Sonia's Real Estate Blog

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

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,

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

I was very excited to get involved in one of the great Christmas traditions in Sherwood Park – the annual Festival of Trees hosted by Festival Place. It’s a celebration that raises money to support The Cultural Arts Foundation. It helps children and youth which is a wonderful cause. We have so many talented people in Sherwood Park and area and they need our support!

For the first time, I donated a tree and of course I put my own brand on it. With the help of my daughter Alexa, who purchased the tree and all of the ornaments, we designed the “Leopard Love Tree” and it turned out great as it was pretty east to spot! It truly was an incredible way to kick off the Christmas Season.

Sherwood Park is our home and it has also been an amazing community to do business in. I’m very fortunate for all the supportive I’ve received from people in Strathcona County, so I love giving back whenever I can. Thanks to all of the others who donated trees and wreaths and to everyone who attended this event and bid on the beautiful creations!

Warmest regards,

Sonia