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As the winter frost begins to thaw and the buds of spring start to bloom, the communities of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Parkland County come alive with renewed energy and excitement. From the vibrant real estate market to a plethora of upcoming events, there’s no shortage of reasons to celebrate the arrival of spring in these picturesque Alberta locales.

Blooming Real Estate Market

Springtime often heralds a surge in the real estate market, and Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Parkland County are no exceptions. As the snow melts away and the days grow longer, prospective homebuyers start emerging from their winter hibernation, eager to explore the available properties.

For those looking to buy, the spring season offers a prime opportunity to find their dream home. With more listings hitting the market, there’s a wider selection of properties to choose from, ranging from cozy condos to spacious family homes. Additionally, the warmer weather and blooming landscapes showcase these communities at their finest, making them even more appealing to potential buyers.

On the other hand, sellers can also benefit from the spring real estate boom. With increased buyer activity and a more competitive market, well-presented properties are likely to attract more attention and potentially fetch higher offers. Therefore, it’s the perfect time for sellers to showcase their homes in the best possible light and capitalize on the seasonal upswing in demand.

Exciting Community Events

Alongside the bustling real estate market, springtime in Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Parkland County is marked by a diverse array of community events and activities. From cultural festivals to outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the region comes alive with the spirit of the season.

As springtime unfolds in Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Parkland County, the region bursts with new life, offering both residents and visitors a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the season. From the bustling real estate market to an array of exciting events and activities, there’s no better time to experience all that these vibrant communities have to offer. So, whether you’re in the market for a new home or simply looking to embrace the joys of spring, there’s no place quite like the beautiful landscapes and welcoming communities of this enchanting region.

As the summer season sets in, it’s time to explore the vibrant wonders of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and Parkland County. Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes and offering a plethora of recreational opportunities, these areas are brimming with exciting activities for individuals and families alike. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or looking for a cultural experience, this blog post will guide you through some of the fantastic activities you can enjoy during the summer months in this charming region of Alberta, Canada.

In today’s dynamic real estate market, many individuals find themselves contemplating the decision of whether to rent or own a home. While renting offers its own set of advantages, there are numerous compelling reasons why owning a home can be a wise and rewarding choice. In this blog, we will explore the various benefits of homeownership, shedding light on why it can be an excellent long-term investment and a cornerstone for financial stability and personal growth.

Building a custom home is hard work that is rewarded when you move into the home of your dreams. The first step is finding the perfect lot to build on. Before you purchase a lot to build on, be aware of these do’s and don’ts.

Do work with an agent to find the land. Your real estate agent can help to research the property and make sure that you are making a safe investment. Buying vacant land is different from buying a home; work with an agent who knows what questions to ask and knows how to negotiate on your behalf.

Do have your finances in order. You will need to have proof of funds for the purchase amount, so make sure you understand what you can afford to spend on your lot.

Do find out what utilities service the area. If you are looking outside of a developed area, you need to know what utility services are available already, or if any infrastructure needs to be added.

Do find out if incentives are available. In areas where natural disasters have occurred, local governments may offer incentives for building where previous homes have been destroyed.

Do visit the tax assessor’s office. The tax assessor will be able to tell you the estimated value of your lot as well as your projected property taxes.

Do price the neighborhood. Your agent can help you with a market analysis of the surrounding homes. You don’t want your home and land cost to be vastly higher than the rest of the neighborhood.

Don’t expect to finance your lot. Lenders often don’t lend money for vacant land, and if they do, they may only lend up to half the land value. This is why it’s so important to talk to your financial advisors before you start looking.

Don’t skip the soil tests. You should have the soil tested to make sure there aren’t pollutants or foreign materials buried beneath the surface. If you will have a septic sewer system, you will need a percolation test to make sure the property is fit for a septic tank. In areas where sinkholes are common, a soil test can tell you if clay layers deep in the soil make your property more susceptible to foundation issues.

Don’t forget to get a survey done. Before you purchase the lot, ask to see a recent survey or have one done to validate property lines and make sure other neighbors aren’t already encroaching on the lot with access roads, fencing, or structures.

