Sonia's Real Estate Blog

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!

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,

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 love awesome quotes and what better way to nurture our minds! So here are some of my favourite quotes that I want to share with you. I hope you’ll write some of them down, pin them to your wall or put them on your fridge to give you inspiration over the next year! I know these quotes inspire me every day!

“A tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep” – Shahir Zag

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” – Dr. Suess

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination” – Jimmy Dean

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud” – Maya Angelou

“My best creation is my children” – Diane Von Furstenberg

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence” – Vince Lombardi

“Falling down is how we grow. Staying down is how we die” – Brian Vaszily

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” – Milton Berle

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” – Aesop

“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars” Les Brown

“It is never too late to be what you might have been” – George Eliot

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it” – Jules Renard

“The best way out is always through” – Robert Frost

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world” – Robin Williams

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out!” -Dr. Seuss

“Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm in” – Lucy Larcom

“I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today” – William Allen White

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world” – Desmond Tutu

I hope these words bring you as much inspiration as they bring me! I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2017. Have fun my friends!

Warmest regards,

Sonia