Queen Mary 2 to stop in Puerto Plata this November

June 30, 2015 By

Source: dr1 Travel News

Cunard Cruise Line is promoting its Queen Mary 2 fall-winter cruises that include the newest port in the Caribbean, Amber Cove in Puerto Plata. The cruises will be in November and the first part of December. In addition to Amber Cove, other stops on the luxury cruises are Southampton, New York, then St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Tortola. Amber Cove is the last stop prior to the return trip to New York.
In Puerto Plata, the cruise line promotes dolphin swim and other attractions at the Ocean World, the excursion to Paradise Island (Cayo Arena) by speedboat for snorkeling and Outback Dominican Adventures for safari-style touring. Other attractions highlighted by the cruise company are visits to the San Felipe Fort, the Puerto Plata Malecon and shopping for amber in Puerto Plata.
Amber Cove is a Carnival Cruise Line investment located in Maimon, a 10 minute drive from Puerto Plata City.

 

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Filed Under: Dominican Republic

Testimonial – #7, 13450 Fort Road

June 26, 2015 By

Just a quick note to recommend Don Cholak’s expertise to anyone who wants to enjoy their home selling and purchasing experience!

Don’s career experience, communication and negotiating skills, attention to detail, and well-rounded professionalism assured my decision and confidence in knowing that I chose the right Agent to represent me. Offering the best advice, supported by never-ending service, I was able to sell my place and then find the right place for my son and I. The sale of my home came with unique challenges while my purchase was very specific as well, and Don got the job done and my life has been blessed as a result! I’d really suggest considering Don Cholak if you would like a professional on your side. You will feel taken care of.

– Satisfied client

 

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Filed Under: Testimonials

Decked Out For Summer

June 26, 2015 By

Source: Pillar to Post e-Newsletter

Gearing up for summer? Now is a great time to get your home in top shape for the months ahead. Whatever your weather, caring for your home now will help to ensure a worry-free, comfortable summer. Follow a few of these tips each week and you’ll be done in no time.

OUTDOORS

  • Inspect siding for cracks and make any needed repairs.
  • If paint is peeling, cracking, or chipped, repair and repaint now to limit damage to the underlying materials.
  • Remove window screens and clean with a soft brush and soapy water. Repair any holes or tears or replace the screen material before reinstalling.
  • Have air conditioning units serviced to ensure good operation. Promote air circulation around the unit by keeping surrounding shrubs and plants trimmed.
  • Clear debris from gutters and eaves to allow rainwater to drain properly.
  • Seal cracks in the driveway and keep walkways clear of debris and overgrown plants.
  • Test irrigation/sprinkler systems and replace any broken sprinkler heads or emitters. Check for proper water coverage and adjust if necessary.
  • Power wash decks and patios and seal surfaces as appropriate.

INDOORS

  • Vacuum or brush off refrigerator coils to help maintain energy efficiency.
  • Empty dehumidifier pans and clean hoses according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • If possible, take area rugs outside and hang them over a deck or porch rail to air out.
  • Adjust ceiling fans for proper balance and change the rotation to the summer setting. While you’re at it, give the unit a good dusting.
  • Switch heavy bedding out for lightweight summer fabrics. Have the winter bedding cleaned before storing it away for the season.
  • Close the chimney flue to prevent insects from entering and to help keep cool air in.
  • Repot houseplants to give their roots a fresh start for the summer.
  • Check door and cabinet hinges and lubricate any that stick or squeak.

Open windows on cooler days to keep fresh air flowing throughout the home.

 

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Filed Under: Miscellaneous Articles

Testimonial – #228, 10160 114 Street

June 12, 2015 By

“Don was insightful, answered all questions, was easy to get in touch with, and has an upbeat personality to top it off. My wife and I were interested in and ended up purchasing a foreclosure property with little time to process the transaction, and Don was always there to assist whenever we needed something, someone, or some document. It was a very positive experience overall and I will be recommending Don!” – Spencer & Kaitlyn

 

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Filed Under: Testimonials

St. Albert Named Best Place to Raise a Family

June 9, 2015 By

Source: stalbert.ca

MoneySense Magazine has just released its rankings for 2015 and has named St. Albert as the Best Place in Canada to Raise a Family.

“St. Albert is a family focused community, with safe neighbourhoods, great schools and outstanding recreational opportunities. We are pleased MoneySense Magazine has recognized the high quality of life families enjoy in our city.” – Mayor Nolan Crouse

St. Albert was also ranked the Fourth Best Place to Live in Canada, down from its first place ranking in 2014. “We are one of the top five places to live in the entire country, which is quite a distinction for St. Albert and worth celebrating,” adds Mayor Crouse.

