At Home With Valerie

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

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

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

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

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 off

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

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 aff