Okay FOLKS, here something to think about.  It's just for fun... WHAT BUSINESS/COMPANY BELONGS TO THIS TAGLINE? 1.  The Uncola 2. Stronger than dirt 3. I can't believe I ate the whole thing 4.Your in good hands 5. We try harder 6. The quicker picker-upper 7. What's in your wallet? 8. Like a rock 9. The silver bullet 10. Does she or doesn't she? Have some fun ~   02/23/2010

  Is your dog your best friend? Is your cat?    Either way, it is up to you to ensure that they are kept out of harm’s way!    Most of us assume that our home is the safest place for our pet, but there are common household items that can be potentially harmful to your pet – sometimes even lethal. Sometimes we don’t even know that they are a danger.   Who doesn’t enjoy the taste of chocolate or a hot cup of coffee? How about the smell of fresh flowers? Well, if you like these things then you can bet your pet does too!    Foods and plants left within your pets reach may seem like a great treat for them, but they may actually cause more harm than good. Here are some common foods and plants that can be toxic if ingested by your dog or cat:                                                 Cof... 02/23/2010

Recommended REALTOR® RPR Practice Guidelines ~ Did You Know 1. When listing a property for sale where an RPR is applicable (most properties except for conventional condominiums where the building is shown on the condominium plan) an industry member should immediately enquire as to the availability of an existing RPR and endeavor to obtain a copy. 2. If an existing RPR is available, then once obtained it should be carefully reviewed with the seller and compared to the current state of improvements on the property. If structures (including decks and fences) were added since the RPR was prepared, a determination should be made as to whether an update is required. Some rules respecting the acceptability of existing RPRs are as follows: - legible photocopies are acceptable (it doesn't have ... 02/22/2010

The more expensive your home, the more you'll be forced to spend on home repairs, maintenance and upkeep. This is hard enough, before you factor in what you'll have to spend to keep up with your neighbors. If you buy a high-end home, you'll end up sending your kids to expensive private schools and you'll be forced to buy them all of the expensive clothes and gadgets the other kids have in the neighborhood. The reason this happens is because it's hard to avoid copying what you see every day. You won't want to look like some schmuck who drives a rusty old car and sends his kids to the public schools in out-of-style clothes from Kmart. The trick is to live in a nice home in a nice neighborhood that allows you to live below your means. It's better to be a high earner in an average neighborh... 02/22/2010

Everyone these days is telling you to get a blog.  But is it right for you?  Or if you already have one...how do you avoid getting suckered in by the biggest lie involving real estate blogs? In this article I'll give you the skinny on how to use a blog for your real estate business...and quickly attract high-quality clients from the web. A blog is nothing more than an easy place to post regular content on a focused topic.  Somewhat like keeping a journal, only publicly where others can see it.  And you'll want to post more valuable stuff than just your thoughts (more on that in a minute). Blogs have become popular for TWO primary reasons:  1) they are easy to set-up and maintain (even by non-techies), and 2) unlike a web site, a blog "talks" to various other sites and search engines in... 02/22/2010

“At the beginning of each year there are a few bridal shows in our area. I rent a space at the show and split the cost with another agent. The cost is $600 and we’re exposed to literally thousands of newlyweds who will be buying in the next few months (especially with the first-time homebuyer tax credit). Here’s what I do to get leads and new buyer-clients: 1. We set up a booth and offer to register potential buyers on for our free, automated ‘Dream Home Finder’ system. I send them email updates about homes that match their criteria in the MLS. 2. We also offer a drawing for those who sign up for a Free iPod nano. The bridal show usually gets me at least one extra closed sale immediately… which will generate at least 5 times my ROI. Not bad considering I also have a huge contact list of... 02/22/2010

