It’s been quite a crazy summer for weather this year in Fort McMurray. Don’t put your hands over your ears… We know you don’t want to hear it yet but fall to soon fall will be upon us. As the days get shorter and you start planning for the kids to go back to school don’t forget to prepare your home.

CLEAN OUT THE GUTTERS
Gutters get a lot of action in the fall and winter. While this is not the most fun job don’t forget to clean gutters of all debris and repair any leaking areas to avoid water leaking and dripping that can cause dangerous ice build ups where people walk.

INSPECT YOUR ROOF SHINGLES FOR DAMAGE
The last thing you want is water dripping on your head in November. Check ridge shingles for cracks and wind damage. Look for damage to metal flashing in valleys and around vents and chimneys. Scan the entire roof for missing, curled, or damaged shingles. Look in your gutters for large accumulations of granules, a sign that your roof is losing its coating; expect problems soon. If you see any signs of damage consult a roofing specialist before it gets to cold to deal with it. This will save you HUGE dollars

MAKE SURE YOUR ATTIC HATCH IS PROPERLY SEALED
Check your attic hatch to ensure it seals tightly. While you are up there check to ensure all of your vents are clear for proper airflow and that your insulation is even throughout. Attic rain is caused by excessive accumulations of moisture in the attic of the home, which freezes during cold weather and melts when warmer temperatures hit. The resulting damage can be costly, a bit of fall maintenance can help you avoid this issue.

TURN OFF YOUR OUT DOOR SPRINKLERS AND FAUCETS
It might be a little early for this yet. Set your self a reminder as the cold weather approaches. Remove any hoses from the outdoor faucets and make sure you properly drain any in ground sprinklers.

FROST PROOF EXPOSED PIPES
Circumvent frozen pipes by wrapping any exposed areas with heat tape. Frost-proof spigots with a faucet insulator and shut off any unnecessary water supply. This is particularly important in mobile homes.

SERVICE YOUR FURNACE
This is the perfect time to book that annual check up with your Hvac guy. Have your furnace serviced, inspected and cleaned. Replaced old filters with new.

SWITCH YOUR CEILING FAN BLADES
A common preparation for the chillier seasons is to change the direction of your ceiling fans. In the warmer months, your blades are best turning counter clockwise or forward to blow the cooler air down. In the fall and winter, you want the blades to turn clockwise or backward to draw air up toward the ceiling and thrust warm air down. This simple trick can be a huge saving on your heating bill.

CLEAN YOUR VENTS & CHECK THE CHIMNEY
During the summer dust and pet hair can build up in your vents. We often have windows and doors open during the warm season for fresh airflow but as the weather cools off we seal up our home. Cleaning vents allows unrestricted air flow and a healthier environment for your family. Less dust to deal with is also an added benefit. Do a visual check of your chimney to ensure there are no crumbling bricks or bird or squirrel nests inside. If you are not comfortable going onto your roof hire a local professional to inspect.

CHECK/REPLACE WEATHER STRIPPING
Weather stripping loses its effectiveness with age and needs to be replaced every few years. Do a visual check of the stripping around exterior doors and windows (including your garage door) and replace if it appears worn or cracked. If the stripping appears fine but you can feel air moving when your doors and windows are closed, check that the stripping has been installed properly or that you’re using the correct stripping (there is a difference between door and window stripping, and a difference between foam and rubber stripping).

COMPARE ENERGY RATES
This is the perfect time to get out those energy bills we all hate to look at and compare rates. Make sure you are getting the best deal. Check out https://energyrates.ca where you can compare plans of all of the providers and find the best fit for you.

ENJOY THE FINAL DAYS OF SUMMER WITH YOUR FAMILY
This is the perfect time to get out and explore some of the great out door activities Fort McMurray has to offer. Check out Heritage Park https://fortmcmurrayheritage.com. Enjoy the sandy beach and campground at Gregiore Lake, explore the Birchwood Trials. Check out http://www.fortmcmurraytourism.com/things-to-do for a great list of events and things to do with the family this summer.

IS FALL IS GOOD TIME TO SELL??
The warm weather housing market is coming to a close and you may be considering selling and wondering if fall is a good time to sell. This may be exactly the right time. Fall brings a more serious pool of buyers that feel the pressure to get into a Fort McMurray home before the holidays. Did you know that millennials and empty-nesters usually swoop in a bit later in the year. Employers who need to relocate their workers quite often wait for the fall. If you are considering selling your home and would like more tips on how to prepare your home to get maximum value or would like a FREE MARKET EVALUATION feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Lore Group Realtors. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Retirement’s so close you can practically feel the sand between your toes and imagine the leisurely days when no alarm clock beckons you to work before the sun comes up. As you near this long sought after goal of new found freedom, there is much planning to do. One consideration may be whether to remain in your current Fort McMurray home and neighbourhood, downsize in your location, or perhaps even relocate.

