Meet Brenda Ma from Fort Saskatchewan

Brenda grew up in a small town west of Edmonton.  During her school years, she spent spare time dancing, competing for 12 years.  Helping her grandparents on their ranch during the summertime instilled a great work ethic, and she had her first job at the age of 15.  All of her jobs over the years have been in the service industry in some way, and involved helping people, whether it was as a paint manager in a flooring & paint store, or manager at EB Games. 

Brenda decided to get into the exciting career of real estate because of her love of helping people find what they are looking for.  She also enjoys the benefits of seeing all the different architecture of the homes she lists and shows her clients.

Jennifer works from our Fort Saskatchewan office.  She is a former French Immersion Jr/Sr High teacher, a “silent” partner with her husband (Amerispec Home Inspection) since 1999 and is the first certified female inspector in North America! 

Jennifer has been married for almost 29 years, and is the proud mother of 3 grown boys and 1 daughter in law. 

Why Real Estate?  In her own words:   “I’ve been a part of the Real Estate transaction since 1999, but as I entered my 40’s, my love of climbing on roofs or in crawlspaces was dwindling.  By getting my real estate licence, I was still able to be a part of the transaction and ensuring people have a safe place to live.”

Community involvement keeps Jennifer busy.  She is the Past Chair of the

Royal LePage: More than half of Canada’s largest real estate markets see double-digit price growth as national home values soar 9.7% in fourth quarter

Fourth quarter regional highlights:

•          Price of detached homes continue to outpace condominiums as Canadians trade location for square footage
•          Despite strong push toward the suburbs, Toronto and Montreal single-family homes see double-digit price gains in city centres
•          Median price of a two-storey home in Greater Vancouver rises 8.8% as buyers prioritize square footage
•          Out-of-region buyers spur Maritimes’ home prices, as option of remote work and demand for large, affordable properties grows
•          Aggregate price of a home in Canada rose $206,815 since

(NC) As we spend more time at home during the pandemic, we’re thinking about our spaces differently so we can make the most of them. Reinvention can help you extend your functional square footage and ensure your home keeps up with your evolving needs. Here are some inspiring ideas to try: 

Rethink your outdoors
We’ve all fallen in love with spending time outside, as it’s a safer way of seeing friends and family separate from our household. But as the temperature dips, it’s time to get creative to keep these get-togethers going. You can continue to enjoy your backyard with an outdoor fire-pit or heating lamp. Your garage can function as a man cave with a well-loved couch and foosball table, while a screened-in porch can make the perfect sunroom when

(NC) Home makeovers and repairs are on the rise, as we try to make our spaces more livable and functional. But even if you prefer to DIY most projects, some inevitably require the help of a professional. Finding a reliable contractor is where you can run into trouble, as there are many contractor scams in the industry.  

“While on the ground supporting our customers, some have told us that they have been approached by contractors going door-to-door to offer repair services with deals that seem too good to be true,” explains Bryant Vernon, Chief Claims Officer at Aviva Canada. “It’s important for everyone to protect themselves against contractors who may be taking advantage of homeowners especially after a severe weather event.” 

Here are some of the

(NC) With the rising number of features found in modern laundry machines, from smart dispensers to Wi-Fi, it’s easy to get lost in all the bells and whistles. But features aside, the most important decision you’ll make when buying a new laundry pair is whether to go front or top load.  

To help you choose the best one for your lifestyle, check out three key differentiators: 

1. The design of your laundry room. If you’re planning to do a straight swap from current to new appliances, it might be easiest to stick with the format you already have since it’s likely the space is set up for that style of machine. If you’re remodelling or building a new laundry room, you have more freedom. Think about the best way to use the space you have. Do you have the

(NC) Many of us are feeling anxious and stressed lately as the pandemic continues to take a toll. To combat this, take refuge in the safety and comfort of home. With colder weather approaching, now is the perfect time to make sure it’s a cozy, inviting space to enjoy.

Decorate your interiors
Never underestimate the impact of a few strategically placed textiles and decorative elements. For example, drape a plaid or Sherpa throw on the back of your couch or the edge of your bed, and sprinkle some fuzzy pillows on armchairs. An area rug can instantly make any room feel warmer and adds style and personality – you can even try one in your kitchen or bathroom. Experiment with fun textures, like a rich velvet or woolly cable knit.

Reinvent your basement

(NC) Today, many families are focused on improving their homes instead of spending money on vacations and entertainment outside. With autumn as your last major chance to renovate before the winter, here are some of the best projects to tackle now for maximum enjoyment of your space.

Upgrade your kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of your home, and where you’ll be spending lots of time cooking for the holidays and entertaining your small social circle. So, give it a facelift to make sure it’s a bright and welcoming environment. A great DIY project is painting the cabinets in a bold or warm shade and updating the hardware in a metallic neutral. You can also invest in sleek, energy-efficient appliances for a clean, modern aesthetic and get fresh seasonal

After spending a lot more time around the house, many homeowners have caught the home improvement bug. And while keeping up with home maintenance will guarantee payback when it comes time to sell your home, there are some finer details to consider with the ongoing pandemic.

1. Change your air filters. COVID-19 has renewed our awareness of just how important healthy air is inside our homes. Changing your air filters is an effective way to improve air and heat circulation in your home and cut down on allergens.
2. Check your home warranties. Fall is an ideal time to check on the warranties for your furnace or appliances and schedule any required maintenance before things go awry. 
3. Hire a professional if necessary. Some tasks – like cleaning your

With fall approaching, you’ll soon be able to enjoy the spectacular colours of the season and the sounds of leaves crunching under your feet.

To keep your property looking nice during this time and prepare it for the winter, our friends at Aviva Insurance suggest the following fall ‘to-do’ list:

Leaf disposal: Collect leaves in approved bags for collection or take them to assigned dumping areas. Do not burn leaves – this is illegal in most urban areas and can cause home fires.

Roof: Consider having your roof checked by a professional if you suspect any wear and tear or notice missing shingles. Both can severely affect a roof’s effectiveness. Also, make sure your roof and eaves troughs are clear of leaves and debris.

Pipes: Help prevent