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All Posts By

Raeann Abbott

Oct 23
0
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Spooktacular St. Albert

By | NEW

Tour Spooktacular 

St. Albert

We've collected a list of local HALLOWEEN HOMES for you and your fellow spookies to tour!

More than 13 streets have made the list so far...
Happy Haunting!

WICKED WEST

LAYDON DRIVE
DOUZIECH CLOSE
NORMANDEAU CRESCENT
NICOLET COURT

SPOOKY SOUTH

GRENFELL AVENUE
GRANDVILLE AVENUE
GEORGIA PLACE
HERITAGE DRIVE

EERIE EAST

AMHERST CRESCENT
ANDREW CRESCENT
ADDISON CRESCENT
FOREST DRIVE
SYCAMORE AVENUE
WILLOUGHBY DRIVE

Comment below or message us on Instagram @sarasota.realty  to add other halloween homes to our list!

HALLOWEEN
Sep 01
0
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Bumpin’ Backyards

By | For Buyers, For Homeowners, For Sellers, Home Staging & Interior Design, Lifestyle, NEW, Real Estate

SUMMER 2021… #yardgoals

While we were livin la vida covid this summer we made a list of outdoor livingspace renos for safe + enjoyable summer fun. Is it time to spruce up your backyard? Planning to host an outdoor gathering and need a revamp? We have you covered with the top summer patio trends of 2021.

 

Take a peak and start your 2021 yard remodel plan now!
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Dream it.

What do you and/or your family need from  your yard space – privacy, shelter, views, entertainment space, playing room, etc?  This will dictate your layout and materials used.  Scour the internet for inspiration pictures to drive your vision. Just make sure your photos are relevant to our climate so the dream is realistic. I mean, I  love me some oversized banana trees, but our reality is more “ Alberta reed grass.”  Establish a timeline and a budget for your project to set the wheels in motion.

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Prep it.

You should always start with a solid clean up of your yard to set the stage. Remove fallen leaves, spread around existing mulch as it can move and build up with the elements, prune overgrown bushes/trees, rake dead grass spots, remove overseeded plants and pick every last weed down to the root. Look for signs of water, rodents, fence durability, pet damage etc.

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Plan it.

Map out your space to visually understand what you’re working with – what areas get sun / shade?  This will help when you’re plant shopping to ensure you have plants that are well suited to their growing environment.  This is the  “green thumb” – “black thumb” difference and will help reduce the costs of replacing plants down the road. If you’re going for a larger scale plan – do any major services need to be moved? Remember to call before you dig.

Decor Tips: Beef up your planter game.  Make sure your planters themselves compliment each other in size and color. Inside, add an element for height, an element for full and an element for trailing. A trio of planters if you have the space make for a summer statement. Add a fresh weather resistant rug and toss cushions to pull your color scheme together.

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Do it.

No money option – Do a plant swap with friends. Either propagated or full plant removal, this can provide you with better suited plants for your space and give your inner plant mama a new baby to tend to.   Refurbishing planters w/ spray paint and planting grass seed are also an inexpensive ways to freshen up your yard quickly and easily.

Mo money option –  Invest wisely in maintenance free materials – decking, drought resistant perennials, quality artificial plants, xeriscaping, easy clean/putaway furniture  etc. It’s also important to invest in quality work. Don’t be afraid to hire out the professionals to do jobs like land  prep, pouring level concrete, building a pergola, pond, 3 season room, or  maintenance free deck, doing oversized tree removal, etc.

Light it up.  Once everything is in place – add a few elements of light to add ambiance.  String lights from the top of a pergola or privacy wall, add upward facing spotlights to reed grass, a tree, or fountain feature or add integrated lighting to your deck/patio space + stairs. This is going to be epic!

Get Inspired.

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Apr 30
0
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Spring Cleaning Outdoor Edition

By | NEW
Spring cleaning

By this time in your quarantine life it’s likely you’ve made quite the honey-do list to get your home clean and organized – it’s time to finish all those outstanding jobs around the house.

