At Home With Valerie

When we’re pursuing our dreams, there’s a real hunger to make them happen as fast as possible. Whether those dreams involve a career goal, a creative endeavor, like writing a novel, or even buying that first home, working the long stretch to realize them can be frustrating. The actress Solenn Heussaff once said: “There is no never… just long periods of not yet.” I like this quote because it reminds us that the best we can do is stay the course, work hard, and maintain our hope. Earning the promotion, writing the next page, or saving up the down payment isn’t easy, but we must have a reason to sustain us. As the sculptor will tell you, sometimes it’s the 100th blow which cracks the stone. When it seems like you’re facing “never,” try and remind yourself that it’s really just a long period of “not yet.” Remember you’re not alone. Everyone who has earned their way can remember their own version of “not yet.” Do what you can do today, take the next right action, and with

As summer draws to a close and the new school year looms, many families look to enjoy one more summer getaway on Labor Day.   While it's fun to see summer out with a bang, it can also mean crowds at popular destinations and overpriced hotels.  Enjoy a great Labor Day weekend with these simple tips. Book In Advance Hotels can book up fast for holiday weekends, so if that's your goal be sure to shop around in advance.  Last minute rates can also be higher than when you find a place early, so plan that end of summer weekend early in the summer to get the best deal. The same goes for vacation rentals; this is a big weekend for them.  Book ahead of time to ensure your choice of locations. Consider Alternate Locations While many people head to the beach to enjoy the last days of summer, you may find fewer crowds in somewhat less popular destinations.  Head to the mountains to enjoy a peaceful spot by a stream, or choose a backwoods camping spot. Another

For many families, a move to a new state or community means making difficult choices. Choosing from the wide array of options of appropriate day care for younger children or schools for the older ones can be a complex and time consuming chore.  Parents need to examine their own basic values, their child rearing and educational philosophies, and each child's needs when making decisions that will affect their child's future. For many parents, choosing the best schools for their children determines other life choices. Newcomers usually investigate the public school systems thoroughly before selecting an area in which to settle. Each school district determines its own curriculum, requirements, and special programs. However, individual schools within a district can differ because of variations in student bodies, individual principals and teachers, and parental involvement. Neighborhoods with higher income levels and percentage of parents with college educations genera

Need to quickly improve the indoor air quality of your home?  Here are some things you can do to get results today: There are many reasons why the air quality in your home may not be at its best. A faulty furnace or an aged carpet are just two potential culprits.  Until you get those issues addressed, how do you make your indoor air healthier — today? Here are some ideas: Check the furnace filter . This is one of the most overlooked maintenance items in the home. Any furnace repair person can tell you stories about filters they’ve seen caked in dust. Make sure those aren’t yours. Air passes through those filters before circulating throughout your home. Replacing a filter takes less than five minutes. Clean the drains . Drains are a surprisingly common source of odour in the home. Most people only clean them when they’re clogged, but they should be flushed thoroughly with a good-quality cleaner at least once a season. Turn on the bathroom fan . Not only

The little things make a big difference on moving day, which is why I highly recommend my clients prepare a “Moving Day Survival Kit” to make the move smooth. Here’s what goes into them! Moving day has a lot of moving parts. Almost everything you own is stored for transit, and finding one or two essential items can be a major headache, even if you labeled your boxes. To make the day as smooth as possible, I advise my clients make a “Moving Day Survival Kit.” It’s surprising how awesome having these items at your disposal is when you first land at your new home. From paper plates and plastic flatware for lunch to toilet paper for the obvious reasons, the Moving Day Survival Kit can be a real life-saver as you sort out where the furniture and boxes need to be. Here’s what I recommend you pack in your Moving Day Survival Kit: Paper towels Glass cleaner Baby wipes Sharpie marker Duct or packing tape Large garbage bags Toilet paper Tape measure Picture hangers/anchors

You have been shopping for a home and you finally found one you really like. But you have some questions about the property. How do you make sure there are no unexpected maintenance or repair issues after you purchase a home? Here are the answers: Say you’re viewing a home and are impressed with how it looks. The walls are freshly painted. Everything seems bright and new. You’re considering making an offer. Then, while standing on a mat in the kitchen, you hear a squeak below your feet. You lift the mat and see that some tiles are broken. Obviously the mat was there to, literally, cover up that defect. A few broken tiles are not a big deal. But now you’re thinking, “What else might be wrong with this house?” There’s no reason to worry that every home will have maintenance issues hidden from view. However, it’s smart to do your due diligence to ensure the home you’re considering is truly as good as it looks. One way is to have a professional home inspector che

BEAUTY, WARMTH, VALUE! Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood $425,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms Interior: 1,170 sqft Year Built: 2009 Location 5518 45 Street Bruderheim, AB T0B 0S0 Canada For more information, or to schedule a viewing, contact agent. Valerie McConville Realty Executives Devonshire (780) 700-8638 valerie@valeriemcconville.com http://www.valeriemcconville.com/             Listed by: Realty Executives Devonshire Our recent listings BEAUTY, WARMTH, VALUE! Subscribe to our listing feed

Did you know that real estate agents often specialize as buyer’s agents or seller’s agents?  While you’re interviewing seller’s agents for your home, be sure you ask the important questions. Odds are the day will come when you need to speak to a real estate agent to help you sell your home. When that day comes, you want to be absolutely sure you have the knowledge you need to choose someone who has the background and skills to represent your interests. First, you’ll want to work with an agent who represents sellers as the majority of their business. You’ll find that many agents have experience on both the buying and selling side of the situation, but it’s optimal to work with an agent who has dedicated the majority of their time working with sellers. While rapport is important, it is far from the most important factor. Yes, it is ideal to work with someone you like and someone who will communicate well with you, but there is a much more effective way to sort the am