 

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Filed Under: Miscellaneous Articles

City of St. Albert 2014 Report

June 9, 2015 By

The following are a sampling of statistics from the City of St. Albert’s 2014 Report, as provided by the St. Albert Gazette.
Source: St. Albert Gazette, Saturday May 2, 2015

Did you know that the total area of St. Albert is 4,973 hectares?

  • Arden Theatre attendance: 2014: 90,289 / 2013: 81,620
  • Registered city program participants: 2014: 212,127 / 2013: 215,607
  • City facility rental hours: 2014: 83,365 / 2013: 55,466
  • Building construction value: 2014: $200.2M / 2013: $209.15M
  • Pothole repair: 2014: 3,250 / 2013: 3,645
  • Water consumption per capita per day: 2014: 251 litres / 2013: 256.7 litres
  • Transit ridership: 2014: 1,007,999 / 2013: 1,008,152
  • Criminal code incidents per 1,000 people: 2014: 49.57 / 2013: 59.45
  • City employees: 2014: 585.21 / 2013: 575.64
  • Municipal net debt per capita: 2014: $799 / 2013: $861
  • Park area: 2014: 515 hectares / 2013: 510 hectares
  • Population: 2014: 63,255 / 2013: 61,421

2014 Finances

  • Surplus: $889.3M
  • Financial assets: $152.4M
  • Non-financial assets: $855.6M
  • Reserves: $83.9M

 

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Filed Under: Statistics

Albertans who live in floodplains can now get overland insurance

June 4, 2015 By

Source: Calgary Herald

Homeowners in Alberta who live in floodplains can now insure their losses from overland waters with one of the province’s largest property insurers.

Using new software that maps the risk of inundation down to the individual property level, the Co-operators said this week it is now able to price a comprehensive water damage product for those who live near a river as well as homeowners on a hill.

The additional coverage will add about another $100 a year to the annual premium for a policy that covers a two-storey structure with a finished basement and a replacement cost of about $400,000 and contents in the lowest risk areas.

For clients at extreme risk in a floodplain where the probability of flooding is greater than 5 per cent in any given year, an additional annual premium of $5,000 will buy them combined contents and building coverage of up to $150,000 in the event of high waters.

“This is about providing a product to people who need and want to buy protection, but it’s also about pricing the risk of living next to a river,” said Rob Wessling, company vice-president for product development.

“About 99 per cent of homeowners will be eligible to purchase this coverage.”

In the wake of the 2013 floods in southern Alberta, there was widespread confusion and anger amongst many homeowners when they realized the water endorsements on their policies covered them for damage from sewer backup but not overland flooding.

In the four days since the product has become available, Wessling said about 80 existing or new clients have purchased coverage.

Co-operators is not the first, nor it is likely to be the last insurer to begin offering protection from flooding to residential policyholders.

Aviva Canada also began offering an overland water endorsement this month that covers losses from the accumulation or runoff of surface waters to customers in Alberta and Ontario who already have sewer backup coverage.

Company spokeswoman Alison Steele said in a statement that flood mapping technology allows brokers to place homeowners in one of 15 zones and price their coverage based on how likely they are to be inundated.

“We do not offer coverage to customers in the very high risk zones between 13 and 15, which generally means they live in an area that is highly prone to flooding,” Steele said.

RSA Canada said in a statement Friday that it will also launch a similar product soon.

“We are developing a more comprehensive water damage solution for home insurance customers than the current market offerings,” said Kellee Irwin, the company’s western regional vice president.

“We have been closely analyzing the costs, exposures of such an offering and the related customer need for an affordable, more easily understood product.”

Canada is the only G8 nation where flood insurance is not available to homeowners. Instead, federal and provincial taxpayers have covered much of the mounting bill from weather events in recent decades through disaster assistance payments.

“There are limitations because it’s not a replacement cost program,” said Chris Ross, Alberta region vice-president with Co-operators.

“It’s meant to put you back on your feet, not make you whole.”

A 2010 study by the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction identified the need for flood insurance in Canada, but said inadequate and outdated mapping plus inconsistent rules on development in vulnerable areas of some provinces were an obstacle.

“Flood insurance has many advantages over government relief programs,” the study said.

“Risk-based premiums and deductibles can provide incentives to encourage actions to reduce flood risk.”

While Alberta has passed new legislation to restrict development in flood-prone areas, the government has yet to finalize regulations.

The law also exempts communities like Drumheller and Fort McMurray where maps show much of the downtown would become part of a flowing river in a flood with a one per cent probability.

In the wake of the 2013 floods, Alberta restricted affected homeowners in floodplains from making disaster assistance claims in future disasters.