Let us guess:

Said list has since been replaced by Netflix, snacks, learning how to be teachers, snacks, online shopping …snacks and TikTok. We are here to help get your home ready for spring – be it ready to list , ready to love, or just camera ready for outdoor ‘tok vids.

STEP1

Windows & Front Door / Frame

 Starting with a little dish soap and water (and maybe a small splash of vinegar for those who know) give these areas a good wash and then wipe dry to avoid streaking

Exterior Lights

Give these a proper cleaning and check that they are still secure and bulbs are working

Patio Space, Steps & Furniture

Say ‘ello to my little friend: the pressure washer.

Go over your deck/patio space, stairs, and furniture with a mild soap and a solid spray. This will show you the wear and tear winter had on your things. If you have a wood patio – you may need to reseal, restain or repaint

STEP2

Get out that Pinterest board, Karen. It’s time to make your vision a reality. Things to consider:  style, budget, time and effort.

Do you want your curb appeal to be bright and colorful or traditional and neutral?  Are you replacing what you currently have or updating the space using your current items? Are you doing a full yard overhaul or just updating your planters?  How much maintenance will your plants take?

Whatever you do, have a stylized plan of attack and a defined budget. Purchasing and carrying the look forward will be much easier

STEP3

Now we make it fashion .

Droolworthy Door

Did the cleaning do the trick, or is your door needing some love? New paint or new hardware can offer an inexpensive facelift to your door.  It’s a good idea if you need some touch ups to do a full door paint instead as the elements can quickly fade your original color. Maybe today’s the day you change up the color all together? Pull the look together with a seasonal wreath and Bob’s your uncle.

Get Lit

Changing out an exterior light  is a simple and stylish way to update  your outdoor space. Check out your local hardware store or online for new lighting. Keep in mind to maximize size and style to make this worth it.

Poppin’ Patio

Did you decide to update your existing furniture? Fresh paint, anti-rust spray paint, or new cushions can make the old, feel new. Once furniture is in place,  add your planters – varying pot and plant sizes to fill the space from top to bottom.

Step back – remember your plan. Are you still on theme?

Next, accessorize.  Layer outdoor rugs,  try out some pattern play to catch the eye, and use some fake greenery in hard to grow areas (or all of the areas Captain Black Thumb) to keep your patio looking punchy all summer long.

Mar 18
0

Our Approach To The Current Environment

By | NEW

To our clients and friends,

Technology has never been more valued than at this time. We are in an ever changing world which means we as a company must get creative and accommodate these changes proactively. While some areas of our lives seem to be at a standstill, life events are still occurring every day and the market for buying and selling is still present and active. We are getting calls daily with hopeful buyers that want to take advantage of the low interest rates available right now and the improved stress test limits means there are more people out there able to purchase a home (woohoo!).  Sellers are getting serious about their position in the market ensuring they are priced right and have a strong online presence. Homes are selling and we are here to facilitate that transaction in a new and improved manner!

At Sarasota, we are here to provide you with alternative options and helpful advice to aid in the purchase and/or list of a home. We are here to bring buyers and sellers together – all whilst being apart.  Some of our efforts include:

Remote Listing Consultation – While it is valuable for our agents to personally tour your home and discuss your market evaluation with you, at this time we are offering the consultation be done remotely. Contact a Sarasota realtor today to schedule a video chat and review your home virtually.

Online Paperwork via Docusign – Sign documents on any device, at any time – everything is encrypted, secure and instantaneous.

Increased Online Presence – At the time that we normally photograph your resale home, we will do a video walk through to post to social media and our site.

Following Recommended Industry Guidelines – We continue to follow the recommended industry guidelines and safe practices to ensure our team and community stay safe

We are open to suggestions for further accommodations, just ask! It is our mission to assist you in fulfilling your real estate goals this year and for the years to come. Change is good and it’s important to remember that. We are taking all necessary measures to ensure more than ever that each and every one of our clients feel comfortable, safe and secure. We’ve got this.

