RealEdmonton Real Estate News & Info

$524,900 - 10137 144 St, Edmonton

2012-04-09T07:09:00.004-06:00

Welcome to MacKinnon Estates... an award-winning condo with the character of historic Grovenor and a block from magnificent MacKinnon Ravine. The spacious design includes large windows throughout, allowing in generous amounts of natural light. A roomy entry-way leads to a large living room with 9-foot ceiling. The kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances, central island and granite counters. The large balcony is ready for summer entertaining with natural gas for the barbecue. Upstairs, the master bedroom is complete with ensuite, walk-in closet and second balcony. The home includes a convenient two-car underground garage and a finished basement. Maintenance-free stucco and sandstone exteriors and dormer-style windows on the upper level blend nicely with other stately homes in the area. Schools, shopping and recreation opportunities abound. If you desire a prime location close to downtown, with great transit (LRT coming soon) and all the convenience of condo living, you must have a look today.

10137 144 St, Edmonton Property Listing: MLS® # E3295272

Housing sales and prices stable at the end of the first quarter - REALTORS®

2012-04-04T07:53:00.000-06:00

Edmonton, April 2, 2012: At the end of the first quarter, the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton reports that the average residential price in the Edmonton area is up 2.2% when compared to a year ago. The all-residential average1 price, at $335,187 compared to $328,094 in March of last year. Single family detached (SFD) and condominium average prices were stable year-over-year with SFD prices up 0.2% and condos down 0.7%.

“Other markets, such as Toronto, are reporting feverish real estate activity involving multiple offers and unconditional offers but our market is calm, orderly and slowly evolving,” said REALTORS® Association of Edmonton President Doug Singleton. “Listing activity is up when compared to last year but sales and inventory are down which could indicate that market activity will pick up markedly as the summer progresses.”

On the Multiple Listing Service® System, sales and listings by REALTORS® in March were up, with 3,271 residential listings (up 23.5% from February) and sales of 1,533 (up 24.5% from the previous month). As a result, the inventory of residential properties available for sale was up 14.6% at 6,851 properties. At the current sales level, there are four and half months of inventory available. In total, there are 10,640 properties of all types (commercial, rural and residential) on the Edmonton and Area Multiple Listing Service®.

Market stability is reflected in the sales-to-listing ratio which is unchanged from month-to-month. The average days-on-market dropped in March by one day from 54 to 53 and residential properties are selling at about the same pace as this time last year on a year-to-date basis (46%).

In March, the average price of a single family detached home was $380,083, up 1.3% from the previous month. The average price of a condominium in March was $231,629, down 1.4% from the February price (last month the price of condos advanced over 8% in a month). Duplex and rowhouse properties sold on average for $319,020; a 4.1% improvement from the previous month.

“April is the start of the real estate season when people who want to buy and sell real estate are most active,” said Singleton. “There is speculation that mortgage rates will start to rise which makes it more difficult for first time buyers. However, there is lots of choice in our market with new properties coming available daily. Whatever your housing situation you can trust the advice of your local REALTOR® who is here when life happens.”

Activity (for all residential sales on Edmonton MLS® System)

	March 2012	M/M % change	Y/Y % change
SFD2 average selling price - month	$380,083	1.30%	0.20%
SFD median3 selling price	$360,000	1.80%	1.40%
Condominium average selling price	$231,629	-1.40%	-0.70%
Condominium median selling price	$220,000	-2.20%	0.00%
All-residential4 average selling price	$335,187	1.60%	2.20%
All-residential median selling price	$320,500	1.10%	3.10%
# residential listings this month	3,271	23.50%	12.70%
# residential sales this month	1,533	24.50%	-4.70%
# residential inventory at month end	6,851	14.50%	-0.50%
# Total5 MLS® System sales this month	1,717	23.70%	92.70%
$ Value residential sales this month	$513 Million	26.50%	-2.60%
$ Value of total MLS® System sales – month	$592 Million	24.70%	0.20%
$ Value of total MLS® System sales - YTD	$1.47 Billion	74.50%	15.10%

3 Single Family Dwelling
4 The middle figure in a list of all sales prices
5 Includes residential, rural and commercial sales

2 Residential includes SFD, condos and duplex/row houses

* Average prices indicate market trends only. They do not reflect actual changes for a particular property, which may vary from house to house and area to area. Prior period figures have been adjusted to include late reported sales and cancellations and therefore reflect a more accurate view of the period than previously reported at month end.

