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Whether you are interested in buying or selling real estate, I am here to help guide you every step of the way.

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I’ve gotten a few questions about why I love real estate, so I thought I would share a bit about why I got into real estate! Today, I’m taking you through everything I love about real estate and why I can’t imagine doing anything else! Want to see how I can put my love for real estate to work for you? Please send me a message, and let’s grab a coffee!

Lloydminster, AB/SK – Residents and visitors are invited to help shape one of the community’s oldest heritage sites as the City of Lloydminster launches its first phase of engagement for the Weaver Heritage Park Master Plan.

Currently, the park experiences barriers between amenities. The future site plan will connect these assets by integrating attractive yet functional connection areas, buffers and transition areas in addition to the rehabilitation of Lloydminster’s only fenced off-leash dog park. 

Developing an interpretive plan for the Weaver Heritage Park will give visitors a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s history, culture and natural features. The plan aims to engage visitors through multiple phases and activities to foster a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the park’s preservation and protection.

Starting August 2, citizens can visit YourVoiceLloyd.ca/WeaverPark to complete a survey and share their ideas on the approach to the potential development and operations over the next 10 years of Lloydminster’s premier heritage and cultural destination. Staff will also be at Heritage Day, presented by Cenovus Energy, on August 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The engagement booth will be located near the farmers market.

Get Involved

The City of Lloydminster is committed to engaging with the community throughout the master plan process and encourages all residents to participate in the digital engagement campaign. The feedback and ideas collected during the campaign will be used to inform the final master plan, which will be presented to City Council for approval.

The first engagement campaign runs August 2-23, 2023, and includes a brief digital survey with an opportunity for respondents to provide comments or ask additional questions. The campaign also includes a virtual Question & Answer board, where residents can, publicly or privately, ask more about the master plan. 

For more information on the Weaver Heritage Park Master Plan and to participate in the digital engagement campaign, visit YourVoiceLloyd.ca/WeaverPark. Those without access to a computer can obtain a paper copy of the survey at the Lloydminster Museum + Archives (4207 44 Street), City Hall (4420 50 Avenue) or contact the City of Lloydminster at 780-875-6184, Ext. 2322. Paper copies are due by August 23 at 11:59 p.m.

Quotes

“Weaver Heritage Park holds a great representation of our region’s history and shared goals for a thriving, equitable and eco-friendly future. It’s crucial we approach the planning process with a thorough and inclusive engagement strategy. I encourage our community to contribute their unique perspectives as we work together to create a blueprint for Weaver Heritage Park’s growth and development over the next decade.”

Mayor Gerald Aalbers

“Weaver Heritage Park is a vital part of our community, and we’re committed to ensuring that it continues to be a place where residents and visitors of all ages can come together, learn about our region’s history and enjoy nature all while participating in a wide range of activities. By engaging visitors in various stages and events, we aim to instill a sense of ownership and responsibility to maintain this treasured space for future generations. We firmly believe that this plan will significantly enhance the visitor experience and promote an even stronger connection to the park.”

Joel Turcotte, Director, Recreation and Culture Services

Quick Facts

• In 1946, the site, currently known as Weaver Heritage Park, was purchased by the Weaver Family as a homestead. The site was largely used by the family until 1960 when portions of the property were donated to the City of Lloydminster.
• In 1965, the Barr Colony Museum was established.
• Construction of a 20,000 sq. ft. museum was completed in 1989.
• The campground was developed in the 1990s/2000s.
• Lloydminster’s only off-leash dog park was created in 2016.
• The museum closed in 2020 and reopened at its temporary location in November 2021 as the Lloydminster Museum + Archives.

Background

The consultant contract for the Weaver Heritage Park Master Plan was awarded to George Harris Collaborative Inc. for $174,688.00, excluding GST, in May 2023. The request for proposal was open from April 3-28, 2023. Twenty-two bids were received. For current City of Lloydminster bids and tenders opportunities, visit Lloydminster.ca/bids.

One of the most important things you can do as a buyer is to ask questions about a property you’re considering buying. You want to get all the information you need about the house before making your final decision. Since it can be hard to know exactly what to ask the sellers, I’m sharing a handy list of 9 questions you need to ask about every home you put an offer in on. 

1. How old is the roof? Generally, the roof should be replaced every 20-30 years. If the roof is older, you might be able to get a concession from the seller to help pay for the replacement. 
2. How old are the appliances? The same thing goes here. If the appliances are older, you might be able to negotiate with the seller to get them replaced. 
3. What comes in the sale? Sometimes sellers want to leave everything behind. Other items, they’ll take the appliances, the blinds, and even the curtains. Know what’s included in the sale before you get the keys to a home without any curtains. 
4. How much do the utilities usually cost? Utility costs vary greatly between homes especially depending on how they’re heated and cooled. It’s a good idea to know what the sellers typically spend during different times of the year. 
5. Is the house/property susceptible to natural disasters? If the home is in a flood plain or a rock slide area, it could impact your homeowner’s insurance premium and raise your mortgage payment. 
6. What’s the sellers ideal closing date? Sometimes people move for work or for family, or a multitude of reasons. But with each move the sellers will have an ideal closing timeline or date. What is it, and does it fit your timeline as well?
7. What are the property taxes? Property taxes can make a big impact on your monthly mortgage payment, so get an idea for how much they’ll run. 
8. Is there room to grow in the home? Life changes, so it’s good to know if you can add on or build out on the property. 
9. Have any major repairs been done? If there’s been a huge pumping or electrical redo, it’s important to know about it before you buy so you can keep an eye on it. 

