Well for the past 10 years, I've been part of a Can-Am golf tourney. Essentially every year, on the August long weekend, 12 Canadians and 12 Americans get together and in alternating years, we play courses in North West USA, and Canada (Alberta/BC). This year, the tournment is being held in our Rocky Mountains, in and around Banff, Alberta. And YES, team Canada is defending the title. Good luck to my fellow team members, lets bring home the trophy again in 2016.

So on the topic of golf, here are some local courses that will meet the needs of all levels of golfers.

FORT SASKATCHEWAN GOLF COURSE

This is a nice little 9 hole golf course that has some really challenging holes. My favorite hole is hole #6. This is a picturesque par 3 where you hit over a little creek, and onto an elevated green.  

Note: Mondays are 2 for 1 green fees!!!!!

FOX RUN GOLF COURSE

Located just south east of Fort Saskatchewan, this 18 hole golf course offers a fairly wide open golfing experience. I've only golfed here a few times, but for a local course, it definately does the trick. This year, Fox Run is hosting a golf tourney July 23 and proceeds going to the local Legion. My team "Dukes of Hazards" will be there supporting this cause.

THE LEGENDS GOLF COURSE

Again located just south of Fort Saskatchewan, this 27 hole golf course will challenge all levels of golfer. The Champions 9 is my favorite 9 holes at this course.

FORT IN VIEW GOLF COURSE

Located just West of Fort Saskatchewan off highway 37, this 27 hole course is wide open and offers a fun experience for all levels of golfer. 

GOOSE HUMMOCK GOLF COURSE

Last but certainly not least, is Goose Hummock. This is my home course. Located just north of Gibbons, this picturesque 18 hole course is cut into the trees, and water plays a factor on 14 of the 18 holes! Bring your AA game!  My favorite hole here is definately number 17 which is a true island hole. Fantastic par 3.

Special: Angus Mcduff special......2 golfers (full cart and driving range), 2 hot dogs, and 2 waters $99 (have to book online). 

Well thats it for this blog. If you have a course that you really like, add a comment so that others can enjoy as well. Have a great day on the course, and don't forget to "grip it, and rip it"!!

Fort Saskatchewan has such a great community atmosphere. Here is a look at what's happening the week of July 6-11, 2016.

July 6, 11:00-1:00pm  Mix 107.9 is sponsoring a charity BBQ at the CN Station parking lot every Wednesday in July and August. For $2, get a hotdog, pop and chips.

July 7, 4:30 -7:30 Don't forget the Farmers Market at CN Station Square. Fantastic vendors this year. Catch the 50 sheep mowing the grass...

July 9, 9:00am - The Fort Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association presents "Cancer Ride 2016". Proceeds for this event go to the Cross Cancer Institute. Meet at the Royal Canadian Legion at 9:00am for registration, and leave at 10:00am sharp. Registration costs $25 and includes ride, ralley, and hamburger lunch.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Keep coming back for more information, everything related.

With school out, summer is officially upon us!! Here is a look at what's happening in the next couple of weeks in the great community of Fort Saskatchewan!

June 25 - Multiculturalism Day 1-4pm

City hall, library and outdoor square

June 25 Axe Throwing 7pm

Fort Heritage Precinct 10006, 100 Ave

June 26 - Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes 11am-2pm

West Rivers edge

June 29 - Out of School Bash 2-4pm

Harbour Pool

July 1 - Canada Day Celebrations

 Throughout Fort Saskatchewan

See upcoming blogs for detailed CANADA DAY festivities, and for more events throughout the rest of summer!!

Well had a pretty incredible experience this weekend. Jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.....yeah, thats right. Was a slow weekend for real estate, so I needed to get my fix somewhere. So, we jumped out of the plane at 14,000 feet. The freefall was approximately 50 seconds (9000 feet), with a gentle parachute ride down from about 5000 feet. The landing was perfect. Could have landed on an egg carton and not broen it! Pretty amazing experience and highly recommended. Enjoy!!!!