This information provided courtesy of the Realtors Association of Edmonton.
The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton (Edmonton Real Estate Board), founded in 1927, is a professional association of over 3,200 Brokers and Associates in the greater Edmonton area. The Association administers the Multiple Listing Service®, provides professional education to its members and enforces a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice.
The Association also advertises property listings and publishes consumer information on the Internet at REALTOR.ca (formerly mls.ca), as well as in the Real Estate Weekly. The REALTORS® Association supports charities involving shelter and homelessness through the REALTORS® Community Foundation.

Low mortgage rates are attracting young buyers

2012-04-03T10:43:00.000-06:00

(NC)—According to recent RBC Royal Bank research, 67 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 18-34 are looking to purchase their first home within the next two years.

“Buying your first home is one of the biggest life decisions you will ever make and you want to be both financially and emotionally prepared,” said Melissa Jarman, director of client strategies for RBC. “While you may qualify for a maximum mortgage amount, you should also consider how it will impact your lifestyle and other factors that are important to you.”

Jarman provides the following tips for getting started:

• Know how much you can afford—Before beginning your house search, take time to review down payment options, household income, current debt, estimated monthly housing-related costs and closing costs. An online calculator can help determine how much you can afford at www.royalbank.com/mortgageaffordability

• Work with a budget—Budgeting and setting a maximum amount on how much you are willing to spend are key to ensuring you can buy your first home and still live within your means. Online budgeting tools such as myFinanceTracker (www.rbcroyalbank.com/myfinancetracker) can help determine exactly where your money is going and how much you have to spend within the parameters you've set for yourself.

• Do your research—Friends, family members and online websites can offer you helpful tips and personal advice. Also, consider reaching out to an RBC mortgage specialist who can give you insights into your finances. This link may be helpful: https://mortgage.rbc.com.

Further advice and tips can be found at: www.rbcadvicecentre.com, or join the discussion on purchasing your first home at Facebook.com/rbcroyalbank.

www.newscanada.com

February Housing Prices Rise with Sales - REALTORS®

2012-03-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Edmonton, March 2, 2012: The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton reports that housing prices were up in all housing categories in February in the Edmonton area. The all-residential average1 price, at $329,911, was up 3.7% from January and up 5.7% when compared to the same month last year.

“Average prices in February were higher than the year-long average price for last year,” said REALTORS® Association of Edmonton President Doug Singleton. “Buyers seem to have confidence and REALTOR® offices are reporting solid traffic. This is lifting prices up and they are already higher than at the same time in the past two years.”

In February, the average price of a single family detached (SFD) home was $375,268, up 3.1% from the previous month. The average price of a condominium in February was $234,973, up 8.5% from the January price. This is higher than all months except May of last year. Duplex and rowhouse properties sold on average for $306,491; a 1.4% improvement from the previous month.

Year-over-year prices were also up in all categories. Single family properties were up 4.8%; condos were up 1.7% and duplex/rowhouses were up 0.2% from the same month last year.

Sales and listings by REALTORS® on the Multiple Listing Service® System in February were both up from January and the sales-to-listing ratio recovered from 36% in January to 46% in February. This indicates that less than half of the residential properties listed were sold and provides fresh property options for buyers who may have been looking for several months. Sellers should be pleased to see that the average days-on-market in February was 54; down from 65 in January.

There were 5,976 residential properties in the local MLS® System at the end of January. Although the inventory was up from last month, it is lower than a year ago when there were 6,389 properties available for sale on the MLS® System.

“Nationally the housing still appears to be soft,” said Singleton. “But the local market is much more robust. Consult your local REALTOR® for the most comprehensive local market information. REALTORS® are here when life happens.”

