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2018 Trends in Kitchen Design

Thursday, September 27th, 2018
Up until not so long ago, kitchen spaces were pretty unglamorous areas that were tucked away right at the back of the house. Meals used to be prepared there, and all the dishwashing was done there too. Homeowners didn’t really pay too much attention to the aesthetics of their kitchens. It was just a utilitarian space that didn’t garner too much attention when it came to design or décor.
But all of that has now changed and homeowners are increasingly focusing on designing and planning kitchen spaces with as much attention to detail as other areas of their homes. In fact, kitchens aren’t just areas used for cooking. They are the heart of the home and informal meals will be shared there and sometimes this space may also be used to monitor kids doing their homework etc.
New Trends in Kitchen Design
In short, the kitchen has now become a multi-use area that needs to be designed accordingly as well. Here are some kitchen design trends that have emerged in 2018:

1. Smart Technology Has Made an Appearance

Today, smart technology has overtaken the kitchen design landscape. And it isn’t just advanced appliances and gadgets that are making an appearance in modern kitchens across the country. Ranging from the lighting and fridges to the faucets and appliances, everything is going smart, making this one of the most notable kitchen design trends in 2018.

2. Chic is The Way To Go
White continues to be a huge favourite when it comes to kitchen cabinetry. Most homeowners prefer white because it lends a very clean and chic look to the space. In fact, white cabinets complement the look of various other materials that could be used for kitchen countertops, walls, and flooring.

Most kitchen designers offset the stark look of these cabinets by installing kitchen islands made of different types of woods and finishes. Grey is another popular colour that’s being combined with glamorous accents and natural elements. However, not every modern kitchen has subtle colours and grey and white tones.
Dark and rich jewel tones such as plum, emerald green as well as blues and black are also making their way into kitchen spaces. Not only do they lend drama to these areas but add a very luxurious and elegant feel as well. However, it becomes necessary to balance these dark tones out with more subtle coloured tile, paint and window treatments.
3. Clean Textures and Streamlined Materials and Designs
While many homeowners still prefer a mid-century modern or farmhouse style for their kitchens, many are trying to streamline the broader aesthetic and design of it. The idea is to create a stress-free environment which also means removing clutter and keeping it simple. With this design concept in view, homeowners are now eliminating wall cabinets entirely. This helps open up the visual space, creating a feeling of

brightness and expansiveness.
In fact, this also helps with better utilization of the countertop. Materials with textures are making a comeback and some people are also opting for the industrial look. Natural stone floor tiles, custom designed backsplashes and more natural and rough finishes are now becoming the norm.
4. Kitchen Islands Take Centerstage
Kitchen islands have almost become an integral aspect of most kitchens. They are used as a focal point in the design of the space and serve multiple uses. The space under the kitchen island makes up for the loss of wall cabinet space. In an open kitchen layout, the island doubles up as a casual dining area or a drinking bar. This means even a multi-functional kitchen island can easily become a highly functional feature without actually cluttering up the available floor space.
How to Create the Perfect Balance
As you can see, there are a number of new kitchen design trends that have surfaced in 2018. When it comes to following these trends, it’s always a good idea to see which styling suits your personal preferences, and blends in perfectly with the overall aesthetic and design concept in your home.
This will help you create a kitchen that’s both functional and appealing. If you have some ideas but aren’t too sure about how they can be used to create a seamless whole, consider hiring the services of a skilled kitchen designer for the job.

If you’re looking for ways to give your Sherwood Park home a refresher or would like information on how to increase your home’s resale value, get in touch with me today! As a TOP 100 RE/MAX REALTOR® WORLDWIDE, I have the expertise to you help you get the most out of your home.

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Moving With Children – Ways To Make The Transition Smoother

Tuesday, September 18th, 2018

Whether you are relocating to a new home down the street or across the country, moving can be quite challenging if you have kids. After all, the change can also be very stressful for them, because you move them out of their familiar surroundings, which can unsettle them. Being both a mom and top Sherwood Park & Edmonton REALTOR® I have come up with some ways to help make the transition smoother for you when moving with children:
1. Before Moving Day
 
