In a typical lifetime, you will have to see your dentist at east once per year for typical checkups; factor in incidentals (cavities, dentures, crowns, a root canal, etc.) and you’re there a lot more often. Add in some cosmetic dentistry (teeth whitening, veneers, etc.) and you’re taking the level of service from your dentist to new heights.

How To Choose

• Visit your local Dentist Association website for a list of recommended Dentists in the city.
• If you are moving to Edmonton from an area within Canada, check with your previous dentist to get his / her opinion on a new one.
• Ask your friends, neighbours, colleagues, etc. about the dentists they have used.
• After you have your search narrowed a bit, visit more than one dentist to see if you feel it’s a good fit.
• Ask the dentists if they have recall schedules for regular patient checkups.
• Ask for treatment options – good dentists will always give you all the options, not just the most expensive one.
• Ask your candidates if all treatments are explained fully before being completed and if they always have ready lists of advantages and disadvantages of specific treatments.

Why It’s Important to Find the Right Dentist
Your dentist is the person that will be responsible for your oral care for a very long period of time. You need to make sure that the dentist you choose has a specific list of services in all three categories of dentistry: Preventative, Restorative and Cosmetic.

Preventative dentistry refers to regular checkups, periodontal therapy, nightguards for teeth grinding and oral cancer screening, among others. These services should be offered on a regular basis to their patients.

Restorative dentistry are procedures that you may need throughout your lifetime. These procedures include: fillings, tooth extractions, dentures and partials, root canals, and dental implants.

Cosmetic dentistry is a rapidly expanding arm of dentistry and is now being offered at most dental offices. These services are aesthetic services and are generally performed to perform “smile makeovers.” These include: teeth whitening, porcelain veneers or Lumineers, bonding, and tooth jewelry.

Whether you’ve just moved into Edmonton or are unhappy with your current dentist, finding the Edmonton dentist that’s right for you is crucial to your oral and general health.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web publisher and writer. She researches and writes on a variety of topics, including cosmetic dentistry in Edmonton, where she currently resides.

There are several ways to make the transition from being a new immigrant without employment to an employed resident of Alberta. If you are looking for a corporate position, Edmonton or Calgary are the best places to start.

If you are a skilled immigrant with no Canadian work experience and little grasp of the English language, your best option is to try and find a program at a college or university that will prepare you for the work force. At Bow Valley College in Calgary, for example, they offer the Corporate Readiness Training Program. This program is designed to help newly landed immigrants develop job search strategies and look for employment that suits their previous skill set.
Programs such as this can offer the following skills:

* English as a second language
* Effective interview strategies
* Writing professional cover letters and résumés
* Networking skills
* Communication skills in and out side of the office
* Time management skills
* English skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing

These courses also offer an unpaid job placement with a host company in the student’s sector of choice, which is a valuable tool for future job opportunities and a great resource.

When you are prepared to find a permanent position in the workforce, there are several job search strategies you can employ to help with the search:

1. Research companies in your city of choice that would be a good match for your skill set.
2. Apply to your companies of choice before they advertise for a position.
3. Work with a professional job search company – they can offer years of experience finding jobs for people just like you.
4. Learn about popular Canadian software and take evening or weekend courses to familiarize yourself with the software that you may have to use in your work sector.
5. Study the companies you would like to work for and find similarities between your old job in that industry and what you could do for the companies you would like to work for.
6. Find opportunities to network with successfully employed new Canadians just like yourself. Not only will it boost your optimism, it could also lead to a job interview.
7. Volunteer in the area you would like to work. Gaining experience at a business in Alberta, even if it is unpaid, is priceless and will look great on your résumé.

With some preparation, experience and a drive to succeed, you will no doubt find a wonderful new job that suits your skills.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web author and publisher. She is currently researching multicultural jobs and opportunities for new Alberta residents.

Curb Appeal
Prospective buyers make instant decisions when they pull up to a house for sale. It is not uncommon for people to drive on by if they find the outside of a house to be unappealing. You may have a great interior, but if the exterior has gone to pot, you’re not going to get a lot of visitors. In order to beef up your curb appeal, try these tips:

• Landscaping: clean up your yard. Make sure it looks neat and tidy. Again, spend a minimal amount of cash as you will likely not make your money back spending big bucks on the outside of your home. Keep the lawn mowed and the flower beds watered and weeded to keep your yard looking presentable. If you are selling in the winter, keep the walks shoveled and de-iced.
• Clear the clutter: prospective buyers should not have to look at old yard tools or patio furniture that needs to be taken to the dump, or children’s toys that are scattered about the yard. Clean up the clutter!
• Repairs: Take care of any minor repairs that need to be made. Chipped paint and loose fence boards can be quickly and easily repaired.
• Pets: keep the lawn free of any pet (ah-hem) debris and be sure to let your realtor know if you have a pet housed in the backyard when visitors are coming by.