But the province balked at putting that information on land titles so purchasers of properties would be aware they would not be eligible for another government bailout if they were inundated again.

 

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Filed Under: Miscellaneous Articles

Inventory beginning to stabilize while prices still rise

June 4, 2015 By

Source: http://raeinfo.ereb.com/2015/06/02/inventory-beginning-to-stabilize-while-prices-still-rise/ 

With new listings down over 2% from last May, we are finally starting to see the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) inventory begin to stabilize. Even with a wealth of residential property on the market (almost 30% more than last year), we are continuing to see price increases for all residential properties.

“As expected, the average days on market is up four days year-over-year and one day over last month at 45. We can expect this number to continue to grow due to slower sales and higher inventory,” REALTORS® Association of Edmonton President Geneva Tetreault explains.
The average days on market for single family last month was 43, condominiums were 49 days, and duplex/rowhouse took an average of 45 days to sell.

Residential sales in Edmonton’s Census Metropolitan Area are beginning to pick up with 1,784 reported sales in May 2015. That is up 12% from 1,597 reported in April but still down almost 10% from May 2014. Again this month, reported sales are down in all categories except duplex/rowhouse (up 4% y/y) – a trend we have seen all year. Single family sales were 1,078 – down 11% over last May (1,213 reported). Condo sales were down 10% over May 2015 at 510. Sales were up in all categories over April 2015. Year-to-date, residential sales are down 13%.

“Last month we were down 13% year-over-year in all residential sales. This month we are down less than 10%. We expect this trend of increased sales to continue as confidence in the stability of the market grows,” Tetreault adds. “We are still seeing multiple offers in popular price brackets. The fact that we haven’t seen a decline in prices is giving buyers more assurance. They are venturing back into the market with the feeling that prices won’t plummet any time soon.”

Despite a decline in all residential sales, the average sale price was $381,111 up 2.5% from May last year. Single family dwellings sold for an average of $451,312 (up 3% from last May), condos for $256,143 (up 2% y/y) and duplex/rowhouses were the only price drop at $345,659 (down 2% y/y).

The end of month residential active inventory was 7,303 for the Edmonton CMA. May 2015 all residential new listings were down 2% from last year at 3,314.  That meant 5% less single family, 6% more condo, and 4% less duplex/rowhouse listings than in May last year.

“People are continuing to take advantage of low interest rates and a greater selection in the marketplace. We are moving into our busiest season for real estate. Your local REALTOR® can help you find what you are looking for in the neighbourhood that best suits your needs.”

 

May 2015 M/M % Change Y/Y % Change
SFD2 average3 selling price – month $451,312 2.89% 2.97%
SFD median4 selling price – month $418,950 2.18% 2.18%
Condominium average selling price $256,143 1.27% 1.77%
Condominium median selling price $235,250 0.11% 0.11%
All-residential5 average selling price $381,111 1.02% 2.48%
All-residential median selling price $360,000 0.28% 2.24%
# residential listings this month 3,314 0.49% -2.18%
# residential sales this month 1,784 11.71% -9.85%
# residential inventory at month end 7,303 7.65% 29.62%
# Total6 MLS® System sales this month 2,306 10.76% -13.86%
$ Value Total residential sales this month $770 million 14.30% -24.04%
$ Value of total MLS® System sales – month $874 million 10.36% -13.74%
$ Value of total MLS® System sales – YTD $3.3 billion 39.06% -12.96%

1 Census Metropolitan Area (Edmonton and surrounding municipalities)
2 Single Family Dwelling
3 The total value of sales in a category divided by the number of properties sold
4 The middle figure in a list of all sales prices
5 Residential includes SFD, condos and duplex/row houses.
6 Includes residential, rural and commercial sales

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Testimonial – 9 Orleans Court

June 4, 2015 By

“I have had the pleasure of working with Don on a number of transactions, and will continue to go to him with my real estate purchasing or selling needs.  He is extremely efficient and knowledgable.  Don is well informed about neighbourhoods and houses, and can provide information other real estate professionals cannot.  He has a great handle on the market, and can assist in any negotiations you may encounter.  Always a pleasure to work with Don.” – Heather

 

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Filed Under: Testimonials

Woodlands St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 4, 2015 By

Click here for all Woodlands homes for sale in St. Albert. On average, it takes 18 days to sell a Woodlands home. A total of 8 homes were sold in Woodlands in the month of May. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Woodlands home is $727,000. The average list price of a Woodlands home in May was $390,925, and the average sold price was $382,750. There are currently 10 houses and 3 condominiums for sale in Woodlands.

