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.

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.

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.

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!

Team Paranych would like to thank all of our clients and partners for the ongoing support. We wish you and yours a wonderful Easter Weekend- blossoming with peace, love and joys to come.

If you’re thinking about relocating in the upcoming Spring months, visit the Paranych site- where we have listings and information on Edmonton Homes. Whether you’re looking to purchase an Edmonton home, selling your home, or renting an Edmonton home, the Paranych team would be more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs.

The Costs Of Purchasing A Newly Constructed Home

For many purchasing a new property is an exciting experience, bringing a true sense of ownership and independence. From first time home buyers to families looking to upgrade when choosing to build a home, you must be well aware of all the hidden fees and know what’s included in the total purchase price of their Purchase Agreement. 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.

Purchase Price is the price of your new home as indicated on your Purchase Agreement.

1. Upgrades
Whether you want a different countertop or a front loading washer and dryer, your upgrade must be paid in full when your upgrade is requested. Otherwise, you will have to pay for your upgrades on Closing Date.

Closing Date is the last step when conducting a real estate transaction.

2. GST
Through the Alberta Government’s GST New Housing Rebate, homeowners may be able to recover some of the GST that they paid for on a new home; however, you must still pay upfront. Furthermore, you Purchase Agreement may state you have to pay GST on top of your Purchase Price. Always check with your builder or agent and read your Purchase Agreement carefully.

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 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, and don’t forget to stay tuned for part two of this blog series for more New Home Finances information!

Protect yourself against Title and Mortgage fraud

One of the best ways to protect yourself against real estate title and mortgage fraud is through awareness- homeowners must be well educated on common fraud schemes and how to prevent making errors on their mortgage applications.

In honor of fraud prevention month, Terry Paranych and his team of real estate professionals have compiled some client information on title and mortgage fraud:

Mortgage Fraud: a scheme designed to obtain financing under deceiving pretences.

False information on your mortgage application
If any information is misrepresented or omitted from your mortgage application, you could be charged with mortgage fraud*. This includes but is not limited to:

employment and income liabilities
marital status
owner occupied properties
payment of purchase agreement

*The pentalties for mortgage fraud are hefty fines and in some cases jail time.

Purchase Price
Say you have two purchase contracts and you innocently send the purchase contract with the higher price to your mortgage lender in hopes of receiving a higher mortgage amount. Next thing you know, you’re being charged with mortgage fraud. When in doubt, check it out! Be honest with your mortgage lender and provide them with as much information as possible.

Title Fraud: also known as identity theft in real estate terms, happens when a fraudster transfers a property without a mortgage to themselves and keeps the mortgage advance.

Title fraud usually happens without the property owners knowledge, they discover their property title has been stolen when the mortgage lender demands past due payments.

When buying an Edmonton home, consider purchasing Title Insurance Policy which also covers losses related to title fraud. Check your credit card balance regularly to detect any suspicious activity, as well as your property title- to ensure that it remains under your name. Purchasing an Edmonton home with the help of a professional and savvy real estate agent can protect you against mortgage fraud.

Let Terry Paranych aid you in the homebuying process, for more information contact Terry today!

Average price of a single-family home broke $400,000

The MLS® announced that last month, the average price of a single-family detached home in the Edmonton area was above $400,000. In fact, according to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, last month’s average price for a single-family detached home sold was $400,973. This comes as a surprise to many Edmontonians since these types of homes haven’t broken the $400,000 barrier since May of 2007 when they sold for $424,400- four months later the price dropped to $402,379.

In addition to breaking the $400,000 mark, the actual price increase was by 0.3% from January to February 2013. Furthermore, the actual price increase from February 2012 to February 2013 was 4.3%. Something else to consider is the median price of a single-family detached home last month, which fell 0.3% from January to $373,500.

Whether its single-family detached homes or condos, the residential market in Edmonton continues to thrive. At the end of February, there were 4,183 homes listed on the MLS® with the number of residential sales estimated at 1,089- which is up by 18% from the previous month. These figures are sure to increase as we get closer to spring when the markets will bloom.

Whether you are looking for an attractive older home or a new home for yourself, the community of Westmount in Edmonton has the right home for you. Westmount homes have retained their whimsical beauty and signature characteristics. This west-central community has been recognized for its historical value since the 1980’s when homes within a 9 block radius were named as the Westmount Architectural Heritage Area. Since numerous architectural structures in Westmount are seen as historical monuments, they are protected by the Edmonton Historical Board. Due to its proximity to downtown Edmonton, Westmount’s population has rapidly grown to over 5,000 residents.

Westmount has a home to suit your needs, the area consist of single detached homes, apartments with less than five stories, duplexes and apartments with five or more stories. With its welcoming tree-lined streets, Westmount offers amenities such as shopping and entertainment within walking distance. In the heart of the community is Westmount Park, featuring an outdoor hockey rink, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a water spray park and a children’s playground the park offers fun for the whole family. Westmount also has several smaller parks with the careful balance of green spaces and playgrounds. For active residents, the community also features a cycling route along 127th Ave as well as an additional pedestrian cycling trail along 121st Street.

The Westmount Community League hosts multiple family-friendly events year-round including a family skate night, community soccer and community craft events. In February, the community hosted Experience A Taste of Westmount. Ticket holders explored the Westmount neighbourhood and sampled food dishes from four different restaurants in the area. The night was meant to educate visitors on different types of foods, while enjoying the distinguishable features Westmount has to offer.

Searching for a Wesmount Edmonton home? Contact Terry Paranych today for a complimentary home buyers consultation. Alternatively, you can begin searching for homes through our Westmount listings.

Schools near Westmount: Westmount Discovery Time PreSchool Westmount Junior High School | Westglen Elementary School NorQuest College | Norwood Chinese School | St. George’s Hellenic Language School.

Edmonton’s River Valley Is Changing

Edmonton’s river valley will receive a $72.9 million dollar investment for the revitalization and enhancement of its natural features and intriquuite trails. Along with the River Valley Alliance, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, the City of Edmonton will out the money towards five different parkland initiatives. :

Terwillegar Park Footbridge
Estimated at $24.5 million dollars, the City of Edmonton will build a bridge linking the South West Terwillegar Park to the northern edge of the North Saskatchewan river. Residents in the Terwillegar area and surrounding neighbourhoods, will soon be able to voyage to the current trail system situated east of Fort Saskatchewan. The Terwillegar Park Footbridge will extend 280 metres long.

West End Trails
Tying into the coming soon footbridge, Terwillegar Park will also see an addition to the main river valley trail. Stretching 5 kilometers long, the first trail will connect the park’s parking lot to the bridge and the second link will connect the park’s parking lot to the Anthony Henday Bridge.

Water Activities
Another exciting development is the incorporation of boat launches as well as river docks. Seven city parks will each receive three boat launches and a dock. The features are meant to facilitate water access for residents and visitors.

The projects are set to be completed by 2016. For more information, visit the City of Edmonton website.
Looking to buy or sell an Edmonton home in southwest Edmonton? Contact Terry Paranych and his team of specialists! You can also begin searching for homes in southwest Edmonton.