On Sunday, I had the opportunity to try a new local restaurant for brunch in the Edmonton region called The Workshop Eatery. Situated in the community of Summerside, the restaurant can be found in The Mosaic Centre, considered Alberta’s most environmentally conscious buildings. The restaurant promises “handcrafted cuisine, inspired by local and seasonal fare, and genuine hospitality”. Overall I would agree with this statement.

Owned and operated by Paul Shufelt, who among his many careers worked with Century Hospitality Group, is bringing his own creative flair to the local food scene in Edmonton. It is always great seeing chefs go there own way and showcase their creative concepts to the world.

The setting of the restaurant is really nice in an unpretentious way with lots of light and an artistic drawing on the feature wall. Some of the selections sounded so incredibly good, like the feature of the day Carrot Cake Pancakes with a maple cream cheese sauce. I almost choose that, but decided to go for the healthier and heartier choice of the “Guilt Free Omelette”. I was not aiming for the least “guilty” meal on the menu, rather I am pescatarian and thus was more limited than my meat eating friends unless of course I wanted to indulge in the super sweet.

We also tried the featured appetizer of Arancini with jalapeno cream sauce. They were absolutely delicious. Overall, it would be a restaurant I would recommend. For southside residents, restaurants like this make a community more vibrant and I hope people will support places like Paul’s.

If I was to change one thing though, it would be the coffee. They individually brew each cup which is great, however you pay a lot for one cup and the coffee mugs are relatively small. I would suggest changing the process or at least increasing the coffee mugs to more “normal” sizes. (think Grande Starbucks size).

This restaurant is the perfect fit for The Mosaic Centre: Beautiful. Sustainable. Healthy. They also serve lunch and dinner and I definitely look forward to going back again in the near future.

Update: Had a great back and forth chat with The Workshop Eatery via Twitter today. First of all, I appreciated their quick acknowledgement of my review. They acknowledged the coffee situation and gave some great insight into their commitment to environmental impacts they create through their restaurant. Part of their goal is to reduce the amount of energy used. That being said, they also said “we hear you” and are looking at coming up with some creative and more cost effective ways that us coffee lovers can better get our fix. Their attention to this, truly shows that they care about their commitment to genuine hospitality. I would like to take a minute to thank Paul and his team for taking the time to acknowledge a minor concern of mine and to share in coming up with new ideas. I am even more impressed with them and look even more forward to recommending their restaurant to my family, friends and client. Kudos – keep up the awesome work.

You’ve decided to buy a home now that you have saved up enough money to put 5% down (or less than 20%). You know you’ll be responsible for a mortgage, however, are you are aware that if your down payment is also less than 20% you’ll also be responsible for qualifying for a conventional mortgage and for mortgage loan insurance?

The first step is understanding: What Is Mortgage Loan Insurance

Mortgage Loan Insurance is basically a guarantee to the lender that you are good for the money, meaning you will not default on your mortgage. If a situation arises were you are not able to pay your mortgage, the insurance ensures that the lender won’t have to cover the balance of the purchase price. The federal government requires the lenders to ensure your mortgage if the home being purchased is made with less than a 20% downpayment. At present there are three companies in Canada that offer mortgage insurance: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) owned by the Canadian government and the only insurer that covers 100 percent, Genworth Financial and Canada Guaranty both of which cover only 90%.

The second step is understanding: How Much Will It Cost Me?

The cost of insurance really varied depending on how little or how much of a down payment you choose to include in your home purchase. For example CMHC highlights the following premiums:

In plain English, is that for example if you purchase a condo at $250,000, you will expect to pay a premium of:

• $8,550 with 5% down
• $5,400 with 10% down
• $3,825 with 15% down

That basically sums up with Mortgage Loan Insurance is and how it affects you and your mortgage. Any questions, please feel free to get in touch (587-400-SOLD (7653)) or send a message my way.

Situated just west of downtown Edmonton, Westmount is a small residential area that dates back to 1910. It was originally developed as a community for the many young professionals who called Edmonton home, and today, the area stays true to that heritage. With two thirds of residents having attended college or university, Westmount is one of the most well educated areas in the city. Are you ready to discover what life is like in Edmonton’s smartest neighbourhood? Here are just a few of the things you’ll find waiting for you in Westmount.

