SECRET RECIPE- Greek Ribs

The BEST Lemony Greek Ribs

(only special people get this recipe)

(5 ingredients & 5 steps)

Back Ribs (one rack per person)

Cavenders "Greek seasoning" (found at Safeway)

3 fresh lemons (cut in 1/4's)

Oyster Sauce

Oregano

Step 1) Generously coat both sides of ribs with Greek seasoning and lay on a broiler pan or roaster

-broil each side for 4 minutes

Step 2) Remove from oven and sprinkle with dry oregano

-broil each side for 4 minutes

Step 3) Remove from oven and baste one side with oyster sauce sauce (generous amount)

-broil that side for 3 minutes, repeat on other side

Step 4) Baste each side again with oyster sauce

-broil each side for 3 minutes

Step 5) Remove from oven and cut into single ribs

-place all ribs into bowl and squeeze lemon generously over ribs and let sit for a couple minutes

Approximate total time: 30 minutes

My mother brought this recipe into my life..... Thank You! So good. So good.

Experience Thailand!

My THAILAND Experience!

10 Things I LOVE & Recommend doing in Thailand

1) The water is absolutely Amazing!

2) Rent motorcycles & explore Phuket

3) Snorkeling

4) Jumping into the waves

5) I can eat 1.5 pounds of mussels for $3 !!!

6) Get an hour massage for $10 

7) Fly across the Country for $100

8) The Sunset while on a boat beside Phi Phi Don Island

9) I never felt threatened by any of the locals (sometimes I feel too comfortable and become too trusting when this happens!)

10) BE ADVENTUROUS! Do not plan, just go with the flow :)

We went to Thailand from October 10-October 31

-We bought the cheapest flight, but also one of the longest flights....24 hour trip. Calgary to San Francisco. San Francisco to Tokyo. Tokyo to Bangkok!

-This is right before "high season" and right after "monsoon season" Prices on hotels are still lower than a week or two later..where they would then be adjusted for busy season.

-The weather was phenomenal! Experienced TWO fantastic thunder storms which lasted approx 30min and the sun immediately re-appeared

What I thought was the worse part of Thailand?

Anytime we went somewhere new and I had to use the washroom, I was horrified about the experience I was going to have.... Some washrooms do not provide toilet paper (probably 50%).... Some only provide a spray hose... One bathroom building on an island we were on was surrounded by garbage.... and Turkeys running around freely to top it off..... My mood was immediately altered anytime I walked into an unsanitary bathroom with NO toilet paper!!! grrr! I recommend (for both guys and girls)....to bring wet-naps with you (baby wipes)....then you are able to feel "fresh" no matter what the circumstance is! haha. Always have hand sanitiser on you as well!

Thailand is one of the most beautiful places in the world, yet there is garbage allover the place. Some how you can see past the garbage. The beauty trumps the mess.

"I would rarely wear my sunglasses as I felt like what I was seeing and experiencing was not real, and not seen properly wearing sunglasses" 

Having travelled to Thailand I've learnt to appreciate where we live. You realise that we have experienced things in life that someone who lives in the tropics may never experience. Like the snow in winter. The colours of the leaves in the fall...... having at least four walls, all with doors and windows. I saw families living on an island in huts all lined up 10 feet back from the beach where tourists were taken to relax.... A blanket was tied to the roof inside the hut with a baby being rocked by its mother lying on the floor exhausted by the heat.

I learnt to appreciate:

-Clean bathrooms with toilet paper

-Having air conditioned buildings & homes

-Having procedures to dispose of garbage and recyclables.

-Experiencing the beauty of 4 seasons

-The opportunity to earn money the way you want to and enjoy what you do (tailors,taxi cab drivers,spas,restaurants and retail are the primary career choices for locals in Thailand)

"Thailand was an amazing vacation, and I'm ready to go back, but I wouldn't want to live there for the rest of my life, I love Canada"

It's too hard to explain the beauty. You need to see it to believe it. Make sure you put "Visit Thailand" on your bucket list! :)

Wood Foundations- Misconceptions -

Recently, I listed a home in South Calgary that was built with a Wood Foundation. This struck many buyers & Realtors as a flawed home. The lack of knowledge and miss-information has made a "wood" vs "concrete" foundations sound not "AS" good. I wanted to clear a few things up, and provide you with some enlightening information.


