2017, Here We Come!
The Sarasota crew and Ryan are busy reviewing the market outlook for 2017 but also had time for a quick challenge!!
To view a detailed outlook of the Edmonton area market, please visit the link.
We are always on the hunt for the newest trends – in fashion, home décor, styles, etc. But trends come and go, and before you know it you’re caught wearing puffed sleeves, sitting on a turquoise recliner sofa, sporting a hairstyle that closely resembles Don Trump. Great.
It’s time to recognize the difference between timeless and trendy.
No. 1
Is the piece well made & serve a practical purpose?
The beauty of antiques is in the quality of craftsmanship. This is why you aren’t impressed by a 1995 Ikea bookshelf, but an original Eames chair will forever be a WOW factor in your space. A well made piece of furniture will “wear in†well and can be refinished to bring out its original beauty. The piece will always have a purpose in a space, and thus will never be donated or thrown out.
Reclaimed wood pieces are timeless pieces – well made and will stand the test of time. They can be dressed up in a formal space or dressed down for casual use. They can handle wear and tear with grace, and be refinished down the road.
No. 2
does the trend transcend into different decor styles?
You know you’ve found a timeless piece when you can place the item into several different styles (traditional, modern, rustic, formal, casual) and the piece doesn’t look out of place. You will often see these pieces in neutral finishes (wood, stone, leather, ceramic, mirror, metals, etc.)  or textures (typically, textures will outlast pattern).  Mixing and matching styles is common place in today’s design so this décor rule shouldn’t be difficult to follow.
Simple, classic pieces will always transcend through different décor styles, color trends, you name it.
No. 3
Does the piece reflect who you are?
This may be the most defining category of them all. While cookie cutter design is appealing to some, it isn’t desirable for everyone. Simply put, not everything needs to be “Grey and White†for your space to be impressive. You need to love the space you’re in so let your home reflect the special people that live there!
I am naturally color averse in my personal space. Any color I bring in to my home, I carry for a season or two and then replace it with either a new neutral or temporary color (Odd, because I love using color in client spaces). That being said, for me – my neutral pieces remain my timeless pieces; my colored pieces become my trendy items. For someone else, a vibrant space may truly reflect their personality perfectly. Those pieces will remain timeless in that space because they are relevant to the homeowner… and that’s what matters here.
Judge the piece on it’s longevity in your space – will you still value it in 10 years? If yes, do you girl! If not – pass on the trendy purchase or incorporate that style in a less expensive way (perhaps a small area rug, toss cushion, etc).
No. 4
What is the base you are working with?
When looking at a home – you are always told to “look at the bones†to judge the potential of it. This also rings true with décor. Timeless spaces are typically neutral spaces and neutral furniture is typically timeless furniture. With this, you have the power to create the interior style you so choose within those 4 walls by mixing and matching furniture and décor pieces.
My advice – keep the large scale items neutral; incorporate trendy items at a smaller scale. This helps your budget long-term as you’re only changing the accents.
The more neutral basics you work with, the easier it is to layer trending pieces on top as the trend cycle demands
Lisette Sluser
She’s our in-house interior designer, stager, full-time comedian, and a soon-to-be mama.
Lisette's InstagramWith the Alberta market slowing down economically, 2016 is proving to be a buyers market.  That said, it is ever so important for sellers to select the right real estate company to represent their home and ensure that their house is the one that’s SOLD before the competition.
Web appeal is vital with 80-90% of potential clients reviewing listings online prior to visiting the home. In fact, without an online presence or photos to review, you can bet that your property will virtually go unnoticed by potential buyers. Attention spans are low and competition is high – what are you going to do to make your listing worth looking at?
There are some things that are within your power as a seller – cleaning, decluttering, and working on curb appeal. If you select Sarasota Realty, you can also have your home staged (alongside light touch up work completed) for free in St. Albert – which can take your home from shabby to chic in just a few hours. But a perfectly manicured home needs to be displayed properly to sell – and a professional photographer is what’s needed to do the job. Sarasota Realty also offers this free of charge to all of their clients, to ensure their listings are presented at their best.
did you know…
Professionally taken photos of homes continue to sell for more on average – receiving more attention both online and in showings. This is because a professional photographer understands photo composition, lighting requirements, and editing skills to make sure that the photo perfectly represents the space. They know exactly what to focus on in a picture to grab a buyer’s attention. They not only have the proper equipment (including a tripod at the perfect height), but they know how to use it. Most importantly, a professional photographer can match a buyer’s expectations to what they receive – never over promising or under promising. This in itself will bring in the right group of potential buyers. Chance yourself with a realtor that uses an IPhone or handheld camera for your photos, and you chance having your home sit on the market for longer than it should. This is something that you just can’t risk today.
