Sonia's Real Estate Blog

This past Saturday marked the second annual Strathcona County SAFFRON (Sexual Assault) Centre Walk and Fun Run, which I was very honoured to sponsor and participate in along with my family. This Sherwood Park event was a chance for our community to come together to raise money for an excellent local organization, with all of the funding going directly to support victims of sexual assault, abuse and sexual violence, as well as their families.

This is an important cause in our community and one that I’m very proud to support. We were very thankful for the amazing weather we had on Saturday and for all the great people in our community who came out and walked and ran. They would have come out rain or shine, but it was nice to have a beautiful spring day!

Thank you to the SAFFRON Centre for hosting this event and for all the work they do for Strathcona County residents. Let’s hope that together we can help stop this horrific thing from happening to anyone!

Warm regards,

Sonia

If you ever need a reminder of how special Strathcona County or how inspirational its people, all you need to do is attend the Great Canadian Trade Fair and Sale, which was held last weekend at Millennium Place.

Walking through the Trade Fair, I got a sense of all of the incredible things that people are doing in Strathcona County. There are so many passionate people in this community doing what they love and all of that positive energy is invigorating.

This was my sixth year as an exhibitor at the Trade Fair and it’s a date I always circle on my calendar. One of the best things about the event is seeing all of the familiar faces, from clients who I have bought or sold houses for, to all the members of this tight-knit community that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the years.

It’s also an excellent opportunity to meet knew people and I had a blast making new friends over the weekend, and talking about why they call me Sherwood Park’s Real Estate Tiger. I also enjoyed connecting with my fellow Chamber of Commerce members and with the members of Strathcona County Council.

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Chamber and all of its volunteers who once again did a fabulous job organizing the show. Also, thank you to the great restaurants, which brought their tastiest dishes to Taste of Strathcona and to the more than 300 exhibitors. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!

Warmest regards,

Whether you are a goblin or a ghoul, a princess or a pirate, I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween this year. Sherwood Park has been transformed into a spooky village so I hope you get just a little bit scared too!

I love Halloween because it allows everyone to show their creative talent. There are so many unique costumes and decorations! I admire the hard work, dedication and creativity that go into them. I love all of the cute kids excited to both dress up and to devour all of their hard earned candy! All of my kids love Halloween, especially my daughter Eva, who is going as a little devil this year!

As much fun as it is, it’s also very important to be safe on All Hallow’s Eve. Thankfully we live in a great community and there are many ways to Trick or Treat in a safe environment. Traditional Trick or Treating is hard to beat and going door-to-door is made possible from excellent support from our local RCMP, as well as the Sherwood Park Crusaders, who will be seen all around Sherwood Park wearing their jerseys and acting as citizens on patrol. Don’t hesitate to ask a Crusader for help if you are in need of any assistance!

The Sherwood Park Mall is also once again hosting Trick or Treating on Halloween from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The stores in the mall have been offering this family friendly opportunity for many years and it’s an excellent way to enjoy the evening, especially if it’s chilly outside.

If you’re wanting to get properly spooked, Strathcona County will be offering a free transit shuttle from the mall to Gallery@501 on Festival Way, where there is a haunted house set up. The haunted house is $2 per person.

Savour the candy and enjoy the one night a year that you can be anyone your heart desires!

Have a frightful night everyone!

During the Halloween season it is important to keep your child’s safety in mind when planning costumes, decorations, treats and activities. Make sure that Halloween is a safe and happy experience for the whole family by preparing ahead of time.

Choose the right costume

Ensure that your children are dressed appropriately for Halloween.

