An incident occurred recently involving one of my buyer clients, providing another good reason for buyers and sellers to be represented by REALTORS®. There are lessons here for all buyers and sellers of real estate in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County, the Edmonton region or elsewhere.

My client’s purchase of a home was nearly complete. All the documents had been signed, conditions removed, keys ready to hand over. My client was very happy with the home. It was in top-notch condition, being exceptionally clean and well-maintained, with a beautifully landscaped yard.

My client happened to be driving past the property when he spotted the current owner in the garden apparently digging up shrubs and handing them over to a friend. This is, of course, a no-no in real estate transactions. Once a deal has been done and a contract in place, anything attached to the property has to stay.

When I represent the sellers in a real estate transaction, I usually warn my clients who are selling their home to make sure they remove everything they want to keep that would normally be considered permanent attachments to the home before we even place the listing on the market. Once a home is on the market, potential buyers have every right to assume that what they see is what they will get. That means sellers can’t take away items such as wall-hung shelves, kitchen cabinetry, drapery rods, plumbing or light fixtures, or parts of the landscaping, nor can they swap out appliances with cheaper or older models, unless those things are specifically mentioned in the contract.

So, if you were the buyer in this situation, what would you do?

I urge people involved in something like this to contact their REALTOR® and have him or her confer with the other REALTOR® to resolve, and possibly defuse, the situation. Buying and selling real estate can be an emotional, nerve-wracking experience, and nothing constructive can come out of a direct confrontation between buyer and seller. Instead, the two agents can determine whether there has been a breach of the contract, and then establish the best way to settle the issue. That way, no one should feel hurt or ripped off, no one loses face or good will, and the end result is what we all want: a successful and positive conclusion for all parties.

Questions or comments about what a REALTOR® can do for you? Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

After the purchase of a house in Spruce Grove, Parkland County, Stony Plain and the entire Edmonton region, there could be, for one reason or the other, the need to replace its windows. It is always advisable to keep in mind the tips below when replacing windows.

Decide Whether Or Not the Process Will Be Done By a Professional

The success of any window replacement project depends on the type of window chosen and the quality of workmanship used during the replacement. A buyer can use metallic or wooden windows for replacement. Using a reputable installation company gives the owner an assurance of getting quality services. It is advisable to use a company that offers a warranty on parts and labour in addition to the products themselves. If you as a homeowner plan to replace the window yourself, be absolutely sure that you’re capable of the task before attempting it.

Consider the Amount of Time That The New Windows Should Serve

Where a replacement is meant to increase the house value during resale, the priorities may be different than for those who simply want to fix cracked or chipped glass. Energy saving, ease of maintenance and beauty are the most common upgrade considerations. With vinyl windows, homeowners can get back about 71 percent of their investment. Where this replacement is for the owner’s benefit, it’s important to consider warranties and repairs, quality and durability, design and appearance, ordering and installation, price, and energy efficiency. In short: the price of the window itself isn’t the total cost.

Narrow Your Options on Warranties

Whether the warranty covers broken seals and air leaks, or labour and glass breakage, it is advisable to determine how long this coverage will last. Get these warranties from a reputable company and determine the course of action should this company go out of business. The company has to carry liability insurance and must be licensed to work within the locality of the house. Most importantly, ascertain whether or not these warranties are transferable to the next homeowner.

Carry Out Proper Prior Preparation

It is important to prepare before the replacement process begins. Apart from being sure of the cost, it’s advisable that homeowners remove blinds and curtains from these windows. They should also alert their alarm company and create enough working space around the windows to ensure that the process is done efficiently and fast.

Try To Make the Entire Process Fun

The project will only be fun if the result will bring comfort, a sense of security and beauty. Decisions about the price and energy efficiency should be made with everyone’s comfort in mind.

These tips will also be applicable to anyone with Parkland County acreages, as well as Edmonton acreages. Several years after construction, there may be a need to replace windows; hopefully, the above tips are useful.

Comments or questions are always welcome.  Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

Whether you’ve been eyeing Edmonton, Parkland, Spruce Grove or Stony Plain real estate, there are a few key considerations to factor in before choosing the home or property that is right for you and your family. Seeking out Parkland County acreages or Edmonton real estate can be done by first considering the factors that are important to you before selecting a neighbourhood as your new home.

Neighbourhood Popularity

Before moving to an unfamiliar area, consider the popularity and population of the neighbourhoods you are most interested in. Whether you prefer a quiet location or if you are looking for a booming town, having an idea in mind is a way to expedite the process when you begin comparing homes and properties.