Let Sarasota Realty showcase your home – professionally accentuating the best of your interior. Our approach generates multiple showings and helps to sell homes in even the toughest of markets.
Here are a few Iphone vs professional photos to prove why our photographers help sell our listings, fast!
(First shots taken are Iphone, second shots are professional)
Lisette Sluser
She’s our in-house interior designer, stager, full-time comedian, and part-time caffeine drinker.
Lisette's InstagramTo all of you love birds out there, I shopped St.Albert for the latest and greatest Valentine’s Day gift ideas. We have so many great options in St.Albert, so there’s really no reason to leave the bubble.
Here is a list of 10 Great Gift ideas for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day. If anyone wants to suggest any to my husband too hahah I would love that.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so you better get out there. #shopt8n #bemyvalentine
No. 1
flowers
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to say “I love you” with fresh flowers. The floral arrangements at SWISH Flowers are custom designed with care and the highest quality blooms. This year for Valentine’s Day, SWISH Flowers is featuring beautiful colour palates and lush, exotic blooms from around the world. Choose between light pastel blooms in a garden-like mix or a bold mix of blues, deep reds, and purples. For the unconventional Valentine, choose a mix of springy and fun tulips or an arrangement including tropical flowers. For the classic Valentine, choose an elegant dozen roses in red, white or pink. When you call to place an order for flowers, we will help you curate the details to customize your order.
SWISH Flowers is feeling the love this Valentine’s Day!
No. 2
CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES
Get your sweet and simple gourmet semisweet chocolate dipped strawberries from Edible Arrangements!
No. 3
VOLUSPA CANDLE
The VOLUSPA Prosecco Rose candle is hand poured with a luxurious, clean-burning coconut wax blend. This candle is a story of fragrance written in wax and poured into a glowing distressed glass container.
No. 4
champagne
Hicks Fine Wines suggest the delectable bottle of Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial Champagne. This Champagne is the perfect match to enjoy with your chocolate dipped strawberries. Brut Imperial Rosé is a blend of the three wine varieties, with an emphasis on Pinot Noir, embodying a fruity and daring character. Rose with shades of copper, good intensity This Champagne displays lively, expressive, aromas dominated by the scent of wild strawberries. It is full-bodied, with zestful, assertive fruitiness.
No. 5
hanky panky panties
You can never go wrong with the one size fits most thong in their signature stretch lace. The blushing light pink color is so pretty for Valentines day too. Hanky Panky are also know to be the World’s Most Comfortable Thong®
No. 6
essie nail polish
Essie Nail Polish – enjoy the view from the top. In this scenic powder pink, it’s the place to be, in all its pretty glory.
No. 7
Peak-A-Boo Ball Earrings
Treat your sweetheart to these versatile Peak-A-Boo earrings. Worn with the metallic pink finish ball back or simply as a polished metal stud.
No. 8
Graphic Shirts
Champagne Love Me Graphic Shirt – A statement graphic shirt is a staple item in most girls closets. Especially when the statement is so accurate. Cheers
No. 9
bare necessities sock bag
A must no matter what the occasion!
No. 9
fujifilm instax polAroid
To capture your Valentines Day moments
Kristin Boser
Local St. Albert realtor, head of Sarasota Staging, proud St. Albert resident, and mama of 3 glitter filled girls!
Whether you’re looking for new crafting ideas to get you through the winter months, or simply trying to cut back on expenses in this economy, we have done our research to find you the best home décor DIY’s for every type of space. Look for some of these great ideas in our upcoming showhomes!
Accessorize the Man Cave
No. 1
Jack Daniels Soap pump
You could always use another favourite bottle if you’d prefer. The fun to this project is the process of emptying the bottle…
All you need to complete this is an empty bottle and a soap pump that has a universal size pump thread with a tight spring. You may want to bring your empty bottle discretely to the store and fit it to the correct sized pump. This great idea from Curlybirds can be found on her website here.