Activity (for all residential sales on Edmonton MLS® System)

	February 2012	M/M % Change	Y/Y % change
SFD2 average selling price - month	$375,268	3.10%	4.80%
SFD median3 selling price	$353,500	0.40%	1.90%
Condominium average selling price	$234,973	8.50%	1.70%
Condominium median selling price	$225,000	9.80%	4.90%
All-residential1 average selling price	$329,911	3.70%	5.70%
All-residential median selling price	$317,000	1.60%	3.90%
# residential listings this month	2,649	8.50%	2.00%
# residential sales this month	1,231	39.70%	6.60%
# residential inventory at month end	5,976	12.70%	-6.50%
# Total4 MLS® System sales this month	1,388	38.30%	55.80%
$ Value residential sales this month	$406 Million	44.90%	12.60%
$ Value of total MLS® System sales – month	$474 Million	41.70%	16.90%
$ Value of total MLS® System sales - YTD	$842 Million	N/A	22.70%

1 Residential includes SFD, condos and duplex/row houses.
2 Single Family Dwelling
3 The middle figure in a list of all sales prices
4 Includes residential, rural and commercial sales

Alberta job growth outpacing the rest of Canada

2012-02-25T14:46:00.002-07:00

According to Statistics Canada, 1900 of the 2900 new jobs in Canada in January were right here in Alberta. We’ve got the lowest jobless rate of all provinces, at 4.9%. And, we’ve posted the highest job growth rate, creating over 80,000 jobs in the past year. All this, while Ontario lost 7,500 jobs in January.

Read more in the Edmonton Journal story:
Alberta accounts for most of Canada's January job growth

Canadians contributing less to RRSP's

2012-02-24T09:09:00.001-07:00

According to a recent RBC report, Canadians are contributing less to their RRSP’s. Contributions rose from the 1960’s to the late 1990’s, but since then, contributions have declined. If the drop continues at this rate, less than 2% of disposable income will be contributed to RRSP’s. We haven’t seen contribution rates that low since the mid-70’s.

There’s concern that people aren’t properly preparing for retirement. But, one possible explanation is that people are investing in real estate, and using that as a bigger part of their retirement strategy.

Edmonton Journal has the story:
RRSP use on track to 35-year low: RBC

Analysts expect Ottawa to tighten mortgage rules

2012-02-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

There’s a chance that the federal government could make it tougher for people to purchase a home, by tightening lending rules for mortgages. Possible changes could include raising the minimum down payment from 5% or reducing the maximum amortization from 30 years (it was changed from 35 to 30 years not that long ago). This change could come this spring, possibly by late March.

Would stricter lending rules affect the real estate market? Only time will tell. It could keep some first-time buyers out of the market completely. Or it could shift more interest toward the condo market here in Edmonton, which may be a good thing, as the condo market has taken a bit of a beating.

Read the Edmonton Journal story:
Analysts expect Ottawa to tighten mortgage rules

Edmonton Population on the Rise

2012-02-16T14:55:00.002-07:00

Edmonton’s population grew by 11.2% to 812,201 from 2006 to 2011, according to the 2011 Census of Population report released today by Statistics Canada.

The growth rate is even faster than the 9.6% recorded between 2001 and 2006 and maintains the city’s position as the fifth-largest city in Canada.

Read the complete article:

Edmonton Population on the Rise :: City of Edmonton

For Sale - 940 Birch Ave - $374,800

2012-02-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

For more information, visit:
http://realedmonton.com/search/featured/

Think house prices are bad in Edmonton?

2012-01-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

This Vancouver article covers stories of families in Vancouver trying to make it with the high cost of housing there, and then typically moving to more affordable cities such as Edmonton.

Here in Edmonton, anyone willing to work for a living can buy a house. We see our move to Edmonton as a permanent exit from the Lower Mainland, with little expectation that we will ever be able to afford to move back. Not a problem though — the sun always shines in Edmonton.

Top three innovations to improve home efficiency

2012-01-26T21:27:00.002-07:00

(NC)—Our homes are a great measuring stick of how far we've progressed in the past 20 years, especially when it comes to their efficiency in terms of saving us energy and money.

Here are the top three innovative technologies that can improve the efficiency of our homes:

Home Automation

It wasn't that long ago that an automated home was a focus of science fiction. Today, adding the convenience and control of our indoor climate, lighting, electronic media and home security, is increasingly affordable and accessible through home PCs, smart phone and tablet applications. With home monitoring systems you can track energy and water usage in real time, spot key sources of energy loss and make immediate adjustments.

