Sonia's Real Estate Blog

For those who may be in the Sherwood Park area, there are tons of places to eat at! Having lived in Sherwood Park for many years, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge not only about the real estate market, but of the community, things to do, and places to go! There are cuisines that are from around the world, restaurants that offer a home cooked meal and those that are on the funky end of the spectrum. Whatever you want, you can easily find in this area. So here are 5 restaurants in the Sherwood Park that I recommend you visit and that are rated by all those who call this area home and those who visit here!

#1 La Patrona

#2 Cora’s Breakfast and Lunch

#3 Branches Fresh Food Experience

#4 Vicky’s

#5 JOEY Sherwood Park

Looking to make Sherwood Park your home? Call me today! Whether it’s your first time buying a home or you’ve bought and sold property a dozen times before, teaming up with the right Sherwood Park REALTOR® is the critical first step in making a great experience. 

Sherwood Park is a wonderful community for raising your family, and when a baby is born, most first-time parents are eager to get their home baby proofed. They buy all the most expensive gadgets and tools that they can find in order to make their home one that is completely safe. However, babies are not the only kids that you should be protecting your home from. Even those with toddlers or young kids in school are going to realize that childproofing goes past the days of kids wanting to put everything they touch in their mouth. So, what are some tips that can help you to childproof your home, no matter what the age of your children? I have a few that can help!

1. Children should never be unattended near water, even those older kids when it comes to the outdoor pool that you may have. Accidents can happen with older kids, and younger kids can easily drown. Having a fence around the pool and a locked gate can help deter little ones from falling in.
2. Medications should be kept in locked cabinet doors. With the number of younger children who accidentally ingest these medications, you need to have these cabinets locked. In addition, it deters older kids from getting access to medications that you may take.
3. Cleaning products should be stored out of reach. How many parents have their cleaning products located beneath their sink? This is fine if you have a cabinet lock. But, you can also put these in a higher cabinet out of reach of little hands.
4. Any firearm should be locked away and have a trigger lock on these to prevent kids from getting a hold of these.
5. Windows should have a lock on these so that kids cannot easily raise these and then fall out of the window.
6. For younger kids, stairways should have a gate so no accidents can happen that involve the stairs.
7. Do you have a basement? Be sure that the door to the basement stays chained or locked so those little ones cannot fall down the stairs.
8. Sharp edges on furniture? Consider getting a bumper to go around some pieces of furniture, such as glass tables or the like. This is a way to ensure that little kids do no get bumps, cuts or bruises from the furniture.
9. Place a gate around the fireplace, if you have one that prevents little ones from getting close and possibly burned by the fire.
10. Place sliding covers on the electrical outlets to deter kids from sticking their fingers or objects into the power supply.
11. Cords from blinds can be a choking hazard for smaller kids. Make sure that these are tied up and tight so that kids cannot get a hold of these.
12. Anchor larger furniture to the wall as many toddlers and young kids will attempt to climb anything, and you do not want this furniture falling on them.

Childproofing a home takes work, and in many cases, you may still see items that need your attention. Which is fine, you need to be vigilant about the safety of your child while at home!

Looking for the best home to raise a family in Sherwood Park, Edmonton, or Strathcona County? When you’ve got Sonia on your side, buying a home is easier, faster, and way more fun!

Let me help you find your family-friendly Sherwood Park home today!

Millennials are in the job market and they are buying homes in Edmonton and Sherwood Park! But, what type of homes are millennials looking for? Knowing this can make all the difference for those who are trying to sell their home as the market is packed with millennials looking to buy. As one of RE/MAX’s Top 100 REALTORS® Worldwide, I have the expertise and experience to give you some great insights into what Millennials are looking for in a home.

The Kitchen and Bath Must Be Updated

Both the kitchen and bathroom must be updated for millennials to even be interested in looking at a property. What are they looking for in an updated bath and kitchen? New and updated fixtures, modern cabinets, and updated flooring is a complete package that turns their heads.

Large Kitchen

A large kitchen seems to be something that draws millennials into a home to buy. Years ago, people would dine in the dining room, but millennials would rather have a large kitchen that enables everyone to hang out in one space.

