CREATIVE WAYS TO SAY "I LOVE YOU" ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and every year, Valentine's Day serves as a celebration of love, happiness and a commitment to those that you cherish.  

We all know that roses and chocolates are the traditional Valentine's Day gift, but what if there were other ways to be especially creative and still express your love?  

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Give Him/Her A Fortune

A fortune cookie, that is.  If you want to tell someone that you love them in a truly unique way, place a customized message in a fortune cookie that reads, “When I found you, I found a fortune.  I love you.”

Name A Star In His/Her Honor

Through the years, the novelty gift of a star personally named after someone special has become an increasingly popular tradition.  Most star-naming services allow you to customize the naming with a date, which means you could indicate Valentine's Day as the date a star was named if you choose.  What better way to say “I Love You” than with a gift and card that says, “You are my shining star.”  Another possibility is, “When I look at you, I can see forever.”

Get Creative With Engraved Jewelry

The gift of jewelry is a very personal one, and it shows a lot of thought has gone into the occasion.  If you really want to let him/her know how much you care, engrave it into precious metal (gold or silver) so that it will be with them forever.  If your gift of choice is a watch, you can engrave “Now is the time to say I love you” on the underside of the watch.  Rings, bracelets and even pendants can also be engraved.

Design A Photo Collage

If you have been with your sweetheart for some time and have shared many precious moments together, some of which have been captured in images, create a photo collage that tells the story of your romance.  At the end, leave an open space with a caption that reads, “I love you and look forward to many more memories in the years to come.”

Create A Homemade Video

If you have special moments captured on video, take snippets and turn them into a film honoring the one you love.  Add some background vocals, such as a song with special meaning or a narration by you, and watch as the one you love falls in love with you all over again.

Renew Your Wedding Vows

If you're already married, there's no better way to say “I Love You” than by renewing your wedding vows.  Take a second honeymoon and remember all of the things that made your first wedding so special.  Valentine's Day is a wonderful day for weddings, but it's also the perfect day to renew your promise to love one another forever.

Here is my special Valentine's Day edition of my newsletter. To download it for free, click the following link: https://www.thewiseagent.com/news/?newsid=34383

LATEST MARKET REPORT

Local housing sales and inventory up in stable market

The residential home inventory on the Edmonton Multiple Listing Service® (MLS® System) rose 16% in January. Typically just over 1,800 homes in the Edmonton CMA (census metropolitan area) come onto the market in January. 

Last month’s listings of 1,842 were higher than the 783 listed in December. Sales figures (adjusted) of 885 properties (820 reported) were higher than a typical January and higher than sales in December and January 2013. The increased inventory of 3,537 (up from 3,049 in December), kept prices stable in all housing categories.

Compared to December, the all-residential average price of $347,847 was down just $1,226 or -0.16%. Single family detached (SFD) home prices were down 1.5% at $416,344. Condominiums were priced on average at $230,463 (down 1.5%) and duplex/rowhouses showed the biggest movement and were down 5.3% at $336,220.

“Price stability and more property available for sale results in a balanced market,” said REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, President Greg Steele. “Right now both buyers and sellers have time to consider all their options and housing needs. More homes are listed every day and your REALTOR® can advise you of a suitable property as soon as it comes available.”

The residential sales-to-listing ratio was 45% and the average days-on-market was 61 days in January compared to 73 days in January 2013. There have been four property sales over a $1 million already this year but half of the SFDs sold in January were sold at or below the median price of $385,000.

“Strong economic indicators such as low unemployment, higher hourly wages and positive in-migration all support an optimistic view of the Edmonton and area housing market,” said Steele. “Consumers are confident in their economic future and prepared to risk a first-time or move-up purchase. Low rental vacancies and the potential for higher rental rates are also attracting investors into the market.”

There are 3,200 REALTOR® members of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. Consumers can view all the properties listed on the Edmonton MLS® System at www.REWedmonton.ca and review advertised properties in the Real Estate Weekly.

HOW DO ODORS FACTOR INTO HOME STAGING?

Occasionally clients ask me about little extra tips and tricks to improve the appeal of their home while it’s on the market. This is especially true when it comes to open houses or showings. Below I answer a common question about home odors.

Q: Is it a good idea to add pleasant odors (cookies baking, cinnamon, fresh flowers) to a staged home for showings?

A: Not necessarily. Odors do matter, but assuming you know what "a nice smell" is to your buyers could be trouble.

If anything, your house should smell freshly cleaned, but not "chemical." Your best bet is to focus on eliminating foul or dominant odors.

If the house smells stuffy or "closed up" (you know, that "back of the closet with coats from 1974 smell"), concentrate on circulating fresh air first and foremost. Replacing air filters in forced heat/air systems is a good place to start.

The problem with adding odors such as baking cookies or fresh coffee is one of preference. How do you know what sort of associations buyers will have with the smells you think are attractive? A bright, Spring smell might come across as annoying to your visitors. (Floral scents may even set off allergies!)

Also consider this: Are you adding a "good smell" in an effort to cover up a bad smell? We all know how well that works out. The mix is pretty awful.

Finally, many buyers are aware of the "sweet smell" tactic associated with open houses. While your intentions may be good, some savvy prospects may be thinking, "I wonder what that smell is supposed to distract us from?"

Need a sniff test before hand? Ask a few neighbors or friends to give you their opinion when they walk in the door fresh, prior to the main open house or showing.

I love to work with clients to prepare their home for a top-dollar sale. Need more ideas for staging or improving the curb appeal of your home? Let’s chat! 

Get in touch today: valerie@valeriemcconville.com

SHOPPING FOR THE BEST HOME LOAN

Finding the perfect home is a task, but shopping for the best home loan can be even more tedious.  With so many lenders promising low rates, closing costs and little or no down payment requirements, it's often difficult to know which way to turn.  

Luckily, there are several steps that you can take to find the right lender for your individual needs.

Assess Your Situation

Do you know what your credit score is?  If not, you should.  Most lenders rely on this triple digit number to determine both your creditworthiness and interest rates.  If you have excellent credit, you can probably work with almost any lender.  If you have severe blemishes in your financial past, however, finding the right lender may require a little more footwork.

How much money do you have for a down payment?  If you are on a budget, you will need to choose a lender that can help to get you into a home with a minimal down payment.  Knowing where you stand will give you a good idea as to which lender you need to work with.

Compare Rates

As is the case with anything in life, it pays to shop wisely.  Because a home is the largest investment that most people will ever make, it stands to reason that comparison shopping is a must.  As you speak with various lenders, ask about their rates, loan terms, qualification process and down payment requirements.

Interest rates change often, which means locking in your rates when they are low can save you a bundle of money.  Because there are so many lenders competing for your business, you will be greeted with plenty of appealing offers, including low rates, closing costs and down payment requirements.

Demand The Best

You are the one buying the home, so you should be the one to choose the length of your loan term.  With the exception of a situation where payments are simply unaffordable, it's up to you to decide how long you want to pay for a house.  Many homebuyers prefer a longer loan term to keep the payments low, while others want to get the home paid for as quickly as possible with a shorter term.  It's important to keep in mind that the longer you pay for a home, the more money you will end up spending in interest.

It's a good idea to talk to your lender about their willingness to accommodate your needs.  If you're in doubt about which lender to choose or are new to the area and need a little guidance, ask your REALTOR® for a referral.  He/she knows the business and will be more than happy to assist you in making your dream of home ownership become a reality.

FIVE FUN HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

February is a great time to accomplish simple tasks that will add to the value and appearance of your home.  

I hope that you are enjoying the unique experience of being a homeowner!  I've done a little research and have compiled a list of quick, easy projects that you might enjoy!

FIVE QUICK AND EASY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Go green: A few changes to the landscaping of your home can make a world of difference!  You might want to consider planting some fruit trees in the backyard, adding a touch of color with some bright and unusual flowers, or perhaps finally starting the vegetable garden you've always dreamed about.

Add a touch of color: Feeling creative?  Why not give the family room, bedroom or bathroom a whole new look?  By focusing on the improvement of one room at a time, you'll find that what can seem like an overwhelming job becomes fun and simple.  Repainting a single room can be inexpensively completed over a single weekend.

Bright and beautiful: Replacing the light fixtures in your house with personally selected pieces can drastically increase your home's beauty and value.  Choose a cohesive look for the entire house, or decorate room by room!  The installation of new fixtures is generally a quick do-it-yourself task.

Tile it up: While it might seem like a daunting task, installing new tile in a kitchen or bathroom can be easily accomplished with a little know-how and the right supplies.  Your local home improvement warehouse will have everything you need to revamp and personalize the flooring of your choice!

