The Cutest Wedding Venue in Canada

Posted on August 31, 2014 by admin

Besides being a Realtor, I am also a Marriage Commissioner. I have had the privilege of officiating the weddings of many wonderful couples. The venue is one of the most important parts of the ceremony, and I am always on the lookout for new and interesting settings. Recently, I discovered a place that immediately became one of my favorite wedding spots: Spring Valley Chapel.

Located between Calgary and Okotoks and three miles south of Sirocco Golf Club, Spring Valley Chapel has labeled itself “Calgary’s Hidden Wedding Chapel”. It might be hidden for now, but I predict it will soon become one of the most popular wedding sites in our area. Spring Valley Chapel sits on private property and the main feature is the chapel itself. To say it is adorable is an understatement! It was built with stone walls, arched windows, and a quaint steeple. The interior seats 135 and is furnished with church pews, antiques, and artwork. Outdoors, there are too many picture-perfect settings to count. I have watched photographers become giddy over all the magical scenes that hold the possibility of memorable wedding pictures! I know when a wedding photographer is impressed with a locale, it’s a gem.

Recently, I had the honor of officiating the wedding of a truly sweet couple at Spring Valley Chapel. The groom is involved with the Porsche Club of Calgary and proposed to his bride with four Porsches, each featuring a license plate with the words Will You Marry Me. At the wedding, the cars were incorporated into the festivities. It was a fabulous time in a gorgeous location! I’m so happy to have discovered Spring Valley Chapel!

http://springvalleychapel.com/

Looking for a professional, energetic and knowledgeable Calgary real estate agent who will work tirelessly for you? Let’s get to work! Visit my website for more information – but CALL me for timely communication, market information, contract protection and a friendly hand to help you with your real estate needs.

About Sue Saunders

Sue was born in Victoria and grew up in a large family, which moved throughout BC. By the time she was 22 she had 4 children, was divorced and living on welfare. The move to Calgary in 1976 was an excellent decision. Sue loved the sun, vibrancy and potential – Calgary has become home!

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.

Residential Real Estate – Starting with nothing but the course, business experience and a drive to succeed Sue has built a business. In a very determined move she has achieved what only 10% of all REALTORS® do – she is still in business!!

Weddings – In July 1999 Sue was appointed a Marriage Commissioner by the Province of Alberta and still loves performing ceremonies. Meeting lots of great people and traveling to different locations she has done over 1000 weddings now!

Sue is proud of her 6 children and 13 grandchildren! She loves spending time with them and many years ago started a “Wednesday Night Dinner”. The tradition continues and anywhere from 9 – 23 attend these scrumptious, fun filled, crazy, family nights!

She loves golf, reading, games, social activities and embraces change, technology and challenge. Sue works Real Estate and weddings like everything else with humour, tenacity, skill and enthusiasm. Always finding balance between work, family and home – call for YOUR Marriage Commissioner or REALTOR®!!

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Posted on August 17, 2014 by admin

I always tell my clients to live in a home one year before renovating. You learn a lot about a house by living, feeling and observing through all seasons. You may realize things you were sure had to be changed are actually that way for a reason. Conversely, you may discover necessary projects that would have been impossible to complete had you spent your renovating budget immediately.

I moved into a new home a year ago, then promptly did everything I tell my clients not to do. I added gas lines for a BBQ grill and kitchen stove. I added a water line for the refrigerator so it could make ice because, you know, the recipe for homemade ice is just too hard. I installed a security system. I put in reverse osmosis and a water softener. I added a new window, which required knocking out a wall and redoing siding. These may already sound like quite a lot of renovations, but they all pale in comparison to the addition of “The Mainland”.

That’s right, I didn’t think “an island” in my kitchen was enough. My counter addition is so large, it’s a mainland. It is literally the size of a king-size bed. My family joked that is was far more than an island, and ever since, we have referred to it as The Mainland. I’m not sure I feel regret over The Mainland, but it is a constant reminder that I certainly don’t follow my own advice!

I still think my original advice is the correct path. Unless there are pertinent maintenance issues, take a year to relax into your new home before renovating. Besides getting to know your house, use that time to plan and prepare for big projects. Most importantly, decide whether you really want to do everything you originally considered. You will most likely save money and avoid stress in the long run. Otherwise, you might end up with a continent in your kitchen.

About Sue Saunders

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.

Stomping Parties

Posted on July 6, 2014 by admin

To say this winter was looming is an understatement. I waited patiently for the snow to melt… and while I waited patiently, someone (or something) was busy having a party under all that snow! And when the snow finally melted, I got to deal with the after-party mess… No, it wasn’t beer bottles and trash, it was worse, it was a chewed up and spit out lawn (voles ate the roots)!!!

Voles are small, subterranean-dwelling little creatures. They look almost exactly like mice, but they are much hardier and can rip through the ground with their tough little teeth. They appear unassuming and unthreatening — I will dare say they are even cute. You might see one and think, “Awwww, cute little field mouse!” Think again, because these are the hard winter partiers who will dig racetracks in your yard and make a mess of your grass, probably laughing at you the entire time. Welcome to spring in Calgary!

I went on a witch hunt after discovering what the voles had done to my yard. I thought I was smarter and stronger than an army of tiny rodents, but I might have been wrong. I looked at traps, poisons, and a whole array of pest removal techniques. I tried “friendly” forms of warfare, like putting steel wool in their tracks. It’s not that I wanted to kill the little critters, I just didn’t want to see them at all. They were in my territory! I wanted them gone.

Finally (a little too late I’m afraid) I learned that the best thing to do is to stomp down the first snow. This wisdom is based on the assumption that the voles can’t tunnel through firmly packed snow. Therefore, next winter, I plan on hosting a stomping party at one of my Wednesday family dinners. I know the grandkids would probably have a lot of fun with traps and steel wool and poison, but I think a stomping party is safer.

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/pesticides/mole-taupes-eng.php

About Sue Saunders

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.

Giving Back: Ways I Engage the Calgary Community

Posted on May 15, 2014 by admin

Calgary is more than just the place where I work. It is my home, and I believe in giving back to the community. Volunteering is a great way to utilize your skills, meet new people, and feel like you are part of a bigger picture. There are several charitable endeavors to help better the community where I live and work. It is a priority for me to be personally invested in Calgary’s future.

Meals on Wheels is a program that provides meals for those who need it. This organization delivers prepared and frozen meals to the elderly, people with disabilities, or individuals who are unwell. As a volunteer, I have the chance to connect with residents within the community while offering a much needed service. Fundraising is required to provide Meals on Wheels with the resources that they need to keep up the great work each year. I am involved in a golf tournament for the program that has a goal of raising $500,000 for capital expenditure this year.

I also sit on the Calgary Real Estate Board-Board of Governors and participate in an organization called Calgary REALTORS Cares. Over the last 26 years, this organization has donated more than $5 million to 25 different local charities. We believe in Calgary, and we want to make sure that we give back to the community we work in.

There are many private communities within Calgary that are run by their own resident’s associations. In my community, I am a member of the Chaparral Resident’s Association. The executive board helps to manage the operation and maintenance of our lake and adjoining park. There are many engineers and practical-minded people on this board who make decisions about how to improve the area that we live in.

Participating with all of these groups is wonderful because it gives me a chance to work on a little bit of everything in my community. I get to work within my neighborhood, my group of peers, and with people throughout the city. It is just one more reason that I love Calgary.

About Sue Saunders

After 20 years of food sales Sue took the Real Estate Course and became a REALTOR® in March, 1997.