I had the pleasure and time to do my last minute shopping in St. Albert  today and it was so nice to be able to have a short drive to any of my destinations.  I was able to reflect on the awesome year we are closing another door on, and look forward to the New Year just a few days away.  What surprises does 2012 have in store for us.  There were so many people out there shopping for family and friends, and I can honestly say that everyone that I met or ran into, (even if it was intentional)  I was shopping and was so sure it my sister-in-law  shopping, that I had to bump her cart with mine.  Was I shocked when she looked up and instead of my sister-in-law (who is an awesome gal) it was a different awesome lady shopping  and we had a great laugh, wished each other  a Merry Christmas and then went on  our separate ways.  This is what  St. Albert  is all about, wonderful friendly people  all over the city, no matter where you are.  We have a wonderful  diverse group of people who live and work  in St. Albert, or those who visit or shop on a regular basis.  St. Albert has everything to offer, you need not go any further to shop, enjoy a meal, enjoy those extra circular activities or find that perfect home.  St. Albert, your one stop shop.

www.liveinstalbert.com

Additional “Anna’s Advice” Articles…

Why you need to sell your property twice: REALTOR® and Buyer

We all know that alot of folks use the assistance of a Real Estate Agent they are are buying or selling a home.  A buyer, will often times rely on the assistance and guidance of his/her REALTOR® to help navigate all of the choices. In alot of cases it is the REALTOR® who narrows down the ‘playing field’ of choices/listings to send to his/her client.  Often times it’s the REALTOR® who initially finds the property and introduces it to the client – and sometimes it’s the other way around. In either case a seller must ‘sell’ to both REALTOR® and buyer alike.

When a  REALTOR®  searches for homes for their buyers’, the first search criteria the agent will enter is the price range.  This is why it is very important for the seller to make sure his/her home is priced within market. Pricing within market also ensures that your home will compete with other comparable homes. If you are priced too high – you will not compete with other more competitively priced homes. The only thing you will do is help to sell the other more competitively priced homes.

Pricing your home according to market demand will ensure that you will get REALTORS® and their buyer’s in to see your home and get it SOLD.

As REALTORS® are constantly in and out of homes – showing and selling. We are in the ‘trenches’ every day. We can sniff out an overpriced home in a jiffy. Surely we would not want to waste our time and that of our client(s) by showing them overpriced homes? Would you want to see over priced homes or homes that fit the budget and offer loads of VALUE 🙂

We need to have REALTORS® excited about your home too!

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…
 

Carrie Wood
Business Development & REALTOR®
Edmonton’s Buyer Agent 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton Realtor® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

There is no place like Home for The Holidays.  Some of us can’t wait for family and friends to be home for the holidays, and some of us are looking for that perfect home for the holidays.  It doesn’t matter but there is no place like HOME.  Everywhere you look in St. Albert it is festive and getting in the Christmas Spirit.  The downtown is  lite up and so inviting, and enjoyed by all,  residents of St. Albert,  those who are  visiting, or  those who are looking at making St. Albert their home. Last week I had visitors who were prior residents of St. Albert, driving them around to a few of our local stores that they miss so much, their comment was, St. Albert is such a beautiful, wonderful  city.  I had the pleasure of driving on a Crescent in Grandin, and it was wonderful to see so many homes decorated and looking so festive.  To own a home in Grandin Park or anywhere in St. Albert gives you so much comfort and peace of mind.  There are so many homes in St. Albert, that no matter what your preference is, there is one for you.

www.liveinstalbert.com

Additional “Anna’s Advice” Articles…

Lights, Camera, Action: Our new Office Space and Sign! The Apple will be lighting up the intersection of 149st and 87ave avenue with its lime green hues and bright cheery disposition. Surely THE shiniest APPLE on the block 🙂

We are busy renovating the inside…it will be a killer design – complete with all LED pot lighting, windows in and out of every office, barn style rolling glass doors for the board room, fab conference/networking stations: including our funky coffee bar and ‘bunker’ ….all wrapped in a shagoliscious “Austin Powers” inspired decor (k – minus the shag carpet though 🙂 ) Here is a sneak peek:

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Lifestyle Selling

Lifestyle Marketing is the fastest growing trend particularly in the Real Estate industry. It takes into account that people don’t just buy sticks and mortar they buy in part a lifestyle. More and more buyers are looking for homes that FIRST fit their lifestyle. Perhaps it’s a pet friendly condo, a home that can accommodate a home office, a gated community or a place that is walking distance to amenities. Lifestyle marketing highlites these features through a variety of means. Here are a few ways KENNEDY Real Estate makes that happen:

Custom Lifestyle Searches   : Our buyers can direct their search to the right lifestyle fit. Driving the right buyer toward the right property.