We strongly encourage all of you to follow the recommended best practices of thoughtful social distancing to help shorten the lifespan of this pandemic, break the rate of spread and allow life as we know it to get back on track. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay positive.

The Sarasota Team

Dec 18
0
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE INVESTING IN A RENTAL PROPERTY

Questions to Ask Before Investing in a Rental Property

By | NEW

Hey, you know what would be great as a long term investment and would generate an awesome monthly income? A rental property! But let’s pump the breaks for a second before we dive in. Before you make a big investment (such as this one) lets weigh the good and the bad, as well as ask ourselves these questions to put us on the right track and properly prepare for what’s ahead.

Looking to buy a rental property in St. Alberta?

Check out our current listings!

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE INVESTING IN A RENTAL PROPERTY

Financially, is this a good time for you to buy an income property?

Before pursuing any big investment opportunities, it’s best to be comfortable in your current financial situation. Comfortable enough to make a big purchase and still cover your existing financial obligations. Be prepared for the unexpected by planning ahead. Ask yourself, do you have the minimum down payment for an income property? Are you prepared to make repairs before the property is rentable? Its better to be too prepared than not prepared at all.

What type of property do you want to invest in?

You may think the bigger the property, the better. But that’s not always the case. A bigger property comes with higher taxes. It’ll also be more space to maintain and the rent you receive may not be enough for upkeep. If it’s your first time as an investment property buyer, note that many like to start out by purchasing condos or single-family homes. However, multiplex units bring in the most income.

Where is the highest demand for rental properties?

You want to invest in a property that is located in a high demand place and will remain high in demand in the future. You want to keep your eyes out for properties that are close to hospitals, schools, public transportation, etc. Whatever makes your rental property desirable! Make sure you establish what kind of renters you want to attract. Is it students? Is it people who need access to public transportation or businesses downtown? Being able to answer these questions will aid you in picking the location of your new rental property.

Make sure to seek advice from professionals if you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Investing in real estate is a big commitment and should be considered from every angle. Contact your realtor and ask them what’s currently on the market and explore numerous options before you settle on one. Receiving financial advice can not only save you money in the future but can also give you a better idea on what kind of property you’d like to purchase, how much your comfortable investing and if this is the right investment for you.

 

Interested to learn more about rental properties and what’s on the market in St. Albert? We’d love to help! Visit our listings page here to find out more.

Nov 13
0
Downtown Community Post

Downtown – Community Spotlight

By | NEW, St Albert Community and Events, Uncategorized

Located in the southern section of St. Albert along St. Albert Trail

 
 
 
 
 
 
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History

  • Originally, the main street in St. Albert was named Piron Street after Rene Alexandre Piron, a canon in France who donated a large bell to the Mission in 1874
  • In 1862, Father Lacombe arranged a wooden bridge over the Sturgeon River – first permanent bridge west of the Great Lakes
  • In 1885, St. Albert Hotel opened on the south side of the river
  • In 1899, hotel burned down and was rebuilt with a larger footprint
  • In 1892, Edmond Brosseau opened the first general store on the north side of the river
  • In 1906, Dawson Block was constructed across from the St. Albert Hotel: Hosted bank, bakery, post office, drug store and dance hall
  • The main street was soon changed to Perron after Fleuri Perron who was a successful business man and served as the second Mayor of St. Albert in 1908
  • In 1913, wooden bridge across the Sturgeon River was replaced with a steel bridge
  • In 1910’s general store was destroyed by a fire and was rebuilt
  • In 1920, Banque d’Hochelaga relocated across the street to 19 Perron.
    • In 1940’s building was occupied by the Rainbow Café
    • In 1956, the Bank of Montreal took over the building
    • Currently, the building still remains and is now occupied by Art Gallery of St. Albert
  • In 1939, the community hall was build beside the bank – largest dance hall west of Winnipeg and is still used today
  • In 1958, the street was paved
  • In 1995, the Perron Street Clock Tower was built
  • In 2000, the aging Bruin Inn was torn down and now a commercial space stands where it once was
  • Now Perron Street is still a busy district with shopping, restaurants and many events throughout the year