Inside Your Home
So you’ve gotten the prospective buyers inside your home – that’s the first step. Now, you need to keep them there by brightening the aesthetics and getting ready for a property inspection.

Aesthetics

• Clean Up: The biggest and most important step is to clean, clean, clean! No matter how nice the inside of your house is, people notice dust, dirt and pet hair. Do the biggest cleaning you’ve ever done to get rid of these offenders. After your major “I’ve just listed my house” cleanup, simply get in the habit of making the beds, putting away extra shoes and wiping down counters every morning in case you have a showing that day.
• Clear clutter: Clearing out unimportant clutter is one of the best things you can do not lonely to entice buyers, but to also help your family get ready for the big move. Have a garage sale, return borrowed items and make a trip to the eco-station: it will be worth the effort. Be sure to clean out closets and garages as well as people always have a look when you’re not around.
• Odors: Nasty odors are a huge turn-off to people touring your house so make sure to get rid of the odors and their sources. For instance, the morning of the open house is NOT the right time to have a fish fry!
• Furniture: If you have any heavy furniture blocking doorways, or extra chairs cluttering a room, move them into storage for the time being. Make each room in your house look minimalistic, yet cozy. Also, if you have furniture that is not the most modern looking or is upholstered with bold, or custom colours, you may want to purchase an inexpensive slipcover to make the look of your room more neutral.
• Counters: Small appliances and knick-knacks should be out away to give the appearance of more useable counter space in your kitchens and bathrooms.
• Pictures: You may want to put your fun family photos in matching frames and display them throughout the house, but try to keep photos to a minimum to avoid personalizing your home – buyers like to picture themselves settled in your house and too many family photos may detract for their vision.

Repairs
The general rule about repairs is: the cheaper the better! Major renovations are one thing; completely updating you r kitchens and bathrooms will net you a profit in the end. Spending a lot of money on minor repairs, however, isn’t going to get you any extra money. So, be fiscally frugal when finishing up minor repairs.

• Painting: A fresh coat of paint will freshen up any room. Just be sure to pick neutral colours as they are typically more appealing than trendy, bright colours. Painting the baseboards doors and trim in a plain white will make a world of difference.
• Other repairs: Make sure you fix anything that has been on your “honey-do” list for more than a week. Take a weekend or two and repair that hole in the wall, finish your floor trim or change the lighting in the downstairs bathroom; it WILL help to sell your home.

After your house has been cleaned and de-cluttered, you will see a huge improvement and help to maximize the price of your home and speed up the sale process.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web writer, seasoned home-buyer and real estate enthusiast. She enjoys decorating homes and stays up to date on the current home-owner’s market and real estate in Spruce Grove, Edmonton and area. and area.

First, take a look at what you can allocate to your house purchase. To do this you will have to think ahead to the two main categories of expenses: Mortgage Payments (including principal, interest and insurance) and Living Expenses. To get to these two figures, you first have to lay out all of your current finances and work from there.
• What is your credit card debt?
• What are your current loan debts (if any)?
• What are your current monthly living expenses?
• How much monthly income is coming into the household? (Don’t forget to factor in any known income changes that are coming down the line.)
• What are your current savings?

After adding (and subtracting) all of the involved figures, you should have a monthly figure that roughly represents your net worth – a figure that represents how much money you have to play with when looking at the costs of purchasing a home.

Once you have that figure, your financial provider, or lender will give you a house budget – this number will be your maximum purchase price. Your maximum price is usually higher than the price you will be able to afford down the road a few years. There are other costs to factor in. Experienced Edmonton Real Estate Agents and financial advisors will be able to help you with your budgeting.

Typical One Time Fees can include:
• A property inspection for your new home
• Legal fees, property survey fees and land transfer fees
• Mortgage application and appraisal fees
• Moving and/or packing expenses

It should be noted in some situations, fees can be negotiated or subtracted from the purchase price of the home. This is something to discuss with your realtor.

Projected Monthly Expenses can include:
• Property taxes
• Utilities
• Homeowners Association Fees (may not apply)
• Community League fees (optional)
• RRSP / savings payment plans
• Debt payments
• Living expenses* (food, childcare, entertainment, sports, clothing, gifts, etc.)
• Miscellaneous* (medical costs, etc.)

*In order to calculate estimated living expenses and miscellaneous costs, you will have to collect receipts for the previous year and use those figures, realizing that expenses will not be exactly the same from year to year.