                                                                                         Just as your eyes are the mirror to your soul, the "soul" of your house is mirrored by your windows. Make sure you don't neglect them when preparing a property for sale.  In fact, Feng Shui principles view the windows as the eyes of a home. Here are a few pre-listing tips for making the most of your windows: 1. Make sure that every window sparkles - both inside and out. Not only will it give a property that well-kept look, it will also let more light into each room which is very important for showings.  2. Replace any cracked window panes. 3. Repair and neatly paint weathered window frames.  4. Inspect all windows to ensure that they open. Make sure that all paint is removed from the panes. A razor ... 02/21/2010

The following hot home features reign supreme in today's market: 1. Large kitchens with an island. 2. Energy-efficient appliances and high-efficiency insulation and windows. (These were the most sought-after "green" features from buyers.) 3. Home office or study 4. Large laundry area/back entry 5. Outdoor living room (large decks or patios) 6. Ceiling fans - AC is also becoming more popular 7. Master suite soaker tubs and oversize showers with seating areas 8. Stone and brick exteriors - stucco - extra attention to exterior details 9. Community landscaping with walking paths and playgrounds. 10. Two-car garages - oversized preferred by Albertans  22 x 22 min (truck country YOU know!!) 02/21/2010

A messy neighbor can hamper your property-by as much as 20 percent off the market value No one wants to live next to the neighbor with the overgrown yard, broken stair railings, littered yard, and completely neglected property. So what should you do if you find that your property is living next to the "neighbor from hell?" Local authorities may provide tips on how to resolve the problem amicably.  Try to reason with the neighbors. Maintain a positive attitude when you approach them and don't get a crowd of people to go with you, just you or one other person. You may find that they are willing to fix the problem. Volunteer to do the work yourself. "This is not about fairness",  "This is about getting the dump next door cleaned up so you can sell your house for a decent price." File a for... 02/21/2010

1. Trim shrubs and trees in the front yard; a homebuyer should be able to see your home's architectural features (such as that beautiful picture window). Tidy up your yard; put away hoses, trash cans, etc. 2. Remove the screen door (if any), dress up the front porch with a plant (if there's room), and wash your windows and your screens. 3. If the mailbox is visible from the curb, ensure that it is attractive. 4. Repaint any peeling trim or exterior paint. 5. Define the approach: Add a stone walkway or path leading to the house, or define it with plants or flowers. 6. Ensure any automatic lights along the house and walkways light up when it gets dark. 7. When visible from the street, replace that tired looking garage door with a new one.  Remember to keep the door style in tune with the ... 02/21/2010

1. Make a list of all of the amenities that are close by in the neighborhood you are considering as your new residence.  Keep in mind what distances and routes to each of these places are acceptable and what are not. 2. Determine what the best features of the neighborhoods are.  This is especially helpful if you are deciding between a few different neighborhoods. Are there parks nearby? Is it scenic and visually appealing? Are there quiet areas, streets, culs de sac? Are the people friendly in the neighborhood? Is the neighborhood clean?  Yards, streets, parks? Are there nice trees and foliage? Do the lots have large or small yards? Are there walkways and are they easily accessible? Is it a safe neighborhood? What are the market values of the homes in the area? Are there many houses fo... 02/21/2010

Tips from my Website How to Tile your Backsplash in No Time   Creating a tile backsplash is a fun project that is easy to tackle, especially if you have a helper!     Doing a backsplash in tile is a two day project simply because of the drying time required for the adhesive and the grout.  This is a perfect weekend project to add value to your kitchen and make it look great!   Materials Needed:  Wet saw Diamond-blade metal grinder if necessary) Notched trowel  Grout float  Ceramic tiles  1/4" spacers  Mastic adhesive  Drill with mixing attachment  Grout  Level  Safety glasses   Note:  These instructions are supplied for use with ceramic, ceramic glazed or porcelain glazed tiles.  Some adjustments may need to be made for using stone tile, especially in the methods used to cut the tiles.... 02/20/2010

