               (1803 - 1882); Philosopher, Poet, Author, Essayist Living in a reactionary pattern of crisis-of-the-moment management has the unpleasant side effect of distracting us from making the most of our unscheduled time.  When the day’s demands lift, we’re all too happy to flop down and look for a little mindless recovery. On one hand, it’s understandable: Our brains need a break! On the other, we may be missing out on a great opportunity. In life, there are activities which recharge us mentally and physically. Generally speaking, reality television and involved political arguments on Facebook are not. But activities like brisk walks, reading imaginative fiction, and building a couch cushion fort with your kids can be. Who we become has more to do with what we choose to do with our unstructured time than it does our “must do” time. What you decide to do in this tim

Once you've made the decision to buy a home, it's time to start thinking about what comes next.  Every buyer needs a check list that will guide them through the process of searching for the perfect home, evaluating their choices and making a purchase.  Learn The Lingo When you set out to buy a new home, you will need to familiarize yourself with various real estate terms, conduct research on the market value of homes in the area in which you intend to shop and learn the art of negotiation.  This information will help as you browse homes, talk with REALTORS® and get further into the buying process.  Get A Free Credit Report  Every 12 months, you are entitled to request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.  You should make this request before you begin looking at homes in order to allow yourself enough time to identify and dispute any inaccuracies in your credit file(s).  Wh

Spring is here, and it's time to truly make your landscape shine!  After all, one of the joys in owning your own home is attending to and personalizing your own yard!   Since the focal point of most landscaping is the lawn (also one of the trickiest things to maintain), I'm including a special list of tips and tricks to help you whip your lawn into perfect shape.  Giving special attention to the lawn now will help to keep it healthy throughout the summer; I hope you find this list to be as helpful as I have! Water = Green: Water is one ingredient that your lawn cannot live without, so make sure that you've got a great routine in place for keeping the lawn damp.  If you have a good sprinkler system installed, you're already a step ahead of the game!  If not, make sure that you're reaching all areas of the lawn if watering by hand or by moveable sprinkler.  Water in the evening or very early morning for best results, but don't overdo it! Know how t

When a couple agrees it’s time to move, does that mean the couple has the same house in mind? Here’s a simple exercise for making sure you and your partner share a vision for your next home before the search begins. It starts innocently enough one Saturday morning. Maybe you find yourself wishing you could host family at your house. Maybe you’re already dreading the long Monday morning commute. You look up at your partner and say: “You know, maybe we should think about moving.” To your surprise you hear: “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Let’s start looking tomorrow!” Not so fast! Knowing that you and your partner want to move isn’t enough to begin your home search in earnest. Before you jump the gun and a start going to open houses, it’s a good idea to determine what’s behind the desire to move. Is it the neighborhood? Is it the commute? Is it the lack of space? If you don’t get an idea what’s behind your urge for a new house, you could end up house hunting with mismatche

Did you know the more homes you bid on and lose, the more likely you are to pay too much for a home?  Here’s a primer on the phenomenon of “bidding burnout” and what you can do to avoid it. As real estate markets continue to improve, and the neighborhood you’ve had your eye on is suddenly the “hot spot” on the map, there’s a real risk you could end up paying too much for your next house. One of the major culprits? A little phenomenon called “bidding burnout.” There’s a serious emotional roller coaster associated with finding the right home, putting in an offer, discovering you’re in a competing offer situation, and then losing the home to someone who’s willing to pay more, or can squeak through on an all-cash deal. The highs and lows can take a real toll. Just when you’ve imagined what it will be like to put the hunt behind you, you feel like you’re back to zero. When it happens once, it’s a hassle. When it happens five times? It’s downright traumatizing! Bidding bur

CHARM, DIGNITY, AND CHARACTER...Best describe this... Overview Maps Photos Features Neighborhood $370,000 Single Family Home Main Features 6 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms Interior: 1,967 sqft Lot: 5,928 sqft Location 9203 107 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5H 0T3 Canada Valerie McConville Realty Executives Devonshire (780) 449-2800 valeriemcconville@realtyexecutives.com http://www.valeriemcconville.com/             Listed by: Realty Executives Devonshire Nearby properties for sale

Hi everyone! I have a new listing. Check it out. If you have any buyers in the Edmonton area looking for a great property, this may be it! Great character home. Call me today! (780) 700-8638 To view this property, click here  :  New Listing! The Real Estate Social Network™