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SHOULD YOU INVEST IN A TANKLESS WATER HEATER?

We’ve all been there. Blissed out in a hot shower when the unthinkable happens: the water suddenly turns ice cold, leaving you to scramble and shriek. When you’re living on a limited hot water budget that comes with a standard tank water heater, life gets less fun. 

That’s why tankless water heaters have become all the rage. Unlike a standard heater that keeps a certain amount of water heated at all times, a tankless water heater heats water as it passes through the unit. That results in practically endless hot water and 0 cold showers. 

But is investing in a tankless water heater worth it? Well, like everything else, unlimited hot water has pros and cons. 

First, let’s cover the cons. Tankless water heaters are pricey on the frontend. They’re a newer technology and they take longer to install, so you’ll probably pay $500-1,000 more for a tankless heater than a traditional one. They can also take longer to heat up water and can struggle with getting hot water to multiple rooms/appliances at the same time because water gets heated as it passes through the unit. 

But a tankless heater saves huge amounts of energy (up to 25 percent!), which is a good thing for your gas or electric bill. They also take up less space and last way longer—up to 30 years. 

Plus, if your home is located in an area where energy bills are high, a tankless water heater can be a major perk for buyers. While it’s not going to sell your house or really boost your ROI, a tankless water heater definitely adds marketability to your home. I’ve definitely seen buyers’ ears perk up when they hear “tankless water heater.”

So if you’re looking to sell your home soon (within the next couple of years), a tankless heater probably isn’t the best update. But if your selling plans are a bit further down the road, say 5-10 years, a tankless heater might be exactly what you need. And the best part is that you’ll have the chance to take advantage of the energy savings and that endless supply of hot water.

That’s the skinny on tankless water heaters. If you’re thinking about selling and are wondering which updates are the best for your home, just give me a call!

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How to Prepare for Emergencies

Summer is finally here, and all the fun that comes with the season is here too. But summer also brings an increased chance of natural disasters and emergencies. While it’s never fun to think about the worst case scenario, if we’ve learned anything from 2020 it’s that it’s good to be prepared. Today, I’m sharing a few ideas that will help you and your family feel prepared. 

Before you start preparing your family for emergencies, make sure your home is ready for an emergency by checking its emergency systems. 

  • Check your fire extinguisher’s expiration date and replace if needed.
  • Check all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Get wireless flood detectors to put wherever you’re likely to see a flood. 
  • Get a fireproof safe to store important documents like birth certificates and titles. 

After your home is ready, create an emergency preparedness kit for each person in your family. A great way to do this is to fill a backpack for each family member with the following items: water and food for 72 hours, a change of clothes, medications, an emergency blanket, a small first aid kit, and a flashlight with extra batteries. 

You should also create a kit for your pets with pet food, water, and any medications they need. By creating a kit for each member of your family, everyone can just grab their backpack and go while being self-sufficient. 

Then create an emergency plan that goes over where you should meet and who you should contact so everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Cover the following in your plan. You may want to share your emergency plans with neighbors, especially if they’re some of your contacts. And by sharing your plans, you can spark emergency preparedness in your community.

Checking your home’s systems, getting an emergency kit, and creating an emergency plan will give you peace of mind. And if you need any pointers on how to make sure your home is prepared for emergencies, just give me a call!

 
 
 
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Serving donairs, kabobs & shawarma to Lloydminster and area for 7 years, Cedar Kabob is Lloydminster’s stop for Mediterranean cuisine. Check out their rolled ice cream this summer for a cool, tasty treat! Dine in, order online or phone ahead for pickup. Visit them at 3752 51 Ave, Lloydminster, AB. Call 780-872-5500 or check out www.cedarkabob.ca
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NEW HOME MOVE-IN TIPS

Is there anything more exciting than the idea of moving into your first home? In all the excitement leading up to getting into your new home, you might be wondering what exactly you need to have on your move-in day. Here’s a list of some things you’ll want to make sure you have ready for your move:

A “first night” bag: Put together a bag with your essentials (pjs, toiletries, change of clothes) and make sure you keep it handy when you move in.

New keys and locks: Replacing the locks and keys to your house will make your space more secure and keep out any past inhabitants.

Tool kit: When you move into a home, there’s bound to be little repairs and maintenance things to be done. But unlike renting, no landlord is going to take care of the repairs.

Toilet plunger: You definitely don’t want to deal with an unfortunate clog while getting adjusted to your house. Bring a plunger to make sure you don’t have any emergency calls to the plumber.

Fire extinguisher: A fire extinguisher is a must have for any living space, and sometimes sellers don’t leave them behind. If one does come with the house, make sure it’s not expired.

Curtains or blinds: Sellers will often take window fixtures with them, and you don’t want the entire world seeing into your home at night. Rather than scrambling to tack up sheets on your move-in day, bring some curtains or blinds with you.

Furniture: Even if you’re working on updates before moving your big furniture in, you’ll want to pack a chair or two so you have a space to take a break.

Coffee maker: You’re gonna need all the extra energy you can get for moving in, so make sure to keep your coffee maker handy!
When you have all of these things on hand, you’ll have a smooth and less stressful move-in experience. And if you need help finding the right home to move into, you know you can always give me a call.

