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Property Photo: 318 17011 67 AVE in EDMONTON
I have listed a new property at 318 17011 67 AVE in EDMONTON.
HIDDEN GEM! This 3rd floor, small pet friendly, condo located close to all amenities has it all. Imagine cooking in your beautiful open concept kitchen that flows to a large living room and dining room area warmed by a Fireplace. This 2 bedroom condo includes 2 full bathrooms, one of which is an ensuite in the master bedroom which is complimented with a very large closet. Off the spacious living room is an even larger balcony perfect for entertaining and BBQ'ing on hot summer evenings. Park your vehicle in the secure, heated, oversized underground parking stall that is included with this suite. The pictures do not do it justice! This one has to been seen in person to appreciate the standard of quality put into this condo. 1 Minute walk to the YMCA and all amenities.
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Because we are so close to our pets, they often become very sensitive to our stress levels. When we are packing to move or even take a vacation, our pets will be more stressed than usual. When packing, it helps to remove pets from the area to minimize stress, fear and possible harm.

 

Here are some tips for traveling to your new destination with your pet:

 

  • Carry your pet's current health certificate and rabies tag

 

  • Make sure your pet has a collar with current contact identification

 

  • Have any of your pet’s medications handy and make sure it is protected from fleas and ticks

 

  • Bring your pet’s bedding, food and water bowls, a litter box and favorite toys

 

  • Keep fresh water available at all times

 

  • Maintain good air circulation; use your air conditioner if necessary

 

  • Stop for an exercise and potty break at least every three hours

 

  • Never leave your pet alone in the car on a warm day

 

Call or email me if you have any questions. I am always happy to help you, you family and friends with any real estate related needs.
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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Friends come by to visit you, not your house. Your home can be a flexible extension and reflection of your lifestyle and personality, not a fixed collection of rooms that can only be used for their originally-intended purpose.

 

If space is limited, consider making some rooms do double duty. Here are some tips for thinking differently and making the most of the space in your home:

 

  • If you don’t put on formal dinner parties, consider turning an unused dining room into a home office. When friends come over for an meal, cushions around a coffee table in front of the fireplace can become an informal ‘dining room.’

 

  • Repurpose furniture into special ‘rooms.’ A drop-front secretary with shelves, drawers and a work surface can turn your living room into a craft center by day but can be closed up for entertaining in the evening.

 

  • Many people regard their bedroom as a sanctuary and retreat. Consider adding built-in or freestanding shelves and an easy chair with a floor lamp to turn one corner of your bedroom into a quiet ‘library.’

 

Please let me know by phone or email if I can provide additional ideas for making the most of the space in your home. If you are considering making a move to a larger space, I can help you find a home that suits your lifestyle.
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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Instead of having a traditional garage sale, perhaps you should consider putting your garage sale online. Free online classified ads like Craig’s List or fee-based auction sites like eBay make it easy to do. Here’s how:

 

  • Take your time: The beauty of an online garage sale is that you don’t need to sell all your unwanted belongings at once. Instead you can post them online as soon as you decide to get rid of them.

 

  • Price it right: Search online to learn prices of comparable items and price yours to sell if you don’t want to be stuck with them later on.

 

  • Use pictures: Use a digital camera to take shots of your items. One picture is worth hundreds of words of description. Provide written descriptions, including dimensions and be sure to indicate any defect or areas of wear or damage.

 

  • Payment: Items listed on local classified sites like Craig’s List are usually paid for  as cash at delivery on a first-come, first-served basis. Winning bidders on auction sites like eBay use PayPal to pay with their credit card. Setting up an account with PayPal is free and easy.

 

  • Shipping: Auction sites let you specify a flat rate for shipping or allow buyers to compute and pay for shipping costs. Craig’s List buyers will pick up their purchase from you once you’ve both agreed on the price so there are no shipping costs at all.

 

By getting rid of unwanted items through an online garage sale you’ll make your home feel more spacious and have fewer items to pack if you decide to make a move.

Please call or send me an email if I can answer any real estate related questions. I appreciate the opportunity to be your real estate resource.
 
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355.
 
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Nothing makes a home quite as appealing as attractive plants. People lacking a green thumb or the time or space necessary to devote to a garden might consider adding window boxes or small raised beds to add a touch of color. Here are some ideas to get you started:

 

  • Window boxes are the easiest to install, plant, and maintain. Wrought iron grids called ‘hayracks’ are available in many stores. They come in a variety of widths and attach easily to your window trim. Their liner helps retain soil and water, keeping your plants moist and healthy.

