Blog - Paul Lamba

Kitchen Improvements for Under $100

Is it really possible to improve your kitchen’s look for about the cost of a takeout gourmet dinner with the family?

Obviously, you’re not going to be able to do anything major, such as replace the cabinets within that budget. But there are many surprisingly low-budget ways to spruce up the kitchen. Here are a few ideas:

1) Do you have old cabinets? You’d be surprised by how much newer they can look simply by replacing the knobs and/or handles. Pick a colour that blends, rather than contrasts, with the cabinets.

2) Does your sink have a few stains? That’s not unusual! There are special cleaning products available to get out the toughest stains without damaging or scratching the sink’s finish.

3) Lighting can have an enormous impact on the…

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Things to do this Halloween Weekend in Edmonton

October 30 - 31 St - Pumpkin Harvest Fun at Prairie Gardens:"

Find Pumpkin Harvest Fun all October long at this welcoming 35-acre family farm just 25 minutes North of Edmonton. Come get lost in the corn maze, meet some adorable farm animals, play games, and get ready for the spooky season by picking out your own unique pumpkin from the pumpkin patch!"

Includes Entry at Two Farm Sites

Site 1: Every Child Matters Maze (9:30am-7:00pm)

• 5-Acre Every Child Matters Corn Maze
• 15-Acre Pumpkin Patch
• U-Pick Veggie Tour (Self-Guided)
• Wagon Rides
• Bale Maze
• Bale Jumps

FREE pail of potatoes to take home (1 pail/family) U-Dig

 Site 2: The Farmyard (9:30am-7:00pm)

• Kids Cornmaze
• Sunflower Maze
• Train Rides
• …

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Recycling, Reusing or Disposing of Electronics

The more sophisticated computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones become, the more they are reliant upon rare minerals and sometimes toxic chemicals to perform. As consumers, it’s something we are not usually concerned about – until it’s time to dispose of them.

When that time comes, you might consider approaching local school organizations or community centres to see who might have a use for unwanted electronics, or contacting charity programs that collect outdated computers, tablets and cell phones for village schools in third-world countries.

If neither of those options is feasible, and you are convinced your devices will be of no use to others, consult with your local municipality to determine where and how to dispose of e-waste. They may…

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How to Determine the Best Features of your Home

What is it about your property that stands out? What will buyers like most about it? What are your home’s most enticing characteristics?

Answering those questions will help you determine which features to emphasize when selling your home. After all, you want buyers to notice and appreciate your property’s best attributes.

But here’s the challenge...

It can be difficult for homeowners to determine which features of their home are particularly desirable to buyers. After all, you live there! So, there might be a fantastic characteristic of your property that you’ve become so used to, that you don’t even realize its value.

One way to gain perspective is to ask friends, “What is it about our property that you like most? What stands out to you?”…

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Team Paul Lamba is Growing!

WANTED: An EXPERIENCED Real Estate Assistant for a "Down-to-Earth" Real Estate Team!

Please read the whole ad before responding as to WHO we are and WHAT we need.

We are a fast pace high customer service Real Estate Office. We are committed to exceeding our Client’s expectations. We provide Real Estate services to our community with the highest level of Integrity and professional service that adds value to our clients. We love to laugh and enjoy life. Our Office Environment is one of the most important things to our team. We are all down-to-earth, real and have family values. We need someone who loves running an office and managing hundreds of little things at once. Sees problems as a daily task and loves the challenge of getting them done…

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5 Ways to Add Fun to the Selling Process

When you think about selling your property, do you dwell on the possible work and stress involved? You’re not alone. Many homeowners share the same concerns.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In fact, there are plenty of ways to add some fun, anticipation, and even a sense of adventure to the selling process. Here are just a few ideas:

Plan fun things to do when your home is being shown. That can include walks, sports activities, or trying something you and your family have never done before.

Declutter for your own benefit. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a chore required for the sale, focus instead on how much more comfortable your home will be after decluttering. Studies consistently show that less clutter reduces stress and…

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Questions to Ask when Selling your Home

If you’re thinking of selling your house, you probably have a lot of questions that need answers. In fact, asking the right questions is key to selling your home successfully and for the best price.

Here are some of the most important questions to ask:

1) How much is our house likely to sell for on today’s market? What should the listing price be? What are the selling costs?

2) How long will it take to sell? What happens if our house takes longer than expected to sell?

3) How do we prepare our house for the sale? Will we need to make any major improvements? Will we need to hire a contractor?

4) What’s ‘home staging’? Will we need to hire a professional stager? Can we do some of that staging work ourselves?

5) What happens when we get…

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4 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Current Home

It’s not uncommon for couples with growing families to trade in their compact cars for something roomier, like a mini-van. The same thing happens with homes. Sometimes families simply outgrow them.

How can you tell if that’s happening with your property? Here are some sure-fire signs:

1) You need more space. This is the most common reason people upgrade to a new home. They need more room. For any number of reasons, you might want an extra bedroom, a larger living room, a bigger backyard, or a more spacious kitchen. Rather than put up with feeling cramped, consider exploring the extra space a new home can provide.

 2) A renovation won’t fix it. Sometimes, when a property doesn’t fit its owners’ needs anymore, they consider a renovation. For…

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The Importance of Depersonalizing your Home

When a buyer views your home for sale, they want to visualize themselves living there. They want to imagine cooking in the kitchen, relaxing in the living room, and enjoying get-togethers with family and friends.

However, when they see a baseball trophy on the mantle with your name on it, that visualization crumbles. That’s why it’s smart to depersonalize your home as much as possible when selling.

You don’t have to go too far. Simply do what you can to remove items that scream “We live here!” Consider stowing items such as:

1) Trophies, diplomas, certificates and anything else with a name prominently displayed on it.

2) Personal and family pictures.

3) Mementos, knickknacks and other items of a personal nature.

4) Notes, pictures,…

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Home Energy Saving Tips that Won’t Leave You Shivering or Sweating.

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won’t notice a difference of 2 degrees either way — and the savings can be substantial.

However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement:

1) Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration can occur at windows and doors. So, check around your home for drafts. Windy or cold days are the best days to check. Then, get any drafts you find repaired or, at least, temporarily plugged.

2) Check the attic. Heat rises and can escape through the attic. So, once a year, check the attic insulation for thin or bare spots. The insulation…

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