What a great idea for a Man Cave bathroom or bar!
No. 2
PIPE SHELVING
Pipe shelving is a wallet friendly option that you can either create yourself, or purchase off of websites like Etsy, here.
Luckily, HomeDepot has a ‘how to’ blog post on how to create these customizable shelves so you can create various sizes and orientations to hold your shelf worthy items. Note: most Home Depot’s will also cut and thread piping in house. Before your trip to the store, make sure you are aware of the size of shelving unit you want to create so an associate can provide you with the right amount of materials.
* Make sure you purchase dry wall anchors as well to ensure a sturdy shelf.
No. 3
PALETte bar
This palette bar from 1001pallets.com is a simple and cost effective way to incorporate a bar into your ManCave or on your patio.
Depending on how rustic you want this piece, you can paint the palettes, stain them, or leave them raw (just be sure to sand these down as they can be quite rough). As per the website, they advise removing the bottom 3 boards, nailing the palettes together and adding some glue for extra hold. Depending on where this bar will be, you can always anchor it to a wall or down to a deck for safety. The pavers can also be mortared on if you want more stability.
Spray Painting Your Home Pretty
No. 1
letter Art
I LOVE this idea with the new white trend, but any color would be fabulous!
For this project, a quick trip to Michaels will provide everything you need to finish this in an afternoon. Purchase some wooden letters, a canvas, and (white) spray paint (all sized to your liking). Layout how you want the piece to look – heart shaped, linear, etc. You may want to place some light guide lines on your canvas to avoid any crooked lines. Glue the wooden letters to the canvas and let dry. Spray paint the canvas in a gentle sweeping motion to avoid pooling of paint.
This idea was found here.
No. 2
copper tin cans
After making a pasta sauce, I’m sure you’ll have a few extra large tin cans hanging around in the recycling bin. Why not reuse them, and get your Spring gardening started early this year? Rinse and remove the excess label glue from the cans, and let dry completely. Again, Michaels has the rest of the supplies you’ll need: copper paint, mini chalkboards, and twine string. Paint the cans upside down and evenly coat them with paint. After a few coats and sufficient drying time, your cans are ready for the twine and chalkboards! Puncture the base of the can with a nail if you want drainage in your cans, or place a base of rocks before adding dirt and plants.
This fun idea is thanks to this site, here.
No. 3
spray painting fabric
Who knew this even existed!? Simply Spray Upholstery Fabric Paint is a spray paint made specifically for fabric. Now you can update your grungy patio furniture or make custom pillows with a stencil for less than new cushions.
As per the Happier Homemaker, who provided this idea, it takes up to 4 cans for pure coverage on large surfaces. Like spray painting furniture, make sure your sprays are continuous and even to avoid streaks or pooling. Can’t wait to try this!
Bring Your Accessories To Life
No. 1
marble-ize your serving tray
This is a beautiful way to take a plain or beat up tray and give it a whole new look.
The idea and photo are from mydubio.com, using simple shelf liner. You could always use a laminate instead depending on your budget. Look for a marble effect liner or adhesive film from Walmart, HomeDepot, or Amazon with a contact backing for this project. Measure twice, cut once. Remove backing and slowly seal the liner to the tray. You now have a brand new looking tray!
Now to get someone to bring you breakfast in bed with it….
No. 2
create an acrylic side table
Create this modern table with a few simple tools. The website Brit + Co that created this DIY also provides a website to purchase the acrylic piece from if you don’t want to search on your own!
Take an old TV tray or purchase a new one, and ensure your acrylic top will cover the base of the table. Take the TV tray apart to spray paint it the color of your choice (perhaps a hot new metallic for 2016?). Measure and drill holes into the acrylic to fit your table. Screw the two together and cover nail heads with stud beads.
BOOM – you just made a show stopping side table.
No. 3
further benefits of wine…art!
If you’ve been collecting corks for quite some time, but haven’t yet found a use for them, look no further.