• Look for costumes and accessories such as beards, wigs, wings and tails that are labelled flame-resistant. Flowing skirts and capes, baggy sleeves and over-sized costumes can all be hazards around candles or flames.
• Nylon or heavyweight polyester costumes are best. Remember, flame-resistant does not mean fire-proof.
• Pick brightly coloured costumes that can be clearly seen by motorists. Add reflective tape to the costume to increase visibility.
• Use make-up or face paint instead of masks – improperly fitted masks can interfere with your child’s vision or breathing.
• Before using face paint or make-up, do a patch test to see if your child is sensitive or allergic to something in the cosmetic. Even products labelled as “hypoallergenic” can still cause allergic reactions.
• If you do choose a mask, make sure it fits properly and allows them to see and breathe easily.
• Do not use contact lenses that change eye colour or create special effects because they can cause injury to a child’s eyes.
• Avoid costumes that are too big or have long dangling pieces that children can trip over.
• Ensure that toy weapons and similar accessories are made of soft or flexible material. Hard or rigid costume accessories can cause accidents.
• Choose costumes that fit well and can be worn over warm clothing to protect your child against cold and wet weather.

Avoid danger when decorating

Stay vigilant for fire hazards and prevent injuries while getting into the spirit of Halloween.

• To avoid injuries, let children draw a face or design on the pumpkin and then have an adult carve it.
• Candles, jack-o-lanterns, lighters and matches are all fire hazards. Place lighted candles and jack-o-lanterns away from curtains and other flammable objects, and do not leave them unattended.  Instead of candles, consider using a small flashlight or battery candle to light your jack-o-lantern.
• Keep candles, matches, lighters and other fire hazards in a place that children cannot reach.
• Avoid using Halloween candles with multiple wicks. They can produce a large flame with intense heat that can ignite nearby materials like curtains and window sills.
• Check indoor and outdoor decorative lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. Do not overload extension cords.
• Make sure the lights are certified by a recognized organization like the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or the Underwriters’ Laboratory of Canada (ULC).

Did you know?

It is important to make your home safe for little ghouls and goblins. Remove objects around the outside of your house that could cause children to trip or fall. Turn on your outdoor lights to increase visibility and let trick-or-treaters know they can visit.

Stay secure while trick or treating

Keep your children safe by teaching them to stay visible and to be aware of their surroundings.

• Go trick or treating with your children each year until they are old enough to go with a friend.
• Give each child a flashlight to carry, to make them more visible to motorists and others.
• Tell your children to stay in well-lit areas and only visit homes that have their outside lights turned on. Make sure they know never to go inside homes or cars.
• Teach your children to be careful when crossing the street. Make sure they look both ways and only cross when no cars are coming. Cross streets at the corner, and never cross between parked cars.

Be cautious with candy and toys

Always examine the treats and toys that are brought home before giving them to your children.

• Tell your children not to eat any treats until you have looked them over.
• Be careful when giving children any treats that could be potential choking hazards such as chewy candies, peanuts and hard candies.
• Check toys or novelty items for small parts and do not let children under three years of age play with them.

This Halloween, I hope that our weather in Sherwood is nice for our kids and that everyone has an enjoyable time. It is always great to bump into local parents, neighbours and friends. We love to see all the kids having a great time in their costumes. Stay warm out there everyone!

Love,
Sonia

Reference:

http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/security-securite/home-maison/halloween-eng.php

Happy first day of Fall! Here are some of my favourite things about this beautiful season. Hope you enjoy!

-Sonia

Starting school is an important step in your child’s life—and yours. It’s a big change. It’s exciting. It’s even a little scary. Here are 10 tips that will help you get your child ready for that first day of school.

1. Get familiar with the school. Before the first day of school, visit the school with your child so that the route, the building, and school surroundings become familiar.
2. Start the routine early. About a week or so before the start of school, begin putting your child to bed at a normal time for a school night. For a week before school starts, be sure your child then gets up, dressed, and fed like a regular school morning.
3. Practise sharing. Give your child all kinds of opportunities to be with other kids, to learn to share, wait, and take turns. That’s what school is all about.
4. Children should dress themselves. You won’t be at school to help your child get ready for the outdoors. Encourage children to practise at home putting on and taking off their own jacket, snowpants, boots, etc.
5. Dress your child accordingly. Your child is going to be active at school. Choose clothes and shoes that are comfortable and durable. Give your child outdoor clothing for all types of weather.
6. Teach the importance of listening. School means being able to listen. Kids need to understand and practise listening, things like: look at who is talking, don’t interrupt, and think about what is being said.
7. Learn at home. Include learning in your child’s everyday life. For example, a child can practise by reading package labels or weighing produce while shopping. Read to your child. Play word or counting games.
8. Develop young muscles. Give your child every opportunity to exercise and develop larger muscles by running, climbing, playing with a ball, etc. Smaller hand muscles can be strengthened with Play-Dough®, pencils, and crayons.
9. Set “at home” ground rules. Figure out priorities for after-school activities, homework, chores, TV time, and video games before the first day of school. This will allow you to agree on a schedule and avoid confrontation later on.
10. Encourage questions. Give your child the confidence to ask questions in all situations. Let your child know that it’s OK to tell the teacher if something is hard to understand.

