It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s local REALTOR Chris Miller of Schmidt Realty Group rapelling down the Sutton Place Hotel to raise money for Easter Seals!

Chris was one of the brave volunteers who raised a minimum of $1500 each for the privilege of rapelling down 27 stories in downtown Edmonton this past Tuesday morning. 

Our team at Schmidt is so proud of you Chris!   Whahoo!!!!!
Click here to watch Chris’s adventure on YouTube!

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner, Schmidt Realty Group

Mixed Commercial/Residential Development Proposed in Oliver

August 17, 2011

Click here to view the full information online

Citizens are invited to a public meeting to discuss a proposed rezoning and Area Redevelopment Plan amendment in the city’s central neighbourhood of Oliver. The rezoning would allow up to 14 storeys of mixed commercial and residential development.

Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Time: 7pm
Location: Robertson-Wesley United Church,
10209 – 123 Street NW

Why we love living downtown

By Mack D. Male · August 9, 2011 at 1:00pm

Click here to view the full post online

Sharon and I decided to collaborate on this post. Enjoy!

Sharon:  When Mack and I first started looking into buying a condo in 2009, we knew what we wanted. It took a bit of time, however, to get my dad (who was also our real estate agent), on board.

For our specified price range, he told us we would be able to purchase a spacious, sparkly new condo on the edge of the city. State of the art fixtures, modern design, and that pull of the pristine is attractive to many for a variety of reasons. But not for us, given our current work situation, lifestyle and values. [continued]

Click here to view the full post online

Habitat for Humanity is our chosen corporate charity, and while we all support many other good causes, this is one we support together as a team!  This month half our team donned hard hats and tool belts while the other half kept the business running for our clients!  We have the wonderful privilege of helping families purchase homes every day.  Supporting Habitat allows us the joy of helping some folks who otherwise might not enjoy that fantastic pride of ownership feeling.  It was a great day and I”m so proud of our team for the time and energy they put into this worthy cause!

Submitted by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc.

Have you heard of the FEEL GOOD RIPPLE campaign?   Servus Credit Union has an amazing program going on right now and they invited Schmidt Realty Group to participate.  This morning our team was out on the street armed with $10 bills from Servus and a mission to make someone’s day special.  All the recipient has to do is agree to do something kind for someone else today – not with money, but with something as simple as a smile or offering to help someone get their groceries to their car on a cold and snowy day.  Thanks to SERVUS and our team of good samaritan realtors, there were a few more smiles in Edmonton this morning.  One older lady received money to take a cab home after she bought her groceries.  A young girl was helped with bus fare to get back home to BC.  A mom with three children received some extra funds to put towards mitts and scarves at Value Village.  The staff at WIN House were happy to receive nine pairs of one-size-fits-all gloves from Superstore.  Some hard working people received a surprise gift of a Ten-To-Go carton of coffee from Tim Horton’s. And a family in line at Tim’s were given cash towards their family’s lunch on a cold day.  Our team had so much fun and everyone was inspired by the experience to do it again!

Read more RIPPLE stories here!  Who can YOU help feel good today? 

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner, Schmidt Realty Group Inc

On October 4, Habitat for Humanity will join efforts around the world to mark World Habitat Day – a day the United Nations has set aside to call attention to the dire need for affordable, adequate housing.Click the link below to see facts, videos, photos, banners and even a way to submit your own photo to the World Habitat Day Photo Wall!

http://worldhabitatdaynews.org

After a two-year absence, the Lions Club Dream Home has made a green return to the Capital Ex grounds. The environmentally friendly house is built with sustainable materials like bamboo wood and features a super-efficient furnace and hot-water heater.   The fully furnished, 2,002-square-foot, two-bedroom home is worth approximately $825,0000.   

Click here to read the full article.

Source: Edmonton Journal Aug 2 2010, Julianna Cummins

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner, Schmidt Realty Group Inc

According to a recent article in the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton home owners may be looking at an increase of approximately $30 a year in taxes to pay for the continued expansion of the LRT.  This increase may continue for the next six years and may begin well in advance of the additional LRT lines being ready for riders.  Some might say this is an unfair levy on those who don’t use public transit, but it seems to me this is a small price to pay to keep Edmonton a city that is getting “greener” day by day. 

Click here to read the full article and to view a short video about rider safety on the LRT system.

Submitted by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc.

As a resident of Pleasantview, I was particularly interested in the news of city council’s approval of future commercial development of 109 Street south of Whyte Avenue.  This week’s article in the Edmonton Journal provides a good overview and I am encouraged that this will be a positive move for the area.  The university area is definitely a walking community and to have more facilities available to students, families and seniors all within walking distance is great.  I am hopeful that the proposed standards of treed sidewalk areas and architectural guidelines will enhance the appeal of this busy roadway and will encourage more of us to get out of our cars and stroll to neighbourhood shops and services.  Click here to read the full article.

Submitted by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner, Schmidt Realty Group Inc.

We have all heard the news and seen the images of the huge tragedy in Haiti. It is overwhelming to think about the resources needed for the Haiti people to begin to recover, but if we each do something (big or small) we CAN make a difference!  Our team supports World Vision in a variety of ways and so Larry and I as business owners have chosen to support the relief efforts in Haiti through this incredible organization. 

Canadians can now donate $5 to World Vision on their cell phones. Simply text “WORLD” to 45678. A one-time donation toward relief efforts in Haiti will be added to your mobile phone bill. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply.  What could be easier?

A donation of $110 to through World Vision to Haiti earthquake victims provides two families with an invaluable emergency kit.   And until February 12th, the Canadian government will match your donation made to double the impact of your giving!  This means that same donation of $110 provides an emergency kit to four families! Click here to learn more about how you can help!

However you choose to support the people of Haiti, never lose sight of the fact that every dollars make a difference.  Let’s keep the giving going!

Contributed by Kathy Schmidt, Broker Owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc.