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!

As many of you know, along with being a REALTOR® I have been a licensed Mortgage Broker for almost nine years which has been a huge benefit to my clients. I love that I can work both sides of the equation which helps save people time, stress and money. However, rules are always changing in the mortgage industry and since I love helping people buy and sell homes so much, I have decided to make some exciting changes!

I am very pleased to announce that I am partnering up with Gerri Vaughan from Invis, whom I have known and trusted for many years. My partnership with Gerri means going forward, she will be there to help my clients obtain financing for their homes. This relationship is definitely a win-win for my fabulous friends and clients. It allows me to focus on what I love doing most and it allows Gerri to let her expertise shine and offer her excellent services to my clients!

We’re so excited to strengthen our team and bring the best of both real estate and mortgages to our clients in Sherwood Park, Strathcona County and Edmonton. We have access to some of the best financing options in the marketplace and we are looking forward to finding you a home and getting you the financing that works for your situation.

Gerri and I can’t wait to work with you!

Warmest regards,

Sonia

There is nothing I want more than to see a smile on my client’s face. Those happy moments when their house sells or they find their perfect new home are the moments I crave every day.

At the same time, I’ve grown to be great friends with many of the people from our Sherwood Park community who started off as clients. Unfortunately, in this business, you have to say goodbye to many of those friends who you’ve grown to know over the years. This just happened to me, as longtime clients were moving out of the province.

As sad as it is to see them go, I take pride in the fact they are leaving Sherwood Park with big smiles on their faces. Their home sold in less than a week and for $8,000 more than the asking price! It was a pleasure to be able to help them and I look forward to helping so many more wonderful people in Sherwood Park!

Warm regards,
Sonia

While it’s still only January, the spring season will sneak up on you quickly, so if you’re planning to sell your Sherwood Park or Strathcona County home this spring, the best time to get started preparing it is now!

Obviously there is still snow on the ground and temperatures are still hovering below the freezing mark, so you’re a bit limited on what you can do, but you can use this time to get a head start inside your home.

Here are some ides to get you started:

– Cleaning and decluttering. Ultimately, you want your home to look open and presentable, so take this opportunity to remove clutter and items that you don’t regularly use. If there are broken or damaged items, use this time to recycle or dispose of them. If you have old paperwork that you no longer need, shred and dispose of it. Straighten out your closets and purge items you no longer wear. Give your major appliances a thorough cleaning so they only need a light cleaning in the spring. An in-depth cleaning of the house will also greatly help with the next task…

– Make interior repairs. A careful cleaning of the house will likely expose some things in your home that need attention. Maybe it’s a dent in a wall that needs to be patched up or a baseboard that has come loose. Pay particular attention to any repairs that may be needed in the kitchen or bathroom. A leaky faucet is a quick and cheap fix and will go a long way!

– Repair or replace fixtures. Took a good look over all light fixtures, cabinet hardware, door knobs and shower heads to make sure they are in working order and look great. If they are in need of some love, repair or replace them!

– Make a plan for what to do next. The snow will be melting before you know it. Make a plan for the exterior of your house and your yard so you can hit the ground running as soon as the weather allows you to.

For more tips and tricks, please call me at 780.707.6015. I would love to help you! The best part of my job is working with all of the great people in Sherwood Park and Strathcona County to help them sell their homes for top dollar. If you’re looking to sell your home too, then let’s put me to work for you!

Warmest regards,

Sonia

When it comes to selling or buying Sherwood Park real estate, you want a TIGER on your side! As Sherwood Park’s Real Estate Tiger, I work extremely hard for my clients ensuring they obtain the best results.

If you live in Sherwood Park, you’ve probably seen me driving in my exotically wrapped Soniamobile and have likely spotted my bus benches and sold signs around town. I love my business and I especially LOVE helping my clients!

I’m proud to have lived in the Sherwood Park community for many years, so it’s quite natural for me to educate my clients on the various neighbourhoods, schools, parks, and other wonderful amenities Sherwood Park offers. We have grown so much as a community over these past few years, and there are so many benefits to living here. There is a strong sense of community with strong family values in Sherwood Park. It’s a huge part of why I love living and working here.

One of the biggest ways I help my clients is by the implementation of my aggressive marketing plan which has been proven to sell homes for top dollar in the least amount of time with very little effort on my clients’ part. Most of my listings have sold for more than 99% of list price!

I believe it’s my commitment to service and my negotiation skills that set me apart from others in my industry. Those skills, paired with my passion for the work is why my business has grown. I love my clients and I am so very grateful for their ongoing support in choosing me time and time again.

So if you are thinking of selling or buying a Sherwood Park home, call me today and let’s get started! I’m excited to be YOUR Real Estate Tiger!

Warmest regards,

Sonia

I’m a big believer in bucket lists. Everyone should have goals and dreams to strive for, whether they are travelling to a new country, achieving a career goal, conquering a marathon, learning a new language, seeing their favourite band in concert or mastering a certain dish. Goals and bucket lists are what keep us going, keep us pushing to do what makes us happy and drive us to live a full and exciting life!

One of the things on my bucket list is to see the world, which I’m slowly doing, one trip at a time. I just got back from the some of the best beaches in the world, the ones that wrap around Honolulu, Hawaii. It was an amazing trip and I couldn’t have asked for anything better than spending 10 days with my family in one of the world’s most beautiful spots. And although I love Sherwood Park, I must say that getting away from the freezing cold we had here was definitely a favourable thing to do! Honolulu was +28 the entire time we were there.

We also visited Pearl Harbour, which was a very humbling and amazing experience. We toured The USS Arizona Memorial to pay our respects and also met two survivors.

With 2017 just around the corner, I would love to hear what is on YOUR bucket list. What’s one thing on that list that you want to check off in the next year? Please feel free to share! I wish you a wonderful year and hope you achieve your dreams and goals.

Warmest regards,
Sonia

Through hard work and dedication to my clients, I’ve been fortunate to receive many honours in my real estate career. While it’s not about the awards, I was truly honoured and humbled when I was notified that I have been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from REMAX of Western Canada, after just seven years in the real estate business!

The award is very special to me because it affirms that doing what you love is the key to success. What I love the most is helping my clients obtain the best results when buying or selling a home. It’s what I’m most passionate about in my work.

When I think back at my career as a REALTOR®, I have learned so much and I’ve met so many great people, but it has absolutely breezed by. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun!

I’m very excited for this honour and to share it with my family, who is so supportive of me. I also owe a lot of gratitude to all of my clients from Sherwood Park, Strathcona County and Edmonton.

Warmest regards,
Sonia

There are many tools in the REALTOR’s® toolbox and over the past year, I’ve been perfecting one of the most effective new tools – online video. They say photos are worth a thousand words. Well the impact of video is even greater!

I take my videos to highlight the best features of the homes I am selling. If the kitchen is the selling feature, I’ll shoot it there and show off the best the home has to offer. If I’m hosting on open house, I’ll shoot a video to give prospective buyers a sneak peak into the home and get them excited to come and view it. Sometimes my videos involve special contests too! They’re not necessarily real estate related, but they are community related and my audience loves it!

As Sherwood Park’s Real Estate Tiger, I have always put my clients first, ensuring their homes get awesome exposure which ultimately leads to awesome results. I allow people to see my true personality in life and I do the same in my real estate videos. A key part of the videos is the human element, so I try to keep them light, fun and engaging. So far, it has worked exceptionally well! The videos I post on Facebook always get thousands of views from potential buyers who are looking for their next home. These videos have helped me connect with many future buyers already and my audience continues to grow.

Ultimately, my goal is to help my clients sell their Sherwood Park home quickly and for top dollar. Personalizing my videos is just one of the unique ways I go above and beyond my competition to help my clients in the home selling process. Please visit my Facebook page and check out my most recent videos and give me a call if you’d like a video on your home!

Warmest regards,

Sonia