Posted on
May 24, 2019
by
Graham Ogden
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Prepare You Home for Summer
Summer is finally here. Now is the time for grilling, gardening, and long evenings outside. It’s time to open the windows, dust off the patio set, and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. But summer is also the time to give your house much-needed TLC. Taking time to complete maintenance on your home will prepare it for the months ahead and prevent damage that can occur in hot-weather conditions. The following is a checklist of essential summer home repairs:
Prevent Water Damage
In most parts of the country, summer brings heavy rains and thunderstorms, so protecting your house against water damage may be one of the most important things you do. Start with your foundation; check your basement for cracks and leaks. Build up dirt or place grates outside your house to direct water away from the foundation. If the dirt you currently have has settled around your house, water will start running toward your house. As a general rule, a grate of one-inch-per-foot will ensure proper water runoff.
Then, check your gutters for breaks or low spots that allow water to pool near the house. These leaks will eventually erode the area underneath the damaged gutters, leaving water close to your foundation. While inspecting your gutters, you should also check the downspouts. You’ll want to direct water away from your house by three feet or more. This can be done with a gutter extension or splashguard. Don’t forget to remove leaves and debris as well.
Next, inspect your windows and doors — anywhere there is trim — for cracks, leaks, or wear in the caulking. Replacing the caulk periodically will protect your house from leaks that result in mold and wood rot. Finally, examine the shingles and flashing on your roof, particularly if your roof is older. Depending on the type of roof you have, there are a number of things you should look for; educate yourself on yours and determine whether you’re comfortable assessing it yourself or need to call a professional for a quick inspection.
Inspect Your HVAC
Before you blast your air conditioning, give your HVAC system a checkup. Change the air filters in your furnace so the system runs efficiently. (Ideally, you should check or change the filters every month.) Clear away grass, leaves, and debris from the condensing unit outside, which could cause it to malfunction. Follow the directions in your user’s manual to learn how to properly clean the outdoor unit. There are many different techniques, so it’s important to know the recommendations for your particular unit. Remember to disconnect the power before you begin cleaning, and be careful not to bend the cooling fins.
Touch Up Paint
Paint isn’t just for aesthetics — it protects wood from water and other natural elements, so chipping or peeling paint on siding and fences leaves wood vulnerable to things like mold and rot. It’s much easier to keep up with little touch-ups at the start of each summer, rather than leave them for later, which could cost you thousands in repairs.
Trim Trees and Shrubbery
While you’re inspecting your foundation, roof, and gutters, take a look at the trees and shrubs on your property. Cut any tree limbs or shrubs that touch your house. Over time, the wind will cause these to rub on your roof or siding, resulting in serious damage that could be costly to repair.
Repair and Stain the Deck
Your deck is a great place to enjoy the wonder of summertime, and protecting the wood on your deck from sun and water is as important as protecting the wood on your house. Seal your deck with an outdoor wood stain, sealant, or paint to ensure its longevity. Remove dirt and grime with a power washer or deck cleaner before you apply the product, or it won’t adhere properly to the wood. A well-maintained deck should last most of your lifetime; a neglected deck may only last a few years.
Defend Against Unwanted Pests
Bugs and other pests are just as ready to get moving in the summer months as we are, but unfortunately, they don’t always stay outdoors. Prevent them from entering your house by ensuring it’s properly sealed. Check the caulking around doors and windows, both inside and out. Replace cracked or worn weather stripping on doors (this may lower your energy bills, too). Next, spray the outside of your house — around the foundation, windows, and doors — with a preventative insecticide, creating a perimeter the bugs won’t cross. On the interior of your house, spray around baseboards, doors, windows, under sinks, and in the corners of rooms.
Summer is a season for fun and relaxation. Take time to freshen up your property so you can enjoy the months ahead. A few maintenance tasks at the beginning of summer can save you a lot of money and headaches for years to come.
