Sonia's Real Estate Blog

Selling your Sherwood Park home can be challenging, but selling your house when children are present can be much more difficult. As a mother myself, I completely understand! If you have a newborn or a young child, you are already familiar with the number of things that can be scattered throughout the house.

Some Kid-Friendly Selling Tips

1. Start Packing Early- This is one of the easiest ways to prepare your house for viewings. Start packing all the essentials right after your house goes on the market. Pack the toys that your kids can live without and stack them in the basement or out of the way. This will help you get rid of a significant amount of clutter from the indoor spaces of your home. Pack all out-of-season clothes and other clothing items that your child has grown out of. This also gives you the chance to donate them to charity or dispose of them.
2. Using Flexible Toy Storage– Invest in storage bins for the toys and games that haven’t been packed yet. Choose bins that are made out of clear plastic. This makes it easy for your children to locate their toys and put them back in once done with. You can stack these bins in your closet or on a bookshelf.
3. Packing a Getaway Bag during Home Showings- This is an excellent method that is used for last minute showings. Pack an umbrella stroller & a diaper bag with all essentials for a quick exit. Also be sure to pack a few toys, books, water and juice bottles and snacks just in case you’re outside for a longer period of time than expected. With a getaway bag ready, you can leave into time for either a walk in the park or a road trip while your house is being viewed by potential buyers.
4. Keep Your House Clean- To keep your house clean and tidy you will have to commit yourself to spend some time daily on cleaning and general maintenance. If old enough, encourage your children to help out with cleaning at the end of the day. This will also make them feel as if they are a part of the process. You could also make this a challenge or a game for them. It can help if you rotate your house cleaning routine, rather than waiting until a Saturday to do a major cleaning of one room each day.

Get started with your FREE Home Evaluation today!

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.

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!

Staging is a term that is often used by those who are ready to sell their home, as they want to ensure that they are making their home look as attractive as possible to those who are in the market to buy. Staging can be a difficult process, or it could mean making a few small changes that make all the difference in the world. What about staging a home with plants?

Staging a home with plants is a budget-friendly option for those who are looking to enhance the beauty of their home to any buyer. However, this does not mean that you should go to your local nursery and pick up whatever you see first. It does require some planning and tips to help make the most out of the plants that you place in the home.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Plants in Staging

For those who are still on the edge about using plants in their staging process. Remember these benefits:

• They are cheap and can take up large amounts of space, providing you with something that is aesthetically pleasing at a low price.
• Plants give a home atmosphere and the feel that it has been nurtured and cared for.
• When a plant is placed in a home it also shows the potential buyers that there is enough natural light to foster the growth of a plant, thus this is not something that should be an issue.

However, there are some drawbacks. These drawbacks include:

• These plants require maintenance. If you do not maintain these, then dead plants are not going to help your home look better to potential buyers.
• These can be overused since they are cheap people tend to go overboard.
• Plants can create an odd odour in the home if you are not careful about what you buy!

Tips to Putting Plants into a Home

For those who are ready to stage their home with plants, here are a few design tips that can help!

1. Go to large department stores to get your plants, as they will be less expensive than if you were to go to your local greenhouse.
2. Buy low maintenance plants!
3. Do not use plants that are considered harmful to pets or children.
4. Place your plant in an area near artwork, as they often work well together.
5. You can also place plants outside near decks, patios or the like, as they can do wonders for your curb appeal.
6. Plants should be placed in an area of the home that feel as though it needs a little something.
7. Avoid plants that are like cacti, as they are often considered more work than they are worth for staging purposes.

Remember, plants can be a great way to stage a home on a budget. They breathe life into a home without having to spend a fortune to make it feel like home to potential buyers.

Want more information on staging your home for a successful sale? Get started today with a FREE home evaluation from Re/Max Elite’s #1 Agent in Edmonton & Sherwood Park (2017), Sonia Tarabay!

One of the busiest times of the year for many families is back to school time. This year most of the Sherwood Park schools are starting between August 30th –Sept 1st. Many families hear “back to school” and it brings many mixed emotions especially if you are currently selling your home. When it comes to Real Estate there are positives and negatives we tend to see during this time.

Most years we see a lull in the market around this time. One thing to consider is many buyers are purchasing in areas based heavily on school district. This means they are attempting to close on a home and move into the house before school starts. On average, according to Realtor.ca, it takes 50 Days to close on a house however locally many houses close as quickly as 30 days. This means as a seller you want to have your house on the market no later than early July to be safe, especially if you live a highly desirable school district.

Generally, the types of homes that accommodate family lifestyles struggle the most. Those homes tend to be 3+ bedroom homes. The more bedrooms a home has the more likely a family is purchasing the house. Homes that have immediate possession are more desirable during this time for the families that are needing a home quicker to get settled into the school of their choice.

There are many areas where schools starting don’t affect the market much. Retirement communities, condos, and townhomes are a few examples. Buyers for these style of homes typically don’t have children in school anymore. Don’t be alarmed if you aren’t on the market yet. We do see the market pick back up a few weeks after school is in session and remain solid until the holiday season.

Parents with kids that are off for the summer months keep quite busy. During those months families tend to work less, travel more, and take a break from house shopping. When school starts again families get more into a schedule and then tend to have a bit more time to view homes and get serious on purchasing. If you can’t list now I’d recommend doing so the second week after schools start.

So stay safe out there and watch out for all the kids going back to school crossing the roads. If you have any questions about buying or selling Sherwood Park real estate, please feel free to give me a call. I would love to hear from you!

Warm regards,

Sonia

It’s official! Summer is here! If you’re like me, you love to make the best of our fabulous summers because, as we all no, they always seem to be much too short. Here’s a top 10 list of great things to do in Sherwood Park!

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

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

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,