  Tips from my Website Thinking about purchasing a home of your own? Keep these critical considerations in mind: How long you plan to live in the home. If you purchase a home and get a job transfer or decide to move after only a short time, you may end up paying money in order to sell it. The value of your home may not have appreciated enough to cover the costs that you paid to buy the home and the costs that it would take you to sell your home. The length of time that it will take to cover those costs depends on various economic factors in the area of the home. Most parts of the country have an average of 5% appreciation per year. In this case, you should plan to stay in your home at least 3-4 years to cover buying and selling costs. If the area you buy your home in experiences an econ... 02/19/2010

  Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It’s also time consuming and  comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into three areas: Paying too much Losing a dream home to another buyer Buying the wrong home When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase: Bidding without sufficient information What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could lose thousands of dollars. Before you make that offer, be sure ... 02/18/2010

Tips from my Website Scents and aromas can have a dramatic impact on people’s emotions, otherwise, there wouldn’t be a multi-billion-dollar fragrance industry! Don’t ignore the power of fragrance when showing your home. Smoke, pet odors, and cooking smells can each dramatically impact how potential buyers feel about your house. If your potential buyers never form an emotional connection to your home, chances are that they will remain just that – potential buyers. Don’t allow smoking in your house for weeks leading up to showing it, find a pet-sitter for a few days, and clean, clean, clean! Once you’ve removed any aromas that might be off-putting and freshened the air in your home, you can actually use scent to your advantage. Consider doing some baking prior to showings. The scent of f... 02/18/2010

Tips from My Website Buying a home can be an emotional, time-consuming, and complex process. There are a few things that you can do to help make the process go as smooth as possible: 1. Check your credit.Before you apply for a home loan, regardless of your credit, it's a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and review the information. If there are errors or things that need to be addressed, it's easier to address them before you have found a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan. If you know that there are a few blemishes on your credit, let your lender know what they are, why they are there, and why you are a still good credit risk. Lenders look at your credit to determine how likely you will pay bac... 02/17/2010

Tips From My Website Whether you are buying your first home, or your fifth, the process of buying a home is a detailed, time-consuming venture. At the same time, it’s an emotional period laden with difficult choices. You want to ensure that the home you purchase meets your family’s needs now, and in the future. Each of these decisions often involves money. When you consider all that money represents, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t pay too much. This article helps you become a savvy buyer, by pointing out some of the pitfalls inherent in the home-buying process. These include such things as knowing what you want before you begin shopping, taking your time to shop, choosing the right realtor, and remaining objective while viewing potential homes. With this information, you’ll be cl... 02/16/2010

Tips From My Web Site What is the best thing you can do during showings of your house?Make yourself scarce. Ever shopped in a store where the employees clearly work on commission and almost seem to lurk in the background, watching your every move, while you shop? This scenario doesn't really put you in the buying mood, does it?It can be uncomfortable exploring a home when you also feel like you're being watched. Making buyers feel comfortable when looking for a home is absolutely essential. Buyers tend to have little interest in asking you questions about your property because the answers you provide will certainly be biased in some way. This is why you have hired a real estate agent to represent you and your home. Who better than a qualified professional to be the spokesperson for you... 02/15/2010

Tips from my Website Whether it’s a splash of salad dressing, a drop of barbeque sauce, or a full assault of coffee, stains happen. They happen to the cautious as well as the careless and usually when we least expect it. These tips are for washable fabrics only. Always test for color-fastness in an inconspicuous spot first. Here are a couple of quick tips I’ve gathered: Red WineSalt is great for “holding” red wine at bay until the item can be washed. This has saved countless pairs of jeans and blouses. MakeupShampoo is great for getting out cosmetic stains. GreaseWD – 40 is great at getting out greasy stains (salad dressing, lipstick and butter). Spray on the stain, wait about ten minutes, and work in undiluted dishwashing soap – launder in the hottest water possible for the fabric.   02/13/2010

Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors:1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted by the Canadian Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. 2. Do you belong to a professional home inspector association? There are many provincial and national associations for home inspectors, including the two groups mentioned in No. 1. Unfortunately, some... 02/12/2010