Lots of Great Schools for Students of All Ages

Westmount is home to the local Westglen School, a public K-6 school that offers daily physical education and fine arts classes. The school also offers a mandatory IB program for sixth grade students, which is designed to prepare students for the challenges of higher education and give them the tools they need to participate in an ever-changing society.

To the southwest sits Westminster Junior High in nearby Glenora, a school that offers two special education programs, including the Strategies program for students with learning disabilities. Westminster Junior High emphasizes critical thinking skills and has implemented a school-wide reading program to improve students’ critical thinking capacities.

Ample Shopping Opportunities at Westmount Centre

The Westmount Centre at Groat Road and 111 Avenue NW is the main shopping destination in Westmount. This mall is home to a variety of retailers, making it easy to get groceries or a haircut, find a holiday gift, or do your banking. The Westmount Centre is also home to a variety of health services offices, including Westmount Dental, the Westmount Eye Care Clinic, and HearingLife Canada. Looking for a quick bite? At Westmount, you’ll find lots of cuisine options, including two pizzerias, a steakhouse, a sub shop, a sushi restaurant, and more.

Easy Access to Parks, Golf, and River Views

The Westmount area is conveniently situated close to lots of different natural amenities for the whole family to enjoy. Looking to take a lazy Sunday stroll? You’ll love the nearby MacKinnon Ravine Park, which offers a variety of hiking and cycling trails for avid outdoor enthusiasts. There are also a few smaller parks nearby, including the local Westmount Park. Situated in the heart of Westmount, Westmount Park is home to amenities like a soccer field, a fitness zone, a baseball diamond, a hockey rink, a water park, and multiple playgrounds.

Golfers will love the nearby Victoria Golf Course, the oldest city-run golf course in Canada. This course has been operating since 1896, before the City of Edmonton was incorporated. This public course is a great course for beginners, with gentle slopes and large fairways making for an easy, relaxing game.

Westmount is a great neighbourhood with lots to offer potential new residents. This beautiful, mature community is home to a variety of upscale contemporary homes and affordable condos, making it a prime area for families. Are you ready to find your new family home in Westmount? Contact us today to start your next Westmount home search.

HomeTribe is excited to have been invited to DemoCamp 29 happening tonight in YEG. For those that do not know what Demo Camp is, it is an event that “brings together developers, creatives, entrepreneurs and investors to share what they’ve been working on and to find others in the community interested in similar topics.”

Tonight, we will be showcasing our latest app tool “Home Tribe Match”. Ryan our lead developer will be demonstrating how people can use our app to find their potential home. It is the personalized real estate experience you have been waiting for.

If you are looking for something fun todo, join us:

When: Nov 26, 2015 @ 6:30 pm

Where: CCIS 1-160, University of Alberta – Drinks and networking to follow at RATT (Room At The Top) – 7th floor of the Students Union Building

There will also be 4 other companies demoing tonight:

• Shelfie
• FitCoins
• CareNetwork
• Run-WithIT

Until tonight, have a great day!

Elisse

You might have heard of The Meadows neighbourhood in southeastern Edmonton, but have you ever thought about living there? Well, let us tell you this; it is definitely something you should be considering!

Maybe you’re unsure that a move to the area is right for you; maybe you don’t know about just what is available here. Let us share some of the many benefits with you! Read on for some of the best reasons to relocate to The Meadows, and get convinced.

Perfect Positioning

You will find The Meadows in the southeast corner of Edmonton, inside the Anthony Henday Drive orbital road, giving you great access to Edmonton International Airport and other parts of the metropolitan area. The Meadows is perfect for those who want to experience the benefit of a pleasant residential area while also remaining within striking distance of the city and the surrounding region.

Well Connected

But The Meadows isn’t just well positioned, it is well connected too. Bordered by Highway 14 to the north and Highway 216 to the east and south, access to The Meadows is easy. For trips into town, the region is served by its own Meadows Transit Centre on 17 Street, making getting around a breeze. You couldn’t ask for a better location for accessing the City of Edmonton, the Province of Alberta, and beyond.

