Save Time and Money

Did you know hiring your own Realtor to represent you when searching for a home can actually save you a lot of time and money? Some buyers mistakenly believe by trying to 'go-it-alone', they'll save themselves money.

This just simply isn't the case.

In fact, by 'going-it-alone', buyers can actually cause themselves a lot of stress and grief, hurt their negotiating power, and waste a lot of unnecessary time searching for homes on their own.

So, before even stepping foot in the door of the first home, find a Realtor you trust. As a Realtor and Buyer's Agent, I work with clients through the entire process, and meet with them first for an initial 1-hour, one-on-one consultation. This meeting allows me to get to know your needs, explain many of the important things you need to know about the process of buying a home, answer questions you may have and set up proper automated searches for you, so you're among the first to know about the homes that matter to you.

The consultation is a friendly, no pressure chat at a coffee shop of your choice. There's never any obligation. If you choose to hire me to help you, then we can get started right away. If not, then at the very least you'll walk away with a lot of valuable information about buying a home.

Call/text me at 780-964-7335 or email me at jason@MyRealHome.com to arrange to get together. I've helped hundreds of happy clients find their perfect home, and would be thrilled to help you as well. I look forward to speaking to you.

Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain REALTOR® - Trustworthy, Honest and Experienced

Are you in the market to buy or sell a home in Edmonton, Spruce Grove or Stony Plain? If you are, you’ll find it’s vital to hire a Realtor who is reputable and knowledgeable. A Realtor who can streamline the entire process for you, saving you valuable time and money.

My name is Jason Hafso, and I’m available to help you with all of your real estate needs. Buying or selling a property can be as simple as 1-2-3, but it’s important to be equipped with the correct tools and resources. Hiring me to help you with your sale or purchase will ensure you have skilled, experienced help and access to current, accurate information. Give me a call, text me (780-964-7335) or send me an email (jason@MyRealHome.com) today to learn how easy it can be.

Protect your home against winter's wrath

(NC) As Canadians, we are fortunate to experience nature's splendour through all four seasons. However, extra steps need to be taken to protect your home against damage that could be incurred with cold temperatures, ice and snow.

“Preparing your home for old man winter's arrival will help you to protect your investment,” says Royal LePage broker Carla Bouchard. “A few simple steps can restore your peace of mind and have your home winter-ready.” Bouchard recommends the following tips for winter home preparation:

1. Clean out your gutters and install gutter guards. Reduce the chance of an ice dam by removing debris from your gutters. Ice dams form when indoor heat melts the ice on your roof. If there is nowhere for the melted ice to flow, it will collect in your gutters and re-freeze, causing potential water damage when warmer temperatures return. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation also recommends using electrical de-icing cables or low-corrosion chemical de-icers.

2. Use a chimney sweep service at least once per year. Many Canadians enjoy a crackling fire on cold winter nights. Chimney sweep services remove soot, blockages and any accumulating creosote, a highly flammable substance, from your chimney, thereby reducing the potential for a chimney fire.

3. Protect pipes located near the exterior of your home. Frozen pipes are one of the most common problems caused by freezing temperatures. It is important to ensure that pipes running through your garage or other exterior areas are well insulated. If you plan to be away, set your thermostat at 65 degrees Fahrenheit and open cupboards under your sinks to allow heat to flow through. You can find more information at www.royallepage.ca.

www.newscanada.com

Curb appeal puts your home in big demand

(NC)—In a market where sellers are in competition to make the most out of their largest investment, improving your home's first impression is one of the best ways to set it apart from the rest of the pack.

When prospective buyers or renters drive through your neighbourhood, what do they see? This is a really important question that you need to answer because it will help understand what your buyer is going to be looking for in a new home. Once you've answered this, ask yourself objectively if the front of your home is in keeping with the rest of the houses on your block. The first impression is critical in setting the mood for prospective agents and buyers. If your home's exterior looks like it needs work, then people immediately assume that it's a 'fixer-upper'. The opposite is true if your front yard is manicured, the roof is in good shape and the driveway is in good condition. Having a potential buyer walk into your front door in a positive mode can translate into big dollars for you.

Both Virginia Tech and the University of Guelph did studies in 2011 that measured the effect of landscaping on property values, and they both came to the same conclusion. To improve curb appeal, basic landscaping increased the home's value by 5%, but more extensive landscaping including decks and patios increased the homes value up to 15%.

So where do you spend the money?

Set your budget and be realistic about what you're trying to accomplish with it. Keep in mind that you are trying to create an excellent first impression to attract potential buyers. This isn't the opportunity for you to realize your landscaping dreams. Consider a new paint job using a colour scheme that highlights the character of your home. Install a new front door or at least update your door's hardware. Even something as simple as full and healthy planters can make a favourable impact.

One of the easiest ways to improve curb appeal is to have a clean and tidy front yard with a manicured lawn. Maybe this is the opportunity to invest in some new tools to help do the job properly. The best part about this type of investment is that not only will your plants and lawn look better with edging, pruning and cutting, you also get to take your new tools with you once you've sold your home.

The technology for landscaping tools has made the purchasing task much easier as well. Now you can get a hedge trimmer, string trimmer or sweeper & vac all in one system. With the Black & Decker 36V Lithium system, for example, you can use the same battery and charger for all three of those tools. A quick prune of the shrubs with the hedge trimmer, followed by a 'one-around' with the string trimmer and then tidying up with the sweeper will help you to maintain the front yard as short as 10 minutes per day.

The goal is to create an emotional connection at the first glance of any prospective buyer, so before you put that sign on the lawn, be sure to spend enough time at the curb.

www.newscanada.com

A clean home is cheaper to run

(NC)—With spring around the corner, homeowners are sweeping, dusting and vacuuming everywhere to get a clean start on the season.

Did you know that most household dirt goes undetected and over the years it can build up and make it more expensive to heat and cool your home? By following these three simple tips, offered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), you can clean up, save money, and breathe easy:

• Filter your air: We filter our swimming pools to make sure they're free of dirt and debris – we need to do the same for our indoor air. There are two types of filters that can help you remove stray particles from your indoor atmosphere: mechanical devices that draw air through a filter and electronic devices that use different types of fields to purify the air. Whatever option you choose, proper installation and maintenance is critical so consult a licensed contractor.

• Get rid of dust: Dust gets everywhere. It can even get into your home's air ducts or your furnace's filter. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder, and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you clean your vents and your ducts, there will be less dust in the air, less work for your HVAC system, and more money in your pocket. You might be able to change the filter yourself and you should do so on a regular basis. Cleaning ducts, on the other hand, takes specialized knowledge, as does maintenance of electronic air cleaners, so engage a reputable contractor.

• Get the latest and greatest: If you've got an older house, the heating and cooling system may be less energy-efficient than current systems, costing you more money than necessary. Regular maintenance will keep these older machines operating to their full potential, but sometimes, the best solution is to trade up to a more energy-efficient, Energy Star rated system.

More information is available online at www.hrai.ca.

For more tips on how to save money this spring, and to find a qualified HVAC contractor in your area, visit www.hrai.caor call 1-877-467-4724.

www.newscanada.com