One of the big questions we get at Darcy Joubert real estate, is "what school zone is this house in? My children need to go to ________ School". Buying a home is a decision that impacts all aspects of the family including the children. So, here is your resource. hopefully these maps will make that home buying decision an easier one.

2016/2017 Elementary School Zones

2017/2018 Elementary School zones

2017/2018 Junior High School Zones

2017/2018 Senior High School Zones

Hopefully you've found this to be a useful resource. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact me. Enjoy your weekend and happy house hunting!

Father's day is just around the corner. Here are a few nifty DIY ideas that you can easily put together for dad, or work with him to get done.

1. Beer-tub

Turn an old wine barrel into a mobile beverage tub. Personalize it for dad with his favorite sports team logo, or writing his name and/or somethig about why he's special on the tub.

2. Beverage Cart

How about this stylish beverage cart?  This industrial design is easy to build and will be a conversation piece at any outdoor BBQ or function. Personalize the cart with dad's favorite beverage......

3. Pergola/Gazebo

Spend time with dad to build this Pergola, It will be quality time together, and at the end of the day, you'll be able to sit back and enjoy your creation, likely with the above noted beer tub and possibly beverage cart nearby :)

SINGLE FAMILY HOME SALES ARE ON THE RISE! 

Sales for single family detached homes were up 19.3% from April, and up 3.8% year over year. The average single family detached home sold for $440,573 in May, which was virtually on par wth April ($439,982). Compared to May 2015, this is a slight drop of about 3% ($453,748).

Alright, its Open House day! You've followed the 4 previous steps, and now its time for just a few more tips to make the Open House a HUGE success.........

1. Make the home generic. If you have a lot of family photos, consider swapping them out with organic/genetic photos. Psychologically, if a family see's all your valuable memories on the wall, they may not want to "take you out of that home".  You want visitors to view the home as theirs, and not someone else's.

2. Set the table for dinner. Even if its onlly going to be a pizza, put out your best set of dinnerware. It will add a touch of class, and people will associate that to the entire property.

3. New doormat. Buyers will know almost instantly whether they will be interested in your home. First impressions are everything. A nice new doormat will show pride of ownership, and be a subtle image enhancing the first impression.

4. Go for coffee and let the Realtor show the home. It can be very uncomfortable for buyers to walk througha home with the seller following right behind. Trust in your Realtor, that he/she has the knowledge and expertise to answer all questions about the property.

You've followed the previous 3 steps to perfection, so now its time for the icing on the cake.....making buyers drool over your property and time for you to get the most money you can in the shortest amount of time....These last minute details WILL make the difference.

Step 4 - FINISHING TOUCHES

1. Set out a vase full of fresh cut flowers. They will add a little color to your home, and will provide a pleasant scent for your potential buyers.

2. Let there be light!!! Open all your drapes, curtains, and/or window coverings and turn on every light in the home. You do not want buyers walking into a cave. The light will make each space feel roomier as well.

3. Temperature. We know some of you like the heat cranked right up to be nice and toasty/cozy, and the rest of you keep the temperature at nearly freezing to save on heating costs, but for today, have a nice comfortable temperature that will keep the buyers in the home longer. Set it to room temperature, regardless of the temperature outside.

4. Serving light snacks and beverages can be a slight cost, however, if it will keep the potential buyer in the home a bit longer to look a little bit more.....worth every penny. 

5. Safeguard your stuff. You will have complete strangers in your home. Not the safest thing, so have a safety plan just in case something terrible happens (having a friend check in every 30 minutes whether by phone or actually coming over). Additionally, you will want to hide/lock up any valuables. If you've followed these 4 steps, you will probably have a lot of people coming through the house and you can't be everywhere all at once. 

6. Try to give the buyers space. It can be very uncomfortable for a buyer to have an honest look at a property when you the seller are there at every turn, telling the buyer how "fantastic" that new light fixture is. 

Thanks again for stopping by. Next week I'll add just a few more tips for Open House day. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.