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Condo Close to Rogers Place $268,000
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Double Wide Moble Home $120,000
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Starter Home with Great Potential $259,000
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Stunning Upgraded Condo $314,000
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Starter Home in Rutherford $365,000
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Bank Foreclosure $165,000
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Posted on
May 14, 2019
by
Graham Ogden
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Edmonton Market Report for May 2019
Upward Movement for April Real Estate Numbers
When compared to March 2019, unit sales across most categories increased, with single family home unit sales increasing 43.68%, condo sales increasing 38.31% and duplex/rowhouse sales increasing 34.06%. Year over year sales are up in all major categories, with single family homes sales increasing 1.91%, condo sales increasing 2.77% and duplex/rowhouse sales increasing 3.93%. Year to date sales for all residential categories were down 8.44.% compared to April 2018.
Average unit prices rose from last month but are still down from April 2018. The average price of a single-family home was $427,657; an increase of 0.96% compared to March 2019 but down 0.82% compared to April 2018. The average price of a condo was $228,933, an increase of 7.05% from March 2019 but a decrease of 7.93% year over year.
Prices for duplex/townhouses saw a decrease from March 2019, with the average price down 1.09% to $330,795, but a 1.87% increase relative to April 2018.
“Spring tends to see more activity in the market with this year being no exception,” says REALTORS® Association of Edmonton Chair Michael Brodrick.
Inventory rose 8.78% higher compared to March 2019 but was down 1.78% over April 2018. Listings were also up, climbing 11.14% month over month but down 1.92% year over year.
Days on market decreased for most home types compared to March 2019. Single family homes spent an average 55 days on market, condos averaged 71 days, and duplex/rowhouses averaged 67 days.
Overall, the average days on market for all residential properties was 60, which was six days shorter than March 2019 but three days longer over April 2018.
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Stunning Upgraded Condo $314,000
SEE MORE
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Close to Rogers Place $268,000
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Stunning Home in Rutherford $365,000
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Double-Wide Mobile Home $120,000
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Starter Home with Great Potential $269,000
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Posted on
May 7, 2019
by
Graham Ogden
Big buzz word out there right now is "Buyer's Market". Here's some thoughts on how to make the most of the current market conditions regardless if you are buying or selling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqxs3DxYVtM&feature=youtu.be
Posted on
April 26, 2019
by
Graham Ogden
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Spring Yard Clean Up
Tackle a little early spring maintenance now to get your yard ready for the growth spirt.
April is notoriously unpredictable. Shrubs can be crusty with snow on the first of the month, and then, a couple of weeks later, temperatures can warm up enough for flower and leaf buds to show signs of life.
Still, some early spring cleanup tasks are sure things this time of year. So go ahead and remove burlap from trees and shrubs as the weather warms. Prune away winter-killed branches to make room for new growth. Cut back spent perennials and pull up old annuals if you didn't get around to it last fall. Then look around. "March is a good time to take stock of your yard and see if it's time to thin out crowded beds and do some transplanting to fill in bare spots," says This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.
Here, a spring yard clean up checklist to tackle now to give your green patch a clean start.
1. Trees & Shrubs - Prune away dead and damaged branches.
Where tree or shrub branches have been damaged by cold, snow, and wind, prune back to live stems; use a handsaw for any larger than ½ inch in diameter. Shaping hedges with hand pruners, rather than electric shears, prevents a thick outer layer of growth that prohibits sunlight and air from reaching the shrub's center. At right, Roger neatens up a yew by pruning wayward shoots back to an intersecting branch. Prune summer-flowering shrubs, such as Rose of Sharon, before buds swell, but wait to prune spring bloomers, like forsythia, until after they flower. Trim overgrown evergreens back to a branch whose direction you want to encourage.
2. Perennials & Grasses - Cut back and divide perennials as needed.
Prune flowering perennials to a height of 4–5 inches and ornamental grasses to 2–3 inches to allow new growth to shoot up. Where soil has thawed, dig up perennials, such as daylilies and hostas, to thin crowded beds; divide them, leaving at least three stems per clump, and transplant them to fill in sparse areas. Cut back winter-damaged rose canes to 1 inch below the blackened area. On climbers, keep younger green canes and remove older woody ones; neaten them up by bending the canes horizontally and tipping the buds downward. Use jute twine or gentle Velcro fasteners to hold the canes in place.