Demographics

  • Population: 580
  • Average Age: 7 years – adults
  • Number of homes: 429
  • Styles of homes: Apartments: 426

Amenities/Unique Features

  • Nearby Schools: Ecole Father Jan Community School
  • Hosts the St. Albert Farmers Market every Saturday from June – October – largest in Western Canada
  • Hosts the International Children’s Festival every year during the first week in June
  • Arden Theatre, St. Albert Library, Musee Heritage Museum, City Hall
  • Downtown district has a large variety of shopping and restaurants to explore, including: Jacks Burger Shack, Privada, Rock Salon and Spa, The Cajun House and much more
  • Art Gallery of St. Albert, visual arts studio
  • Near St. Albert Curling Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 271, St. Albert Provincial Court House
  • Variety of walking paths and trails that link to Red Willow Trail along the Sturgeon River
  • Parks including: Millennium Park, and Lions Park
  • Across the river from Little White School House and Mission Park
  • Home to nearly 50 independent shops and restaurants

Check out the downtown condo we have listed: 411, 50 St. Thomas

Nov 05
1
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Home Technology Gadgets You Never Knew You Needed in Your Life

By | NEW

Not to scare you, but technology is advancing at a pretty fast rate. From the face reader on your phone to the self check out at the drug store, technology is everywhere around us. While some advancements have left us physically and verbally assaulting machines (like that stupid vending machine that ate your three dollars), we do find ourselves incredibly happy when the Tech Gods from above bestow gadgets upon us that make our lives easier rather than harder. These are the top gadgets that we can’t get enough of.

The Samsung Flex with Family Hub

The Samsung Flex with Family Hub

This fridge is reinventing the term “fridge”. This fridge no longer just stores your food items. No, this fridge basically manages and organizes your life. Now this appliance does a lot but we’ll give you a rough overview of the best parts about this beauty. With the use of this fridge you can create shopping lists, see inside using the three built-in cameras, set expiration date notifications, search yummy recipes, view inside your fridge from your phone anywhere, sync calendars, send notes, share family photos, stream Spotify or mirror your Samsung SmartTV and that’s not even ALL of it. Who knew we needed a fridge to get our lives together.

Check this fridge out for yourself here!

The Roomba

The Roomba

Remember those old clunky 30 pound vacuums that had you sweating by the time you were done cleaning your carpets? Ah, those were the days. Luckily we now have Roombas. Could you imagine never having to unplug your vacuum and find another outlet ever again? Or never having to endure that screeching sound of your bobby pin getting sucked up through the rollers? Roombas have an AeroForce Performance Cleaning system that is safe to use on all floor types and cleans up dust, debris, and harmful allergens. It’s also short enough to fit under most furniture. For this awesome design we can’t help but give the Roomba a standing ovation. Heck yeah!

Shop the entire Roomba family here.

Orro Intelligent Light Switch

Orro Intelligent Light Switch

This isn’t the gadget that you clap twice to turn off the lights. This technology is so much better than that. Orro is a wifi-enabled lighting system that actually learns how you like to have your home lit. It can sense when people enter and exit a room and anticipates your lighting preferences while taking into account the natural light that enters your home. You’ll never hear “you forgot to turn off the light” ever again!

Check out Orro here.

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat

No one really says it better than Google when they say “for too long, the smart home hasn’t been very smart.”  Google Nest has a whole LINE of gizmos and gadgets from Nest Wifi, Nest Hub, Nest Hello Doorbell and more. But the gadget we think is worth mentioning today is the Nest Smart Thermostat. This bad boy, although it’s been around for a hot minute, is extremely popular among millions of homes. Nest claims their thermostat has saved 8 BILLION KW of energy since 2011. How it works is by understanding how your home is heated and adjusting the temperature to match your lifestyle. By adjusting the temperature to what makes you the most comfortable, the thermostat remembers the time of day and the temperature you set it at and learns your schedule by doing so. It can also tell when you have left or entered your home by tracking your phone. Therefore, avoiding wasted energy. Yay to saving the environment one smart thermostat at a time!

