| Recent Blog Posts by Kristie Kruger | ||
Kiva Loan helped Afiwa Djimesse in TogoAs you know (or should know) I participate in donating money to Kiva often. With Kiva, I donate an amount and get to pick were and to who I want my money to help. I have helped Afiwa, who is from Togo in the past with helping her purchase fabric to make clothing to sell. Afiwa has raised a total of $975. Afiwa runs her business in the large market in Hedzranawoe. Her clients include anyone and everyone! ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on November 9, 2011
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Living With An Older HomeMike Hemmerling who is part of Pillar To Post home to home inspection sends me out great emails once in awhile. Mike is a registered and certified home inspector who inspects homes in Lethbridge, Taber, Crowsnest Pass, Okotokes and High River. Today Mike sent me an email about living in an older. I thought the information he sent me would be useful to both realtors and clients. Here is what he sent ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on November 7, 2011
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Using Your Pumpkins To Their Fullest - Yummy RecipesHave some pumpkins still kicking around the house? Don't throw them out just yet. Allrecipes.com has some great recipes for any age and any amount of time you may have. I found these great recipes for pumpkins. If you try any of them out be sure to comment and tell me how you like them.
Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin, whether fresh or canned, is terrific in more than just pies. Try it in pancakes, ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on November 4, 2011
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Recycling - anything and everything!As you know I am an Ecoagent and I care about our environment and the world we live in. I recycle and encourage others to recycle as well. A little goes a long way. By recycling I get a feeling of bettering myself and the world. Now a days you can recycle almost anything. I found a website that helps us find recycling depots for items we may not think about recycling. I hope this article helps ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on November 2, 2011
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Halloween Safety Tips from the Canadian Red CrossWith witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across Canada, the Canadian Red Cross offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun!
Costumes should be light-colored and flame resistant ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on October 28, 2011
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Lethbridge Foreclosures and Bank Owned Properties - A Guide to BuyingI found this article today from mylethbridgerealty.com and thought I would pass it along as the information is benefital to all realtors.
Lethbridge Foreclosures and Bank Owned Properties – A Guide to Buying
It's been some time since I’ve put together a Lethbridge Real Estate market report and as you may guess by the title ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on October 24, 2011
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How Kiva Loans Are BenefitalIf you don't already know I support Kiva, now you do. Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the Internet and a worldwide network of micro-finance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.
With each home I sell, I donate a little to someone lucky. Here is an example ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on October 17, 2011
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Ten Tips For Making Your Home GreenerI found these great tips on Treehugger.com and thought I would pass them along. These tips apply to everyone and can help you save the earth and your money!
Ten Tips to Go Green
1) Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.
2) Use ceiling fans in the summer AND winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on October 11, 2011
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Making Your Home Inviting For The HolidaysPreparing a warm, welcoming home for the holidays is easy! Having a clean, clutter free home with fresh energy is a great way to welcome guests into your house.
With Thanksgiving just a few days away, we will be rushing to put together a great feast for family and friends and spending time prepping our home for our guests. One thing we should be aware of is scents. A warm, welcoming scent that is ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on October 7, 2011
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Upgrading WindowsI recieved this wonderful information from Mike Hemmerling today. I was grateful enough to have Mike let me pass on this useful information about upgrading windows. Mike does the 'Pillar to Post' news and information letter. Here are some of the great things Mike had to say:
Clients often ask Pillar to Post inspectors about the value of upgrading windows. There are many good reasons to upgrade windows ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on October 4, 2011
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199th Kiva LoanI am thrilled to help fund a loan to Anastacia (seen below) from San Francisco Gotera, El Salvador. This particular loan is to help her to buy food for her kiosk that sells pupusa's and hopefully increase production.
This loan is only made possible thanks to M & S who sold their home shown below in Lethbridge, Alberta.
If you are not familiar with Kiva, it is a non-profit organization ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on June 1, 2011
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Checklist for SellersChecklist for Sellers - Planning on listing your home this spring?
First impressions are KEY in real estate, so give yourself ample time to make sure your home is in top notch condition for viewings. There are many moving checklists available on-line, but here is a list from a realtor's perspective of the most important areas to cover:
Kristie Kruger's Seller's Checklist (Preparing ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on February 7, 2011
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What is a Compliance Letter?What is a Compliance Letter?
When selling a home in Lethbridge you are required to provide the buyer with a Real Property Report (a document with a survey of your home and buildings on the land) and a compliance letter.
