Summertime is right around the corner, is your Edmonton home ready? Preparing for the warm Summer months is more than doing some Spring Cleaning. In this 2 part blog, we have included a list of 5 tips which will get you and your Edmonton home ready for summer.

1. Dislike Organizing? Try It In Style
If you are one of the people who procrastinates sorting paperwork, the contents of a junk drawer, or filing paperwork – try organizing in style! Simply go out to your backyard in the afternoon and sort your paperwork in the sunshine. If you find paper filing boring, try playing upbeat music while you work. You will declutter your Edmonton home, organize yourself while having fun and in no time.

 2. Host a garage sale

Garage sales are a great way to make money while clearing out your unused junk or clutter. Many Edmontonians love spending their sunny summer afternoons visiting Garage sales. Whether you want to sell your old toys and unused furniture, or simply give your garage a good cleaning, hosting a garage sale is a great solution.

3. Get Your Family Involved
You don’t have to do this alone. Over the Summer months, things tend to accumulate throughout the house such as fans, bug spray, and toys in the backyard. Luckily, you have a great support system to help you take care of your Edmonton home: your family. It all begins with responsibility. How? Read part two of the series!

Stay tuned to this blog series for more great tips! Ready to sell your Edmonton home during the summer months? Contact Terry Paranych for a complimentary home evaluation.

Edmonton decks enhance your home aesthetically, while providing families with ample outdoor space. Think of your deck as an extension of your home – if you invest time on it, you will increase its lifespan. Decks receive a lot of abuse, more so than the rest of your Edmonton home: foot traffic, weather conditions, and outdoor parties can leave your Edmonton deck looking worn out. We have gathered the 3 best tips for keeping your Edmonton deck beautiful year-round.

Spring Cleaning

Wash your deck and inspect it for any debris, mold and dirt. Purchase some cleaner and scrub your deck from top to bottom including the railings. Keep an eye out for any signs of animals or wood-eating insects. If need be purchase a sealer or stain and apply. We recommend you use oil-based stains, they will not peel as much as regular paint or solid stain. The extra coat will also protect the wood from rough Edmonton winters.

No plants

It may surprise you to read this, but plants on your wooden deck can do more harm than good. Many pots create dampness and mold, eventually causing your wooden deck to rot. Hang your pots instead, it will give your deck a floral touch without fostering dirt, grime, and mold.

Year-round Maintenance

During the summer, sweep your deck regularly and check for any loose nails. Check the underside of your deck: inspect the posts, beams and posts. If your Edmonton home’s deck has one, check the ledger that attaches your deck to the rest of the house. During the winter, shovel the snow from your deck as quickly as possible. Keep your home’s gutters and downspouts in good conditions.

On average, decks are a solid investment – returning 77% of their original cost. Having them in good condition will keep your deck safe, looking great and ready for your next BBQ. Looking to buy an Edmonton home for sale with a spacious deck? Contact Team Paranych today to schedule your next complimentary home buyers consultation. Alternatively, you can search through our MLS® to view Edmonton homes for sale.

Whether you are looking to sell you Edmonton home, or simply want to enhance its appearance, Team Paranych knows that you want your Edmonton home to shine. Some of the most powerful tools to do this are also the simplest. We have compiled 3 simple tips that often go overlooked when styling your Edmonton home.

Colour: Add a splash of red to make a room interesting. It doesn’t need to be a shade of cherry red, but just enough to give the room some dimension.

Fresh Greenery: Including some fresh greenery will give your room better air quality and an outdoor feeling. If you like having fresh flowers in your home at all times, don’t go with an expensive bouquet. Select flowers that are all the same such as carnations or some lilies.

Less is best: Don’t overcrowd your home with accessories or decorations. Sometimes the strongest impact is the simplest one. Look at the area you are decorating and make sure the furniture or room’s best features have not been diminished.

When staging your home, don’t overlook these details. They can make a world of difference on your Edmonton home. For more great home staging tips stay tuned to our Home Staging series, and contact Terry for help in selling your Edmonton home.

On the latest episode of Market Minute with Terry Paranych, Terry talks about the underlying truth many Edmonton home buyers and sellers realize when they are looking for a real estate agent: you get what you pay for.

“Don’t focus soley on how much it’s going to cost to sell your Edmonton home. Remember that at the end of the day, you get what you pay for.”

Team Paranych guarantees that you will receive the best possible real estate services. Look at choosing your real estate agent like an investment, with Terry Paranych you can be sure that he will strive to give you the best possible return on your investment. Through his guaranteed home selling system which maximizes your home’s exposure, Terry can help you sell your home in the first 30 days!