Create this stunning cork art with an ombre effect. Separate your corks by color, push them together, and assess the size of the heart (or other shape) you are going to create. If it is too small, you can always purchase new corks at craft stores, or see if any liquor stores have corks to give away. Use a wooden shape from Michaels or online to use as the backing, or apply to a canvas. Next, place the corks on the board to ensure full coverage. Once ready, hot glue or cement-glue your corks down.
We spelled out the word WINE for our newest spec home in Lapierre!
Lisette Sluser
She’s our in-house interior designer, stager, full-time comedian, and part-time caffeine drinker.
Lisette's InstagramChristmas is always a beautiful time of year – our homes filled with an abundance of beautiful decorations. Then January hits and the decorations all go into storage leaving your home feeling deserted and bare (see previous blog post here for storage tips).  Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to revive our homes! Spring is just around the corner, so slowly adding some bright elements into our homes will get us through the next few wintery months.
The 2016 Benjamin Moore color of the year is Simply White – a blank canvas to perfectly display your 2016 Spring/Summer accessories. If you aren’t ready to take the plunge and paint the whole house, adding a few new spring accessories will freshen up the space easily and affordably. Combining any of the always popular Pantone 2016 Spring colors will surely be a hit as all of these colors are inspired by nature itself.
Looking for a few combinations to try out?
No. 1
CANARY YELLOW,
KELLY GREEN, &
SIMPLE WHITE
Think of beautiful daffodils and tulips – the first signs of Spring. These colors are fully saturated and always bring a smile to everyone’s face. With the intense color, only a few pieces are needed to make a statement – keeping this a budget friendly combination.  Break up the bright colors by using an assortment of patterns and incorporating some classic white. Can’t find the exact color in an accessory? Spray Paint!
No. 2
coral,
rose, &
grey
Depending on your color focus, this can either be a punchy accent or a rather subdued addition to your space. Rose Quartz (paler pinks) and Serenity (soft periwinkle) are 2016’s colors of the year, so finding accents in these hues won’t be a problem! Focusing on the coral will bring energy and contrast to a space. Add a WOW factor by adding one of Urban Wall Decal’s flamingos to your space – an easy on/off decal that can be applied to a wall, canvas, or board. We’ve used these decals in our showhomes and have since become decal obsessed! If you’re looking for a more soft, romantic, and toned down effect, focus more on rose as your main hue. Adding actual rose quartz in your home is said to have positive feng shui effects to ease anxiety, sleep depravity, and even act as a love cure (resource). If you want a touch of whimsy in your home, sub out the Grey for Pantone’s pastel Serenity hue – a beautiful periwinkle tone.
No. 3
royal blues,
in any capacity,
matched with anything
After taking a color class and studying the psychology and history of color, I now have a new appreciation for royal or navy blue. This “neutral†goes with everything – regardless of if yearly trends sway between warm or cool tones. Blue can add an understated touch of color to your space when used as an accent, or can act as a basic canvas for other colors if used on larger pieces (walls, furniture, et c). My favorite use of this color is in Lord Bodner’s Octopus Triptych within a smoked mirror frame – dramatic, beautiful, and classic. With Spring accents appearing in stores now, look out for the Pantone 2016 color Snorkel Blue on accessories and pieces of art at your favorite home store. This will brighten up your space, without making it look “too Spring-like, too soon.â€
No. 4
Metallics,
mirrors, &
Glass
This will be one of the hottest trends that will span the entire year, so why not start it this Spring? Decorating with reflective surfaces is a simple way to add a touch of glam to your space, regardless of your decor style or colors used. That being said, going too far with metallics can be overkill. The trick is to use these pieces in moderation, either through various small accessories, one large statement piece, or mixing and matching finishes from matte to high shine. To balance out reflective pieces, add a contrasting material to keep your home style game on point – bring in wood, soft textures, or lighter accents. And finally, remember that metallics + white/light will always appear softer and less dramatic than metallics + black/dark – so keep in mind the purpose of your space.
Lisette Sluser
She’s our in-house interior designer, stager, full-time comedian, and part-time caffeine drinker.
Lisette's InstagramAll photo credit can be found in the links within the photos
With Christmas over, now comes the daunting task of putting all the décor away. Here are some great tips to help you tackle this chore with ease for years to come:
No. 1
Ornaments
Ornament storage boxes with layers of holding vessels is great to undress the tree quickly and without any ornament casualties. Try this one that has easy carry handles, a zipper closure, and cardboard dividers.