The beauty beneath: Always dreamed of having beautiful hardwood floors?  Choose a room, pull up the carpet, and you'll be on your way to accomplishing just that!  Repairing, refinishing, and staining the floor is a simple step-by-step process that you can achieve without the heavy expense of installing new wood panels.

If you need additional tips or advice, please feel free to email me at valerie@valeriemcconville.com.  I'd be happy to hear from you and would love to offer any guidance that I can!

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HOME INSPECTOR BEFORE BUYING YOUR NEW HOME

When you buy a home, you need to know exactly what you’re buying. Imagine how frustrated you’d be to find out that the hot water heater wasn’t working—in the middle of a shower! 

This is why you should have a home inspection before you buy your home. A home inspection is an important part of buying your home. Before you hire a home inspector, ask candidates a few questions to make sure you hire a trustworthy inspector.

1. What does your inspection cover? Not all inspections are the same. Ask for copies of previous home inspections so you can see exactly what they will check inside the home. If you are concerned about something specific, like a leaky faucet in the bathroom, mention that to the inspector so they can check it out.

2. Are you licensed or certified? If you live in a  province or state that licenses home inspectors, ask to see their license. At the very least, choose a home inspector who belongs to American Society of Home Inspectors or the Home Inspectors Association of your province. This shows a level of professionalism and education that you can trust.

3. What kind of report will you give me? You should expect a written report detailing what the inspector found. Most inspectors will give you a typed report within a week of the inspection. Make sure the inspector will be available to explain anything on the report that doesn’t make sense to you.

4. Will I be able to attend the inspection? If the inspector refuses to let you be present during the home inspection, find someone else. This is your chance to know exactly what you are buying and what potential repairs you or the seller will have to make.

As your real estate agent, I will guide you through the home buying process. Let me help you find your new home. Visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com or you can email me at valerie@valeriemcconville.com

Links: 

American Society of Home Inspectors. - http://www.ashi.org/ 

Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors – http://cahpi-ab.ca/

Canadian Home Builders Association - http://www.chbaalberta.ca/

Home inspection - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_inspection

Pillar To Post Home Inspections - http://www.pillartopost.com/

Easy household repairs. - http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/5-home-repairs-you-should-do-yourself.htm

WHAT IF YOUR TEENAGER DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE TO YOUR NEW HOME?

You’ve got a new job offer across the country and you are planning to pack your things, buy a new home and make the big move. However, when you tell your 17 year old daughter your plans, she lets out a mournful wail and cries that it is not fair. How can you possibly take her away from all of her friends, her favorite hangout spots and the cute boy she just started seeing?

Moving house is a difficult transition and it is even more traumatic for teenagers. The teenage years are an important stage where young adults establish their individuality and independence and during this time their social circle is extremely important to them. Being removed from that against their will can make any teen feel sad, confused, angry and resentful. Also, fitting into a new social scene in a different location can be a challenge for a teen that might be singled out as the “new kid”.

How can you help your teen during this transition so that the experience will be easier on them?

How to Help Your Teen Move

Here are some tips that will make the experience of moving house a little bit easier on your teenager:

• Give them as much notice as possible so that they have time to adjust to the idea of moving. They will feel like they have enough time to say goodbye to their friends and close a chapter of their lives.

• Try to schedule the move around the school calendar, as moving in the summer is much less disruptive to your teen’s life than relocating in the middle of the school year.

• Make sure that they have ample time to spend with their close friends before they leave and once you arrive, understand that they might go through a grieving process of missing their old pals.

• When you get to your new home, make sure that your teen has plenty of ways to keep in touch with their old friends, such as an internet connection and a cell phone plan.

• Encourage your teen to get involved in the community of your new hometown, such as joining sports clubs or attending events. This can help them to [make new friends.

Can They Stay Behind?

In some situations, the better option might be to let your teenager stay behind. If they are in their older teens, they will have finished high school, maybe have a job and be independent people of their own. Perhaps they could stay with a family member or parents of a friend for a while until they are old enough to move out on their own. This might make them a lot happier in the long run, rather than taking them along with you if they really don’t want to move.

For more advice on moving to your new home, feel free to contact me at valerie@valeriemcconville.com.

Links: 

Angry: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/talk-angry-teen-5913.html

Make new friends: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-make-a-bunch-of-new-friends-in-any-new-city.html

Have a job: http://voices.yahoo.com/5-reasons-why-teenagers-after-school-331714.html?cat=25