Community Spirit

The Meadows Community League operates a range of activities that not only provide fun for residents of all ages, but also pull the community together. Members of the community league also get special rates and discounts on multi-admission passes for City of Edmonton attractions, as well as reduced West Edmonton Mall Choice Passes, cinema passes, free public swimming and more.

Diverse Property Options

The Meadows may pull together as a community, but it is made up of a variety of different neighbourhoods. Across locations such as Wild Rose, Silver Berry,  Tamarack, and Larkspur, The Meadows offers a wide range of diverse property options for prospective residents. Whether you’re looking for an apartment in a low-rise complex, a duplex or a house of your own, you will find it here.

Great Schools

The Meadows provides some of the best educational institutions in Edmonton. The Velma E. Baker Elementary School in Larkspur takes kids from kindergarten through to grade six, while the A. Blair McPherson School in Tamarack provides classes for pupils up to grade nine. Wild Rose is home to the Father Michael Troy Catholic Junior High School for grades seven to nine.

This family will also be joined soon by the planned Edmonton Catholic Schools high school, which is currently in development.

Top Shopping

Shoppers rejoice! As well as being on the doorstep of all the great shopping found at the Mill Woods Town Center shopping complex, The Meadows also has a few tricks up its own sleeve in the retail department. The RioCan Meadows shopping centre can be found on the intersection of Whitemud Drive and 17 Street in the north of The Meadows, while 23 Avenue in the centre of The Meadows is home to its own commercial development.

Facilities, Facilities and Facilities

Residents of The Meadows are never at a loss for things to do. Activities such as kickboxing, softball, skating, yoga and zumba, and a whole range of other ways to get active are found at the region’s many sporting and community facilities. As mentioned above, members of Meadows Community League enjoy discounted rates for many activities, so there is no excuse not to get involved! Not to mention, have you checked out the gorgeous Recreational centre The Meadows has.

Do you live in The Meadows? Is there anything we’ve missed that you think people need to know about? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Call us today at 587-400-SOLD (7653), to discuss buying or selling in The Meadows region.

On November 11, 1918, representatives of the Allied Forces met with their German counterparts in a stationary train carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, France to agree on terms that would bring about the end of the First World War.

This auspicious day, which originally marked the end of “The Great War”, has become etched into our collective history and consciousness as Remembrance Day. Now, when we reflect on the sacrifices made in our name, the day takes on a wider significance.

It now symbolises a recognition of the bravery, valour and tragic circumstances of the men and women who have given their lives to protect us in all conflicts, as well as that of the servicemen and women who continue to risk their lives to keep us safe.

The Beverly Memorial Cenotaph

The area of Beverly, Edmonton is home to the city’s oldest cenotaph memorial, The Beverly Memorial Cenotaph, which was erected in 1920. The history of this region became tragically entwined with that of The Great War when, in 1914, what had previously been a village became incorporated into a town.

Less than two weeks later, the dark clouds looming over Europe gave way to all-out war, and it wasn’t long before the town’s young men were called up and shipped across the Atlantic to join the struggle.

Nowadays, the cenotaph stands as a reminder of the loss and sacrifice of those young men, and that of the young men and women who continue to serve Canada so nobly to this day. Every year, the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph becomes the focal point for Edmonton’s Remembrance Day ceremonies, and marks the culmination of the city’s annual Remembrance Day military parade.

The Poppy

One of the most instantly recognisable symbols of our remembrance is the poppy. This pretty flower grows naturally on the fields of Belgium and France, where once, a century ago, millions of young men were locked in a deadly, tragic combat.

The poppies were first sold in Europe shortly after the war to raise funds for veterans charities, and began to gain popularity in Canada in 1921. Nowadays, showing our gratitude, respect and remembrance by wearing a poppy is a common occurrence each November, when we all bow our heads in reflection and consider the immensity of the gesture our servicemen and women made, make and will continue to make in the future, for us.