Looking to buy an Edmonton home for sale? Search the Edmonton MLS®, and find the perfect property to call home. Interested in renting an Edmonton real estate property? Visit the Paranych Rental Properties website.

Watch the video below for Terry’s insight on getting what you pay for when it comes to real estate. Thanks for watching and sharing!

One of the most overlooked details when staging your home is to take into consideration the relationship between your furniture and the space around it. One must carefully place furniture in a home without diminishing the layout of the space around it. If you want your prospective buyers to visualize living in the space, then stage the area to look as open and spacious as possible.

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• Furniture: Strategically place your furniture so that it shows off the room’s focal points and best features. So, if you have a breathtaking fireplace, position the furniture parallel, so that the buyer’s eye is drawn to it.
• Size: If you have a smaller area to work with, place smaller furniture in it. Group small pieces of furniture together and the space will look fuller without overcrowding it.
• Accessories: Use the proper accessories to accent your furniture. It gives the room a homey feeling and attractive look. A vase with flowers, a bowl filled with fresh fruit, or a decorative painting can add a special touch to the room.

Using these tips can decrease the chances of your home sitting on the market for an extended period of time. Stay tuned for more great Home Staging tips from the Terry Paranych Team.

Team Paranych Is Now Supporting Little Warriors!

One of the first contributions the Paranych Team made was in February 2013, when Little Warriors hosted the Love Ball fundraiser. This one day event was in support of Little Warriors’ vision: to create the first of its kind treatment centre for children, the Be Brave Ranch. Team Paranych was a Corporate Table Sponsor for the Love Ball, and are happy to state that over $60,000 was raised towards the Be Brave Ranch!
Little Warriors is a charitable organization, focused on creating national education on the prevention of child sexual abuse. In addition to providing awareness, Little Warriors also takes action by providing support information, resources, and treatment of child sexual abuse. Through their awareness strategies, preventative measures, and treatment, they empower victims, and help families heal. To support, or make a monetary donation to Little Warriors, visit their website.

Terry Paranych and his team are proud to support local, and national organizations. To learn more about the organizations they support, visit the Community Support page.

Council approved a bylaw that will revitalize Edmonton neighbourhoods and create an increase in duplexes.

At the end of March, City Council passed a bylaw to allow the subdivision of 15 metre (50-foot) lots – allowing for more than one property to be built on the lot. This infill strategy will increase opportunities for developing duplexes and semi-detached homes in mature neighbourhoods with single-family homes.

The bylaw will benefit future homeowners, investors, and Edmonton developers. In return, the neighbourhoods will see an increase of families looking for single-family homes; which is good since the children will populate neighbourhood schools.
Additional Edmonton duplexes can be designed in an easy-to-divide manner. The divided property can then be rented out – attracting first-time homeowners looking to get established in a mature Edmonton neighbourhood, while creating additional revenue by renting out the space; as well as affordable housing for students in the University of post-secondary school regions.

The subdivision of 50-foot lots will also keep the costs down in mature neighbourhoods – benefiting Edmontonians with disabilities, or mobility problems. There are 8,600 lots available for subdivision in the City of Edmonton, which will reduce urban sprawl. Edmontonians can expect to see developments underway by the end of this year.

Looking for an Edmonton duplex? Find Edmonton Duplexes for sale here, or search for Edmonton rentals at Paranych Rentals.

The community of Glenora is a city favourite

Nestled north of the McKinnon Ravine, the historical community of Glenora is one of Edmonton’s oldest and most sought after residential neighbourhoods. Glenora homes are some of the city’s most beautiful historical buildings, placed on streets lined with mature elm trees and rich vegetation. Glenora’s defining feature is the Royal Alberta Museum, which overlooks the North Saskatchewan River valley. From its scenic surroundings to its proximity to the refined 124th Street, the community of Glenora is the perfect place to call home.

Photo by: Daveography

Signature homes in the area data back to the early 1900’s, they include majestic brick mansions and two-storey homes with breathtaking views of the river valley. Other Glenora homes include single-detached homes, semi-detached triplex and fourplex, row homes and apartments. Most of Glenora homes were built between WWII and the 1960’s-asking price for Glenora homes ranges from $140,000 to $4,400,000. Whether you are looking for are looking to buy your first home or a home for your growing family, Glenora homes fit any lifestyle.