A stress-free move is a lot about proper preparation. When you are moving with kids it’s vital that you do as much as possible before moving day to make sure that the process runs smoothly. Some of the things you can do well in advance include:
  1. Have a discussion with your kids about the move. Make it a point to answer all their questions and clear their doubts. This will help them understand what is happening and what they can expect. The idea is to allay their fears and make them feel more positive about the move.
  2. It’s also important that you stay calm during this period. This is because children (even very young ones) are able to quickly pick up the nuances in their parent emotions. This is especially true if they feel their parents are anxious and stressed. When you remain collected and calm during the entire packing and moving process, it also helps calm your kids down.
  3. Turn packing into a fun activity. If your children are old enough, allow them to do some simple packing like packing their toys away in boxes etc.
  4. Be proactive in discussing details about the new neighbourhood with your children. Do some research with them, to make them more familiar with their future surroundings.
  5. Many parents find that reading interesting children’s stories related to moving day, to their kids is a great way to make them look forward to the change.
2. Moving Day
It important that you pack properly for moving day as well as for the first night that you will be spending in your new home. Make sure that you pack all the essentials for moving day and pack a ‘first-night’ bag. Depending on the ages of your kids, some of the things you can include in this bag are:
  1. Pyjamas and clothing
  2. Wipes and diapers
  3. First aid kit and medications
  4. Toys
  5. Juice, formula etc.
  6. Bottles, sippy cups, and their favourite snacks
  7. Blanket
  8. Carrier and stroller
  9. Extra pacifiers
  10. Car seat
  11. Bath items
On your first night at the new home, make it a point to create a more familiar and comfortable space for your kids in their bedrooms. Make their bed and place their favourite toys, books etc. around them which will make them feel more at home.
3. Setting Into the New Home
It’s not just kids, but adults as well that can find it difficult to adjust to their new home and surroundings. While adults find ways to make these adjustments, you would need to make extra efforts to help your children do the same. Some of the things you can focus on include:

  1. Give your children a tour of the house and let them also explore the space freely. Point out to them which spaces can be used for playing and frolicking around.
  2. If you find that your kids are very eager to unpack things, allow them to do so. In fact, if they’re old enough, encourage them to take out all their books and toys from the moving boxes and place them on shelves or in cabinets.
  3. If you are planning on repainting the house, older kids can help you pick out the colours for their bedrooms. In fact, you can also hand them a roller and ask them to help with the paint job.
  4. Always ensure that you maintain your child’s routines such as activities, nap times play and fun times and meals etc. This consistency will tell them that all’s well and they will feel more secure.
As long as you are very positive about the move and your new home, your kids will be the same. Make it a point to spend some extra time with your children in your yard spaces. Interact with your neighbours and introduce your children to their kids. Once they find some new friends, they will be better adjusted to the relocation.

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.

Sonia Tarabay puts her inner tiger to work for each and every one of her home­buying clients, delivering outstanding 5 Star Service every time. When you’ve got Sonia on your side, buying a home is easier, faster, and way more fun!

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Good Neighbours – How To Show Them You’re Appreciative!

Tuesday, September 11th, 2018

Good neighbours are a blessing that most people don’t take the time to appreciate. Sherwood Park is a wonderful community with a host of great people that you will get to call your neighbour. They are always ready to greet you with a smile, are there to have a great conversation, and help you out in times of need. It’s easy to develop a good friendship with neighbours and enjoy their company. For some reason, many people don’t think of their neighbours as their friends, even if they have a good relationship with them. I believe establishing a friendship and being appreciative is a great way to build a strong neighbourhood community.
How to Show Them You’re Appreciative
 
It doesn’t take much to express your appreciation so there’s no need to go out of your way to buy expensive gifts or make a grand gesture. Small, easy expressions of appreciation will go a long way to show your neighbour you appreciate them. Here are some tips that can help:
1. Give Them a Card
 
A simple thank you note on a special occasion like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Years is a great way to ensure your good neighbour feels appreciated. You don’t need to do much, just express your gratitude for their support, friendship, and assistance. Let them know how much that helped and comforted you, which will definitely move them while strengthening your bond with them. Good people will help without expectation of any reward, but showing appreciation will make them feel great about themselves.
2. Invite them To Dinner/Lunch Often
 
When you invite people to dinner or lunch, it indicates you desire their company and appreciate their presence in your life. This doesn’t need to happen every weekend or even every month. Just call them when you have some free time on your hands or when you desire some company.  In fact, when the weather is great you can organize a backyard BBQ and invite your immediate neighbours over to spend some fun and leisurely moments with you.
This will help build a stronger relationship and help you show appreciation.
3. Stop By To Talk
 

Instead of just waving at the neighbour in greeting, stop to speak with them and inquire about their life for a moment. This doesn’t need to be a lengthy conversation and a five to ten-minute chat is more than sufficient. After all, it’s good to be aware of what is happening in your neighbour’s lives as it also gives you the opportunity to offer help if and when they need it. This shows you’re genuinely interested in the neighbour’s life and well-being, which will help cultivate a strong and long-lasting friendship.
4. Offer Help When Needed
 
