USING BRIGHT AND BOLD PAINT COLORS

Homeowners who are thinking of selling are often warned against choosing bright and bold paint colors for their walls.  These colors can be difficult to cover up, usually require a number of coats to look good, and can dramatically change the feel of a room.  If the color is not selected with a bit of planning and forethought, it can sometimes turn into a decorating nightmare.  But with a little forethought and these helpful tips, you can create a beautiful space that reflects you and your family's personality with no restrictions!

Define The Space

The colors you choose for your walls should always reflect the mood of the room.  Certain colors invoke particular moods, and can produce even physical and emotional reactions.  Being aware of this can really make your choice one you will be happy with for years to come.  For example, red stimulates appetite and so is a great choice for kitchens, while yellow stimulates creativity and may work well in an office space.

Find The Right Furnishings

When using bright, bold colors in any space, knowing first how you are going to decorate the rest of the space can make the choice easy.  Bold wall colors that don't match the draperies or sofa, for example, will just draw even more attention to the mismatched feel of the room than a lighter shade would.

Choose Complementary Accent Pieces

The trick to using bright colors in any room is to combine it with accent pieces that complement the color, and tone it down.  White is always a good choice, and black will add a lot of drama to a space if done right, and can also tie the look of a boldly decorated room together.

Use The Tools Available To You

Most home décor and DIY stores have great tools both in the store and online to help you coordinate colors by mood and shade.  Asking a sales representative at these stores to point out the tools they have available and seeking their advice is always a good idea if you don't know where to start.  If you are really in doubt you can always consider hiring an interior designer.

Home décor should always reflect the personality and lifestyle of those who live there, and whether you are a pastel kind of person, or love bright bold looks, there is always a solution that is right for you. 

For more information on selling your home, be sure to see videos I have posted at www.valeriemcconville.com

WHAT MAKES A REALTY EXECUTIVES REALTOR® DIFFERENT?

What makes a Realty Executives REALTOR® different? Because we care. For all your real estate needs, please visit my website today at: www.valeriemcconville.com

WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS USE A REALTOR®

This video explains why consumers should always use a REALTOR® when buying, selling, or leasing a property. For all your real estate needs or to view more videos, please visit my website at: www.valeriemcconville.com

CALCULATING YOUR MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a new home is affordability. As a general rule, mortgage payments should not exceed 25-30 percent of your monthly take-home pay.  The best way to know what you can afford is to determine the possible payment range by comparing the price of the home with other essential ingredients.

Figure Out How Much You Want To Borrow

Your first step to calculating your monthly mortgage payment is knowing how much you want to borrow.  This can be determined by subtracting your down payment amount from the purchase price of the home, which will give you the amount that you will need to request from a lender.

Know Your Rates

The next step is to determine the current interest rates for the purchase of a home.  Rates vary and may change often, so check with your lender for current rates.  It's worth noting that the interest rates you receive will, in part, be based on your credit history.  This means that knowing your FICO score and credit rating will give you a good idea as to how your interest rates will be calculated.

Choose Your Loan Term

Your monthly mortgage payments will be determined by a number of factors, including the term of your loan.  If you were to borrow $250,000, your monthly payments would be less with a 30-year mortgage than with a 15-year mortgage.  The reason is because it would take larger monthly payments to get the loan paid off quicker, which is why you will need to select a loan term before calculating your payments.

Additional Costs To Consider

Your total mortgage payment will include taxes, homeowner's insurance and possibly even private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you provide less than 20 percent down and your loan requires it.

Just The Facts & Figures

Now that you know how much you need to borrow, have chosen your loan term and are familiar with the current interest rates, it's time to calculate your payment.  Most lenders offer a mortgage calculator on their Web site or you can get an estimate by speaking with your lender.

If you still need help in calculating your potential monthly mortgage payments, don't hesitate to use the mortgage calculator on my website at www.valeriemcconville.com. Should you still have questions about your mortgage payments, or how to get the lowest mortgage rate, call me direct at (780) 700-8638. I have two mortgage professionals on my team to make your home purchase a reality.

LATEST MARKET STATS

Housing sales activity in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) slowed in May according to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. Housing sales dropped 10% when compared to the same time last year. Single family detached homes (SFD) were down 14.4% Y/Y and duplex/row house sales were down 20.3%. However, condo sales were up 4.9% compared to May 2012.

According to Daryl Cook, President of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, some buyers are having difficulty finding their perfect home. He states that inventory levels are rising but below traditional norms and that there is a shortage of attractive single family homes at the lower end of the price market which is causing many buyers to hold back from entering the market. First time buyers are having to find a condo that are in their price range as compared to a traditional home.