 

  • Raised beds are best when made from pressure-treated dimensional lumber or artificial wood products like Trex to minimize rotting over time. Cut the lumber into the dimensions you want then nail or screw them together to form a frame. Place the frame where you want it, making sure it’s level. Then add a layer of fine gravel at the bottom for drainage followed by topsoil, and finally an organic topdressing. This works with large pots as well.

 

  • For south-facing window boxes and beds, plant sun-loving perennials or herbs. For north and east facing locations, choose shade plants like ivy, hostas, begonias, hydrangeas, geraniums or bleeding hearts. For western exposures, sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants are best. Choose vegetables in the spring and summer and in late fall and winter, plant decorative cabbage (kale) or dwarf boxwoods.

 

  • Whatever you plant, make sure to water only enough to keep plants from wilting in the sun. Remember, too much water can be as bad as not enough.

 

Please call or email me if you’d like me to recommend a local nursery or help you with any of your real estate needs.
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
780-700-8355
 
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More and more people are working from home. From small-business owners to corporate telecommuters, more and more people are dedicating areas within their homes as full-time home offices. Here are some tips to help you design and equip an office in your home, no matter how small it might be:

 

  • Size isn’t everything. Perfectly functional offices can be built into unused walk-in closets or even armoires or other furniture. While not everyone needs a large office in which to meet people or hold meetings, every office needs to have room for the basic tools necessary to running a business or doing a job.

 

  • Organization is the key. Make the most of the space you have by using storage boxes or baskets of a uniform size to store papers, catalogs, magazines and supplies. By being the same size, they’ll better fit on shelves or on your desk with a minimum of wasted space.

 

  • Make the most of today’s technology. A modern laptop has as much computing power as last year’s desktop tower. Thin LCD monitors take up much less space than bulky CRT tube monitors. Wi-Fi lets you connect to the Internet with a minimum of wiring. And VOIP telephones use your Internet connection to communicate at a fixed price every month with no long-distance charges.

 

  • Treat your body right. Get an ergonomic chair and adjust it so your elbows are bent at a 90º angle when typing and be sure you’re not looking down at your monitor. Use high intensity task lighting to direct light where you need it.

 

Please let me know by phone or email if I can provide additional tips for getting the most out of your home office or provide you with any other real estate related information.
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
 
 
Please feel free to leave comments or questions.
 
 
 
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Most people eventually need to hire and work with a contractor to perform maintenance, painting, remodeling, landscaping or other project. Here are some tips on how to best work with the contractor you’ve chosen and make sure you’re treated fairly during the process.

 

  • Like marriage, communication is the key to a successful relationship with your contractor. If you’re unsure about any aspect of the project, just ask.

 

  • Meet regularly with your contractor during the project and review his progress. Depending on how extensive the project is you might meet weekly or even daily.

 

  • Nobody likes surprises, especially when they cost money. If your contractor has encountered anything unexpected once he’s started your project or if you’ve asked for anything extra that was not covered in the original estimate, ask for a supplemental written estimate.

 

  • When the project is complete, meet with the contractor and perform a ‘walk through’. Items not up to your satisfaction are referred to as a ‘punch list’ and should be repaired or redone by the contractor before the project is complete.

 

  • Once you’re satisfied with everything, write a check for the final payment. Never make a final payment before the project is completed to your satisfaction.

 

  • If you’re pleased with the way your project turned out and with the contractor you chose, ask for some business cards that you can give to friends or neighbors who may be interested in a similar project.

 

Please let me know by phone or email if I can provide recommendations for contractors or answer any real estate related questions.

 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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Sooner or later you may need to hire a contractor to perform maintenance, painting, remodeling, landscaping, or other project. Here are some tips on how to choose a contractor to ensure you get a fair price and are treated fairly during the process.

 

  • Start by writing down exactly what it is you want the contractor to do and when you want it done. Be specific.

 

  • Make a list of prospective contractors. Ask friends and neighbors, check the phone book, your local newspaper, or online classified ads like Craig’s List.

 

  • Meet with the contractors you’ve selected to show them your property and discuss the project in detail. Use your written description of the project to make sure you cover all the points on it with each contractor you meet.

 

  • If a contractor suggests additional work, ask for his estimate in two parts with the second part covering the additional work he suggests beyond what was on your original project description.

 

  • Ask exactly who will be doing the work and the extent of the contractor’s personal involvement in your project.

 

  • For small projects, payment is usually made in full on completion. Larger projects usually require making interim payments on a weekly or monthly basis. Make sure you both agree on when interim payments will be made.

