We Sold a 7 Bedroom 2 Storey in Westwood Edmonton

Another Westwood home sold by the Edmonton House Hunting Team - Audrey Abuan & Mike Muranetz. Advanced marketing BGRS REALTORS®.

Bed and Breakfast Anyone? This unique character home is in a prime location, zoned RF3, 5 minutes from N.A.I.T., Kingsway Mall and the LRT. This solid, quality built detached house features 7 bedrooms and another room above grade with it's own washroom and hookups for a kitchenette. This home has been well maintained with a few modern touches while keeping the abundance of it's original charm and characteristics. Other features include an ample dining room, upgraded triple pane windows, side entrance to the basement, double detached garage with extra parking and a beautifully landscaped backyard with fruit trees. If you are looking for an upgraded multi bedroom home with plenty of parking just a few blocks from N.A.I.T., then you should make this home number one on your must see list!

If you have a Westwood home to sell, please go to our Seller Profile and we'll shortly get back to you.

Congratulations Michael Brodrick

Michael Brodrick becomes Chair of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton

On January 1, 2019, Michael Brodrick assumed the role of Chair of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. He has been on the board from 2015 to present and was the Chair-Elect in 2018.

Brodrick is the Broker/Owner of Homes & Gardens Real Estate Limited. He joined the real estate industry as an associate in 2002 and obtained his broker license in 2010.

Brodrick has also been active with the REALTORS® Community Foundation, sitting on the Board of Governors (2005/2006) and serving on the Funding Allocation Committee (2005, 2006, 2014).

Along with his fellow board members, Chair-Elect Jennifer Lucas, Past Chair Darcy Torhjelm, Vice-Chair Tom Shearer, John Carle, John Dempster, Sheldon Johnston, Kathy Schmidt and Chelsea Wooley, he is looking forward to working hard this year representing all members of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton.

Another Glenridding house sold by the Edmonton House Hunting Team - Audrey Abuan & Mike Muranetz. Advanced marketing BGRS REALTORS®.

A PERFECT DREAM HOME! BACKING ONTO the lake, in the up and coming community of Glenridding, build by Pacesetter, this beautiful 2 Storey single-family detached house has everything. Some of these features include a WALKOUT Basement, GRANITE counters, Centralized Kinetico WATER FILTER and water softener, 4 zone home SOUND SYSTEM, NINE-FOOT CEILINGS on the main floor and a LARGE PIE SHAPED lot for outdoor entertainment, gardening, or children's play area. This dream home offers 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a double attached garage, FULLY FINISHED basement w/massive rec room, upstairs laundry, den/office room, a large MUD ROOM and foyer, walk-in closets in 3 of the bedrooms, a spa-like ensuite, bonus room with vaulted ceilings, gorgeous hardwood floors, open concept kitchen w/stainless steel appliances compliment the extended height cabinetry and large island, gas fireplace w/mantle, a walk-out deck overlooking the lake, large windows for picturesque views and an abundance of natural light throughout the day.

If you have a Glenridding home to sell, please go to our Seller Profile and we'll shortly get back to you.

When is the best time to put your Edmonton home on the Market?

Anytime!

The Internet has no seasons

The worldwide web has changed the way we shop for homes. During the colder months, people can research and view properties with the click of a button, which means there are potential home buyers actively looking at any time, no matter the season.

Easy Ways to Renovate Your Edmonton Kitchen

If you are a DIY person, you should have your reservations about renovating your kitchen. A complete kitchen reonvation can be disasterous both with the physical appearance and the time associated with completing it. By the time you have purchased all of the materials and finishings, it will cost about the same as have a professional kitchen renovators complete this huge task for you. It is so important to have this room in your home done right for a few reasons including resale value.

However if your kitchen is functional but outdated, there are several things you can do to give it a fresh look without spending the same price as a used vehicle. With a little bit of TLC and confidence, there are plenty of renovation videos on the web which will help you complete small projects like counter-tops, backsplashes, painting, changing hood-fans and built-in dishwashers.

• TIP 1: If you are brave enough to take on the re-finishing of your current oak cabinetry, ask an expert to recommend stripping and re-finishing products. This will save you ample hours.
• TIP 2: Your kitchen forms an important part of your Edmonton household. Therefore, you need to make sure that you have arrangements ready as a substitute for not using your kitchen (pizza anyone?).
  
• TIP 3: With our new housing codes, remember any new wiring completed on older homes must be grounded and pig-tailed to current codes. Contact an electrician.
• TIP 4: Watch the cost: We have so many options today when it comes to kitchen upgrades from built-in wine bars, double fridges, kitchen video screens for those favorite recipes, overhead lighting, deep sinks, spray faucets, am[ple choices of granite, marble, laminate and Quartz countertops.
  

NOTE: If you are a new home buyer and are finding nice homes with "ugly kitchens", your bank may allow you to do a renovation upgrade prior to moving into your new home. Contact us for more details.

Changing Your Edmonton Address

Plan ahead to make your move as smooth as possible and to avoid forgetting something in the shuffle! 

As soon as possible.... Notify family & friends, companies and institutions that your address will be changing, either by phone or by mailing the change of address cards available at Canada Post. This is also a great time to make the change from mail to online bill payments instead of waiting for the next Canada Post mail strike!