“The torch be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep

Though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields”

– Lt.-Col. John McCrae, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Died on January 28, 1918

  You Are Invited To Our Open House in Wild Rose

   When: November 7, 2015 between 1-3 pm

   Why: Why not? Actually there are a few reasons why you would want to attend our awesome open house this weekend:

1. You are in the market to buy a condo and are interested in purchasing in The Meadows region of the city (South East Edmonton)

2. You already live here and are curious as to what your neighbour has done to the place (we also know that you know people and wouldn’t               you prefer to have someone move in beside you that you genuinely like)?

3. Your one of our friends or family members and you love us so much that you want to spend the afternoon with us hanging out in someone           else’s place

4. Insert your own reason here: ______________ (Because we know that you want to come by)

No matter the reason, the reality is that we are showing off a great listing that is simply looking for the right buyer. Located in the well                  managed condo building of Park Place, experience a fantastic condo perfect for entertaining with over 938 sq ft of living space, this condo          comes complete with 1 bedroom plus den and two full bathrooms. Learn more about this fantastic Wild Rose condo here.

We are excited to announce that this gorgeous Spruce Grove bungalow is now available on the market. Situated in the community of Harvest Ridge, this 2008 Homexx home offers much to be desired. Starting from the beautifully landscaped corner lot complete with an RV pad, this home has been fully finished up and down.

• 9′ main floor vaulted ceilings
• 8′ solid maple interior doors
• 2 way fireplace between the Family Room & Master Bedroom
• Open concept kitchen with dark maple two toned cabinets
• Huge 2 way walk-in pantry
• Spa like en-suite complete with jetted tub
• and more…

Want to learn more about? Discover additional details here. Interested in viewing this home? Call us today at 587-400-SOLD (7653).

Start-up week is finally upon us! A week to celebration entrepreneurship and innovation and we are extremely excited to be a part of the excitement. This year, HomeTribe has been included as one of the start-up’s being featured at Launch Party 6 this Thursday, October 22, 2015.

What Is Edmonton Launch Party?

Launch Party Edmonton, the city’s flagship startup event that celebrates and showcases the hottest startups in town. Launch Party gives you the opportunity to meet our city’s brightest entrepreneurs, demo their products, and celebrate everything that our startup community has to offer.

Many amazing companies that have been a part of this amazing event have gone on to reach new heights. I’m sure many people have heard of Poppy Barley or Pogo Car Share for example. These are just 2 examples of many.

So, who exactly made the cut for the class of 2015, preview some amazing companies that will be cheering on tonight as well:

Chitter

Brought to you by: Mark Galloway, Tamara Bain, Kyle Kaiser, Ben Lavin, Sabby Choudhary

Get To Know Chitter: “Chitter is a mobile social media app that gives college and university students a digital way to engage with each other and keep up with what is going on around them in the fast paced environment of higher education.”

FitSet

Brought to you by: Tim Gourlay, Jake Stief, Raj Gandhi, Leila Panjvani, Bindesh Rach

Get To Know FitSet: “Fitset is a single membership to thousands of group fitness classes every day in 5 major Canadian cities — including yoga, spinning, obstacle course training, dance, boot camps, ballet barre and so much more. Our membership gives you the ability to try a new workout every day or visit each partner studio up to three times per month — for $99/month. Whether you are looking to diversify your workouts, discover your next favourite studio, or just explore your city, chances are we have studios close to wherever you live, work, and/or play. We aim to make fitness exploration as simple and convenient as possible.”

Carenetwork.com

Brought to you by: Dr. Noel Gibney, Kyle Fox, Emmet Gibney

Get to know Carenetwork.com: “CareNetwork.com is the easiest way for teams of hospital doctors to stay in sync. With teams working in shifts to provide around the clock care to dozens of patients with complex problems it is incredibly challenging to stay organized. CareNetwork.com helps these doctors to keep track of who their sickest patients are, what their patients’ stories are, and what needs to get done now. Collaborating through the CareNetwork.com app ensures this typically ephemeral information gets shared during shift change. Happier doctors, safer patients.”

instaMek

Brought to you by: Asem Alsaadi, Uzair Ahmed

Get To Know instaMek: “instaMek removes the hassle and struggle associated with traditional automotive service and repair by making the process as simple as ordering a book online. Within seconds this on-demand service allows car-owners to request and schedule a fully certified mobile mechanic (“Mek”) to their home or workplace – all at a price up to 30% cheaper than a shop. All work is guaranteed with a warranty on parts and labor and Meks are reviewed after every job to ensure top notch workmanship. Since its launch in February, instaMek has serviced over 500 vehicles and currently operates in 11 different cities across Canada.”

