We have an endless wealth of love that we can share to make this the richest holiday ever.
What comes to mind as the holidays approach? For many the holidays produce anxiety, pressure, and sometimes loneliness. The economic times certainly have not helped as many are feeling overwhelmed with financial stress. It's time to find our heart and get back to core values. We need to turn our focus to being grateful for the opportunities we have and away from what we feel is lacking. The holidays present incredible opportunities to share love with those in our lives.
Finding your "holiday heart" means departing from what you think you have to do, or have to have to make your holidays special. Concentrate on being present with those in your life. Expressing and sharing your love and your time is the most valuable gift you can give. It is a gift that will always be remembered. We can learn from young children as they are most often more impressed with the box, rather than with the present inside the box.
Think of all the ways you can spend time with honoring and making the people in your life feel special. The memories you create are priceless and irreplaceable, but gifts come and go. It is the time that we share with those in our lives that are remembered. It's the conversations and connections we make with our children that help mold their character, give them confidence, and forge the foundation for a good life that gifts just can't replace.
From all the staff at Century 21 Westcountry Realty we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Enjoy your holidays with your family and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A Closer Look At The Realtors of Century 21 Westcountry Realty Ltd.
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Ray Borley/Realtor
As a consumer I have always found my purchasing experiences to be more enjoyable when I have worked with someone who can understand my needs. It is often difficult to find that person who can meet and understand your needs as a consumer. As the Manager/Associate Broker of Century 21 Westcountry Realty, I feel we have an agent who can meet each of our clients needs. The questions is how do you pick? I have decided to feature one of my Realtors each month in my blog. This will give you an opportunity to get to know them personally and find the Realtor who may help you with the purchase or sale of your home.
Since December is such a festive month I have decided to highlight Ray Borley. As a Realtor Ray Borley has been with our company since 2004. He has taken his F.R.A.P. course through Olds College so he has a better understanding of Acreages and Farms. Ray has become an expert for the Nordegg area & was a resident in Nordegg for 22 years. Being a resident of this community has established Ray as one of the top listing agents in the area. He has listed a large country residential package called Misty Valley Estates which is surround by crown land and perfect for the outdoors man or someone looking for a weekend escape.
On the personal side, Ray is a strong community supporter. He has sat on several committees such as President for Nordegg Community Association, Vice Chair for The Nordegg Historical Society, Development Committee for Nordegg, and is always there to lend a helping hand. Ray has also come to be known as the Mr. Claus of Rocky Mountain House. As well as his uncanny resemblance to Old Saint Nick, Ray also volunteers his time as a Santa. Ray has been Santa for 15 years throughout Rocky Mountain House and surrounding areas. He has volunteered his Santa time for Christmas celebrations for several people including, The Central Alberta Autism Society, The Big Horn Reserve, Nordegg Community, local schools and day cares, as well as putting on the Red suit to raise money for the food bank and local organizations. So, as you can see, there is alot more to the agents at Century 21 Westcountry than just top of the line customer service and expertise. Check back next month to learn a little more about some of my other agents.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
10th Annual Parade Of Lights
Saturday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m. Rocky Mountain House will be having their 10Th annual parade of lights. The parade starts at the top of main street and follows the same route onto the highway as the summer parade.
There will be hot dog & hot chocolate stands throughout the parade route as well as spectacular Christmas savings to be found at local retailers.
December 3rd also brings the 6Th annual Turkey Drive for the Lords Food Bank. Century 21 Westcountry Realty Ltd. is glad to launch this event each year. Our company challenges other business's to match our donation. The Turkey Drive was initiated by our office a 6 years ago when we learned that The Lords Food Bank did not have enough turkeys to feed the families in our community. As proud sponsors for The Lords Food bank we challenged the community to raise enough money to feed the families in need. This year The Lords Food Bank is in need of 700 turkeys. We are proud to announce with the support of our community 755 turkeys were donated. That is over $15,000.00.
At the annual parade of lights our office will also be open to collect food donations for The Lords Food Bank. They are in need of non-perishable foods and especially items such as canned beans, canned fruit, canned veggies, canned coffee, 1litre peanut butter, canned spaghetti sauce and spaghetti.
There will be hot dog & hot chocolate stands throughout the parade route as well as spectacular Christmas savings to be found at local retailers.