A permanent wood foundation (PWF) is a strong durable and contemporary building foundation that has a number of unique advantages over other foundation systems both for the builder and homeowner. Thousands of PWF homeowners across Canada are delighted with the comfort and livability of their homes, as well as with the economics realised by this energy efficient system of building.


-Energy costs can be significantly reduced-


Permanent Wood Foundations are Warm, dry comfortable and easy to heat. That all too familiar damp, musty basement feeling is gone forever, replaced by a totally livable perfectly comfortable area that is just like the rest of the house because it is fully insulated and built with the same construction techniques and materials.


-Wood has natural thermal qualities - far higher than concrete -


PWF's are quickly built in any weather. Time saved is money and saved in the construction business and almost any delay can be both inconvenient and costly. A PWF is a definite time saver over other foundation types because it goes in fast in all weather and does not require special crews. Wet, muddy or frozen ground has little effect on the installation process, which means that builders using PWF's enjoy a longer building season without scheduling problems or weather shutdowns. And owners get to enjoy their new homes sooner.


PWF homes   'SHOULD'   have buyer appeal. Because PWF basements are warm, dry and pleasantly comfortable.


PWF's are environmentally sound and accepted by building codes. Wood treated with preservatives is environmentally safe when used in the proper applications like PWF. The preservatives used in the PWF lumber and plywood are fixed in the wood and resistant to leaching even by extreme conditions of moisture.


It is a huge misconception that wood foundations don't perform in wet areas.
There is no question about the engineering of PWF's, only about the longevity. WATER DOES NOT ROT WOOD!! I'll repeat WATER DOES NOT ROT WOOD!! A fungus that thrives in wet wood causes rot. However, if every wood cell is masked with copper cells, from the pressure treating process, the fungus wont think twice about eating it.


If built properly, wood foundations will last 100's of years. They are warmer, LESS likely to leak then any concrete or block foundation, ready to be finished, and a breeze to remodel, and in the RARE instance that a poorly built PWF Fails, very easy to repair compared to CONCRETE.


Full Article of Information: http://www.canply.org/pdf/main/pwf.pdf

Word Of The Day: Contingency

Contingency - A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding. For example, home purchasers often include a contingency that specifies that the contract is not binding until the purchaser obtains a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified home inspector.

Community Profile: Silver Springs NW, Calgary

Silver Springs, NW
Calgary, Alberta

Community Website: http://www.silverspringscommunity.ca/

Steps from Bowmont Park, trails and Bowness Park!

Bowmont Park is an off-leash zone for dogs, this makes Silver Springs very attractive to dog lovers! Plenty of Walking/Biking/Rollerblading trails just outside your back door.

More Info on Bowmont Park: http://www.calgaryarea.com/calgary_parks/bowmont_park/bowmont.htm

Bowness Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the city. Walk down to Bowness Park to experience the Bow River at its best! Take the kids down for a lovely picknick and a game of catch! Feel completely relaxed as you enjoy the "forest-like" setting. Being at Bowness Park made me feel as though I was on vacation, not in the middle of the big city, Calgary! :)

More Info on Bowness Park: http://www.calgaryarea.com/calgary_parks/bowness_park/bowness.htm

SECRET #1

Mitillinis Pizza & Steak House

http://www.mitillinispizza.ca/

Award winning pizza in this tucked away restaurant in Silver Springs. Sunday nights are ussually full when they offer 1/2 off pizza. How can you afford not to go!? Feed your family for $15 - - The BEST pizza crust ever, not greasy at all, lots of real veggies that you can actually taste & baked to perfection! I love their fully loaded pizza!!

