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How Parents are Preparing for Back to School Time
 
While children are filled with excitement and first-day jitters, parents are filled with thoughts of “Am I prepared enough?” To help eliminate these thoughts, and help you and your child prepare for the new school year, all you need is a little organization and forethought.
 
Here are 10 back to school tips to kick-start the new year and get you prepared for a fresh start.
 
 
1. Get back into your sleep routine. To help eradicate those stressful school mornings, set up a regular bedtime and morning time routine to help prepare your child for school. Begin your usual school sleep routine about a week or so before school starts.
 
 
2. Shop for school supplies together. To get your child excited about starting a new grade, shop for supplies together. Allow them to pick out their own backpack, lunchbox, etc. This is a great way to give them a little bit of responsibility too!
 
 
3. Re-establish school routines. Have your child practice getting back into the rhythm of their daily school routine. You can do this by having them wake up at the same time every day, and eat around the same time they would at school. About a week or so before school starts, plan a few outside activities where your child will have to leave and come home around the same time they would if they were in school. This will help them be rested and ready for the big day.
 
 
4. Set up a homework station. Sit down with your child and together designate a time and place where he can do his homework each day. This can be somewhere quiet like in the den, or even in the kitchen while you are preparing dinner. Make sure to choose a time where you are available in case your child needs your help.
 
 
5. Prepare for the unexpected. Working parents know that it can be difficult to find a sitter when your child is sick. Before school even begins, it’s a good idea to have a sitter already lined up in case you get that phone call home from the nurse saying your child is ill.
 
 
6. Make an after-school game plan. Make a plan for where your child will go after school lets out for the day. Depending upon the age of your child, figure out if they will go to a neighbor’s house, an afterschool program, or be allowed to stay home by themselves. This will help eliminate any confusion during the first few weeks.
 
 
7. Turn off the TV and video games. For a lot of children summertime is filled with endless video games and TV programs. Children are usually in shock when they begin school and realize that six hours of their day is going to spent learning and not playing games and watching TV. Ease your child into the learning process by turning off the electrics and encouraging them to read or play quietly.
 
 
8. Review school material and information. For most parents, schools send home a packet with a ton of information regarding their child’s new teacher, important dates to remember, emergency forms, and transportation routines. Make sure that you read through this information carefully, and mark down all important dates on your calendar.
 
 
9. Get organized. The best way to prepare for back to school time is to be organized. With school comes a massive amount of paperwork which can consume your household. Designate a spot in your house for homework, permission slips, and any other school-related papers. This can help eliminate all of that paper clutter and make your life less stressful.
 
 
10. Get your child’s yearly checkup. School and germs go hand in hand, so it’s best to get your child’s yearly checkup before school even starts. Get any required vaccinations and ask your pediatrician the best ways your child can stay healthy throughout the school year.
 
Through preparation and organization, you can ensure that your child will have a smooth transition to the start of the new school year. By doing so, you and your child can enjoy the rest of your summer break.
 
 
 
 
Beautiful Three Storey Starter Home $279,900
 
 
Starter Home with Great Potential $249,000
 
 
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For more information on these properties or to request a free home evaluation, please contact Graham Ogden today!
 
         
 
 
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The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its benchmark rate unchanged as persistent trade tensions are having a material effect on the global economy. These ongoing trade conflicts cloud the outlook for the Canadian economy, which is returning to potential growth. As a result, the Bank deems that the current accommodative interest rate policy remains appropriate.


The next rate-setting day is Wednesday, September 4th.  

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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.
 
 
 
Condo Close to Rogers Place $268,000
 
 
Double Wide Moble Home $120,000
 
 
Starter Home with Great Potential $259,000
 
 
Stunning Upgraded Condo $314,000
 
 
Starter Home in Rutherford $365,000
 
 
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For more information on these properties or to request a free home evaluation, please contact Graham Ogden today!
 
         
 
 
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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.
 
 
 
 
 
Stunning Upgraded Condo $314,000
 
SEE MORE
 
Close to Rogers Place $268,000
 
 
 
Stunning Home in Rutherford $365,000
 
 
Double-Wide Mobile Home $120,000
 
 
Starter Home with Great Potential $269,000
 
  
 
For more information on these properties or to request a free home evaluation, please contact Graham Ogden today!
 
         
 
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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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