Insulation

If your home is more than 10 years-old, there's a good chance it has fibreglass or cellulose insulation behind its walls. While these were once the insulations of choice, there are many holes in these technologies. Since they are difficult to install perfectly and can sag or settle over time, they can leave gaps and seams. It's like leaving a window open 24 hours a day in the freezing cold.
Experts remind us that insulation advancements (like those from leading innovator Icynene) have brought us spray foam insulation options that won't settle, sag or leave any gaps. Spray foam acts as an air barrier and can deliver up to 50 per cent energy savings over older insulation options, while making our homes healthier, quieter and more comfortable. You can compare insulation options at www.icynene.com.

Appliances and HVAC

Appliances and heating/cooling systems are essential in Canadian homes—and not surprisingly, they are constantly undergoing improvements. New energy-efficient refrigerators use less than half the energy of models that are 12 years old and use 75 per cent less energy than those produced in the late 1970s. (Source: National Resources Defense Council).
If you have a conventional natural-draft furnace made before 1992 it might only operate between 55 to 78 per cent efficiency. Upgrading to a new induced-draft condensing furnace can increase efficiency to above 90 per cent as a result of more efficient heat exchangers and electronic ignition(Source: Mother Earth News).

www.newscanada.com

Our Edmonton Economy Is On A Roll

2012-01-24T02:48:00.001-07:00

According to a report put out by CIBC, Edmonton is the second-best city in Canada, in terms of economic momentum.

"If you look at Edmonton, the labour market is doing much better, population is rising, investment is rising, the real estate market is doing fine," said Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist with CIBC World Markets and author of the report. "Edmonton is still up there."

Read the complete Edmonton Journal story here.

Tips for Buying That Perfect Home

2012-01-15T01:10:00.000-07:00

(NC)—You have finished school and you've managed to land yourself a decent job. Finally in a position where you are financially stable, and you may be ready to take the next step in your life and buy a house. No more having to deal with crazy roommates or strict landlords. But first, you have to find that perfect house.

It is often easy to narrow down the specific elements you want in a house, besides providing a roof over your head. How many square feet is it, does it have a lawn, is it in a great location; but it is important to consider your budget when dreaming up your ideal dwelling. Since this is your first house, you can take advantage of the Home Buyers' Plan which allows you to withdraw up to $25,000 from your registered retirement savings plan to buy or build a qualifying home.

Once you've finally chosen a house and put down the deposit, all that's left to do is pack up your belongings. Then, once tax season rolls around, you may be able to claim $5000 as the first-time home buyer's amount. This is a non-refundable tax credit representing tax savings of up to $750. You can find out if you qualify online at www.cra.gc.ca/hbtc.

www.newscanada.com

Save money on your home insurance

2012-01-13T01:11:00.000-07:00

(NC)—You can't put a price tag on the peace-of- mind your home insurance offers you. Or can you?

It's true that you can sleep soundly at night knowing that your home, possessions and property are covered, and that your legal liability for injury or property damage to others is covered, but premiums are sometimes expensive. How does one lower insurance premiums without losing sleep?

James Savage, executive vice president of Western Financial Group, a leading western Canadian provider of insurance services, points out that we do have options when it comes to home insurance, as follows:

• Shop around. Get quotes from several insurance carriers. Insurance brokers, such as Western, will do the legwork for you, obtaining quotes from several insurance companies and providing you with a comparison so that you can choose the best option.

• Ask about discounts. Some insurance providers offer discounts if you bundle your home and auto policies, if you have a security system, if you stay with that company for a certain number of years, or if you have a sprinkler system. Find out what types of discounts each insurance provider offers.

• If you're in the process of buying a home, choose wisely. The age of a home's heating, plumbing and electrical systems, and the construction and location of your home can make a difference in your premium. Talk with an insurance broker about ideal home characteristics.

• Consider a higher deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket toward a claim before your insurance begins to pay. Raising your deductible—from $500 to $1,000, for example—will reduce your monthly premium. Make sure the deductible is a number you're comfortable with, though.