A compliance letter is a document from the City of Lethbridge that gives approval that the buildings located on the RPR meet the requirements set out in the Land Use Bylaw.
City ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on February 3, 2011
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Lethbridge Tourist ContestI wanted to pass on this contest. Many visitor to my site are looking to move to Lethbridge and may be visiting here within the next couple months. This contest prize is:
A Canon Digital Camera
- 2 Night’s stay at a Lethbridge Hotel
- 4 passes to The Galt Museum and Archives,
- 4 passes to Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden,
- 4 Lethbridge Hurricanes tickets.
Applicants ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on February 2, 2011
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Live Entertainment This Weekend in LethbridgeLive Entertainment This Weekend in Lethbridge
One of my favorite website's to check out for live music in Lethbridge is The L.A. Beat.
Lethbridge is incredibly multi-cultural and for a small city it's nice to have an array of venues to check out. We also get alot of big name concerts (rumor has it, the coordinator for these events lives in Lethbridge).
What's going on this weekend in Lethbridge? ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on February 2, 2011
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Lethbridge, AB Real Estate: Old House vs. Historical BuildingLethbridge, AB Real Estate: Old House vs. Historical Building
Lethbridge is notorious for old homes. But might you have a historical building? Property owners can apply to the City to have their property identified and protected as a 'Municipal Historic Resource'.
"Municipal Historic Resources are buildings that the City of Lethbridge has legally
protected from inappropriate ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 28, 2011
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Get Involved in Nicholas Sheridan Park Plans
Get Involved in Nicholas Sheridan Park Plans
Do you usually hear about events too late? Well here's plenty of notice! Mark your calendars!
I found an interesting announcement on the Lethbridge website today. There is plans for improvement to the Nicholas Sheridan playground (in the Nicholas Sheridan Park). Public input is welcome.
Open House:
THURSDAY FEBRUARY ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 25, 2011
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Lethbridge Animal CenterFor those of you with big hearts looking to expand your family, look first to the Lethbridge Animal Center.
Boris the cat, from the Lethbridge Animal Center, became a hero this week when his donated blood helped a hemophiliac kitten to survive a surgery. For the complete news story visit the CJOC FM Website.
If you are thinking of adopting, you don't even have ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 25, 2011
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Lethbridge School SystemLethbridge School System
Here are some interesting facts about the Lethbridge school system, supplied by Choose Lethbridge and Lethbridge School District No.51:
In Lethbridge there are 12 elementary schools, 4 junior high schools, and 4 high schools. We have 1 integrated occupational school, and francophone public communiny schooling available from K-12.
We also have a variety ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 14, 2011
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Sorting Out Property Tax on Possession DaySorting Out Property Tax on Possession Day
A common question asked by buyers and sellers is: "How are property taxes sorted out on possession day?". The reason for the confusion is because in Alberta property taxes are paid in June for the entire year. So six months of arrears is paid as well as six months in advance.
The first thing I can assure you is that your lawyer will do ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 13, 2011
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Paying Property Taxes MonthlyPaying Property Taxes Monthly
Instead of paying one giant bill at the end of June, more and more residents of Lethbridge are opting for a monthly payment option known as T.I.P.P. (Tax Installment Prepaid Plan)
You may be interested to find out that you receive a discount incentive on each monthly payment!
What you need to know:
Prepayments begin in August
There will be 10
They ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 13, 2011
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Staying Ahead of the Competition Through PhotographyStaying Ahead of the Competition Through Photography
This week I started a photography workshop. Photography is a big part of real estate. The majority of buyers look online first. They check out houses and although it might seem silly, home advertised with good photography make a big difference. One statistic I read stated that 90% of buyers shop online before ever contacting ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 13, 2011
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A Recycled DonationA Recycled Donation
Up to this date, the loyalty of my wonderful clients has helped me to complete 163 Kiva Loans. Kiva is an micro finance organization where several individuals get together to fund a loan to someone in need in a developing country. For more information please visit My Lender Page!
Because previous loans were repaid, the money goes back out! This particular ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 10, 2011
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Lethbridge Tax Assessment Time - 2011Shortly after the celebration of the new year comes that little envelope in the mail for home owners - Tax Assessment Time! Sometimes we encounter home owners who insist on pricing their property according to their tax assessment. If the governments assessment of your property value is not the same as your realtor concludes, do not be surprised. Realtors are trained ...
Posted by Kristie Kruger
on January 7, 2011
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