Being good neighbours is a relationship of give-and-take. It’s a good idea to lend a helping hand when you see a neighbour needs it. Lend gardening tools, offer to be a babysitter for a couple of hours, help out when they’re ill, and give a helping hand when needed. These seemingly small gestures show appreciation and build a strong relationship between neighbours. Investing a little time and effort can go a long way in strengthening community ties, which will help you in the long run. Appreciating your neighbours and doing nice things for them can go a long way in creating a friendlier and positive atmosphere in the neighbourhood you live in.
5. Remember Special Days
 
Simple things like wishing someone on their birthday or marriage anniversary also makes them feel appreciated. You can wish them in the morning on your way to work or send them a message on the phone. They will remember the gesture and maybe even invite you to a celebration, which will help deepen the bond. You can even invite them to your own celebrations or invite their children to your child’s birthday. Celebrating together is an easy way to establish a strong neighbourly relationship. In fact, its also a great way to get to know your neighbours better.
 
The best way to reward a good neighbour is to be a considerate neighbour in turn. This will encourage them to maintain a healthy relationship with you. As stated before, this doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, and it can be very rewarding in the long run. Let me help you make the move today to Sherwood Park – where you’ll find great neighbours and a wonderful community!
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Why Updating Your Lighting Can Make A Big Impact When Selling

Tuesday, September 4th, 2018
When it comes to selling your Sherwood Park home, you need to keep in view that only a well-maintained home that looks attractive will have better chances of selling. It’s also why many homeowners hire the services of professional stagers before listing their home for sale. However, with my experience as one of Re/Max’s top 100 Realtors® worldwide, I’ve put together a number of other ways in which you can create a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere in your home.
De-cluttering the space, de-personalizing it, as well as completing minor repairs and upgrades can make a great impression on prospective buyers. While all of these are important, your efforts will be in vain if your house doesn’t have the right kind of lighting.
 
Create an Impact with The Right Lightinglighting-upgrades-for-selling
A poorly illuminated home doesn’t look appealing and puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to selling your home. Dark and dingy areas can make indoor spaces seem small, dirty and uninviting, even when they aren’t. In fact, this can also make potential buyers feel that you deliberately have poor lighting to hide flaws in the features and installations.  This can have a negative impact and you may find your home languishing on the market for a very long time.
When you illuminate your home, using the right kind of lighting effects and fixtures, it can go a long way in energizing and uplifting the look of your home at the next showing. Not only will you be able to showcase the key features in your home, in a much better way, but the rooms will look more spacious and clean as well.
Pointers To Get Your Home Lighting Right For A Sale
Let’s take a look at how you can upgrade the lighting in your home when selling:
 
1. Conduct a thorough audit
Turn on all the lights and open up the drapes, blinds, and curtains and look at all the areas objectively. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and make note of areas that need to be spruced up. Showings can happen at different times of the day, so it’s a good idea to carry out this exercise in the evening hours when the natural light isn’t great. Once you have a fair idea of which spaces need help you can move onto the next step.
2. Take a 360-degree view

There are times when lighting problems are associated with the décor and not with the actual lighting installations themselves. For example, dark wall paint, curtains, furniture polish, and furnishings can make the spaces look smaller than they are. This is something you need to keep in view while assessing every room. If you feel that you don’t have the budget, time or inclination to repaint the walls or do a major overhaul of the lighting, some of the things you can do are:
  1. Include colourful throw pillows, area rugs bedding and other bright-coloured accessories in the rooms.
  2. Add some mirrors to the walls; they will reflect the light and make the room look larger as well. It’s a good idea to add mirrors to rooms with smaller or poorly placed windows.
  3. Add some diffused lighting fixtures- these don’t have to be pricey, but ambient illumination helps add some dimension to the available space.
  4. Update or upgrade lighting bulbs and fixtures.
  5. Opt for LED lighting and choose soft light over white light bulbs. The yellow light will make the spaces look more inviting. In fact, LED bulbs will also generate less heat, making the indoor spaces more comfortable.
  6. Highlight features like textured walls, kitchen backsplashes, and granite countertops as well as other attractive details, with new lighting fixtures.
Exterior Lighting Matters
While you are sprucing up the look of the indoor spaces, don’t forget the outdoors. Well-planned exterior lighting can go a long way in improving the curb appeal of your property. If you want to make a great impression on prospective buyers, ensure that the outdoor areas are tastefully lit. Train a couple of floodlights on the exterior walls, install a few pathway lamps and install sconces or down-lighting on walls surrounding your garage door.
Plan these lighting upgrades methodically and look for cost-effective options that are impactful. These small touches can go a long way in enhancing the appeal of your property before selling your house.