The following checklist will serve as a convenient reminder:

• Accountant
• Alumni Association
• Lawyer (if different from your Real Estate lawyer)
• Banks and Credit Unions
• Lending Institutions
• Insurance Companies
• Revenue Canada (especially if you own a business)
• Stockbroker
• Credit Card Companies
• Driver's License Including Vehicle Registration
  
• Employer
• Family Doctor and Dentist
• Veterinarian
• Frequent Flyer Program
• Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions
• Cataloge Merchants
• Place of Worship

I would also submit your change of address thru Canada Post to ensure nothing was forgotten.

If you have any other contacts, please let us know thru my contact page.

Is your Edmonton Neighborhood is Improving?

When you’re looking for a new Edmonton home, you want to find one in a great neighbourhood – or, at least, in a neighbourhood that is on the upswing. How can you tell if a particular area is improving? Here are some common indicators:

• Pride of ownership. Take a walk around the neighbourhood. Do you get a sense that people take good care of their homes? Are the lawns mowed? Is the landscaping trimmed? Are flowers planted? Are the sidewalks & walkways shoveled from snow? Homeowners are more likely to look after their properties when they like where they are living.
• Home improvements. Are people investing in their homes? Are they getting their driveways re-done? Their windows replaced? Are there signs of home improvement projects? If so, this is a clear indication that homeowners like the area enough to invest in their properties.
• Real estate sales activity. Do homes tend to sell quickly in the area? Do they sell for a good price? If so, the neighbourhood is probably in demand. If people want to live there, it's a desirable area.
• Business investment. Are businesses investing in the surrounding area? Is there an increase in the number of upscale shops, health clubs, restaurants, and other commercial enterprises that often locate near desirable neighbourhoods?
• Community involvement. Are there signs that the community plays an active role in the look and lifestyle of the neighbourhood? Are there neighbourhood picnics, yard sales and other get-togethers? Check Facebook.com to see if the neighbourhood has a community page.

• City plans. Find out what plans the city of Edmonton has for the area. Will there be road improvements done in the near future? Are there any major construction projects on the schedule, such as LRT, new school or community centre. Although such projects can be disruptive in the short term, they may improve the neighbourhood – and, as a result, boost the value of any home you buy – in the long-term.

• Amortization Rate. One of the best ways to tell if a neighbourhood is improving is the amortization rate which is a summary of how quickly homes are selling in one area comparable to the nearby communities and district and municipality.

Of course, the best way to find out the desirability of a neighbourhood is to talk to us, a good REALTOR® who knows the area. Contact us today.

7 Easy Ways to Save Money On Your Home Insurance

There are a few ways to save money on home insurance policy, below are a few tips tp help you...

• Bundle your insurances. Most insurance companies will give a discount if you use them for your vehicle, current home, vacation properties and any other rental properties you may have.
• Raise your deductable. This is a no-brainer. The higher your deductable, the lower your insurance policies. Of course keep in mind on where you live. For example, there are a few places in Alberta that are more proned to flooding and other weather related issues.
• Another reason to buy new. Insurace companies really like newer homes because it’s less likely something will go wrong with the electrical, heating and plumbing systems. In addition, the structure itself is in better shape. Insurers offer discounts of as much as 8% to 15% if your residence is new.
• Even when it comes to home insurance, location is also a key factor. If you live near a fire station or your neighbor has a fire hydrant, insurance costs are less.
• Insure your HOUSE not the land. There is no reason to insure your land unless you are sitting on a gold mine. The market value of your land doesn’t matter.  If you include the value of the land, you’re paying too much. Have your broker run a replacement cost estimate to determine what it will cost to rebuild your home
• All those little things. Insurance costs go up with attached garages, wood burning fireplaces and yes smokers. Insurance costs decreases with alarm and sprinkler systems.  
• Good Credit. Most insurance companies are now doing credit checks as part of their pricing structure.  People with better credit will pay less for their insurance in most cases. So, not only is improving your credit rating a good idea by itself, it may also reduce the cost of your insurance.

WOW! Check out this beautifully renovated home with a touch of country charm. The brand new kitchen with smooth and seamless lacquered doors resistant to moisture and staining and very easy to keep clean, mosaic glass backsplash, a custom wine rack, pot drawers and soft close cabinets. The main level features a combination of beautifully worn hardwood throughout the formal dining room with dark espresso laminate in the step-down living room. Upstairs features 3 spacious bedrooms, all with enormous closets. The basement of this homes is almost fully finished with a 3rd bathroom w/shower and drop ceiling. The laundry room offers plenty of storage and a laundry sink. This home is a corner unit with a privately fenced yard, next to your parking stall. (extra parking available). Lake Estates Beaumaris is the perfect location for relaxation. Only steps away from Beaumaris Lake, Beaumaris Park and the Castle Downs recreation Center.

Our Edmonton House Hunting Team Sold this great renovated home with a touch of country charm in Beaumaris. Contact our hi-tech, hi-touch, advanced marketing REALTORS® to get your Beaumaris home sold!

Cannabis legalization could be a problem for Edmonton homeowners.

As an experienced residential Edmonton REALTOR® for more than 20 years, I can foresee growing Cannabis inside our Edmonton homes as a huge negative.

If laws are implemented for growing marijuana inside our homes, will these laws also apply to certain poisonous household plants, making beer and wines, rolling cigarettes Will it stop there or will it continue until we have no freedom of our own property?

Would love to hear your thoughts on growing cannabis in our Edmonton homes and on purchasing a home where homeowners smoke the cannabis inside.