Discover Why People Love Working With Sonia

Read more

780.707.6015

Spot Sonia! Your Sherwood Park REALTOR®

Archive for November, 2014

Real Estate’s Killer Combo

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

Mortgage Broker ImageWhen I got started in the real estate industry, I knew I wanted to provide a complete, “one-stop-shop” service for my clients to ensure they had the best possible real estate experience. I’ve seen how stressful buying and selling real estate can be if you don’t have an expert by your side you can trust, and it was important to me to be that person for my clients, as much as possible.

I became a licensed Mortgage Broker in addition to a licensed REALTOR® so I could provide an even higher quality of service to every one of my clients: It’s my “killer combo” — a real rarity in the industry — and a huge asset to my clients. It means I can help you understand every step of the process of buying and selling a home, including all the financial details and mortgage terms, and save you time, stress, and money.

In addition to helping you find that perfect home for your family, I can also help you make the best possible financial decisions for your future. Many people are intimidated by the process of getting their first mortgage, but you don’t have to be! I help make the process transparent and will walk you through all the options that are best for you. Together, we’ll find you the best lender, the best rate, and the best terms for your financial goals.

And by better understanding the financial underpinnings of your real estate dreams, as your REALTOR® I’m in an even better position to help you find that perfect home, the one that matches your needs and your budget.

Ways a Mortgage Broker Saves You Time, Stress, and Money

More Choice, Less Time

As a licensed mortgage broker, I have access to a large network of lenders including banks, credit unions, and non-traditional lenders, and I understand the current state of the mortgage industry. I know how to find the best rates with terms that fit your budget and profile, and can present you with the best possible options.

And because I know who to talk to and where to look, you don’t spend hours and hours researching, interviewing, and reading. Let me narrow down the field to your best options and save you the time and headache!

Independent and Objective

I don’t work for a specific lender or bank: I work for you! That means I can offer impartial, objective advice about your financial options and present rates from different institutions without favouring one over the other.

Get Better Rates

The Canadian Mortgage Trends website looked at a study to figure out how people got the best deal on their mortgage, and using a broker was high up on the list. They estimated the average impact of a mortgage broker reduced rates by 17.5 points, which translates to over $1,600 of interest savings on a typical $200K mortgage over five years. My negotiation skills are at your disposal through the mortgage application and choosing process, and I know when there’s room to push for that little bit extra, and what trade-offs result in the biggest “bang for your buck”.

Personal Attention

I work one-on-one with you to understand your financial needs so we can find the best possible combination of lender, rate, and terms that will suit you, personally. There’s no “one size fits all” in the mortgage industry, and it’s important to create a mortgage plan that is customized for you and your unique requirements.

Ready to save time, stress, and money with Sonia? Ready to get the pre-approval process started? Give me a call or send me a message to get the ball rolling!

Shop Local This Christmas

Tuesday, November 4th, 2014

Christmas Shopping In Sherwood ParkNovember is here and we all know what that means: Christmas is just over a month away! Which also means it’s time to start thinking about Christmas shopping, so break out the eggnog, grab your kids’ wish lists, and let’s get started!

Some people dread Christmas shopping – the crowds, the chaos, the stress of finding that perfect something for the hard­-to-­buy-­for person on your list, the endless looping Christmas music – but if you plan it right and get started early, Christmas shopping can be a ton of fun. Getting started early means you avoid the crazy crowds at big shopping malls, and – bonus – you aren’t yet tired of Christmas carols so they leave you feeling extra festive!

Additionally, if you start your shopping early, you have plenty of time for research, browsing for stocking­-stuffers, and exploring what great gifts you can find locally, right here in Sherwood Park and surrounding area. In a day and age where we can do our Christmas shopping in our PJs in bed with a laptop, it’s important to also remember that Sherwood Park has a wealth of awesome stores, boutiques, one­-of-­a-­kind shops, and Christmas craft fairs where you can find unique gifts you just won’t see anywhere else.

Local Christmas Craft Fairs and Handmade Markets

More than any other time of year, Christmas is when local entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and extremely talented local artists have a chance to show off their goods and really shine. There is a huge amount of talent in the wider Edmonton area, and at many of these sales you’ll find hundreds of local “makers” who love their community and create awesome products. From unique jewelry and clothing to lovingly hand-­built toys and seriously delicious food items, these are great places to find gifts you’ll never see online. Seriously, you can find the BEST stocking stuffers at these events!

Here are some great upcoming craft shows and sales in the area you won’t want to miss:

Local Shops, Boutiques & Events in Sherwood Park

Sherwood Park has a lot of awesome, unique stores and boutiques you won’t find in any mall, all owned and operated by locals who live right here in Sherwood Park. Shopping local means you contribute to our local economy and keep it thriving, and the success of existing businesses make our city an attractive place for more cool people to create more great things!

And remember: Buying someone a gift doesn’t mean you have to get them a “thing”. You can also get them a great experience, like a gift card or certificate to a cool local restaurant, tickets to an upcoming concert or comedy show at Festival Place, or a pass to their favourite local recreational facility.

Also, think about trying out one of our great local bakeries if you’re tasked with bringing a dessert or dish to an upcoming party rather than hitting up a generic grocery store. You’ll be helping a local business grow, and you’ll be the talk of the party for bring something extra­-special!

Below are some curated lists of unique­-to-­us places to get you started.

Local One-Stop Shopping

Living as close as we do to “the mall” in Edmonton (you know the one) it can be tempting to do a “one­-stop” there, steel yourself against the crowds, and get it done in one go. But why drive all the way to the west side of Edmonton to get stressed out by crowds?

You don’t need WEM to one-­stop your Christmas shopping, not when we’ve got two great local shopping centres right here in Sherwood Park. There are lots of great stores (pretty much everything you’ll find in WEM between the two), you don’t have to drive as far, and you won’t have to wade through all those people. Even closer to Christmas when the stores get busier, our local malls don’t get anywhere near as crazy.

Also, if you need more convincing, remember how long it took you to find parking at WEM last time you went on the last Saturday before Christmas? Stay in Sherwood Park: there’s lots of parking here!

The data included on this website is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.
MLS® MLS REALTOR® Realtor