Let’s not forget the importance of getting enough sleep and eating a healthy breakfast! Should you be looking for a new home for your family, please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you!

Reference: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123/eng/tips/ready.html

Curb appeal is tremendously important to keeping up the value of your home, as well as your neighbourhood. There are so many awesome ideas out there, but here are a few of my favourites:

1) Professionally landscape your yard. Depending on your budget, a lot of this you can easily do yourself. To start, the removal of dead wood, broken branches and pruning of your hedges restores the health and aesthetic appeal of your yard. If you want to stand out from your neighbours, replace a portion of your lawn with flowers. Plant perennials, use landscape stone for a lush landscape that sets your house apart. Planting flowers in raised flower beds or planter boxes, even added pots of flowers, provides a giant boost to your curb appeal.

2) Add big, bold house numbers. It’s so easy to swap out house numbers, and this one thing can make a huge impact. Echo your house style in the numbers you choose — a clean sans serif font for a modern house, aged copper for a Prairie-style home, contrast is to match your trim, etc.

3) Paint the front door. A front door that pops can be very cheering. Paint your front door a tasteful color you like and make it work. It’s all a matter of coordinating the door color with your home’s architecture and the other colors and materials on the house.

4) Add fresh porch furniture and symmetry to decor. Whether it is a set of Adirondack chairs or a cozy glider, is a must when you have a front porch that is visible from the street. Symmetry is not only pleasing to the eye, it’s also the simplest to arrange. Symmetrical compositions of light fixtures and front-door accents create welcoming entryways and boost curb appeal.

5) Repair the driveway and paths. Cement, stone and pavement all can split and crack over time. Repairing or replacing damaged areas can do wonders to freshen up your home’s street view.
Edging the driveway, installing a border adds a crisp, elegant look. Edging materials such as brick, pavers, stones or a combination to bring a boring paving driveway to life.

6) Change the hardware. Add a shiny new door knocker. Gorgeous hardware can make even the plainest door look very classy. Your Mailbox even makes a statement! If your mailbox is rusty and falling apart – consider sprucing it up or getting a new one. Other inexpensive hardware idea is to add brackets to your garage door that turn the most basic garage into an elegant one!

7) Change your lighting. The lighting on your porch may be old, outdated or even broken. A great way to update your curb appeal is to replace the porch lighting with something more modern, or unique to the architecture of your home. At this time you may even consider installing a motion detector which increases the safety to your home. Also installing lighting along your pathway leading up to your home not only increases the safety, but adds a warm and inviting welcome to your front door.

8) Wash your House and Refresh the Paint. Before you scrape any paint or plant more azaleas, wash the dirt, mildew, and general grunge off the outside of your house. You would be surprised as to washing a house can add tremendous value to your home. The most commonly offered curb appeal advice from real estate pros and appraisers is to give the exterior of your home a good paint job. Buyers will instantly notice it, and appraisers will value it.
Consider hiring a professional- getting quotes if it’s a large job. Even refreshing the trims make a huge difference!

9) Regard your roof. The condition of your roof is one of the first things buyers notice and appraisers assess. Missing, curled, or faded shingles add nothing to the look or value of your house. If your neighbors have maintained or replaced their roofs, yours will look especially shabby. You can pay for roof repairs now, or pay for them later in a lower appraisal; appraisers will mark down the value by the cost of the repair. While you are looking at your roof check out the condition of your gutters and eavestroughs, cleaning and checking for any damages.

10) Windows speak volume. If your windows have seen better days, replacing them with up-to-date energy efficient, double pane windows can significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills while adding value and curb appeal to your home.