• Conduct an annual review of your policy. You might find areas in which you can reduce your coverage. For example, if your possessions have depreciated, you might choose to lower your policy limits in that area.

www.newscanada.com

Could a 30-year fixed mortgage happen in Canada?

2012-01-09T01:58:00.000-07:00

An Edmonton Journal article asks a valid question, even if the title of the article is a bit misleading…

Turchansky: Do Canadians need 30-year mortgages?

We already have 30-year mortgages in Canada. What the article is actually asking (and what many of the commenters appear to have missed) is if Canada should have 30-year locked-in fixed-rate mortgages (i.e. a mortgage that remains XX% and monthly payments that never change throughout its entire 30 year term).

Edmonton financial adviser Shawn Allen of InvestorsFriend Inc. has been prodding financial writers to lobby financial institutions to offer Canadians an “affordable” 30-year locked-in mortgage, insured and with minimum penalties for refinancing.

Currently, it’s most common to take out a 25 or 30 year mortgage, but with a 5 year term. That means the interest rate (and payments) stay fixed for the next 5 years. But at the end of 5 years, it’s time to renew, and if interest rates have skyrocketed in that time, there could be a staggering increase in monthly payments. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage may be an attractive option for anyone who plans to stay in a home long-term, and who wants the security of knowing their monthly payment will never go up, from the time they buy the home until it’s completely paid off. What are your thoughts?

Read the complete Edmonton Journal story here…

Nice home, quiet complex, rare find

2012-01-09T01:13:00.000-07:00

It's not often a home in this well-maintained, quiet complex comes up for sale. Now's your chance to own a move-in-ready home complete with all appliances (1 yr new washer, dryer and stove), newer furnace, hot water tank, shingles, windows, doors, paint, laminate flooring, light fixtures and more. There's even a new free-standing electric fireplace included. The basement is finished with plenty of space for a rec room, theatre room or extra storage. Out front, enjoy the convenience of two parking stalls directly in front of your door. And visitor parking is available just a few steps away for your guests. Your spacious fenced yard features a deck and garden shed. And you're close to plenty of amenities including schools, shopping, transportation and more. Nothing to do here but move in and enjoy. Don't miss this opportunity.

http://realedmonton.com/search/featured/

A Good Edmonton Real Estate Market for 2012?

2012-01-03T01:58:00.000-07:00

According to BMO’s deputy chief economist, Edmonton may be one of the hottest real estate markets in Canada in 2012.

“Calgary (average price: $399,000) and Edmonton ($320,000) have seen stable prices in recent years even as Alberta easily recorded the strongest employment growth in the country in 2011," he says. If oil prices hold around $90 US a barrel or more in the coming year, "look for those two cities to lead the way for hottest housing markets in 2012," says Porter.

I guess time will tell.

Read the complete Edmonton Journal story...

Take this insulation tour for a real energy savings trip

2011-12-22T01:59:00.000-07:00

(NC)—Did you know that a third of all air leakage in a home can be attributed to walls, floors and ceilings? You might think your home is well insulated, but if it has conventional air permeable fibreglass or cellulose insulation, gaps, seams or damage could compromise its performance.

Taking a tour of your home's insulation may not sound like much fun, but it could be a sound investment in energy and money savings. Here's a checklist for the four key stops to make on your tour, courtesy of the industry specialists at Icynene and at www.icynene.com:

Stop #1—The Attic

• Look out for sagging insulation batts or gaps.

• Are there any signs of moisture or mould on the insulation?

• Make sure soffit vents are not covered by insulation to maintain airflow.

Stop #2—The Basement

• Check insulation around the rim joists (where your first floor meets the basement foundation walls) for gaps.

• Seal any penetrations that go through the basement ceiling to the floor above, including those for electrical and plumbing service.

• Look for signs of moisture or mould on the insulation.

Stop #3—The Crawl Space

• Make sure the floor above a crawlspace is well insulated to keep heat from escaping into the crawlspace and to make your floors more comfortable.

• Check to make sure insulation has a moisture barrier or consider Icynene's closed cell spray foam insulation option that can provide a built-in vapour barrier.

• Check for signs of moisture or mould on the insulation.

Stop #4—The Room Over the Garage

• Is the room too cold in the winter and too warm in the summer? It might benefit from spray foam insulation for complete air sealing and proper adhesion to the garage ceiling.