Asking these questions will help you head off any unpleasant surprises–like super expensive utilities or missing appliances–before you sign the closing docs.

Want more information on what you need to know before you make an offer on a home? Feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Harpreet Christie
RE/MAX of Lloydminster
780-205-7653

Fixer-uppers offer a chance to save some cash on the purchase of the home and to make the home exactly what you want it to be. But going with a fixer-upper isn’t the right choice for everyone. If you’re thinking about taking on the challenge of a fixer-upper, here are a few things to keep in mind while you make your decision.

1. Make sure you’ll get a good return on investment. While fixer-uppers can be bought for rock-bottom prices, they can take a lot of work and money to be remodelled into a liveable condition. You’ll want to price out the work to be done on the property to make sure you’ll recoup the money and time spent on renovations when you sell the home down the line. You can estimate how much it will cost to renovate a specific property by getting a quote from a contractor, getting a list of comparable properties in the area from your real estate agent to see what they’re selling for, and getting a thorough inspection for any hidden issues before you buy.
2. Be realistic about your skill level. Depending on the property, your fixer-upper might need more than just cosmetic work. How much work can you do yourself, and how much do you need to contract out? You might be really good at doing tiles and painting, but can you lay drywall or run electrical? Contracting can add up quickly so be realistic about how much work you can do yourself. 
3. Understand the timeline. It will take time to get the property renovated, and remodels tend to take more time than expected. If you’re wanting a move-in ready home as soon as the closing papers are signed, a fixer-upper likely isn’t for you. While the renovation is happening, you’ll either have to live in the property at the same time or live somewhere else, which can be an added cost. 

While you’re considering a fixer-upper, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is to plan for more work, time, and money than you initially think it will take. 

If you’re up for the challenge and want to make a house into your dream home, let’s chat more about what you’re looking for in a fixer-upper. Feel free to reach out to me anytime and I’ll help you find the perfect fixer-upper.

Harpreet Christie
RE/MAX of Lloydminster
780-205-7653

The increase in interest rates has been all over the news for months now, and it’s left many buyers feeling like they’ll be stuck paying a high interest rate for the rest of their mortgage. But just because rates are higher right now than they have been in recent years doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to pay excessive interest. Try these three interest rate hacks to get the lowest rates in our market. 

Hack 1: Pay off your existing debt. 

Before you start considering negotiating the terms on a sale, ask yourself, “Do I have any outstanding debt?” Asking yourself this question allows you to ensure their aren’t any “surprise” owing debts. Your bank advisor could help you guide you on any owning debts you may have.

Hack 2: Negotiate with multiple lenders. 

Sometimes buyers are surprised to find out that every lender will offer you a different mortgage with different rates, amounts, and terms. This makes shopping around critical to finding the best interest rate for your mortgage. Interest rates can vary as much as several percentage points between lenders, so doing your research and negotiating with lenders will be well worth your time and energy. 

Hack 3: Don’t take out any new loans/credit cards. 

Chances are good that when you’re applying for your new home mortgage your bank is going to pull your credit history. As we all know with each credit history pull it can put a “dent” in your credit score. So, when planning to purchase a home, you want to ensure not to open/take out any new loans or credit cards, before/during the home purchase process. However, keep in mind that once the purchase of your home has finalized and you’ve moved in, you can choose to apply for loans/credit cards if you wish as the sale of your home is complete.

There are several different strategies that you can use to lower your interest rate, but these three are my favourite!

Want to talk more about interest rates and how you can get the lowest rate on your new home? Feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Harpreet Christie
RE/MAX of Lloydminster
780-205-7653.

As you progress in your life, you start to look forward to the sunny, relaxing days of retirement. But figuring out the finances to allow a peaceful, fun-filled retirement can be tricky. The good news is that real estate can help you build out a stable and secure retirement plan that will allow you to retire and relax! Let’s look at 6 reasons why real estate should feature in your retirement plan. 

1. Provides long-term stability: Real estate isn’t a get rich quick scheme, and because of that, it will provide you with long-term security. Real estate values increase over time, so if you ever sell your investment property, you can plan on getting a great return on your investment.
2. Diversifies your portfolio: If you want to have a stable and secure retirement, you shouldn’t focus just on building out your RRSP. Investing in different areas, like real estate, will help you build out your portfolio and will ensure your eggs aren’t all in one basket.
3. Tax benefits: The tax benefits that come with real estate investments are definitely something to also consider. Additionally, if you have a rental property, you can write off expenses related to the property to decrease your taxable income.
4. Opportunity to build capital: Real estate can help you build wealth as you develop equity in the properties. Additionally, if you invest in a rental property, you can also bring in monthly passive income to pad out your retirement income. 
5. Hedge against inflation: If you know anyone who’s retired in the last few years, you’ve probably heard about how inflation has really done a number on their RRSP or stock investments. Real estate appreciates over time and isn’t linked to the market in the same way stocks are, so you have more protection against inflation.
6. Pass down your investments to your heirs: Real estate investments can set your heirs up for a stable and secure living situation. By leaving your real estate to your heirs, you can ensure that your loved ones have a place to live or a great investment that can continue to grow generational wealth. 

Real estate is a powerful investment to factor into your retirement plan to add stability and financial benefits. To build your wealth out for retirement, talk with an experienced real estate agent or some real estate investors to see how real estate can put your money to work for you.

Want to talk more? Feel free to reach out to me anytime. 

Harpreet Christie
RE/MAX of Lloydminster
780-205-7653