 

  • Get an estimate in writing. Be sure it specifies all labor and materials that may be required. If subcontractors are required, be sure the estimate includes their cost as well.

 

  • Choose your contractor based on whatever factor you’re most comfortable with: lowest price; reputation; or ‘gut feel’.

 

  • It’s good business practice for both of you to sign a copy of the estimate and for you to give the contractor a deposit before the project begins. The deposit can be either a flat fee or a percentage of the total estimate amount.

 

  • Never make full payment for a project up front.

 

Please let me know by phone or email if I can provide additional tips for dealing with contractors or if I can provide any referrals. I am always happy to help you, your family and friends with any real estate related needs.
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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Earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and floods are an unfortunate fact of life in many areas. Here are some steps you can take to get ready before any kind of disaster occurs:

 

  • Be prepared to spend up to 72 hours without utilities, medical help or communications.

 

  • Start an emergency kit in a crushproof box containing bottled drinking water, a first aid kit, flashlight, non-perishable food, blankets, basic toiletries, a portable radio and extra batteries. Camping gear can also be valuable. Make sure your kit is up-to-date and easily available in a safe, dry place.

 

  • Strap your hot water heater and any gas appliances to a wall. Turn off gas at the meter ONLY if you smell a leak. Leave your home immediately and call the utility company from a safe place.

 

  • Hold a home evacuation drill. Have a plan for reuniting your family. Keep photos of family members in your wallet in case they turn up missing.

 

  • Educate your children. Get a copy of their school’s disaster policy regarding emergency transportation and student release.

 

  • Keep a stash of cash hidden in the event that banks or automatic teller machines shut down.

 

Please let me know by phone or email if I can provide additional tips. I value having the opportunity to be your trusted real estate resource.
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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When you decide to sell your home, having it in tip-top condition can make a huge difference in how quickly it sells and the amount of the offer you receive. Prospective buyers eagerly look at every new home as it comes on the market so taking care to ensure your home looks its best can help make it stand out from the others. Here are some tips you might find helpful:

 

  • Start with a well-cared-for yard and freshly-mowed lawn. Your front door, porch and entryway should be clean and neat, preferably newly painted.

 

  • Remove excess furniture and accessories so the rooms appear larger.

 

  • Pack family photographs and other personal effects away to make your home appear more ‘generic’ and easier for prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in it.

 

  • Have your home thoroughly cleaned beforehand. Make sure that beds are made, dishes are done and everything is picked up.

 

  • Bring the outside in with fresh flowers. Potted flowering plants last much longer than cut flowers.

 

If you’d like more suggestions on getting your home ready for sale, please don't hesitate to call or email me.

 
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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Ever wonder about the difference between a property appraisal and an inspection, and how each is used during the home buying process?

 

An appraisal is a formal written assessment of the value of a home or property. A lender usually requires an appraisal to determine the market value of the property to make sure the amount borrowed does not exceed the value of the property being purchased. An appraiser is usually hired by the lender and their fee is one of the expenses included at settlement or closing.

 

An inspection is an onsite assessment of the systems and structural integrity of the property. An inspection is intended to find any hidden problems and as a condition of the sale. Prospective buyers hire an inspector directly and normally make payment at the time of the inspection.

 

Both appraisers and inspectors act as independent third parties while real estate agents represent either the buyer or the seller and thus have a stake in the outcome of a transaction. As an agent, I can still provide you with a free comparable market analysis or CMA which will give you a good idea of what your home is currently worth.

 

Please call or send me an email if you’d like to learn more about how much your home may be worth.
 
 
Thanks,
 
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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Research shows that for most of us, the equity in our homes is more than three times greater than the value of all our other investments combined. In spite of the cyclical volatility in the housing market, you can increase the long-term equity in your home through regular maintenance and well-planned improvements.

 

Postponing needed maintenance can substantially reduce your home’s market value when you decide to sell it. The three types of maintenance most commonly deferred are water damage, pests and roof repair or replacement.

 

Remodeling can add improvements that will make your home more functional and pleasurable to live in now as well as more valuable when you do put it on the market. Updating your kitchen and bathrooms are your best remodeling investment while converting a basement into a family room, adding a sport court or swimming pool provide the lowest return in terms of increased equity.

 

Prospective buyers are looking for a home that best fits their living needs with a minimum of work before they move in.  While you may not be ready to sell right now, making sure your home is properly maintained and tastefully updated can provide a handsome return on your investment when you do decide to sell.

 

Please contact me if I can answer any questions or provide you with additional information.
 
 
Thanks,
 
Ryan Gillen
 
7807008355
 
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