Although you may have been a homeowner for decades, you might be OK with never having a mortgage payment again.There are plenty of reasons you may decide to put your house up for sale. If you own your Fort McMurray home outright or have a lot of equity, selling could be the boost your retirement accounts need.

The kids are grown and flown the coop, you may start to realize the home where you raised your family may now not perfectly suited to your new lifestyle…too many stairs & maintenance perhaps. Is much of your home unoccupied? If you want to stay in Fort McMurray, to be close to your grandkids, friends and family, downsizing is a good option for you.

Did you know that Sellers aged 52+ are typically buying smaller homes. It’s an opportunity to invest your home equity into another property. Less maintenance, more manageable utilities and taxes, easier access to services and healthcare. Perhaps you love to travel…a condo may provide the maintenance free lifestyle and security to allow you to pack a bag and go at the drop of a hat without worrying about who will water the lawns and shovel the huge driveway. The Fort McMurray Real Estate market offers many great smaller home and condominium options, at affordable pricing.

If you would like a complimentary professional market evaluation on your current home to assess whether selling is the right plan for you, or a consultation to explore new housing options that fit your retirement goals, one of our Lore Group Realtors would be pleased to meet with you. Call us today 780-370-3325!

DOWN-SIZE TO SAVE DOLLARS AND SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFESTYLE

There are many reasons home owners may decide to downsize; retirement, empty-nesters (the kids have finally flown the coop:), or those joining the ranks of a growing number of hard-working, money-smart homeowners who just want to simplify their lives. For these individuals, downsizing is a savvy strategy that makes a lot of financial sense.

Downsizing is a huge financial and emotional decision, one that should include a lot of thought and careful future planning before you put the for-sale sign on your lawn. It’s a huge decision, but down-sizing doesn’t have to mean giving up your lifestyle. In fact, when done right, you can end up with an even better quality of life, with time to enjoy other pursuits: family vacations, hobbies, grandchildren and new interests (take up that painting or yoga class, or climb that mountain you’ve always dreamt about). It also makes sense that downsizing means reducing expenses, which can now be used for other endeavors.

Timing is everything when you are contemplating downsizing. There are a lot of moving parts to consider in addition to your new lifestyle goals. Current Fort McMurray housing values, the ever-evolving real estate market and interest rates are all important factors that one of our Lore Group Realtors can discuss with you to help you plan. Downsizing out of Fort McMurray?? We have many great connections with experienced professionals in other communities Canada Wide, that can assist you with your home search and help make the move seamless.

There are a few simple steps that will help you move toward your goal of living smaller and living well.

1. Take stock of what you really need by looking at how you live your daily life.
2. Declutter your home by focusing on your new life and what you need to take with you. Sell, donate or gift items in your home and closets that you don’t use. Chances are if you haven’t used something in years you just don’t need it (except grandma’s china, and maybe your platform shoes-that will come back in style for sure!) Think of downsizing your things as a process not a race. Enlist support from family and friends.
3. Think about the activities that are already a part of your daily routine and lifestyle, and those you’d like to add to your life, when consideration what type of home and the location you will move to. Do you enjoy outdoor activities, the foodie scene? Are you attending school?
4. Transportation: Are you downsizing the number of vehicles you currently own, would living near public transportation be important to you? How many parking stalls or how large of a garage will your new scaled down lifestyle require?
5. Prepare for selling Your Home:What do you need to do to get the highest possible price (painting, repairs, yard care, staging, other)? What is the right price for your home and why? How long will it take to sell your home, and when it the best time to list it? This is the perfect time to request a complimentary market evaluation from an experienced Lore Group Realtor who can answer all these questions. Don’t be afraid to do this well in advance of your lifestyle change. It is never too early to plan and get the information you need.
6. Start you search for a new home early: While there are certainly many online options available to you to for your home search, there is no substitution for talking with a knowledgeableLore Group Real Estate Agent and touring houses yourself. This is the fun part!
7. Crunch the numbers:  Don’t forget to factor in the selling and buying costs. Include items such as mortgage fees, legal fees, commissions, moving costs, title insurance, rpr and the like. Ask your Lore Group Realtor to review closing costs with you to help keep you on the straight and narrow financially. Inquire with us how you can reduce your moving costs by using the Coldwell Banker Fort McMurray moving truck for free.
8. Maintain a positive outlook: Downsizing your lifestyle and moving can be stressful. Be kind to yourself, take breaks from the packing and planning and enjoy.

There is no one-size fits all lifestyle. Down-sizing (just like up-sizing) is not the right choice for everyone! If you love your home and all the memories it holds, or you need the space that your larger home or yard affords, you may decide to stay- And that’s okay!