Ready to sell your Sherwood Park home? Start off on the right foot with a FREE Home evaluation from the TOP Realtor® with RE/Max Elite Sherwood Park & Edmonton 2017 – SONIA TARABAY!

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8 Questions To Ask Every Real Estate Agent When Looking To Sell Your Home

Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

The chances of you knowing the house selling process are likely pretty slim, so you will need some extra help in negotiating contracts and answer queries you have along the way. If you are new to this process, an expert REALTOR® is just what you need to assist you in the process. Here are a few questions you can ask a real estate agent while putting up your house before sale.

1. Given my house’s state and location, what do you think is the best price I can get for it?

While selling your house, ask the realtor to provide you with an analysis of your house’s condition and any upgrades that it might require. You will need more than just dollar-per-square conditions. Ask the agent to provide you with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis).

2. How long will it take to sell my house?

Based on the local market, agents can only provide you with a rough estimate of what they might expect to get out for it. Based on the sale price of your house, they will tell you how soon you will find buyers.

3. Are there any improvements we can make that might help us sell sooner and for a lot more money?

Spending a small amount of money to make a few home improvements will eventually help you get a higher price for the property. For example, if the walls in your bedroom are painted in a dull colour, you might want to spruce them up by adding a few coats of paint.

4. Are you a full time or part- time real estate agent?

You should consider an agent who is working full-time, this will make him/her a lot more accessible.

Sonia’s work ethic is tremendous as she is committed to serving her clients 7 days a week whether they are buying, selling and/or need a mortgage. Her ultimate goal is to make her clients happy!

5. For how long have you been in real estate?

You should consider an agent who has experience of over 4 years. If not, you should request that another team member be present who can help and provide some guidance.

6. How many houses do you currently have listed for sale?

An agent who is familiar with the neighbourhood will prove to be much better. Even though they might be handling various other clients, the busier the agent the better they are.

Just take a drive through Sherwood Park and Edmonton and you’ll see Sonia’s FOR SALE signs everywhere.

7. How many of the houses that you sold in the past 12 months were in my price range?

You want someone who has the knowledge and experience selling high-end homes, an agent who has sold starter homes or condos might not be the right way to go.

8. What will the overall marketing strategy for my house consist of?

Marketing a house doesn’t just mean a sign on the front yard or a listing on a site. Photographs help a lot in such instances, especially good ones. The agent typically pays for the photography sessions; sometimes they click images themselves. The more images posted online, the higher the attention your property would get.

When you list your home with Sonia Tarabay, you are guaranteed to receive her 5 Star Service. Sonia’s clients are #1. Through Sonia’s aggressive negotiation and marketing skills, your Sherwood Park home will sell faster, and for top dollar!

Selling your house is never an easy task, however by hiring a realtor to help you out can save you a lot of stress and time. Asking these questions is a good way of covering your bases while making such a major investment. If you are selling your Sherwood Park, you will need the assistance of a real estate agent who has a wealth of expertise selling homes in Sherwood Park.

Don’t leave anything on the table: Sell it with Sonia to get the right price, the right marketing strategy, and the 5 Star Service you want.

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Simple Landscaping That Can Make a Difference When Selling

Monday, August 13th, 2018

The curb appeal of your home is one of the most important aspects to focus on in order to attract potential customers to your Sherwood Park or Edmonton property. One of the first things that people notice when they look at your houseis the outdoor spaces of your home, which makes landscaping a vital aspect of your home’s curb appeal. This makes it necessary to spruce up the look of your landscape before listing your house for sale and can up the value of your property by as much as 10 percent.

Some Pointers

Typically, homeowners start preparing their house for showing about a month in advance. In this time, you can make sure that everything in your landscape looks perfect and doesn’t give the impression that you did things at the last minute. Here are a few tips that can make a significant difference while selling:

 

  1. Add Outdoor Containers You can add large tropical or similar container plants to the entryway of your home or the patio space. These features uplift the appearance of these outdoor spaces. This attracts potential buyers to your house.

 

  1. Add a Touch of Mulch One of the best ways of adding colour to your landscape is by installing mulch in your garden beds. This adds a pop of colour and enhances the appearance of the surroundings. The best part about mulch is that it is cheap and extremely easy to use.

 

  1. Add Color To make your landscape appear even more appealing, add colour by including annuals with seasonal colours. Pick a colour scheme that fits well with the overall aesthetic of your home.

 

  1. Stone-LinedYour Landscaping Beds Stone-lining your garden adds to the aesthetic. The stone features add structure to the space and make it look more appealing.