Even if you do not live in Silver Springs I highly reccommend wandering into #2-5720 Silver Springs Blvd NW - - and when you do, post your feedback!

Not many home owners in Silver Springs plan on moving anywhere else other than a bigger or smaller home in Silver Springs. Having bought our home in Silver Springs, I know that this community provides wide roads, large yards, big beautiful trees, a view of COP & The Mountains, space between each home and that "small town" average income,  family oriented feel. A lot of descriptive words in one sentance...just trying to jam in my opinion on this beautiful community without boring you!!

There is a tonne of information on the Community Website if you're interested in Silver Springs as your next move: http://www.silverspringscommunity.ca/  

SECRET #2

CIR Realty Northwest & Chas Zemluk

Located on Silver Springs Blvd and Chas lives nearby! So I am close, I know the area well and I have the answers to all your questions! Call me if you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling in Silver Springs. My Cell #403-354-3777. My Email czemluk@cirrealty.ca

FOR SALE: 2 bed, 2 bath PENTHOUSE in Discovery Ridge, SW Calgary

535, 10 DISCOVERY RIDGE CLOSE, SW CALGARY

TOP FLOOR!
2bed, 2 bath PENTHOUSE luxury in one of the most beautiful communities in Calgary! Enjoy a coffee on your private and peaceful balcony while taking in the views of Griffith Woods. This concrete building makes for a very quiet and serene living space. The open-concept floor plan is a fantastic space to entertain your friends & family in front of the stone faced gas fireplace. Brand new updated african maple laminate flooring, 9ft ceilings and large windows creates an ambiance that ties this perfect unit together. Escape to your large master bedroom, massive walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom complete with a stand up shower & soaker tub for those relaxing nights. Your electricity, natural gas and insurance along with the on-site fitness facility and games room are all included in your monthly condo fees. Titled, heated underground parking stall included. In-suite laundry, Stainless steel appliances, everything you need! You have virtually nothing to worry about! A quick escape to the mountains! 20 minute drive to downtown Calgary, 10 minute drive to west LRT and steps away from the bus stop. Do Not miss out on this TOP Floor unit as it's PRICED TO SELL! Call or email today to view! $342,000
For More Information: http://www.cirrealty.ca/sections/property/viewlisting.cir?n=3504430
MLS #C3504430


Chas Zemluk
REALTOR
CIR Realty
403-354-3777

How To Make Your Home Sparkle For Sale!

I am always asked "What can we do to receive the best selling price!" (my answer to that, is "choose the RIGHT Realtor! wink, wink, nudge, nudge, haha)
You must be careful when putting a large amount of work into your home such as updating certain things. For example: Homes with brand new windows in your community may not be selling for any more than a home with old windows...so do not spend the money on that! In my opinion a home with a beautiful updated kitchen with newer appliances is always easier to sell than the home that has an original kitchen. However, just a heads up... (which is completely an "opinion" and "taste" thing) I see updated kitchens with the crisp, clean white cupboards put in, rather than oak or maple cupboards and I get numerous comments from Buyers that they dislike white cupboards and would rip them out immediately if they were to buy the home...even if they were recently put in to "update" the kitchen area. A kitchen is a huge expense and not everyone is going to put in a new kitchen to get a better price on their home. Remember, you might spend $30,000 on a kitchen just to bring your homes value up by $30,000..which is not a good return on your dollar spent. So have your Realtor research these types of things for you!

My next suggestion is to bring in a designer to give you a quick consultation on how to place your furniture, what to remove and colours to paint your home! (I have a designer as part of my team to help you out if needed)

If you do not have a lot of furniture or will be moving out of your home while in the midst of listing.... contact a "Staging" company to stage your home! This is worth the small investment. (I have my clients use ReStage for most of my vacant properties)

A few smaller (less expensive) suggestions are:

PAINT - neutral colours are best for re-sale
CLEAN - baseboards, light fixtures, blinds, carpets, cupboards (inside & out), windows
ORGANIZE - storage space, closets, book shelves, cd/dvd racks, pantry, file away bank statements, pay stubs & bills
DE-CLUTTER - remove small appliances from kitchen counter-tops, removed everything from bathroom counter-tops & the tops of dressers and side tables in bedrooms
DE-PERSONALISE - remove family photos throughout the house, framed degrees/diplomas, put jewellery away where it cannot be seen!
VACUUM, WASH & DUST - EVERYTHING!