Listing activity picked up in May with 1,969 SFDs (single family dwellings) listed (up 1.3% Y/Y) and 963 condos (up 0.3% Y/Y) for an overall total of 3,188 residential properties coming into the MLS® System in May. At the end of May there were 6,028 residential properties available; up from 5,294 from last month. There were an additional 1,569 rural properties in the MLS® System inventory.

The demand for housing has buoyed up prices in the Edmonton area. The all-residential average price was up 2.4% from April and up 1.3% from a year ago at $356,807. The average price of SFDs was up 3.9% to $418,110 in May but condo prices dropped 2.4% from a month ago to $237,664. The condo average price is down 3.97% in May compared to last year.

“Increased activity at the higher end of the market drove up the average price of SFDs,” said Cook. “At the same time, the wide variety and number of options in the condominium sector continued to exert downward pressure on the average price of condominiums. There is housing available for everyone at every price point but buyers may have to adjust their expectations to be able to buy right now. Their REALTOR® can help them identify property that meets their needs.”

The average days-on-market for residential property was down to 45 days and the sales-to-listing ratio was 53% in May.

If you would like to know more about the real estate market or to find your perfect home, please visit  my website at www.valeriemcconville.com.

A SINGLE WOMAN'S GUIDE TO HOME OWNERSHIP

The traditional view of home ownership usually includes a married couple, but times have changed, and more and more single women are entering the housing market.  In fact, almost twice as many single women are purchasing homes than single men, and almost one in five homes purchased today are purchased by single women.  So why are single women making up such a large part of the housing market, and what are the special considerations single women should make when purchasing a home?

What Women Want!

The demographics of single women buying homes are quite diverse.  From young professional women in their 20's to divorced mothers in their 40's, there are really no typical single women making home purchases, and their needs are just as diverse.  Overall, however, there do appear to be a few trends in the market, and here is a list of what the average single woman is looking for in a new home.

Most spend less than $200,000

Prefer two bedrooms or more

Less likely to choose new construction

Will compromise size and cost to get other amenities, but not location

Smaller spaces are acceptable, and many prefer condos

Desire security and safe neighbourhoods with a strong community feel

Look for close proximity to stores, shopping, and fitness centres

Things To Consider

If you are a single woman looking to enter the housing market, or know someone who is, then what should be considered before making the leap into home ownership?

Essentially the considerations are much the same as those of any home owner.  Taking a realistic look at your financial situation is always important.  Seeking out the advice of a qualified financial advisor and a REALTOR® can make the process less difficult.  It is also important to be sure you are not entering into any unwise loan agreements that may not be wise down the road, such as no-money-down deals.  It is also important to have a clear picture of what your needs as a home owner are, and that you don't settle for something that will not work with your particular lifestyle.

If you are a single woman looking to buy or sell your next home, please visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com and contact me today!

KEEPING COOL IN SUMMER

Are you ready for summer in your new home?  We all know that summer brings to mind relaxation, vacation, and rest-but we also know that it can get hot!  I thought you might like to have a few tips on keeping cool in the upcoming summer, so that you can enjoy life to the fullest in your beautiful new house.

Remember, if you have any real estate questions on your mind, I hope you'll remember to call me at [PHONE] or visit my Web site [WEB ADDRESS]!  I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!

COOL-DOWN TRICKS FOR THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS

Spin it: Ceiling fans are an excellent way to keep everyone cool, and they're beautiful as well.  But did you know that they can also help you save on your energy bill?  By circulating cool air throughout your home, you won't need to keep the thermostat set as low as you would without the help of one, two or more well-placed fans.

Green is good: There's no debating how refreshing a large patch of shade can be on a hot summer day…so why not invest in some shade of your own?  Planting trees is an excellent way to ensure shade and to keep your house cool in the warmer months.  Already have some?  Make the most of the summer foliage by relaxing beneath a large tree and sipping some cool lemonade.

Clear as a bell: Window manufacturing and supply companies now offer an invisible way to keep you cool: by installing a transparent coating to windows that effectively blocks heat.  Adding this type of treatment to your sunniest windows is a smart and easy way to save a few dollars on your energy bill.

Program and relax: If you have a programmable thermostat but haven't gotten around to figuring out how to use it, now's the time.  Setting your thermostat to regulate the temperature of your house and maintaining an average temperature can save you a lot of money.  Can't find the instructions?  Most manufacturers provide free, downloadable guides via the Internet.

Block it out:  Room-darkening blinds can reflect a great deal of sun and heat, so keep them closed during the morning and afternoon hours to keep things cool inside!

Please visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com for more blogs, or to view real estate listings in Alberta.