3. Beds & Borders - Clean Up Around Plants.
Next on the spring yard clean up checklist, rake out fallen leaves and dead foliage (which can smother plants and foster disease), pull up spent annuals, and toss in a wheelbarrow with other organic yard waste. Once the threat of frost has passed, Roger also removes existing mulch to set the stage for a new layer once spring planting is done. Push heaved plants back into flower beds and borders, tamping them down around the base with your foot, or use a shovel to replant them. Now is a good time to spread a pelletized fertilizer tailored to existing plantings on the soil's surface so that spring rains can carry it to the roots. Add a 5-10-10 fertilizer around bulbs as soon as they flower to maximize bloom time and feed next season's growth. Use pins to fasten drip irrigation lines that have come loose and a square-head shovel to give beds a clean edge and keep turf grass from growing into them.
4. Composting - Compost Yard Waste.
Dump collected leaves, cuttings, spent foliage, and last season's mulch into your compost pile, or make a simple corral by joining sections of wire fence (available at home centers) into a 3-by-3-by-3-foot cube like the one above. Shred leaves and chip branches larger than ½ inch in diameter to accelerate decomposition, or add a bagged compost starter to the pile. Keep the pile as moist as a wrung-out sponge, and aerate it with a pitchfork every two weeks. Just don't add any early spring weeds that have gone to seed—they might not cook completely and could sprout instead.
5. Lawn Care - Prep Damaged Lawn Areas for Spring Seeding.
In colder climates grass starts growing in April, but early spring is a good time to test the soil's pH so that you can assemble the right amendments. Remove turf damaged by salt, plows, or disease to prepare for the seeding that should follow in a few weeks. Work in a ½-inch layer of compost to keep the new seed moist, increasing the germination rate. Begin seeding once forsythia starts blooming in your area. In warmer climates, March is a good time to add the first dose of fertilizer and crabgrass treatment. Remove dead turf with a square metal rake, then flip it over to spread compost.
6. Paths & Patios - Neaten Up Hardscape Surfaces.
Rake escaped gravel back into aggregate walkways and patios, and order more gravel to spread in large depressions, which often form near the driveway's apron. Refill joints between flagstones by sweeping in new sand or stone dust; water with a hose to set it, then repeat. If the freeze-thaw cycle has heaved pavers out of place, remove them and replenish the base material as needed before setting pavers back in. Use a pressure washer with a low pressure tip to remove slippery algae spots or leaf stains from patios and walkways.
7. Fences & Trellises - Patch or replace and paint worn wood.
Remove badly rotted or damaged pickets, boards, or lattice, then scrub wood structures clean with a mix of 2 gallons water, 2 quarts bleach, and 1 cup liquid soap; let dry. Patch rotted sections with wood epoxy; install new wood as needed. Check wobbly fence posts to see if they need replacing.
Celebrating Mother's with These Fun Activities
Sure, Mother's Day gifts are always a nice surprise, but this holiday isn't about spending a ton of money—it's about spending quality time with one of the most important people in your life. Instead of (or in addition to) a flower delivery or a sweet message, treat Mom to a day that's all about her. Whether she likes to get out and explore or stay in and relax, our fun activities and ideas for things to do together will make this Mother's Day one she'll remember forever.
- Sign Up for a Cooking Class - Considering Mom probably taught you everything you know in the culinary department, taking your cooking skills to the next level together couldn't be more fitting.
- Visit a Museum - The art or history buff will loving having a Mother's Day museum buddy.
- Sweat It Out - Kick off Mother's Day on a healthy note by trying a new workout class together. Not only is this an incredible bonding activity, but you'll both feel energized and ready to tackle more activities.
- Treat Her to a Meal Out - Everyone should get a break from cooking on Mom's special day. Whether it be breakfast or brunch, lunch or dinner, take Mom out for a meal at her favorite restaurant.
- Host a Happy Hour at Home - Show off your bartending skills by making delicious drinks at home. If your mixing skills are minimal, just pop open a bottle of bubbly and get the celebration started!
