CREATE A MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Many homeowners would love to invest in making their property more energy-efficient. Going green can save you a lot of money over time and is great for the environment, but the up-front costs can be significant. Fortunately, there are some energy-efficient changes you can make to your home without draining too much of your bank account.

Seal air leaks: As much as 20 percent of the energy used to regulate temperature in a home can be lost to air leaks. You can seal doors and windows with weather stripping and the project will usually cost less than $200.

Smart thermostats: Older thermostats are usually inefficient because they only have a few settings. A smart thermostat like Nest can be programmed to reduce heating/cooling when you’re not at home or during the hours when you’re asleep. The energy savings you will see usually equal the cost of the thermostat after a year or two.

Change your light bulbs: LED light bulbs are expensive, but require just a small percentage of the energy incandescent bulbs require. A cheap incandescent bulb uses about $15 of electricity a year (if it lasts that long). An LED bulb costs $25, but uses less than $5 worth of electricity per year and will last up to 11 years.

THE SHEEP OF FORT SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA

Well, it's hard to believe that summer is almost over, well, not quite. But in just over a month it will be officially! And as summer draws to an end, so too will the sheep of Fort Saskatchewan make their final departure. 

The sheep of Fort Saskatchewan have been a unique attraction for visitors for many years. The sheep were originally part of a Eco-friendly plan to keep the grass trimmed in our local park. It first began in 1992 and has since has garnered regional, national, and international acclaim.

In attendance with the sheep are a real live Shepard and a border collie. Of course, the star attraction are the sheep themselves. And boy, do they love attention. On any given day, these fuzzy little creatures will greet you without hesitation. Kids love them, parents love them, in fact the whole city of Fort Saskatchewan loves them, so much so that each year, in June, the city hosts a welcoming parade and festival just for them!

Of course, all good things have to come to an end, and on September 4, 2017, the sheep will once again be part of a parade, only this time, as part of a good bye celebration. The sheep will leave our city once again, return home and spend their winter in total warmth and relaxation on the farm. 

But as sad as it is to see them go, everyone in the Fort knows that they will return once again next June. In the meantime, if you happen to be travelling through Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, be sure to stop at Legacy Park and visit our sheep. You are sure to receive a warm welcome. 

The sheep can be located at the Fort Heritage Precinct in Peter T. Ream Historic Park (100 Avenue and 101 Street) 1 - 8 pm Thursday - Sunday and Statutory holidays from June 3, 2017 to September 4, 2017.

WHAT IS AN RCFE?

With an aging boomer population, there are a lot of folks out there who may be looking for full-time living in RCFEs. Never heard of them? 

Here’s a little overview.

As boomers age, more and more people want to stay in their own homes or avoid large, institutional settings.

A sweet spot between these two options is something called an RCFE, or Residential Care Facility for the Elderly.

Though they’re also known by other names, the concept is the same… elderly residents live together in a smaller, communal living situation which has been optimized for safety and state regulations regarding senior care.

Residential homes can be converted to RCFEs. Often three-bedroom-plus properties, these homes are frequently single-level ranch-style homes which adhere to codes regarding 24-hour medical care, fire safety, and accessibility. Sometimes two residents will share a bedroom, but the rooms must be large enough to accommodate individual beds, chairs, and dressers. Many are also modified to manage non-ambulatory or wheelchair-bound residents, meaning they have roll-in showers and doors wide enough to handle chairs (3-feet wider). 

(Please note: These are only sample requirements, and the regulations vary by state. RCFEs must be licensed, and the licensing process is vital to the legal, safe operation of the home. There are educational and training programs available for those interested in a deep dive into the space.)

Demand for RCFEs is hot. Properties which are suitable for conversion draw a great deal of interest from investors and those looking to enter into the elderly care market. You may own or know someone who owns a home which is perfect for such a conversion.

If you think you have a floor plan which is suitable for conversion, this can be a real selling point. I am always on the lookout for properties which could become a pleasing, comfortable, safe home for seniors.

We all need to plan for the future! Get in touch with a local REALTOR®.

THE HELPFUL OPEN HOUSE CHECKLIST

One of the keys to running a successful open house is having a checklist to keep everything on track. I thought you might be interested in this sample checklist I customize in order to maximize the effectiveness of every open house I run. 

The run-up to an open house is as important as the event itself.  Preparing yourself and others for the event is crucial to not only showcasing a property, but also building relationships with neighbors, future buyers, and people who may just provide that essential referral. One of the best ways to ensure success every time?  Make a checklist of what must be done, and set up alerts on your calendar to remind you to do the tasks on your checklist. 

Below is a sample checklist of a successful open house plan: 

1 week before: Create flyers with date, time, and contact info for the open house, and home/mortgage info on the house. Create a Facebook Event and invite friends, fans, and prospects.

6 days before: Call all your buyers to let them know about the open house. Hang 25 flyers and 25 door-knockers around the neighborhood.

5 days before: Check on the status of the flyers. If you run into people in the neighborhood while you’re there, introduce yourself and let them know about the open house.