Things to remember before showings: shovel sidewalks & driveway, remove any garbage in or around property, open the blinds & curtains, close closet doors, turn some lights on, make the beds properly!

TIP #1 - Open the windows for an hour (in the winter) to freshen the air; a few hours in the summer! :)

TIP #2 - Instead of giving some people a headache (and immediately turning buyers off) when walking into your home because you're over-powering the room with air fresheners or plug-ins...use my little trick of the trade!
**In a pan slice an apple from the top 4 times without cutting all the way through the apple. Use about teaspoon of butter placed in the middle of the apple and inside each sliced section - sprinkle a fair amount of cinnamon on top and put in the oven on 200-250 for an hour or two before showing the home.**
This is a "natural" scent, that smells like homemade apple pie! The majority of people do not get turned off by this scent versus a perfume, unnatural smell that may be over-bearing for potential buyers! :)

Closing remarks:
If you keep your home as clean as possible, buyers will immediately "feel" better about the condition the home is in and how well its been taken care of. Human beings are VERY visual, most people cannot see past the decor or colours they immediately walk into. Oh...and one last thing...if you have orange or red carpet anywhere in the house, RIP IT OUT! haha. Hope this all helps! Chat soon!

What is The Secret To Life?

One of my favourite songs is Faith Hills "Secret To Life" This song is a feel-good tune, and really gets you thinking to what YOUR secret to life is. What makes you happy? What makes you wake up every morning and go to work every day? How do you structure your 24hour day, and your week to fulfil your expectations of life? It's amazing how your perspective of life changes as you grow older, experience different things, good and bad, and become wiser.

Personally, I feel that having some extra "play" money definitely makes things easier, it allows me to do things I would not be able to do without having it...like travelling,  or buying a boat to enjoy on the lake with my friends (this still hasn't happened but it's a goal)But with that said, you can travel on minimal money in your own province or just a province over. We have a beautiful country with certain aspects to it that people across the world will never understand or experience, like snow for instance, or autumn when the crisp, colourful leaves are just about to fall off the trees and there is this quiet, serene feeling in the air. Nobody said I cant enjoy the lake with minimal cash & no boat, I can borrow a tent, buy some hot dogs and invite my friends out to the lake. What I have learnt from friends and family is that the simplest things in life are free & the outcome and satisfaction of YOUR life is what you make of it.

I feel a "balanced" life is the secret to life.
Find YOUR "balance" and you will be Happy! :)


The Secret To Life Video - Faith Hill

Learn About - A - Agency (Buyer) Real Estate Services

An agency relationship arises in a real estate transaction when a person, wishing to sell his/her home, seeks the assistance of a real estate brokerage through discussions with a real estate broker or salesperson employed by the brokerage.

Buyer Agency: This type of relationship can be established by implication, as well as a written agreement/contract. The hallmarks of this relationship are good faith, full disclosure, competence, obedience, and accounting. A good REALTOR will use professional negotiation skills, seek appropriate properties that meet the buyer's needs, describe the merits and defects of any selected property, keep information confidential concerning the buyer, and act in the buyers best interests.

REMEMBER: A buyer DOES NOT pay any real estate fees to use a Real Estate Agent to BUY a home.