Numerous trails surround Glenora homes, so active residents can walk, run, hike or bike. Photo by: Brenderous

Within walking distance from Glenora homes are coffee shops, grocery stores, boutiques and restaurants. Glenora residents seeking a night out are in close proximity to Edmonton’s signature nightlife destination: Jasper Avenue. For a more refined destination, Glenora residents can make their way to 124th street: the refined district for food, fashion, and art in the heart of Edmonton.

Possibly the best features found in the community of Glenora are its green natural surroundings, parks, open spaces, as well as ready access to the river valley and ravine system. For the active residents, Glenora has 14 parks as well as numerous biking, hiking and cycling trails leading into the Edmonton river valley.

Nearby schools:
Glenora (Public) | St.Vincent (Catholic) | Westminister (Public) | Progressive Academy (Private)

Looking to sell or buy a home in the beautiful community of Glenora? Terry Paranych and his team can help! With our savvy neighbourhood knowledge and real estate experience we can help you find the perfect Glenora home, contact us today!

Alternatively, you can search through Glenora Homes For Sale.

Moving into your first apartment brings feelings of excitement, adventure, and pride; sprinkled with some nervousness. In addition to helping you find the perfect starter Edmonton apartment, Team Paranych wants to provide you with tools to successfully transition into your new Edmonton property. Below is a list of the Top 8 items you should pack last, these are things you will need immediately after arriving, and will use frequently.

1. Scissors/box cutter. It is imperative that you pack this item last, or not pack it all! Likely it will be the first thing you use after arrival.


Image by: trickhips

2. Alarm Clock. Most people don’t think about this item until they accidentally sleep in the next day.
3. Flashlight. Although you want to set up your electricity before moving day, sometimes the electric companies take longer to set up the services. Don’t be stuck in the dark,
   pack a small lamp or flashlight.
4. Cleaning materials. Accidents and spills happen, make sure you have cleaning supplies at an easy to find location (especially paper towels). That way, you can quickly remove any dirt the cleaners tracked into your new apartment.
5. Personal Wallet/Important Documents. Keep a copy of your lease on-hand, your drivers licence, and enough cash or cheques for any unexpected moving expenses.
6. Electronics. Cell phones, kindles, computer cords, extension cords, chargers, batteries and your regular telephone should all be packed last. (For extra organization points, pack all of these items together in one box- which is one of the last items to be loaded onto your moving truck).
7. Tools. When not packed together, any hammers, nails, tape, and tape measure should be at an easy to find location. If your budget allows, purchase a tool box containing all of these items then keep your toolbox your personal vehicle during moving day.
8. Food and water. Whether its microwave dinner, frozen pizza, or food coupons- we guarantee that you will be too hungry and tired after moving to cook an elaborate meal. Thirst will attack first- especially if you are doing all the moving yourself, so make sure you don’t have your water bottle at the bottom of a storage bin.

When moving pick a Saturday or Sunday-that way you will have a couple of days to settle in and explore your new Edmonton neighbourhood. Looking to purchase an Edmonton home? Search through the Terry Paranych Team listings and find the home of your dreams! If you are planning on relocating to Edmonton, Terry Paranych would be more than happy to assist you during the relocation process.

Do you have your own list of things to pack last? Post your comments below Check back regularly for more tips and advice from the Terry Paranych Team.

The Costs Of Buying A New Home

To assist you in the homebuying process, we have created this two-part blog series with a list of additional costs you should keep in mind when buying a newly constructed home.
This is the second blog to a the New Home Finances series. If you would like to read the first blog containing the first two list items and some terminology, click on the link below:
New Home Finances Part One

3. Condo Fees & Property Taxes
If your builder has already paid the Alberta Property Tax or Condo Fees you are required to reimburse them. When it comes to property taxes, keep in mind that you must pay for the amount of time in which you are the owner of the property.

When calculating your budget consider adding a “miscellaneous” category for a safety net.

4. Mortgage Fees
Any home inspector fees or appraisal fees must be paid to your mortgage lender. If you have any doubts about how much you have to pay- ask your builder, lawyer, agent or mortgage representative.

5. Landscaping Deposit
Oftentimes, you must provide your builder with a landscaping deposit- some builders pay for landscaping costs beforehand to assure everything is done in a timely manner.

Before you purchase a newly constructed home, create a budget detailing the approximate costs, as well as any additional costs. Being well-informed and following your budget will prevent any potential headaches.

When buying a newly constructed home, trust Terry Paranych and his team of experts. Their market knowledge and experience working with builders will make your new home buying experience seamless. Contact Terry Paranych today for more information!