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It is the second week of July, and I am sure there are many of you on vacation this month.  Schools out and every year, I see a slight drop in home sales.  It’s usually because of the last day of school, graduations and the start of summer vacation planning. 

Let’s take a look and see what had happened with the real estate market for the past month. 

We currently have 323 active listings in The City of Lloydminster, including the Alberta side and the Saskatchewan side.  45 properties sold in June.  The average selling price range was $299,113, a 96% sales price to list price ratio and an average of 76 Days on the market.

Did you know the prices of homes varied from a min sale price of $125,000 to $565,000.00.  We are starting to see the higher-end homes move, and we need a few more with triple garages.

If you are thinking of selling your home today, please give me a call or send me a message, and we can discuss how much your home is worth.

I hope you all have a fabulous week, be safe and bye for now.

Harpreet Christie
RE/MAX of Lloydminster
(780)205-7653
BorderCityRealEstate.com

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Weekend Home Improvement Projects Perfect for Summer

Now that we’ve officially entered the summer season, you might be itching to  put some work into your home. Refresh your home and put your weekends to work by tackling some of these 2-day home improvement projects!

1. Try out a fresh coat

Only a few things can make your house look instantly updated, and a fresh coat of paint can definitely do just that. Try a timeless neutral in the living room or refresh your bathroom with a spa-like hue. But if you’re planning on selling soon, keep your color choices on the neutral end of the spectrum so buyers can see themselves in your space. 

2. Spiff up your kitchen

Make your kitchen feel new by replacing your cabinet hardware with some modern fixtures. Have some extra time? Repaint your bottom cabinet doors or island a subdued navy blue for a fresh, on-trend look. Open shelving is all the rage right now, so if you like the look, take off a couple of your upper cabinet doors for more space to show off your style. 

3. Make some room

Make your home more relaxing by getting rid of the clutter. Choose one area to work on at first—closets, cabinets, or shelves are a great place to start. Then channel your inner Marie Kondo and get rid of anything that no longer sparks joy. Then spend some time organizing the space so it’s really usable for you and your family. If you spend a few weekends focused on decluttering and organizing, your home will definitely feel refreshed. 

4. Boost your curb appeal

Summer is the perfect time to give your outdoor space a little love. Spend some time cleaning up your front yard by weeding and getting rid of yard debris. Then plant some flowers for a seasonal pop of color! I love petunias, pansies, or dahlias for some low maintenance blooms. 

5. Create a container garden

If you have some space in the backyard or on your patio, try a container pizza garden garden! 

Pick up a couple large terracotta pots and high-quality soil to plant cherry tomatoes, basil, and oregano. You’ll be able to make your own fresh marinara sauce, which is sure to be delish. 

And your container pizza garden will perk up your space!

These projects are short and sweet, but they can pack a major refreshing punch. And if you’re looking to move soon, they can definitely help the look of your home, which can lead to more interested buyers. Wondering what projects would be best for your house? Give me a call!

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Welcome to my monthly real estate market update for Lloydminster.

It has been a busy past month.  “What is happening with the real estate market” is always the question I get asked.  The market is great, everyone. Properties are selling, and the tightening rules on mortgage stress tests for homebuyers with uninsured mortgages have started June 1.  As a result, the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages – residential mortgages with a down payment of 20 percent or more – will rise to either the contracted rate plus two percentage points or 5.25 percent, whichever is higher. 

Let’s take a look and see what had happened with the real estate market for the past month. 

We currently have 314 active listings in The City of Lloydminster, including the Alberta side and the Saskatchewan side.   51 properties sold for May, which has dropped just a little.  The average selling price range was $298,927, with an average of 72 Days on the market.

If you are thinking of selling your home today, please give me a call or send me a message, and we can discuss how much your home is worth.  

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Welcome to my monthly real estate market update for Lloydminster.

It has been a busy past month.  “What is happening with the real estate market” is always the question I get asked.  The market is great, everyone. Properties are selling, and the tightening rules on mortgage stress tests for homebuyers with uninsured mortgages have started June 1.  As a result, the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages – residential mortgages with a down payment of 20 percent or more – will rise to either the contracted rate plus two percentage points or 5.25 percent, whichever is higher. 

Let’s take a look and see what had happened with the real estate market for the past month. 

We currently have 314 active listings in The City of Lloydminster, including the Alberta side and the Saskatchewan side.   51 properties sold for May, which has dropped just a little.  The average selling price range was $298,927, with an average of 72 Days on the market.

If you are thinking of selling your home today, please give me a call or send me a message, and we can discuss how much your home is worth.  

 
 
 
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It’s all about enjoying great times with the people you love, and what better way to celebrate than with a custom curated board or box from Sip Graze Love! These perfectly designed food platters are great for a romantic date, bridal shower, staff party or just a delicious treat for yourself. They offer some of the best local foods and treats all displayed in an attractively designed arrangement. Contact them today to learn about their custom size options and follow them on social media @sipgraze_love

www.sipgrazelove.com

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Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS®System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™.
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.