Buy a Nest for yourself.

Ikea Smart Blinds

Ikea Smart Blinds

We know exactly what you’re saying: “We live in Canada where it’s a dark abyss 8 months out of the year.” We hear you loud and clear. But what about those 4 months where the sun rudely blinds you in the morning and you can’t enjoy your slumber? The Ikea Smart Blinds do exactly what you think they do, BUT instead of having to angrily whip your blankets off your bed and drag yourself to the window, you can simply lower and raise the blinds with the use of your smartphone or remote. You can even set a timer to be consistent with your routine. They come in two models (The Kadrilj and Fytur) and run on a battery pack so you don’t have to do any wiring (because we would rather be sleeping.)

Learn more about Ikea Smart Blinds.

We can’t help but be amazed by all these gadgets that simply just make our lives a little easier. It’s understandable when our lives get busy and all we want to do is sit down after work and enjoy time with our families. So don’t be afraid to invest in a gadget that frees up your time!

Oct 30
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Deer-Ridge-Community-Post

Deer Ridge – Community Spotlight

By | NEW

Deer Ridge – Family Focused Community

Located on the north-west side of St. Albert

History

  • Construction first began in 1982
  • Bellerose Composite High School was complete in 1988
  • The original plan for Deer Ridge was much smaller than what it is now
  • In 2000, construction ceased
  • Due to its proximity to schools and amenities, it was always a family focused neighbourhood
  • Deer Ridge is home to the largest populations of high school and young-adult populations in St. Albert

Fun Fact

  • Normally, residential developments are built in a few phases over a few years, but Deer Ridge was spaced out and experienced 25 phases of development

Demographics

  • Population was 6,004 people
  • Average Age 38.6 years – lowest in St. Albert
  • Number of homes: 1,964
  • Styles of homes: Apartment: 5, Duplex/townhome: 56, single detached: 2004, Mobile homes, basement suites and unspecified: 7

Amenities

  • Nearby Schools: Muriel Martin, William D. Cuts, Bellerose Composite High School, JJ Nearing, Sturgeon Heights
  • Located near Original Joes, M&M Meat Shop, Starbucks, Booster Juice, Bella Mas and More
  • Conveniently located near St. Albert Trail and many restaurants and commercial centers

Unique Features

  • Deer Ridge Park, Dorchester Park and many more throughout the community
  • Outdoor rink, greenspace and walking trails to all the parks
  • Tennis courts, play structures
  • Close community with over 15 block parties planned in 2017
  • Family oriented and focused community
  • Easy access to Edmonton via Ray Gibbon Drive
Sep 10
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First Time Home Buyer’s Incentive

By | NEW, Uncategorized

A New Incentive For First Time Home Buyers

What is First-Time Home Buyer Incentive and is it the best option for me?

Buying your first home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your life and to say the price tag that comes with it is a tad horrifying is an understatement. Well everyone, the Canadian people have spoken and the Canadian Government has responded… with the introduction of the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive program! What a time to be alive! If this is the first time you’ve heard of the program and you’re looking to purchase your own home for the first time, listen up.

The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive focuses on helping middle-class Canadians purchase their first home. The Government of Canada wants to take part in the investment of your new home, providing five per cent towards your purchase. As a result, decreasing your mortgage amount, your monthly payments AND the stress on your wallet (Yay! More Skip The Dishes.) However, every great thing comes with conditions (sorry to be a downer.) The Canadian Government acts as a silent investor, sharing the losses and gains of the constantly changing market.  The article “Determine if the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive makes sense for you” published in the Edmonton Journal states that the Government “holds a second mortgage on your home, which will require payout when you sell, or in 25 years, whichever comes first.” Now we’ll hit you with some good news again. The article written by Heather Faulkner goes on to explain that if you choose to purchase a new home, “that five per cent can be increased to a whopping 10 per cent.” She goes on to write that “it doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you think the average home is still more than $400,000, the dollars add up!”

The Edmonton Journal put together a perfect example of how the First-Time Home Buyers Incentive works. ­

“Jane Doe is a first-time home buyer. She meets the qualification requirements for income and down payment. She makes less than $120,000 a year, has been saving money for years and has a nest egg of $17,500, which is a five per cent down payment ready to go on a $350,000 home. She purchases a new build home and applies for the incentive of 10 per cent.”

First Time Homes Buyers Incentive Chart

According to the example, Jane Doe saves $200 in monthly savings and a reduction on her CHMC mortgage insurance premiums of approximately $5,000.

The qualifications for the program are pretty straight forward. Whether you’re divorced and a first time home buyer or even if you haven’t owned your own home is four years, you can still qualify. Some of the qualifications are:

-Mortgage must be insured and be less than 20 per cent down payment from traditional sources

-Can be one to four residential units

-At least one person on the title who has never owned a home

Buying your first home is a HUGE step in life, but the price tag shouldn’t stop you from doing so. If you’d like more information on the First Time Home Buyer’s Incentive, check out our podcast https://sarasotarealty.ca/podcast/episode-2-8-listed-season-2-a-new-incentive-for-first-time-home-buyers/ or head to https://www.placetocallhome.ca/fthbi/first-time-homebuyer-incentive

 

Sources:

https://edmontonjournal.com/life/homes/determine-if-the-first-time-home-buyer-incentive-makes-sense-for-you

Sep 03
0
Sturgeon-Community-Post

Sturgeon Heights – Community Spotlight

By | NEW

Sturgeon Heights – one of the original neighbourhoods

Located in the center of St. Albert

Sturgeon Heights

History

  • One of the first 4 neighbourhoods planned with a focus on residential community, easy access to schools, plenty of greenspace and local amenities
  • In 1860, Father Albert Lacombe proposed Sturgeon Heights be the place of a new neighbourhood
  • In 1936, the first home was constructed on what is now called Sunnyside Crescent
  • In 1957, plans were launched to create lots for new homes in the four new developments: Grandin, Mission, Braeside and Sturgeon Heights
  • By 1950’s more than half of the lots in Sturgeon Heights were registered
  • In 1963, 250 of the 435 lots had owners
  • In 1963, 150 new building permits were approved and another 140 permits were in progress
  • In 1970’s, all construction of the originally zoned homes in Sturgeon were complete
  • Currently, renovations are happening on a lot of the homes in Sturgeon and strict guidelines for infills are in place to preserve the character of the neighbourhood
  • Sturgeon is still considered one of the neighbourhoods with the best location and area

Fun Fact

  • In the 1960’s, the City of St. Albert acted as its own developer, renting equipment as required to built the neighbourhood infrastructure. The resulting lots were sold about $2,500 less than Edmonton lots, which is about $20,000 today.

Demographics

  • Population was 1,800 people
  • Average Age 39.8 years – adults
  • Number of homes: 724
  • Styles of homes: Apartment: 16, Duplex/townhome: 22, single detached: 664, Mobile homes, basement suites and unspecified: 22

Amenities/Unique Features

  • Nearby Schools: Vital Grandin, Leo Nickerson, Lorne Akins, Elmer S. Gish, Paul Kane High School
  • Near Gateway Village Landing: Safeway, Tim Hortons and much more
  • Close to Perron District/Downtown: many shops, cafes and restaurants
  • Many walking trails that lead to Salisbury Park and other parks and greenspace
  • Outdoor skating rink, baseball diamonds, play structures
  • Close to Fountain Park Recreation Centre and the Tennis Courts
  • Peters Lutheran Church and St. Albert United Church
  • Down the street from Akinsdale and Kinex Arena
  • Easy access to Edmonton Via St. Albert Trail
  • Mature trees, spacious lots and wide city streets

Properties For Sale:

SARASOTA REALTY p. (780) 460 2222 f. (780) 458 4821 25 Carleton Drive St. Albert, Alberta T8N 7K9