Evented

Brought to you by: Ramneek Purewal, Avneet Purewal

Get To Know Evented: “Evented is a web-based platform geared towards serving the event industry. Evented works by offering people who are planning events a consolidated, comprehensive, and current directory of local vendors who can service their events. Users can use features such as sorting filters and user reviews to make finding and finalizing vendors a more streamlined and efficient process. Evented is also able to eliminate the need for vendors to advertise on multiple platforms by providing a marketing tool that specifically targets their intended audiences. Evented works to create something useful for you; your city’s essential event vendor directory.”

VR Bike

Brought to you by: Peter W Wood, Pierre Boulanger, Stephanie Shaeffer, Ga Young Kim

Get To Know VR Bike: “MedROAD Inc. is a company designed and formed to act as a portal for delivering to the general community the exciting and state-of-the-art research and innovation developed out of the Advanced Man Machine Interface Laboratory, University of Alberta. These areas of innovation include: 3D virtual reality, telemedicine and enhanced image viewing. We at MedROAD Inc. are very excited to deliver some of the exciting and unique projects we have been worked on at the University; connecting our clients and consumers with the very forefront of research and development.”

PFM Scheduling Services

Brought to you by: Dale Schuurmans, Csaba Szepesvari, Martha White, James Neufeld, Jason Harder

Get To Know PFM Scheduling Services: “PFM is a company that came out of Alberta Innovates Center for Machine Learning (AICML) at the University of Alberta after 3 years of ground breaking research. PFM has developed a scheduling product suite that automates schedule production, optimization and analysis for shift workers in complex organizations that contend with sophisticated rule sets such as collective bargaining agreements. Currently, PFM is focusing on healthcare and is partnering with Telus Sourcing Solutions as a distribution channel and United Nurses of Alberta Union and Alberta Health Services as clients.”

Varafy Corporation

Brought to you by: Werner Biegler, Justin Sharp, Ken Fyfe

Get To Know Varafy Corporation: “Varafy gives Educators the power to create an unlimited number of fresh and unique problems and their detailed solutions in minutes versus hours – and have fun doing it!”

JumpSeat

Brought to you by: Mike Priest, Paul McCarthy, Trevor Dell, Christian Dendy

Get To Know JumpSeat: “JumpSeat is a product of Ten Speed Technologies and transforms how organizations onboard, train and support their employees. By providing in-context, interactive, step-by-step task guidance, users learn what they need to learn, at the moment they need to learn it. Our unique training method keeps the user in the browser, away from your support desk, and since it overlays on top of your existing web-applications, keeps them productive while learning. No code integration is required and no developers are needed to create your interactive guides.”

and last but not least last:

HomeTribe

Brought to you by: Elisse Moreno, Ryan Ramage, Luke Wang, Chantelle Maris and the rest of our awesome crew

Get To Know Home Tribe: “Home Tribe is a technology driven real estate team dedicated to creating a more personalized real estate experience. We do this by combining traditional real estate services, technology, Big Data and Analytics. Our first technology application, “Home Tribe Match” helps buyers find the perfect home based on their lifestyle needs. We take into account safety, commutability, neighbourhood dynamics and more to determine the homes currently for sale on the market that are most desirable to a buyer. This time-saving, easy to use app makes it simple for a buyer to move through the buying process.”

We hope to see a lot of friendly faces at this awesome event. Until tomorrow night. 🙂

Happy Thanksgiving To All Our Wonderful Clients & Friends!

Did we mention how lucky we are to have great people in our lives. Our success is truly only possible because of you “the believers” who entrust us to help you make one of your biggest decisions in life: To buy or sell real estate.  We have been honoured to serve you and look forward to the opportunity of being able to work with you, your family or friends in the near future. We hope that you have an amazing Thanksgiving! Enjoy your long weekend filled with good cheer, good company, good food and good drinks!

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” – John F. Kennedy