Some of these things may be more costly than you imagined, but they can have a huge impact on your sales price. Some are simple inexpensive yet can make an impact! If you are wondering which items should be updated, ask a friend to drive to the house and tell you the first thing they think of when they pull up. This will give you an honest assessment and a starting point for your work. If you would like to know how much your home is worth, feel free to call me for a complimentary Market Evaluation. Thank you!

One thing I have admired about the Irish is their magical spirit and joyful energy! St. Patrick’s Day has a way of bringing out the Irish in everyone. Whether it’s celebrating at your local pub or simply donning green to ring in the occasion, the holiday has become a fixture for all – Irish heritage notwithstanding.

Our home can also inspire St. Patrick’s Day and ring in the spring! Bright shades of green color are pleasant and fresh. Modern citrus yellow and olive shades of green color look cheerful, warm and sunny. Most of your home decorating accessories and furniture items will look great with stylish shades of green color, creating fresh, relaxing and comfortable room decor for spring.

You can use trendy green paint colors for quick and dramatic room makeover. Green colored home furnishings that you already have in your home help save money on room decorating for St Patrick’s Day and for spring decorating. Irish landscapes, shamrock symbols and St Patrick’s Day food are beautiful inspirations for choosing spring decorating colors and color combinations for your room decor.

Rearrange your green colored home furnishings, move small decorating accessories to different places, use them in a different way for creative room decorating ideas without spending extra money on green spring decorating.

You can use your home furnishings in all colors for St Patrick’s Day and for spring home decorating, adding few green accents to your home color palette.

A green ribbon on your table lamp, green throw on your bed or a green cushion on a living room sofa are simple, inexpensive and pretty spring decorating ideas that symbolize freshness, awaking of the nature and a new beginning.

If you do not have any green colored items for spring decorating, use green food, – sweet peppers, pears, apples, grapes or limes, arrange them on attractive plates, or use shallow baskets and vases, adding beautiful natural accents and aroma to your room decorating in spring.

You do not need to spend money buying new decorating accessories for St Patrick’s Day. If you are not sure how to add green color to your room decorating, St Patrick’s Day food can inspire you.

Think like an interior designer and select a perfect decorating color scheme for St Patrick’s Day or spring home decor. Every interior designer gets an inspiration from ordinary things, then creates an interior of that experience.

Reference:Lush Home/
Food Inspired Decorating

Once again the days are getting shorter, the temperature is coming down, and autumn has definitely hit Sherwood Park. It’s time to pack away summer clothes, bring out our cozy sweaters, and get ready for the coming winter.

But don’t let those “winter blues” get you down! We are lucky to live in a place like Sherwood Park with such a wide range of recreational facilities, activities, and fabulous seasonal events that make winter a ton of fun for your family. There’s so much to do in Sherwood Park over the winter months that you’d have to try really hard to get bored!

It’s easy when winter comes to go into “hibernation-­mode” and seal ourselves in our homes until spring comes. But if you want to beat the winter blues, it’s important to stay active and stay involved in your community. If you meet winter with the same enthusiasm as we always greet the summer months, you may even find you get excited for winter! And remember, the more fun you have when the snow flies, the shorter the cold months feel. The best way to make spring come faster is to enjoy yourself all winter long.

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August has arrived, and while we’re all still basking in the warm, wonderful summer, if you’re like my family the coming of August is also one month closer to September and the start of school. As a mom with 3 kids, August is “Back-­to-­School” season: Not only are schools starting to send out supply lists, but all those fun activities and camps your kids have been registered in over the summer are coming to an end as well. That means it’s time to start planning fall and winter activities for the family!

It’s a good idea to start thinking about the lessons, clubs, and after-­school activities your children want to join in August, since registration always seems to kick of earlier every year. And there’s so much for kids to choose from here in Sherwood Park! It’s just one of many reasons Sherwood Park and Strathcona County is a great place for families to call home, and why your family will love it here. There are so many great activities to choose from, including sports, music, art, horseback-­riding, and leadership clubs: The hardest part for your kids will be picking just 2 or 3!

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