December 3rd also brings the 6Th annual Turkey Drive for the Lords Food Bank. Century 21 Westcountry Realty Ltd. is glad to launch this event each year. Our company challenges other business's to match our donation. The Turkey Drive was initiated by our office a 6 years ago when we learned that The Lords Food Bank did not have enough turkeys to feed the families in our community. As proud sponsors for The Lords Food bank we challenged the community to raise enough money to feed the families in need. This year The Lords Food Bank is in need of 700 turkeys. We are proud to announce with the support of our community 755 turkeys were donated. That is over $15,000.00.
At the annual parade of lights our office will also be open to collect food donations for The Lords Food Bank. They are in need of non-perishable foods and especially items such as canned beans, canned fruit, canned veggies, canned coffee, 1litre peanut butter, canned spaghetti sauce and spaghetti.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The Lords Food Bank
The Christmas season is just around the corner and the Lord’s Food Bank is once again preparing for their Christmas hampers.
Isabelle Christiansen as well as the other Associates of Century 21 Westcountry are proud members of Rocky Mountain House and would like to take the time to help those who are less Fortunate.
Every year, over 250 hampers are delivered to families in need and it is your generous support that makes this possible. Donations of non-perishable foods and especially items such as canned beans, canned fruit, canned veggies, canned coffee, 1 litre peanut butter canned spaghetti sauce and spaghetti are greatly needed.
So please, drop in at our office located at 4915-50 Street, no later than December 9, 2009, with a food item and enter your name to win a gift basket.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Cleaning Out The Clutter
Preparing a home for sale can be very overwhelming. It is always important to remove excess clutter. Beyond dusting and scrubbing, a de-cluttered home shows off its spaciousness and allows potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. Below are a few extra pointers to help you take control of your space.
Empty It Out
Once you have identified your clutter hot spots it's time to pull everything out of that closet, shelving unit, or drawer and sort through what you really do and do not need. Start slowly and resist the urge to go into a frenzied clean. A successful purge requires time, commitment and motivation.
The Uselessness of Potential
Sometimes the hardest things to let go of are the things we've never used. Giving up on the idea of what that thing could be is an important part of letting it go. This is true for the things we've used but may never use again. A good rule of thumb: if you haven't used it in a year then you probably don't need it.
Give It A Home
Staying organized sometimes means finding a place for something and keeping it there. Key rings, newspaper racks, bill holders, and plastic storage containers can all help calm that "where did i put it?" frantic feeling.
Get It Out
Once you have made a pile of things to be cleared out the final step is making sure it gets out of your house! A yard sale can clear out the clutter and bring in some extra cash. If putting together a sale is too much work, donate your extra goods to your favorite local charity.
Kick The Habit
Once you've cleared out the clutter, it's important to adopt habits that prevent the problem from occurring again. Establish routines to help such as sorting mail over the recycle bin, always keeping a "give away" box in your hallway, and thinking twice about whether or not you really need something before you buy it. Cutting down is another way to fend off clutter.
De-cluttering prior to listing will also simplify the moving process!
Empty It Out
Once you have identified your clutter hot spots it's time to pull everything out of that closet, shelving unit, or drawer and sort through what you really do and do not need. Start slowly and resist the urge to go into a frenzied clean. A successful purge requires time, commitment and motivation.
The Uselessness of Potential
Sometimes the hardest things to let go of are the things we've never used. Giving up on the idea of what that thing could be is an important part of letting it go. This is true for the things we've used but may never use again. A good rule of thumb: if you haven't used it in a year then you probably don't need it.
Give It A Home
Staying organized sometimes means finding a place for something and keeping it there. Key rings, newspaper racks, bill holders, and plastic storage containers can all help calm that "where did i put it?" frantic feeling.
Get It Out
Once you have made a pile of things to be cleared out the final step is making sure it gets out of your house! A yard sale can clear out the clutter and bring in some extra cash. If putting together a sale is too much work, donate your extra goods to your favorite local charity.
Kick The Habit
Once you've cleared out the clutter, it's important to adopt habits that prevent the problem from occurring again. Establish routines to help such as sorting mail over the recycle bin, always keeping a "give away" box in your hallway, and thinking twice about whether or not you really need something before you buy it. Cutting down is another way to fend off clutter.