Search By Neighborhood : Offers  local information on walk scores, amenities, schools, medical, public transportation, favorite hangouts  etc. Selling the features of the neighborhood to drive traffic to YOUR home.

Professional Photography:  For all of our listings.These photos also take into account the lifestyle selling components of the home. Stylized photo’s that tell a story as well as provide a “hook” to the buyer. The “hook” helps the buyer to remember the property – and in a sea of listings – it is essential to stand out. Here are some of our Stylized photo’s.

Home Staging options : From FREE in home detailing to staging vacant properties – all designed to maximize your home’s selling potential! Staging does work! Click here for some of the properties that we have staged.

Our PROMO’s : Our way of saying thank you to our clients who buy or sell with Kennedy Real Estate. They can also be used by our clients as a deal closer.  Here are our top 3 picks:

Messy Maid:  Complimentary Move in or Move out Cleaning

Clear Skies:   Window/Gutter Cleaning

Frog Box:       Storage box Rental

They are all designed for the most part to aid in the move and or aid in the closing of the deal process. It benefits both buyer and seller. A total win win situation.

This is a feature that is total unique to any other Brokerage in town. And by the way our complimentary move in or move out cleaning is a resounding favorite amongst both our buyers and sellers.

Our Lifestyle Searches and Neighborhood Search modules help to generate a steady stream of buyers to our website and hence our listings. They are easy to use and our buyer’s appreciate the custom approach to finding their perfect pad. Our professional stylized listing photos help our clients to  stand out in a crowd – offering a memorable visual experience. And our promo’s are our way to say thank you and in some cases a deal closer.

Dare to compare!

Additional “Edmonton Home Stager” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…
 

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Frequently Asked Questions - Sellers

Frequently Asked Questions – Sellers

1. Can I cancel my listing at any time? No. The Listing Contract is between you and the Brokerage and is intended to create legal and binding obligations on both parties.

2. After my listing expires, how long do I have to wait until I can sell my house? You can sell at any time but you may still have to pay commission. Please check with your REALTOR® to clarify any ‘holdover’ clause in your listing contract.

3. If I find my own buyer during the listing, do I only pay half the commission? You pay the commission agreed to in your Listing Contract.

4. What is the commission rate? Commission rates are negotiated at the time of the Listing Contract.

5. Do I have to pay GST when I sell my home? Not on private previously-owned primary residential property. All other types, please contact Revenue Canada. Note: there will be GST on any goods and services that you buy/employ in relation to your sale.

6. What is MLS®? The Multiple Listing Service®, a co-operative real estate listing service used by REALTORS® is a  computer based information network combining current market information with historical data. In the Edmonton region, MLS® provides over 3000b REALTORS with up to the minute market information seven days a week, 24hrs a day.

7. If I get an offer I don’t like, do I have to counter it? No. You have the choice of accepting, rejecting or making a counter-offer.

8. What is an RPR? Real Property Report. This is the relatively new name for a survey certificate.

9. Do I have to use a lawyer? While highly recommended, the final decision is yours.

10. If the buyer does not remove his conditions, who gets the deposit? If the buyer has not otherwise breached the contract, the buyer usually gets it all. Check with your REALTOR®  or lawyer regarding the specifics of your contract.

11. If the buyer does not ‘complete’ the transaction after removing conditions, who gets the deposit? If you have not otherwise breached the contract, you usually get it all as liquidated damages. Check with your REALTOR® or lawyer regarding the specifics of your contract. Based on your listing contract, you may be required to split any forfeited deposit with your brokerage.

12. What is the difference between condition day and possession day? Condition day is the day the buyer has to remove the conditions on the property. The house is then sold. Possession day is the day that the keys are handed over to the new owner – and they take possession.

Additional “Christy’s Credentials” Articles…

 Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Christy Van Dyke
Associate | REALTOR®
Your Greenview | Hillview Area Specialist
Search Homes For Sale in Greenview | Hillview 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

Frequently Asked Questions - Buyers

Frequently Asked Questions – Buyers

 1. What does it cost as a buyer to use an agent? The compensation that a sales agent receives typically comes from the seller’s proceeds. In other words, there is no cost for a buyer to use an agent in a traditional agent/buyer relationship.