No. 2
The tree
If you can’t seem to fit the tree back in the box it came from, try a Tree Bag for your artificial tree. Try a bag that has wheels and heavy duty handles to help you transport the tree to your storage unit, like this. Or you can use a tree storage bag that keeps the tree on wheels year round. Roll in and out of storage each year with no stress on your back, like this.
No. 3
lights
This is always a frustrating piece of décor, always tangled and messy. For simple storage, wrap lights around a piece of cardboard and store in Ziplock over sized freezer bags. This way you can label the bags as to if they are indoor/outdoor lights, or where you had them the previous year. If you are looking for an even savvier way to store lights, use a light spool. Light spools have great storage bags and lights easily wrap around without ever getting tangled.
No. 4
wrapping paper
There are some great new storage units for wrapping paper and gift bags. For closet storage, you can purchase these hanging gift bag organizers that easily host all of your gift bags. There are also great hanging gift wrap storage organizers to showcase your wrapping paper neatly in your closet. For those with limited closet space, there is also under-bed options that store gift wrap and bags with ease.
No. 5
holiday dishware
There are now great storage boxes at Organize.com with windows to reveal which dishes or glassware are hiding beneath the lids. This makes any holiday dishware easy to find, and keeps them dust free over the seasons.
Lisette Sluser
She’s our in-house interior designer, stager, full-time comedian, and part-time caffeine drinker.
Lisette's Instagram10 Last Minute Halloween Decorations
With only 9 days to go until October 31st, you’ve only got a bit of time left to scare-ify your home! From pickled heads to bat chandeliers, check out these ten do-it-yourself decorations.
The Ultimate Haunting
One night filled with ten Halloween activities to keep the family entertained – a Dark Night Haunted House, laser tag, a dance zone, a mini wonderland, and more! Even an inflatable haunted house for younger children. All of this in one location! Read More about the Servus Place Halloween Haunt.
A Little Bit of Everything for Everyone
Dancing, drinks, haunted houses – the works! Read this list of 27 things to do for Halloween in the Edmonton area. You’re sure to find something!
For All Your Costume Needs
Dressing up is half the fun! Halloween Alley in St Albert has an epic selection of full costumes for you, your kids, and your pet – plus tons of accessories, props, and makeup to choose from.
Huge thanks to Michelle P, our in-house-master-of-the-universe, for putting together a great list of things to do this Halloween.
We’d love to see how you decorate for and celebrate Halloween – share your pictures with us here or on our instagram pages (Sarasota.Realty, Sarasota.Homes).
Summer, spring, fall, winter… and for those of you that don’t know, we also have our treasured fifth season: hockey. Of course, hockey is in full swing all across Canada, but let’s talk about how we celebrate it right here in our own little city.
Outdoor/Indoor Areanas
Did you know there are 19 outdoor rinks divided between 16 of St Albert’s neighborhoods, 3 indoor rinks at Servus Place, and 2 indoor rinks at the Kinex Arena
View List of Outdoor Rinks | View Kinex Arena Information | View Servus Place Information
Gear Up
Between 2 Source For Sports locations, a newly expanded Sport Chek, St Albert Bladz, Canadian Tire, and a Walmart, you might find yourself needing nothing after a trip or two. And let’s not forget a pit stop at Game On sports to pick up a jersey and an ugly Christmas sweater.
Oh, but you don’t have time for playing hockey?
Fear not! There are more than enough places you can go to catch the game on a big screen in St. Albert. Between Boston Pizza, Central Social Hall, and a list of local pubs, you’re bound to find the perfect place to grab some food, a drink, and cheer.
If leaving the comfort of home is not your style, turn your living room into the ultimate entertainment room. It doesn’t take much! We recommend starting with a TV, a bowl of popcorn, a plate of wings, and – if you’re feeling adventurous – a Budweiser Red Light to really step it up.
But you have an on-the-go lifestyle? Well, before you’ve left the safety of a Wifi connection, download the NHL app so you can keep track of your favorite teams and the games you can’t watch. If that doesn’t cut it, try out Rogers Game Center Live and watch any game right off your phone.
Ps. There’s also a ball hockey league.