 

  1. Add a Waterfall Installing a waterfall on the patio enlivens the places and adds a very refreshing touch to the atmosphere. You can choose from custom designed ones to complement the styling of your home.

 

  1. Shape the Overgrown Shrubs and Trees Not maintaining your garden shows neglect on your part. You can avoid this by doing quick chores like levelling of shrubs and trees in your landscape. This shows that you maintain your garden as well as you do your home.

 

  1. Tidy up Your Perennials One of the simplest ways to improve the appearance of your landscape is to tidy up all the flowerbeds. If you have overgrown plantings or decorative pots that seem out of place, re-organize them. Trim and prune all your plants and remove dead or dying plants.

 

  1. Fix Any Irrigation Issues Getting irrigation fixed can be expensive, and you do not want the buyers to bear the expense. Keeping your irrigation system well maintained is important; provide all the necessary information of the irrigation system to the buyer. If you have an automatic system, include instructions that specify the use and also recommend the scheduling that had previously worked for you.

 

Keeping these simple landscaping tips in mind will help you improve the appearance of your home, increasing the chances of a quick sale. When you list your home with Sonia Tarabay, you are guaranteed to receive her 5 Star Service. Sonia’s clients are #1. Through Sonia’s aggressive negotiation and marketing skills, your Sherwood Park or Edmonton home will sell faster, and for top dollar

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Baby Boomer Generation – What to Look for When You’re Downsizing

Tuesday, July 17th, 2018
The baby boomer generation in Sherwood Park and Edmonton is getting to the point in their lives that the larger home they have may too much. It may be too much space, or they may find that the upkeep is just too much. Many of those in this generation prefer to downsize in order to save money and time so that they can do those other things that they have always wanted to do. However, what should a person look for when downsizing? Having been around the real estate business in both Sherwood Park and Edmonton, I’ve gathered quite a bit of expertise on the subject and will take you through some of the things to look for when downsizing. Read on!

Look at the House Design

You want to find a new home that is going to work for you for years to come. In fact, many baby boomers say that the downsizing move is their last move. With this being said, here are a few elements to consider in the house design:
  1. Wider doorways
  2. Flat thresholds
  3. The indoor air quality, which refers to having all the vents in the home going outdoors
  4. A bathroom that can have support bars installed if needed later
  5. A one level home is often the best choice for people, as they don’t want to be ageing and still having to go downstairs to do their laundry.

The Neighbourhood

Many baby boomers are finding that downsizing may mean moving out of their current neighbourhood. However, an important element to look at is whether the area is one for younger families or are there many baby boomers here? Some people find that moving into an age-restricted neighbourhood that is designed for those are 55 years old and older is a great idea. The reason being is that you are going to have neighbours that are in the same situation as you and probably share your interests.

Be Sure to Consider your Cash Flow

When most people downsize they are not only downgrading their current home size, but they may also be dealing with less cash coming in. Be sure that you can afford this downsize. You may have to have another mortgage, there may be care fees for certain areas that you move into and the like. Be sure that this is going to fit your retirement budget rather than the budget you had while working full time.

The Location

While many baby boomers dream of buying a small house on the beach or the like, you may want to consider a distance that is not too far from your current home. This is especially true if you have children or even grandchildren who are in the area. You will more than likely want to stay close to these people, so staying in the nearby area is always a good idea.
Moving for the purpose of downsizing will require a little work and decisions on your end. However, many baby boomers find that now is the time to do this, as they are finding that the market is hot with those homes that may fit their needs.

Take your time to make this decision, as this is a major financial move and give me a call at 780-707-6015. I’ll help you not only find the perfect home for this wonderful stage in life, but I’ll also help get your current home sold, cause with Sonia it’s SOLD!

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Sonia Says, Stay Optimistic!

Thursday, January 28th, 2016

Optimism is more important today than ever in this current economic downturn. As a business owner, I believe that it is critical to focus on the big picture. Our clients!

When I started my career in real estate in October 2009, the market was somewhat flat and many people believed that Alberta was in a never ending recession. I had to completely ignore this pessimism, as it was like poison to my mind and quite frankly I couldn’t understand how this outlook benefited anyone. In fact, I distanced myself from those individuals who spoke negatively about the market, not because we weren’t facing challenges in our economy, but rather because of my committment to staying focused on the positives.  I found that working hard and maintaining an optimistic attitude every day was the key to finding success in real estate.

Optimistic 1

As business people, we are hired to provide the best service to each and every one of our clients. We cannot control external economic factors, but we certainly can control how we react to it. We know historically that Alberta will regain balance. In the meantime, I believe we must remain optimistic and exude a confident attitude. Our clients depend on it!

Warmest regards,

Sonia Tarabay

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