Sonia's Real Estate Blog

Happy Father’s Day to All Dads!

In honour of my father…

When it comes to fathers, mine was truly special. His handshake was as solid as his character and his compassion to others was incredible. Everyone who knew my dad, loved him. He was just that type of guy who made you feel like YOU were the most important person around. His big heart and big personality shined everywhere he went.

Dad was a real estate developer and entrepreneur for most of his life. He and my mother loved to travel the world, but mostly dad enjoyed simple pleasures in life. Spending time with his children and grand children at home was his favourite thing to do. Dad always gave generously to various charities. He never talked about it. He just did it. He did it because of the compassionate and generous man he was.

Unfortunately, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and passed away in 2008 just one day after I gave birth to my third child, Eva. Luckily, dad didn’t suffer considering this terrible disease. I would have loved for my dad to meet Eva but I was thrilled that at least he got to name his grand daughter. This was a tribute to him.

My dad is the one who encouraged me to get into real estate. He said “Go get your real estate license young lady and don’t you ever look back.” That moment changed my life forever.

Well I learned many things from my dad, but the most important thing I learned is to respect others and help out anyone you can in life. I’m grateful for everything my dad taught me and I will always honour his memory.

Happy Father’s Day dad.

Love forever…
Sonia

While it is technically still spring, many days have sure felt like summer in Sherwood Park. With the snow long gone and the community in full bloom, it’s time to start paying attention to your yards, especially if you want to sell your home for top dollar! Curb appeal is very important and potential buyers will get their first impression of the property long before they step inside the front door.

Before you get started, go outside and look at your yard and pretend you are a buyer. What does it say about your home? A meticulous, well-maintained yard will show buyers your care and attention to detail. A yard that hasn’t been kept up will make buyers wonder what else you’ve neglected.

Do a quick assessment. What do you like about your yard and home from the curb? If you have a bold front door or a unique feature in your landscaping, you want to accent those to make them stand out. But also make note of areas that need attention like weeds, bushes growing out of control or large stains on the driveway.

The great thing about spending some time and money tidying up your yards is the return on investment is huge. Pulling the weeds in your yard and giving it a fertilizer treatment can be done in a couple of hours and will cost you very little. Replacing the few rotten or cracked boards on a deck then giving it a fresh coat of stain also won’t break the bank but will give new life to your outdoor space. A quick pressure wash of the siding, driveways and decks can also go a very long way too. Remember that many buyers are looking for a low-maintenance property that has been well cared for.

There are also some very easy ways to stage your yards and garden. To liven up that big empty deck, head to one of Sherwood Park’s great greenhouses and pick up some plant potters. Invest in some patio furniture that is just the right size for your backyard. You don’t want to cram the space with furniture and many young families are looking for large, open yards for their kids.

If you’re looking for a Sherwood Park REALTOR® I’ve got plenty more tips to help you get the most money for your home. Give me a call today and let’s get started!

Warm regards,

Sonia
780-707-6015
soniatarabay@remax.net