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Woodlands St. Albert Real Estate Statistics

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Sturgeon Heights St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 4, 2015 By

Click here for all Sturgeon Heights homes for sale in St. Albert. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Sturgeon Heights home is $395,000. There are currently 3 houses and 1 condominium for sale in Sturgeon Heights.

Ready to buy in Sturgeon Heights? – CLICK HERE!!!

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Sturgeon Heights St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Pineview St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 4, 2015 By

Click here for all Pineview homes for sale in St. Albert. There were a total of 8 homes sold in Pineview in the month of May. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Pineview home is $749,900. On average, it takes 19 days to sell a Pineview home. The average list price of a Pineview home in May was $393,800, and the average sold price was $380,163. There are currently 11 houses and 1 condominium for sale in Pineview.

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Pineview St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Oakmont St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 4, 2015 By

Click here for all Oakmont homes for sale in St. Albert. There are currently 28 houses and 3 condominiums for sale in Oakmont. On average, it takes 26 days to sell an Oakmont home. The average list price of an Oakmont home in May was $433,100, and the average sold price was $423,875. The highest year-to-date sold price of an Oakmont home is $890,000. There were a total of 7 homes sold in Oakmont in the month of May.

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Oakmont St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

North Ridge St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 3, 2015 By

Click here for all North Ridge homes for sale in St. Albert. There were a total of 17 homes sold in North Ridge in the month of May. The average list price of a North Ridge home in May was $442,200, and the average sold price was $433,500. On average, it takes 63 days to sell a North Ridge home. The highest year-to-date sold price of a North Ridge home is $818,000. There are currently 30 houses and 2 condominiums for sale in North Ridge.

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North Ridge St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Mission Park St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 3, 2015 By

Click here to view all Mission Park homes for sale in St. Albert. There are currently 5 houses and 7 condominiums for sale in St. Albert. There were a total of 4 homes sold in Mission Park in the month of May. On average, it takes 43 days to sell a Mission Park home. The average list price of a Mission Park home in May was $349,725, and the average sold price was $341,250. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Mission Park home is $387,500.

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Mission Park St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Lacombe Park St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 3, 2015 By

Click here for all Lacombe Park homes for sale in St. Albert. There are currently 48 houses and 11 condominiums for sale in Lacombe Park. A total of 13 homes were sold in Lacombe Park in the month of May. On average, it takes 29 days to sell a Lacombe Park home. The average list price of a Lacombe Park home in May was $304,425, and the average sold price was $300,956. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Lacombe Park home is $1,040,000.

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Lacombe Park St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Kingswood St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 3, 2015 By

Click here for all Kingswood homes for sale in St. Albert. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Kingswood home is $766,500. There were a total of 5 homes sold in Kingswood in May. There are currently 22 houses and 1 condominium for sale in Kingswood. On average, it takes 22 days to sell a Kingswood home. The average list price of a Kingswood home in May was $563,675, and the average sold price was $553,375.

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Kingswood St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Inglewood Park St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 3, 2015 By

Click here for all Inglewood Park homes for sale in St. Albert. There are currently 1 house and 6 condominiums for sale in Inglewood Park. On average, it takes 34 days to sell an Inglewood Park home. The average list price of an Inglewood Park home in May was $339,450, and the average sold price was $332,388. The highest year-to-date sold price of an Inglewood Park home is $485,000. A total of 4 homes were sold in Inglewood Park in May.

Ready to buy in Inglewood Park? – CLICK HERE!!!

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Inglewood Park St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Heritage Lakes St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 3, 2015 By

Click here for all Heritage Lakes homes for sale in St. Albert. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Heritage Lakes home is $620,000. There were 8 homes in Heritage Lakes sold in May. On average, it takes 21 days to sell a Heritage Lakes home. The average list price of a Heritage Lakes home in May was $371,175, and the average sold price was $367,225. There are currently 22 houses and 4 condominiums for sale in Heritage Lakes.

Ready to buy in Heritage Lakes? – CLICK HERE!!!

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Heritage Lakes St. Albert Homes For Sale

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics

Grandin St. Albert Real Estate Statistics – May 2015

June 3, 2015 By

Click here for all Grandin homes for sale in St. Albert. There were a total of 15 homes sold in Grandin in the month of May. The average list price of a Grandin home in May was $223,175, and the average sold price was $216,225. On average, it takes 36 days to sell a Grandin home. The highest year-to-date sold price of a Grandin home is $660,000. There are currently 27 houses and 26 condominiums for sale in Grandin.

Ready to buy in Grandin? – CLICK HERE!!!

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Grandin St. Albert Real Estate Statistics

Filed Under: Monthly Statistics, Statistics
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