A Buyers Agent will:

help find the best home for you whether it is listed for sale on the MLS®, privately, or not listed at all. I have helped many clients purchase homes for sale by owner (FSBO,WELIST). Realtors can also represent buyers interested in purchasing new homes (ie new construction)
drive you & your family around the city to look at homes (if this is more convenient for you)
show you the mls history on any property and interpret the information
provide you with a comparable market analysis on the homes you're interested in
pulling title on each home you're about to put an offer on and identifying potential problems
making sure the Real Property Report is accurate
preparing the purchase contract
negotiating with the listing agent or private sellers
keep in touch via email, text or phone calls (even after the deal has been made!)
give you fantastic referrals to mortgage brokers, lawyers & inspectors they has used & trust 100%
makes sure all the paperwork is conveyed to your lawyer & mortgage broker
make sure deposits are deposited into the appropriate trust account
provide you with community information (dog parks,schools,stores,crime stats etc)
give you advice on renovations & improvements
be present during the inspection as a 2nd set of ears
be present during possession day
spend hours researching homes sold, homes pending, homes active and the market stats within the communities you're interested in & throughout the city/town you're purchasing in.

If you have any further suggestions to my short list, please let me know! I am continually trying to provide my clients with the best service & most relaxing experience.

About Chas Zemluk

Hello everybody!
This whole "blogging" thing is new to me but I've always loved to write, so I thought I'd give it a shot! Being Ukrainian, I do have very strong opinions so there may be a few things I write about that you don't agree with, but that's okay. I also have very thick skin having worked within the music industry for the past 13 years. So I encourage you to add your comments, feedback, opinions & questions.

The first paragraph gave you a quick glimpse of who I am... I suppose, but I can add to that!

I grew up in Martensville, Saskatchewan up until I moved to Calgary, Alberta with my then, boyfriend, now, husband! I travelled back and forth to Nashville throughout high school and taught voice lessons inbetween. I then graduated and worked at a Real Estate/Home Builder office in Martensville, and this is where my passion for Homes began! Actually, I knew at a young age I loved Real Estate and the architectural essence of different houses and floor plans! When my parents built their first home when I was 12 years old, I began drawing up floor plans and venturing off to open houses to help my parents design the perfect home, with all the new '1998' styles & features offered! I knew terms in Real Estate at 12 years old that some don't even know at 25 years of age! So looking back, it makes perfect sense why Real Estate became the "perfect fit" with my musical dream and aspirations.

Throughout the years I've dealt with many different types of people and personalities on and off stage (singing) & within the business world. I started out very shy and very scared to meet new people, but quickly learnt that my mom and dad could not hold my hand forever! This is where I flourished and learnt that listening, understanding, communicating & just being myself was a huge factor in the business world, both in music and real estate. I'm very "high energy" and like to think I'm always smiling and laughing, and cracking the odd joke that people may or may not get...haha.

While in Calgary, I went to school to upgrade my Real Estate Licensing to Alberta standards. During this time I also obtained my diploma in Graphic Design and continued to pursue music...playing Western Canada's finest live music country bars, Camrose Big Valley Jamboree, private corporate shows and the ever-so famous Stampede....to name just a few events! Also in 2011 I planned our wedding and ventured to Thailand for 3 weeks for our honeymoon...which was not a planned-out 3 week vacation/honeymoon, just a flight to Bangkok, our backpacks and our sense of Adventure! :) We had an amazing time and would not have done it any differently!

I have many hobbies including, singing, skiing (both water and snow), tubing, Fastball & Slow pitch, Volleyball, 4-wheeling, fishing (ice and summer), hunting (more less help my dad and brother push bush, haha) and skating! I am the type of person to try everything once and  tend to love most activities. I'm also a Roughrider fan, and cannot wait to watch my sons or daughters play hockey (when I have sons or daughters) ...I was always the loud, competitive one up on the stands cheering her little brother on back in the day...

Not a whole lot more I can tell you about myself without writing 15 pages. Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll begin writing about things that I feel you (the reader) may be interested in hearing about. I look forward to blogging! This is the 1st step as I would love to start video blogging as well!

Check out my music at www.chasitydawn.com 

I'm currently working on my new Real Estate website - Stay Tuned!
Update: Real Estate Website: www.calgaryhomeswithchas.com