• Look for sagging insulation batts and gaps.

• Check for signs of moisture on the insulation.

www.newscanada.com

Canadian real estate in the “middle of the pack” globally: Report

2011-12-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

A report from Scotiabank Group says average house prices in Canada continue to rise, although Edmonton was the only city listed that prices actually fell from 2010 to 2011.

Of the major Canadian cities listed in the report, Edmonton was the only city to experience a real estate price drop between 2010 and 2011.

Housing affordability improves slightly

2011-12-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

RBC has put out a new report indicating low interest rates are keeping house prices in Canada affordable.

A new report finds low interest rates are keeping Canadian house prices within reach of homebuyers in many markets.

Read the full article...

Winter Grilling Tips & Tricks

2011-12-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

(NC)—Barbecuing isn't just for the lazy days of summer. Delicious grilled meals are easy to prepare year-round. Here are a few tips for winter barbecuing that are important to remember before you get the snow shovel out.
• Always pre-heat your barbecue. Pre-heat to 400º f – 450º f at minimum, and adjust the temperature from there. Remember, if food doesn't sizzle when you put it on the grill, your barbecue is not hot enough.
• If you are grilling with charcoal, include more charcoal for increased pre-heating time and extra heat while grilling.
• Cooking times may change with extreme cold; always use an instant read thermometer to ensure that foods are cooked thoroughly.
• Grill with the lid down – heat loss on a cold day is significantly greater than a warm summer day – keeping your barbecue at a consistent temperature will be very difficult with the lid open.
• When grilling on a windy day, try to reduce your exposure to the wind – if grilling at lower temperatures, keep an eye on your barbecue to ensure that it does not blow out. If you do need to move your barbecue out of the wind, keep minimum clearances in mind to avoid damaging your deck or home.
• Clear a work area around your barbecue – this won't impact cooking time, but having enough room to work without filling your boots with snow makes for a much more enjoyable barbecue experience and avoids any untimely slips or falls.
• Lighting – several lighting options are available – some barbecues have built in lighting, and add-on handle lights are available so you're not grilling in the dark. Broil King offers a variety of lighting options for their barbecues.
• Never use your barbecue indoors, in your garage, or in an enclosed area. Carbon Monoxide accumulation, accidental fire damage, and smoke damage are all possible – it's not worth the risk.
More information on grilling and great recipe ideas is available at www.broilkingbbq.com
Clear off that barbecue and get grilling!
www.newscanada.com

Fantastic Find in Hairsine

2011-11-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

Fantastic find in Hairsine. Welcome to your 4 level split with lots of room for the whole family. Brand new Ikea kitchen with plenty of cupboard space, large dining room for your oversized table, beautiful living room with bay window and fireplace. Upstairs you will find a 4 piece master bathroom with new toilet, sink and cabinets, large master bedroom with a 4 piece ensuite with jacuzzi tub. The master bedroom can be converted back to 2 bedrooms. On the third level you will find the 3rd bedroom, 2 piece bathroom with new toilet and sink, washer and dryer and access to the attached insulated and drywalled garage. At the back of the garage is plenty of storage with access to the outside. The basement is almost finished with plenty of storage under the stairs. The back yard is full of beautiful perennials ready to go. Two storage sheds are included. The furnace is about 10 years old, there is new flooring and fresh paint throughout the home. Play centre in the back yard is included.

http://realedmonton.com/search/featured/

Tips for a Greener Edmonton Lawn

2010-04-09T09:49:00.000-06:00

Click photo to watch video

There are a few tips to mowing lawns correctly. Done right, mowing can reduce the need to use any additional herbicides in your Edmonton yard. Growing a good stand of healthy grass makes it more difficult for weeds to sprout. Mowing too seldom or too short can cause the yard to turn brown and permit lawn diseases to attack the already stressed grass.

Preserving a proper height is essential. Most varieties of turf ought be cut when the blades grow to four inches high. Allowing a lawn to grow higher than this may cause a lawn to go into shock when it's finally cut. Using mulching blades return the grass clippings to the soil where they become their own fertilizer.