After adding all of your monthly costs up, you will be able to come up with a definitive monthly mortgage payment and amortization rate that will determine what your maximum house price really should be. Remember to factor in the cost of rising property taxes and possible home renovations due to the age of the house (roofs, furnaces, hot water tanks: all of these things are costs that need to think about.)

Here are two final pieces of information that may help you with your budgeting:
It is recommended by the Canada Mortgage and housing Corporation (CMHC.ca) that your monthly house payments (including mortgage, taxes and utilities) should not exceed 30% of your gross household income.

With all of these budgeting tips, you will be able to find your affordable Edmonton property and live happily ever after.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web writer, seasoned home-buyer and real estate enthusiast. She enjoys decorating homes and stays up to date on the current home-owner’s market and real estate in Edmonton and area.

BUDGET
The first step your journey is to get your financing in place. You will have to schedule a visit with your bank (or mortgage broker) of choice and figure out exactly what you can spend on your first home; what your mortgage payments will amount to (don’t forget to include the cost of monthly bills, and those dreaded property taxes), how much cash you have access to for your down payment, and if you can get any extra help for renovations that may need to be done. After your visits, you will have a budget set in place and you can move on to defining the criteria for your dream house.

“MUST HAVES”
Now you are ready to make your list of “Must Haves”; criteria that will make the house you decide to buy your dream home. Think about the features in a home that are truly important to you. How many bedrooms would you prefer, how many bathrooms you need, hardwood vs. carpet, etc. Try to be as realistic as possible when making your list (that double Jacuzzi may seem like a fantastic luxury until you get your first monthly water bill.) You will also want to research your desired neighbourhoods and the amenities that are available there. (Shopping, schools, public transportation, etc.) You can do your own preliminary research on what the price ranges are in specific areas. The internet has a number of valuable resources including the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which has up-to-date listings all across Canada. Your new home sales agents can help your refine your criteria based on your budget and desired location.

FINDING YOUR BEST REALTOR
When searching for the best realtor website or an experienced new home sales team, you can first start by word-of-mouth. Ask friends and relatives which real estate agents they have dealt with or heard good things about. After you get a company or name, research them to make sure you have the right match for your needs. For example, if you are looking for houses for sale in Spruce Grove (Alberta), start with realtors that specialize in that area. Meet with more than one agent if necessary and don’t settle on someone just because they are the first realtor you meet with. Good realtors will sit down and tell you they will find your dream house; GREAT realtors will find your dream home within your budget, and be realistic about whether or not all of “Must haves” are available within your price range. Great realtors also find houses as close to your expectations as possible and help you stay grounded when you get frustrated.

HUNTING FOR YOUR HOME
When you start your hunt, you and your realtor should have a well-defined list of which homes may be the most desirable for you in the targeted locations. On average, experienced new home sales teams take buyers to see about 20 houses. There are a couple of supplies to bring along with you: a digital camera to record features you liked (and didn’t like), will help you to remember specifics; as well, be sure to bring a notepad to record short notes about each house. These are necessary tools as you will start to forget details and information about houses after seeing a few in succession. After making your choice, make sure you have the property inspected thoroughly by a licensed property inspector. Nothing is more disappointing than finding out your new home has hidden costs and sometimes disastrous secrets.

Have fun looking for your new home and starting your journey to home-owner’s bliss!

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web writer, seasoned home-buyer and real estate enthusiast. She enjoys decorating homes and stays up to date on the current home-owner’s market and real estate in Spruce Grove, Edmonton and area.

1. Contact your local Real Estate Boards for a listing of brokers in the area. Try for neighbourhood specific realtors: for example, if you’re looking for a house in Sherwood Park, Alberta then try to find a mortgage broker in Sherwood Park.

2. Call the recommended brokers from your list. When you call them make a checklist of items to ask them:

3. Look for a mortgage broker that focuses on relationships, not fees. If they are interested in building a relationship and are forthcoming and honest about fees and all aspects of the home-buying process, this will benefit you as a first time home buyer.

4. Don’t be afraid to set more than one meeting with several brokers to find your perfect match.

5. Remember: it’s your money on the line! You are the one who will be paying the mortgage and interest so be realistic and self-focused with your needs. The mortgage broker isn’t the one moving in!

Mortgage financing can seem like a scary path, but with the right mortgage broker, it can be a snap.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web author and publisher. She writes on a variety of topics including real estate and has currently been researching as a first time home buyer.

The blast occurred a bit after 1 p.m. June 20, and emergency workers rushed to the scene.  It soon became evident that the incident was of a suspicious nature, and homicide crews began their investigation June 21.  Although the police are not commenting on possible causes, neighbours have contended that a deliberately rigged explosive device or a residential drug laboratory may have triggered the event.  