- Go Antiquing - There's nothing more exciting for collectors than discovering a beautiful future heirloom. Take Mom to different antique stores around town and help her find some treasures.
- Serve Breakfast in Bed - Start off Mom's special day with a tray full of her favorite breakfast goodies delivered right to her bed. As she's enjoying her meal, clean up the kitchen to really impress her. She'll feel like a queen!
- Explore the Great Outdoors - Get outside and enjoy the fresh air with your mom leading the way. Whether you go for a long hike or a short walk, it will feel great to get up and get moving—especially before you enjoy plenty of Mother's Day desserts.
- Craft Away the Day - Set up Mom's craft room with new supplies to surprise her and spend the day creating memories and art to last a lifetime.
- Make Dinner Together - If Mom loves to cook, join her in the kitchen by making a delicious dinner together, like these chipotle chicken fajitas. If you really want to treat her, keep her out of the kitchen and treat her to a homemade meal—complete with a Mother's Day cake, of course!
- Go on a Road Trip - Nothing is as therapeutic as the open road, and road trips are a great way to get away from the distractions of every day life. It's a time to have some heart-to-heart conversations or blast your favorite tunes.
- Plan a Picnic - Skip the noisy, pricey restaurant and instead lay out a picnic in a quiet corner of the park. The beautiful outdoors, a loving family, and delicious food make for lasting memories.
- Visit a Farmers' Market - If your mom enjoys fresh produce and local goodies, she'll love walking around a bustling farmers' market on a nice spring day. As she's enjoying the market, you can treat her to some last-minute Mother's Day flowers.
- Host a Brunch - Who wouldn't love waking up to the smell of a delicious brunch made just for you?! Recruit the rest of the family to help make a fabulous brunch spread that will be sure to impress your mom.
- Spend Time in Her Garden - Visit the local nursery and have mom pick out some new flowers or vegetables for her garden, then help her plant them with you get home. Pitch in with weeding or watering while you're at it—she'll appreciate the gesture.
- Schedule a Massage - Treat your hardworking mom to some well-deserved time with a massage therapist. She'll leave feeling completely rejuvenated.
- Throw a Tea Party - Mother's Day falls during that magical time of year when the weather is pleasantly warm (but not hot) and the trees and flowers are blooming once more, so why not move the party outside? A garden tea party is a special and elegant way to honor mom, and it's an excuse to make fancy finger sandwiches.
- Bake Something Together - If your love of baking comes from your mom, enjoy one of your favorite activities together by baking a gorgeous cake for the whole family to enjoy. We love this strawberry limeade cake with cream cheese frosting—and if you go berry picking too, you can even use those strawberries you collected.
- Take Her to a Movie - It sounds simple, but how often do you go out to watch a new movie with your mom? Share a bag of popcorn and enjoy talking about the film afterward.
- Treat Her to a Manicure - Freshly trimmed nails and a flawless new color will make her feel like a million bucks.
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Modern Windermere Condo $289,999
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Close to Rogers Place $268,000
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Amazing Investment Opportunity $410,000
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Double-Wide Mobile Home $120,000
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Starter Home with Great Potential $269,000
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Stunning Upgraded Condo $314,000
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...
Posted on
April 24, 2019
by
Graham Ogden
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its key rate unchanged, downgrading the economic forecast and no longer referencing the need for future rate hikes. The Bank noted that low oil prices and transportation constraints continue to affect the energy sector. Trade policy uncertainty and the global slowdown are also weighing negatively on other sectors. Weaker housing and consumer spending have also contributed to slower growth.
Even though the economy is expected to improve, the Bank...
Today’s Bank of Canada rate hold announcement marks almost four straight years that the key benchmark rate has remained unchanged, since September 8, 2010. Great news if you have a variable-rate mortgage or home equity line of credit; the prime rate stays at 3%.
The announcement noted that “the risks to the outlook for inflation remain roughly balanced, while the risks associated with household imbalances have not diminished.” With these considerations, the Bank is maintaining its monetary policy stimulus, and remains neutral with respect to the timing and direction of the next change.
The next rate-setting day is October 22nd. |
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