Property Value and Future Outlook

Consider the average value of the properties in the neighbourhoods you are interested in as well as the future outlook of the area. Researching each neighbourhood individually – whether you are looking for Parkland County real estate or Spruce Grove – is a way to ensure you find a location that is most suitable for your current lifestyle, career and future goals.

Taxes and Living Expenses

Research taxes and living expenses of each of the homes and neighbourhoods you are eyeing. As each location will come with its own set of costs and expenses, it is important to assess which areas are suitable for you and your income range. Don’t just think about now; give some thought to both your earning power and future costs. For example, if you’re part of a newlywed couple, are you planning on having children later? These are the types of living expenses you need to keep in mind.

Local Amenities, Resources and Shops

Whenever you are looking into real estate for your family, it is imperative to consider the surrounding shops and resources that are available within the neighbourhood itself. If you have children, be sure to research the locations of nearby schools as well as the school ratings and rankings. If you prefer local markets and shops, finding a neighbourhood that meets your needs can be done with a bit of research online to get a feel for the atmosphere of each location you are searching in. Comparing surrounding resources and locations in each neighbourhood can help to eliminate those that are simply not right for your preferred way of living.

Finding the perfect Spruce Grove real estate options or Edmonton acreages can be done with a bit of research and an assessment of your own needs and the needs of your family before selecting a neighbourhood that is the most suitable for you. Conducting a bit of background research on various areas you are most interested in living in is a way for you to ensure you have made the best decision for both you and your entire family or household.

When you are ready to make a move to a new home, give me a call for more information and I’ll be happy to help you begin your search!  Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here.

Despite the fact that Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton region as a whole tend to be quiet, situations may still arise where a neighbour is making too much noise. Depending on the circumstances, there are a variety of ways to take action. Here are a few points to consider when you need to raise a noise complaint in Edmonton.

Try Communicating Before Calling the Authorities

There’s a chance your neighbours don’t realize that they’re making too much noise and will reduce the commotion when you open a dialogue with them. A brief, friendly exchange of honest words can do wonders for these types of situations, leading to an understanding that allows both households to enjoy their space. Most of the time, all that needs to happen is a small alteration in noise-making habits, such as reducing the output of a sub-woofer to acceptable levels or agreeing on specific times to allow loud activities. There may be issues with thin floors or walls that make it impossible to prevent the sounds of footsteps and other normal behaviour. Sometimes tenants may have hearing problems, resulting in your neighbour not having the ability to detect abnormal noise levels. If you are uncomfortable with contacting your neighbour face-to-face, leaving a brief, well-intentioned letter is also acceptable.

Ask for Help If the Situation Becomes Difficult

Stony Plain real estate, Parkland County real estate and Spruce Grove real estate are located in safe communities. Nonetheless, there are situations where it’s best to contact the authorities instead of putting yourself in a potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situation. The first person to contact is a landlord or a homeowner’s association who can act as an intermediary that assures your anonymity. If this doesn’t work, you can contact the city of Edmonton by dialing 311 or 780-442-5311 or by faxing 780-442-5311. Pursuing this action should only be taken in the most serious circumstances, when other avenues of fixing the situation have failed.

Know Your Rights Before Launching a Serious Complaint

If the situation with noisy neighbours gets worse, it’s a good idea to know the legal details of noise complaints. Different types of Edmonton acreages and Parkland County acreages have specific standards of noise allowance. Residential noise standards are stricter than non-residential noise limits. Between 10p.m. and 7a.m., the amount of noise that a residence or a business can legally generate is typically limited to 50 decibels in residential zones and 75 decibels in commercial areas. During the daytime, the limits are more flexible, allowing for noise up to 85 decibels for brief periods of time. Sometimes, permits are granted to authorize sound in excess of normal limits. When filing a complaint, a landlord or employee of the city may need proof of these levels of noise in order to be able to act. Noise complaints can result in serious consequences, due to legal ramifications written into many leases that result in eviction, fines and bills.

When it comes to noise pollution, it’s important to know your rights and stand up for them. Having a quick chat to reach a mutually beneficial agreement can solve most issues quickly and cordially. If the situation becomes difficult, dangerous or uncomfortable, seek help to solve the issue anonymously and dispassionately.

Feel free to contact me if you seek information about noise or other home-related problems. Call or text me at 780-910-9669, email me at barry@barryt.ca, or contact me here and I’ll be happy to answer any questions.