Among the four people that were killed are Craig Huber, 30, and Bradley Winter, 26.  The men were in a house to the immediate north of the detonated home, which, according to property records, is owned by Dwayne Poirier and Jeanne Heard.  Currently no more than a blasted foundation, the site of the former house is referred to by police as “ground zero.”  

The identities of the other two other people killed in the explosion have not yet been released.  Police originally characterized the individuals as two males, but on June 21, they advised that one of the victims was a woman.  

Amy Fuechtmann, the fiancée of Winter, as well as her little boy, were also in the home in which Winter and Huber were killed.  Mother and son were rescued by neighbours, who said they were amazed to find survivors.  Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel praised the neighbours, admiring their bravery under highly dangerous circumstances.  

Per additional property information, two years’ worth of property taxes were owed on the residences owned by Heard and Poirier as well as Winter.  Both of the homes had been purchased at the top of the Edmonton real estate boom, and both had decreased in value.  Since Winter bought his house in 2007, the home’s value dropped by $84,000.  The home owned by Heard and Poirier experienced a $26,500 loss in value since its purchase in 2008.

Gerard Hagan – Edmonton Homes For Sale

Despite this inherent expression of faith in financial recovery, the outlook is a bit cloudier than expected:  The bank reduced projections of growth for the remainder of 2010 from 3.7 percent to 3.5 percent.   

Per a press release issued by the central bank, the revised projections reflect slightly decreased consumption in the nation.  The projected 2011 gross domestic product is 2.9 percent versus the previously anticipated 3.1 percent.  A complete recovery is predicted by end of next year, instead of in the spring.

Major Canadian economists believe another rate hike will occur in the fall, but are withholding additional increases pending economic conditions.  They concur that, despite the small rises in interest rates, they are still historically low.

The rate increase and the probability of additional hikes may be probing homebuyers to make decisions.  A young couple, Jesse Hogg and Brenna Jones, are pre-approved for a $350,000 mortgage and are able to make an $18,000 down payment.  The couple is looking for a fixer-upper home.  Jones and Hogg are approved for a variable-rate mortgage with the option of converting to a fixed-rate plan if rates continue to rise.  

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation senior market analyst Richard Cho advised that people with variable-rate mortgages may or may not be negatively impacted by creeping interest rates, depending upon their amount of disposable income.  He noted that an increase in rates would moderate or negatively affect buying ability.

Jason Luke – Real Estate In New Westminster

Katz, billionaire owner of the Oilers and CEO of The Katz Group, has proposed a downtown arena in order to improve the area and give the Oilers a new home. He offered to front $100 million but needs the city to give $400 million to finance the stadium.

Originally, councillors thought Katz’s money was to go to the stadium but now are unclear as to whether the money will go to the stadium or the surrounding land owned by Katz.

Recent rumours have leaked saying Katz is considering relocating the Oilers to Hamilton, Ontario. The Hamilton Spectator reported in mid-July that the Oilers were negotiating with Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum in a four-year agreement to its NHL rights.

According to The Spectator, the Oilers have an understanding with Hamilton, believing they could find a team to use Copps Coliseum. If the team fail, they will end up paying Hamilton $1 million.

The Katz Group’s Vice President of Sports and Entertainment, Bob Black, confirmed the understanding and said while the timing may seem peculiar, he believed a deal securing the life of the Oilers in Edmonton long-term would be found.

Alberta’s Director of Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Scott Hennig, suspects Katz is trying to put pressure on Edmonton councillors by allowing the rumours to circulate.

Katz has yet to submit a presentation or proposal to Edmonton for the arena. A meeting between Katz and city council is scheduled for late July.

Peter Estephan – Edmonton Real Estate Market

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), 2,382 April MLS sales occurred in Calgary, an increase of 7.4 per cent over last year, and the average price was $395,847, an increase of 6.4 per cent over last year.

MLS data reaching May 16 showed only 695 single-family home sales in Calgary, averaging $485,683. In May 2009, 1,584 single-family homes sold on average for $437,427. In April 2010, 1,352 homes sold at an average of $460,378.

MLS month-to-date data for condo sales showed 268 sales occurred for an average price of $309,633. In May 2009, 653 sales occurred for an average of $275, 212. In April 2010, 639 condos sold on average for $289,588.

Overall, Calgary’s new listings jumped 43.8 per cent for a total of 5,416.

Provincially, CREA said that April sales increased 5.9 per cent to 5,544 condos selling on average for $344,102, an increase of 7.7 per cent over last year.

Seasonally adjusted home sales across Canada dropped 2.6 per cent from April 2010, and currently sits 6.8 per cent below December 2009’s peak.

Economists and strategists both predict that the market will continue to cool and eventually moderate as home and mortgage prices rise.

Dan Peters – Calgary Real Estate Services