A few weeks back we talked about the 5 renovations that pay off but these week we are discussing the opposite: which renovations don’t add value to your home? Depending on your personal taste and interests, you might be surprised to see some of the items on this list.

To be clear, if you already have a home that has one of these things, that’s not automatically a bad thing – just realize that each of the mentioned points below make it a bit harder to sell. The key theme here is trying to cater your home to the largest group of people so it has a much easier time selling.  

1. Deck

I know what you’re thinking…who doesn’t love a deck? While it’s true that a deck usually increases desirability of a particular home, it doesn’t necessarily mean the

9455 Views, 0 Comments

Even the best properties in the most booming economies can struggle to sell when something is “off” about it. Whether you are buying or selling, there are a few common real estate deal breakers that put up red flags and ruin what could otherwise be a successful sale.

Make sure you avoid making these mistakes when buying (and selling) or risk letting your dream home slip through your fingers!

1. Unrealistic price

It should come as no surprise that the most common real estate deal breaker is due to unrealistic expectations from the seller on price. In other words, it’s too expensive!

SOLUTION: Sellers need to be sensitive to what the market demands and sometimes this can be difficult depending on the price you purchased your home for and the…

2905 Views, 0 Comments

You can tell spring is around the corner because this month is stacked with exciting Edmonton events and great concerts across the city. It’s a good time to start getting outside of the house and absorbing yourself into one (or several) activities.

Despite our cold weather, you’ll have no trouble finding something to do this month whether it’s tasting fine cuisine from an Icelandic chef, checking out some “art-in-motion” at the Expanse Festival or enjoying some rum and whiskey tastings at Wine & Beyond. Concert season also seems to be ramping up with Edmonton concert listings featuring Lady Antebellum, ZZ Top, Yes, T-Pain and even famous up and coming comedian Bill Burr.

Edmonton Events For March 2014

Harry Potter: The Exhibition

March 4 –…

9444 Views, 0 Comments

Is your neighbourhood experiencing gentrification? What are some of the tell-tale signs of gentrification to look for?

Knowing the answer to this question can either save you lots of money or make you even more if you're in the market for a home. Buy low and sell high didn't become the most repeated saying in the investment world for no reason - that's how you get a real return on your investment and, in this case, potentially wind up in the hottest up and coming neighbourhoods before they become too expensive.

It's not always easy to tell when an area is about to explode in value but there are definitely some long term indications that you can look for. Whether you are thinking about selling your home or buying one to build equity, here are some of…

3240 Views, 0 Comments

Whether you are selling your first home or looking to increase the value of an investment property, most homeowners are curious about renovations that increase value to your home. The fact is, not all renovations are created equal, nor do they all give you the ROI you are likely looking for when sinking extra cash into your property.

In my experience, these are a few of the best renovations that increase value on your home and are sure to impress prospective buyers when they come to check it out!

5 Home Renovations That Increase Value

1. A Fresh Coat of Paint

Nothing freshens up a home like a fresh coat of paint! Just make sure you don’t go too wild, stick to neutral colours.

2. Finish The Basement

If you have an incomplete basement,…

3505 Views, 0 Comments

Although the flow of big concerts has slowed down compared to January, there is a great selection of unique and entertaining Edmonton events in February. Whether you enjoy theatre, comedy or a great outdoor event, there is something for everyone this month.

Even though it’s the shortest month of the year, there is no shortage of things to do with exciting Edmonton events like the classic Silver Skate Festival, Monster Jam at Rexall Place for the monster truck lovers and some excellent musical talent including JUNO-nominated act Madison Violet on February 7 at St. Basil’s Cultural Club.

Edmonton Events For February 2014

Bowerbird: Life as Art

February 1-April 27, 2014

Location: Art Gallery of Alberta

Website

Celebrated Edmonton artist…

22727 Views, 0 Comments

If you have ever sold a house before, you are well aware that it’s not as simple as throwing it on the market and waiting for a sale. Selling a home requires some preparation to ensure you get the most return on your investment while attracting the perfect buyer at the same time.

For this reason, I’ve collected some of my favourite home staging tips that have resulted in above-average closing rates and equal satisfaction between the buyer and seller.

That’s what I call a win-win!

Chris Proctor’s Top 12 Home Staging Tips

1. Make Sure It Looks Great Outside

First impressions are everything and the first thing that turns prospective buyers off is easily a poorly maintained front-yard. This means mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges and even…

2331 Views, 0 Comments

Looking for the hottest up and coming Edmonton real estate for 2014?

Everyone knows that the way to get the best deals is to buy right before an area really takes off. I’m really excited about a few neighbourhoods in the Edmonton area that are seeing tons of redevelopment with extremely reasonable prices.

Whether you’re buying your first home or an investment property, I think you will want to take a look at these neighbourhoods.

Chris Proctor’s Top 5 Up & Coming Edmonton Neighbourhoods

1. Inglewood

There are many reasons more people are being attracted to Inglewood. Several schools, great sized lots and reasonable prices make Inglewood attractive for families. An influx of great cafes and restaurants has also contributed to Inglewood’s…

15999 Views, 0 Comments

It looks like the year is off to a great start with a ton of great events in Edmonton coming up and a concert lineup so good that the Edmonton Journal even commented on how the city is becoming a preferred destination for major artists.

For one of the coldest months of the year, there is an amazing selection of Edmonton events in January ranging from a whiskey tasting night to a huge bridal convention that is sure to be extremely helpful for anyone planning a wedding. Don’t miss the concerts at the bottom as there are a few heavy hitters coming to the city this month including Keith Urban, Justin Timberlake, Blue Rodeo and the Barenaked Ladies.

Edmonton Events For January 2014

Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival

January 11 – 12, 2014

8412 Views, 0 Comments

For anyone who doesn't really know Edmonton, the city can seem like a wintery location with only that enormous famous mall to provide entertainment. However, as anyone who actually knows the city will tell you, this is not the case at all. Edmonton may be well known as the threshold of northern oil and diamond work, but it has also evolved into a thriving educational and cultural centre. 

One of the greatest areas of interest in Edmonton is Old Strathcona. This bustling area is full of dining, entertainment and shopping opportunities. This 5 block district was the second historic designated area in Alberta, and as such, offers great charm and character to the city. Many of the businesses in this locale are locally owned and operated, so they are a…

2130 Views, 0 Comments