You’re not the only one wondering. We recently found an article that best
describes how the price of oil has impacted your home’s worth. The
economy? The numbers? The housing market? John Rose covers it all.
Recession? What recession?
Article by Gary Lamphier, Edmonton Journal | Read Original Article
Edmonton’s large public sector and diversified local economy will enable it to narrowly duck the oil-driven economic downturn that has slammed Calgary and other parts of the province this year, says Rose, the city’s chief economist.
When the final numbers are in, he figures the Edmonton economy will grow 0.7 per cent this year before edging up to the 1.5 per cent range in 2016. While that’s no reason for a parade, it’s not a disaster. It’s a message Rose badly wants to get out.
“When I’m talking to my colleagues out east they just assume we’re all crying the blues,†says Rose, who spent much of his career in Ontario before moving to Edmonton in 2010. “But Edmonton is going to get through this without too many scrapes or bruises, unlike Calgary.â€
Rose, speaking Monday to an Edmonton Rotary Club audience, says Alberta’s capital city has continued to generate employment growth at a time when oilpatch job losses have skyrocketed. That growth is thanks partly to the city’s ongoing commercial and residential construction boom.
“We generated 3,000 full-time net new positions in the month of August. For that to happen at this point in an energy downturn is a remarkable statement of the diversity and resilience of the Edmonton economy,†he says.
“We’re at 5.5 per cent unemployment. We’re doing very well relatively speaking, particularly in comparison to Calgary. Their unemployment rate is now 6.6 per cent and rising. And it’s rising for the wrong reasons — they’re losing jobs.â€
Edmonton’s housing market has also held up well, he says, despite a deluge of gloomy headlines in the national media about Alberta’s economic woes. The median home sales price in September was $357,000. That’s up three per cent over the previous year, despite a nine-per-cent drop in sales.
“Three per cent is respectable in any given year. Now, I’m not expecting that to maintain itself. As we get into 2016, the housing market will get increasingly sloppy and we’ll probably see zero-per-cent growth (in median prices). But I’m not anticipating any kind of severe crash,†he says.
Rose’s outlook is predicated on gradually rising oil prices. He sees the price of benchmark grade West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light crude stabilizing in the $45 to $50US per barrel range by year’s end — it closed at $46.26 Monday — rising to an average of $54 in 2016 and $70 beyond that.
That’s roughly in line with the projections of most energy analysts, although some, such as Goldman Sachs, see more downside ahead.
The rout in crude prices, which have fallen by half in the past year, has forced energy companies to lay off tens of thousands of workers and slash capital spending programs. Much of that pain has been felt in places such as Fort McMurray, Nisku and the office towers of downtown Calgary.
A recent report by a Calgary investment firm estimates that oilsands investment alone has plunged from a peak of $31 billion in 2013 to the $16 billion to $18 billion range this year, with little new spending on the horizon unless oil prices improve.
As a result, Rose expects Alberta’s economy overall to shrink 1.5 per cent this year before rebounding to modest growth of about two per cent in 2016. And if oil prices do get back to the $70 range over the next two or three years, Alberta’s economic growth should also pick up.
“We’re beginning to see what I would call some glimmers of hope, particularly in the North American energy marketplace,†says Rose, who spoke to the Journal before his presentation.
“It finally looks like U.S. production is levelling off, if not trending down a little bit. And both the International Energy Agency and OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) have slightly increased their estimates for global oil demand over the next couple of years,†he says.
“So those two factors combined will, I think, provide a floor for oil prices going into 2016 and then a bit of a gradual improvement after that.â€
Rose is hardly ignoring the potential negatives. In the short term, he expects more “doom and gloom†stories over the final few months of 2015, as more layoffs push Edmonton’s jobless rate back up by year’s end.
Longer term, he has bigger worries. If oil prices don’t get back to at least $60 a barrel — a level he believes is necessary to justify further capital investment — Alberta’s continued economic growth is a big question mark, he says.
“This is my real concern, that without oil prices getting above $60 a barrel and ideally higher than that, we’re not going to see the kinds of incremental investment in new capacity — particularly in the oilsands — that were really driving Alberta’s economy,†he says.
“Energy will continue to play a very significant role in the provincial economy. But where is the growth going to come from? That’s always been related to incremental investment.â€