De-cluttering prior to listing will also simplify the moving process!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Smart Home Renovations
When considering improvements to your home to increase value & conserve energy bathrooms are a simple yet effective change. Many buyers percieve bathroom renovations as a daunting task. Home owners typically recoup renovations to bathrooms and kitchen's when reselling. Replacing old toilets, taps & showers with up to date water saving fixtures can save you money & refresh the look of your washroom.
Water Conservation
Low-Flow Fixtures
Cut down on the amount of water used in your bathroom by switching to a low-flow, aerating shower head and faucets. These fixtures can reduce your home's water consumption by as much as 50 percent. Low-flow shower head heads will use just 1.2 gallons of water per minute as opposed to 2.5 gallon average, but the aerating feature makes the water flow seem just as strong.
Dual-flush Toilets
Dual-flush toilets allow users to select the amount of water flushed to correspond to the task at hand. There are two options, one for solid waste & one for liquid. You could save your family as much as 1,500 gallons a year with a dual-flush toilet - that's 60 percent to 80 percent less when compared with high volume toilets.
Solar Water Heaters
Water heating represents 15 percent of your home's overall energy consumption. Reduce your household's water heating costs with a solar water heater that utilizes the sun's natural resources to give water temperature a head start. Putting a solar heater on your roof can offset 15 kilowatts of energy per day from other sources and could save you $450 a year.
There are several ways a homeowner can recoup the cost of renovations. The Canadian Government is currently offering a Home Renovation Tax Credit for improvements up to $10,000. Some municipalities are offering rebates to home owners who switch to more environmentally friendly fixtures. There are Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.
To find out more visit the websites below.
Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index
Home Renovation Tax Credit
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc/
Water Conservation
Low-Flow Fixtures
Cut down on the amount of water used in your bathroom by switching to a low-flow, aerating shower head and faucets. These fixtures can reduce your home's water consumption by as much as 50 percent. Low-flow shower head heads will use just 1.2 gallons of water per minute as opposed to 2.5 gallon average, but the aerating feature makes the water flow seem just as strong.
Dual-flush Toilets
Dual-flush toilets allow users to select the amount of water flushed to correspond to the task at hand. There are two options, one for solid waste & one for liquid. You could save your family as much as 1,500 gallons a year with a dual-flush toilet - that's 60 percent to 80 percent less when compared with high volume toilets.
Solar Water Heaters
Water heating represents 15 percent of your home's overall energy consumption. Reduce your household's water heating costs with a solar water heater that utilizes the sun's natural resources to give water temperature a head start. Putting a solar heater on your roof can offset 15 kilowatts of energy per day from other sources and could save you $450 a year.
There are several ways a homeowner can recoup the cost of renovations. The Canadian Government is currently offering a Home Renovation Tax Credit for improvements up to $10,000. Some municipalities are offering rebates to home owners who switch to more environmentally friendly fixtures. There are Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.
To find out more visit the websites below.
Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index
Home Renovation Tax Credit
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc/
Thursday, October 22, 2009
10 Reasons To List Your Home During The Winter
Fewer Showings – Yes there are fewer buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.
Less Competition – Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.
Homes Show Better During The Holidays – Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for the holiday celebrations!
January Is The Biggest Transfer Month – Did you know that more corporate moves happen during January than at any other time of year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter.
Timing – By putting the home on the market during the winter you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
More Time To Get Top Dollar – By starting to market your home early you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
Great Time To Shop – If your home sells quickly you will be able to shop for your next home during the winter, this is a great time to find a bargain!
More Advertising – Because most agents and offices have less inventory during the winter your home may be advertised more often then during the spring and summer months!
More Attention – Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your need during the winter because they have fewer clients to manage.
The Market – Today’s interest rates are at forty year lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!
Fewer Showings – Yes there are fewer buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.
Less Competition – Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.
Homes Show Better During The Holidays – Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for the holiday celebrations!
January Is The Biggest Transfer Month – Did you know that more corporate moves happen during January than at any other time of year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter.
Timing – By putting the home on the market during the winter you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
More Time To Get Top Dollar – By starting to market your home early you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
Great Time To Shop – If your home sells quickly you will be able to shop for your next home during the winter, this is a great time to find a bargain!
More Advertising – Because most agents and offices have less inventory during the winter your home may be advertised more often then during the spring and summer months!
More Attention – Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your need during the winter because they have fewer clients to manage.
The Market – Today’s interest rates are at forty year lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!
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