Don’t let neighbors know of your plans. Don’t get too friendly just yet. If the land you plan to build on has been enjoyed by nearby property owners for the view, for parking, or for recreation, your plans to build may be met with resistance.

Don’t assume you can have property rezoned. Make sure you know the property zoning regulations for the property. If you are in a rural area and plan to have chickens or horses, make sure that is permitted. Be wary of sellers who tell you that you can subdivide the land or build two homes on one lot, as this may not be the case.

Don’t rely on a drive-by. You need to walk the property, no matter the size or your plans for its use. If you are buying multiple acres, don’t assume that the topography is consistent throughout with no hidden problems. Things to check for include flood-prone areas, environmentally protected-animal dwellings, trash deposits and neighbors that are involved in activities that may affect your enjoyment of the property, such as dog kennels or shooting ranges.

Before you start searching for homes online, it’s important to take the first step to house shopping: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Your pre-approval will tell you what you can afford and what your monthly payment will be, so it’s important to determine this before you start searching for your new home.

Valentine’s Day for many, is the loveliest day of the year. It’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself and your loved ones to something special. With the day right around the corner means you only have a few days left to plan something special! To help you plan and prepare for your Valentine’s Day, we’ve put together a list of fun, easy to do activities that are full of love, for singles, couples and families alike: 

1: Grape and Olive in Spruce Grove – featuring a romantic guitarist, Ted Wright. 

2: Porta Romana in Spruce Grove – with a special Valentine’s Day menu! 

3: Parlour 1919 in Spruce Grove – Leo Martinez and Mandy McMillian Live! $25 tickets available on the Parlour 1919 website. 

4: Central Park in Spruce Grove – grab a warm beverage from Perks Coffee House and enjoy the community fireplace and skating rink! 

5: Olivia Krushell- personal chef to bring a fine dining experience in your own home. Inquires about private dinners: livalittle.creations@gmail.com

The final walk-through on your new home is an exciting event. It means you have successfully maneuvered through negotiations, inspections, and financing approval, and are on the verge of signing your closing papers. Most buyers attend the final walk-through with thoughts of furniture placement and paint colors in their heads. But the walk-through is about more than just making sure your favorite chair will fit by the fireplace. Be sure to do your due diligence to make sure there are no issues that should be resolved before you reach the closing table.  

The purpose of the final walk-through is to ascertain that the home is being conveyed to you in the same condition it was when you agreed to purchase it. Here are a few of the things you should check:  

1) Make sure no damage has occurred to the home that the sellers are responsible for repairing. Weather conditions or careless movers can cause accidental damage, and old and forgotten damage may be uncovered when the sellers’ belongings are removed.  

Equity represents the degree of ownership an individual or entity has in an asset after subtracting any debts against the asset. To say someone shares equity in a company means they would share in any assets remaining after all debts are accounted for.

For example, if your business has sold $500,000 worth of product this year, but you have rent, operating expenses, and a business loan payment totaling $400,000 for the year, you have $100,000 of equity in your business. Equity changes as the value of your assets and debts change.

Home equity works the same way. When you take out a mortgage to purchase a home, your home is collateral on the mortgage loan, so the outstanding mortgage principal must be deducted from the value of the home to determine your home equity.

In most cases, you make a down payment when you purchase your home. That down payment is your initial home equity. If you pay a 20% down payment on a $200,000 home, you have $40,000 equity when you close on your purchase.

As time goes on and you continue to pay down your mortgage principal, your equity grows. Usually, the longer you own your home, the more equity you gain because you are paying down your mortgage. However, any debts you take on using your home value as collateral, such as a second mortgage or home equity line of credit, decrease your home equity.

The changing real estate market also influences your equity. If you paid $200,000 for your home, and two years later the homes in your neighborhood start selling in the $400,000 range, your theoretical equity increases. (Theoretical because you don’t realize your home equity until you sell your home and pay off all debts against it.) You can also lose equity if the market takes a dive but be patient and it should recover in time.

Equity also grows if you make improvements on your home that increase its value. Let’s say you add a swimming pool and all new appliances. You have increased the value of the home. Your equity doesn’t increase by the amount you spent on the improvements, but on the value you get upon resale. This is an important point when considering making improvements prior to putting your home on the market, and one that is often misunderstood.