Open Floor Plan

An open floor plan is something that many millennials are attracted to. They like the space to flow easily from room to room, that way everyone is always included no matter where they are at in the home.

Furnishings that are Low Maintenance

What does this mean? Millennials are looking for furnishings that are low maintenance such as hardwood floors versus having carpets that require a lot more cleaning. They are also looking at the materials used in the kitchen and bathroom. They want countertops that are granite and easy to clean versus the laminate that may stain easily.

Energy Efficient is a Must

Millennials are all about being more energy efficient! If a home has solar panels or other cutting-edge efficiencies, or they find that the home is well insulated, they are going to put this into the win column for a home they are considering.

Technology

This includes the security of the home. A home with a technical side and a security panel are more received than those who do not have either!

Location with Walking Areas

The location is a big selling point with millennials. But, they are looking for a location that has nearby parks, walking paths or is within walking distance of something that interests them.

Room for a Home Office

Even a small bedroom can be a way for the millennial to have a home office. But, if a home already has this office in place, that is even better!

Ready to Move In

Millennials are often looking for a home that is ready to move in. They do not want to see items that they would have to fix…including anything that is simply décor. Keep this in mind when trying to sell to this group of people!

They Want to See it Staged

Yes…staging is really a selling point for millennials. They like to walk into a potential home and see how furniture and décor are already arranged before they commit to buying.

If you are selling a home and trying to reign in a millennial buyer, it may be time to make a few changes to make your home more acceptable to what they want! Get started today with a FREE HOME EVALUATION from me, Sonia Tarabay – RE/MAX’s Top 100 REALTOR® Worldwide!

When you think of a library you most often think of a librarian sitting at a desk shushing those who walk by. You think of a dark room with fluorescent lighting and the smell of super old books surrounding you. You may envision people sitting around, barely speaking a word for fear of being told to be quiet. What you are picturing is the typical library scene from almost any movie that has been made. However, did you know that there is tons of fun to be found at the Strathcona County Library? And better yet, most of these activities are free!

So, what kind of programs can you expect to find at the Strathcona County Library? This all really depends. However, one thing is for sure, you must have a library card to access these activities. Do not fret, as a library card is completely free. A few of the activities that are seen at local libraries may include:

1. Summer Reading Games – The Strathcona library offers incentives to keep kids reading. From spinning the wheel to read messages from the many animals that reside in Crittertree Park, to exploring faraway intergalactic civilizations in the city of Meliora, there are many incentives and prizes to help encourage reading throughout the summer.  It is all meant to help kids continue to read and do their best!
2. Various presentations are given at Strathcona County Library by some of the experts in your area. For example, a great upcoming event to check out is The Strathcona Writers’ Circle on June 5th. Hone your writing skills, share ideas, and be inspired by other local writers. This is a great re-occurring event that happens the first Tuesday of each month!
3. Our wonderful library has three dozen PC workstations across both floors of the library including wifi service. You can make use of these workstations for up to an hour each day for free! Need to print off your research or an important article you found online? The library has you covered with easy to access printing services.
4. Family Storytime is offered in the mornings for younger kids and their an older sibling/parent where they explore the world through stories, songs, and other fun activities. It is a time that kids look forward to as the person reading often makes this great fun!
5. The Strathcona library also offers various programs and activities for adults – from the Diehards Evening Book Clubs and Scrabble nights, to the Historical Ride Along where you get to enjoy a guided bicycle tour to a historical site in Strathcona County lead by your very own Library staff.

The Strathcona County Library is more than just a place to grab a book and read. It is becoming the best place for adults and children who want to spend their time enriching their lives and learning about new items or experiencing new activities. That is why, when you are new to the area or simply looking for something to do, do not be too quick to dismiss the fun that you can have your local Strathcona County Library.

Interested in moving to Sherwood Park and want to know more about the community? You can read all about Sherwood Park and the benefits of buying and selling with RE/MAX Elite’s #1 Agent – Sherwood Park & Edmonton (2017), Sonia Tarabay! Ready to sell? Get your FREE HOME EVALUATION today!