Except for a few short southern grasses, the mower height should be set to three inches. Many home owners clip the grass too short, thinking that they will not have to mow again so soon. But trimming it too short can also shock the grass. Taller grass will stay greener. It shades the soil and prevents weeds from germinating.

Grass grows at different rates throughout the growing season. Differences in the amount of rain, light, and temperature all influence the rate of growth. Your mowing schedule needs to adjust to the height of the grass and not be scheduled to conform to a calendar. When the lawn grows most quickly in the spring, it usually needs to be cut more often. During a dry season, it may require cutting only every other week.

Maintaining the lawn properly and on a regular basis will save work in the long run.

Copyright AgentMapIt AgentMapit BlogEasy

How to Tile a Bathroom Floor

2010-04-08T08:19:00.003-06:00

If laying ceramic tile in your Edmonton and area home is a mystery to you, you're not alone. This video should help. If you're not sure of yourself you should probably try this out on a floor area that isn't so obvious as a bathroom or kitchen.

This video from Home Depot shows how to lay tile in a bathroom floor in your Edmonton and area home. The demo uses 2 inch x 2 inch mosaic tiles pre-mounted on mesh-backed sheets. Consult with any established building materials store in the Edmonton area for details and prices.

Copyright AgentMapIt BlogEasy

Selling your home begins in the kitchen

2009-04-30T22:57:00.000-06:00

(NC)—The home seller understands the way to any potential homebuyer's heart is through the kitchen. Over the years, the kitchen has shed its once humble beginnings as a place to simply prepare and serve meals, to more of a place where friends can socialize over a glass of wine or where children can do their homework. With the kitchen becoming one of the most multi-dimensional and functional rooms in the house, kitchen renovations have attracted the attention of many who are looking to increase their home's resale value or would simply just like to enjoy the improvements to their home.

Nevertheless, many sellers would rather not deal with the expense and length of the project before they sell their home. But for many, kitchen renovation can mean top return for the prospective home sellers. According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, kitchen renovations represent a 75% - 100% return on investment, which is the second highest return in the home, next to bathroom renovations.

Fortunately, home renovation is not as difficult as one might expect; the recent expansion of renovation centres across the country has led to a burgeoning “do-it-yourself” project culture. The “do-it-yourself” renovation can be a cost-effective way to increase the value of your home without the high price of a trained professional.

Here are a few steps you can take to increase the equity in your home.

According to Rona.ca, kitchen cupboards are one of the best investments one can make in terms of return on investment on the home. Many homebuyers' first impressions of the home take place in the kitchen, and much of that is highlighted by the kitchen cupboards. By spending a few more dollars on high quality cabinetry and hardware (knobs and handles on cabinets), you can expect your investment to reward you handsomely.

By either painting the walls and/or cabinets, it will update the look of the kitchen with minimal costs and make the room more spacious.

Lighting is often one of the last fixtures to be considered, and often forgotten when the kitchen is remodeled. But by adding new light sources to the kitchen, it can be a great way to bring together architectural and decorative balance to a room. Good lighting can highlight certain features of a kitchen such as the backsplash to create a more colourful and robust look.

Every kitchen needs a sink and faucet. But when it comes to the resale of the home, few home sellers see the value of replacing the sink. “The faucet and sink are one of the most important features of a kitchen. When homebuyers enter the room, they naturally gravitate toward the sink and test out the faucets”, says Mike Mazza of Mazza Renovation Group Inc, “it provides a sense of hearth for many buyers because they spend a majority of their time in the kitchen”.

Financing your “do-it-yourself” project can be quite overwhelming. Many renovation centres offer financing options, but usually charge up to 18% interest rate after the introductory “interest-free” period is over. For a more prudent option to finance your project, visit your local financial institution. Financial institutions such as CIBC can offer a lower interest rate than those typically found at renovation centres. The CIBC Home Power Line of Credit allows would-be renovators the option to pay a lower rate of interest (because it uses the equity in your home) and offers the flexibility of interest-only payments. By going to your local financial institution rather than the renovation centre for your financing needs, you can save hundreds of dollars on interest.

More information on CIBC lending products can be found at your nearest branch, toll-free at 1 800 465-CIBC (2422) or online at www.cibc.com/ca/loans.