2 days before: Be sure you’ve memorized the house and its details, and know its floor plan well enough to give effective tours that showcase the property. Create an attractive sign-in sheet, featuring your photo and contact info, and offering a line for their own contact info (including email address!) and space for them to share where they heard about the open house.

30 minutes before: Make sure the house is clean, and smells clean (many home sprays are clean and pleasant; avoid overtly floral or scented scents, as many people are allergic or sensitive to strong scents). Place 4 directional signs, each with eye-catching accessories, such as balloons to grab people’s attention and pull traffic from main intersections.

10 minutes before: Open house and front door. Put at least two signs and 4 attention-getters out front, and an “Open” rider on the sign. Play background music, preferably something instrumental and subtle, at low volume.

Within 24-hours after: Follow up with all contacts by phone or email.

From open house to open house, you’ll refine your plan. Take notes. Write down what seemed to work, and what bombed.  Over time, you’ll have a custom checklist which will help you efficiently and effectively prepare for blockbuster open houses. Need someone to help you with your open house? Get in touch with a REALTOR®!

WHAT BUYERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CLOSING CREDITS

When it comes to closing on a home, seeking credits from sellers is fairly common, especially in the wake of home inspections. Here are some things buyers will want to keep in mind as they enter the negotiation process.

If you’re buying a home, you probably know that it’s not uncommon to negotiate for credits at closing depending on a wide range of issues. But as a buyer, there are some things you should know before you begin this negotiation process. 

Here are some tips for buyers seeking closing credits:

1. Closing credits are commonly negotiated as a result of home inspection issues. Sellers don’t always know about problems in their home until an inspection turns up something amiss. If you’re buying a home and want to make sure you’re covered, do not waive your right to inspect the home! Additionally, consider specialized inspections for pools, septic systems, or specialized add-ons which regular inspections don’t necessarily cover.

2. Beware the seller who offers a pre-inspection report. Sometimes sellers will have an inspection before they list the home. This means they’re generally well-armed when it comes to closing credits, and they may be telling you they’re particularly firm about their pricing.

3. Don’t assume sellers will always offer you cash consideration at closing. Sellers may not offer you a discount— they might prefer to have the work done. If this is the case, you’re not going to get a reduced price. Instead, you’re going to be buying the house pending satisfactory completion of the repair. Asking for credits for work you weren’t planning to have done can be a risky gambit.

4. Know the market before you press on credits. In a highly competitive market where sellers are in the driver’s seat, don’t be surprised if a seller decides to ditch your agreement and seek another buyer. You have much more leverage in a buyer’s market, so keep this in mind.

5. Sellers often build in cushioning for credits, so don’t hesitate to ask if there’s a reasonable request to be made. Again, this goes back to the type of market you’re in, but almost every seller is prepared to hear about concessions which may need to be made in order to seal the deal.

Negotiations prior to closing are common, so don’t fear them. Simply be smart about how you proceed and you’re get through the big day just fine.

Need solid buyer representation? Talk to your local REALTOR®!

WHAT AFFECTS PROPERTY VALUES?

Some the features that increase property values are obvious-like a remodeled bathroom, a modern kitchen, or a sought-after neighborhood. But here are a few features and circumstances you have not have realized can affect property values.

The neighbors: Not every neighborhood or community has an HOA that can keep the neighbors from going overboard with decorations or neglecting to care for their home. Homes adjacent to crazy neighbors can potentially be undervalued.

Trendy groceries and coffee: Recent statistics suggest that if your home is a short walk from popular grocery stores like Whole Foods or coffee chains like Starbucks, it can actually appreciate faster than the national average.

Mature trees: A big beautiful tree in the front yard is enviable, and it's not something that can be easily added to any home. Homes with mature trees tend to get a little boost in value.

Parking: This isn't too much of an issue if you live in the suburbs or in a rural area, but residents in dense cities can have real problems with parking, and homeowners might need to rent a spot just to guarantee a place to park each night. That's why having guaranteed parking in urban areas will raise property values.

The front entrance: First impressions matter to buyers-many will cross a home off their list within 10 seconds of stepping through the front door. An appealing front door, a friendly entryway, and a functioning doorbell are all necessities for getting top dollar.

AVOID THESE TWO BIG MORTGAGE MISTAKES

We all know that searching for and viewing potential homes is the fun part of the home-buying process. The not-so-fun part? The mortgage.

But if you don't pay attention to the details, your mortgage can end up dragging down the enjoyment of your new home and cause some major regrets. 

Here are a few mistakes to avoid to ensure that you love your mortgage terms as much as your hew home.

Don't find your home first: Shopping around for the best mortgage rate should be the first step in the home buying process. You may even want to talk to a mortgage broker a full year before you plan to buy. It'll give you time to get your affairs in order to qualify for the best rate, could save you thousands of dollars in the long run, and you won't feel rushed to accept an unattractive loan because you're worried you'll miss out on your dream home.

Don't forget your real budget: There's often a big difference between what a lender says you can afford and what you can actually afford. Your debt-to-income ratio doesn't include the money you spend on hobbies, or the cost of commuting to work, or maintenance and utility costs. Really sit down and examine your spending before committing to the loan amount the lender is offering. You won't enjoy your home nearly as much if it's eating into your favorite hobbies.