2. Can my agent give me information regarding properties from other companies? Yes, if that other company is a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – which most real estate companies belong. We have access to all MLS listed properties.

3. How can I find out about new properties? Your agent should be able to accommodate your particular situation whether it be via e-mail, phone calls etc. Clients with e-mail capability can receive automatic updates from the MLS system as soon
as new listings are entered.

4. Who holds the deposit cheque when I make an offer to purchase? Typically the seller’s brokerage (real estate company) holds the deposit ‘in trust’ fro both you and the seller.

5. What is the minimum deposit? This is negotiable. Discuss with your Realtor the implications of various options regarding the size
of deposit that will best assist you in your negotiations with the seller.

6. What’s the difference between chattels and fixtures? Chattels are unattached goods that go with the seller; fixtures are attached goods that stay with the property. Any chattels that you want included must be written into the purchase contract and agreed to by the seller.

7. Who does the appraiser work for? The appraiser works for whomever contracts for his services. If you are taking out a mortgage and the lender orders an appraisal, the appraiser works for the lender.

8. Who pays the appraiser? The appraiser is paid by whomever contracts for his services. If that was the lender, the lender
may pass on those charges to you.

9. Do I have to use a lawyer? It is highly recommended. If you are getting a mortgage, your lender will probably require that
the transaction be handled by a lawyer.

10. Do I have to pay GST when I buy a home? Not on private previously-owned primary residential
property. All other types, please contact Revenue Canada. Note: there will be no GST on any goods and services that you buy or employ in relation to your purchase.

11. Do I have to have an inspection? No. The decision to have an inspection is up to you. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
with your REALTOR® prior to making your decision.

12. Can I withdraw my offer before it is accepted? In most cases, yes. Check with your REALTOR®
or lawyer regarding the specifics of your offer.

13. Can I withdraw my offer after it is accepted? In most cases, no. Check with your REALTOR® or lawyer regarding the specifics of your contract.

Additional “Christy’s Credentials” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Christy Van Dyke
Associate | REALTOR®
Your Greenview | Hillview Area Specialist
Search Homes For Sale in Greenview | Hillview 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

Search

•Contact your bank and get a pre-approval letter as well as a guaranteed interest rate (60-120 day rate hold).

•Contact your REALTOR® and get set up with an autosearch getting you and your REALTOR® familiar at what you are looking for.

•Set up a budget and a timeline for viewing properties with your REALTOR®. It is in this process that you will determine your wants from needs. You may have to give and take on some things and you may end up with something a little different from what you had in mind, but in the end you will have found the right home.

Offer

•Put in an offer on a property, always include conditions of finance and home inspection.

•Be sure to give your REALTOR®  your Lawyer/Mortgage Broker information.  direct to them when your offer is accepted. (If you don’t have a lawyer – ask us for a list of real estate lawyers)

Acceptance

(pending period)

•Once offer is accepted, initial deposit cheque is cashed and will be applied toward your down payment. You will have 5 – 10 days to satisfy conditions

•Arrange appt. with and fax purchase papers to Mortgage Broker/ Lender

•Lender will arrange for appraiser

•Arrange for home inspection, if an older home, have the sewage line tested.

•Finalize finances with bank

•Ensure all conditions are satisfactory and sign a form stating conditions are removed

Sold

•Give second deposit cheque (if required) once conditions are removed

•Our office will send purchase documents directly to your lawyer and mortgage broker Lawyer deals with all legal matters and ensures monies are transferred and will call you to come in and sign papers

•Arrange for all utilities to commence on your possession date.

•Reserve a moving company/truck and reserve the elevator from the management company if it is a condo purchase

•Arrange for insurance.

•Arrange for utilities hook up.

•Notify the post office of your change in address.

•Several weeks before possession, meet with your lawyer to sign the documents…bring in cash to close.

•Keys are released to you on possession day by your REALTOR® – usually around 12noon -2pm

•Enjoy your new pad!!

We have a list of real estate lawyers, mortgage brokers and home inspectors available to you at your request.

Additional “Christy’s Credentials” Articles…

Christy Van Dyke
Associate | REALTOR®
Your Greenview | Hillview Area Specialist
Search Homes For Sale in Greenview | Hillview 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing