COMMON FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER QUESTIONS

You’ve decided that you want to buy, but you don’t really know how to go about it. Aside from the pride of homeownership, owning a home is beneficial as it helps build long-term wealth with each mortgage payment. The more you know, the more likely you are to avoid any major setbacks. And should you

QUALIFYING FOR A MORTGAGE

There are many factors to consider when you’re looking to get into the housing market, like how much am I approved for, how much should I put down on a house, how do I get approved for a mortgage or what is the difference between fixed and variable rate? The fact is, homeownership can be

UNDERSTANDING CREDIT SCORES

Highlights: Credit scores are designed to predict the likelihood that individuals will pay their bills as agreed Credit scores help lender’s predict the “risk” to lend you money. Credit scores are only one of several pieces of information used to determine your creditworthiness Payment history, the amount of credit you’re using, and the length of

5 SIMPLE WAYS TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

Buying and owning real estate is an investment strategy that can be both satisfying and lucrative. Unlike stock and bond investors, prospective real estate owners can use leverage to buy a property by paying a portion of the total cost upfront, then paying off the balance, plus interest over time. While a traditional mortgage generally requires a 20% down payment, in some

IS SELLING YOUR HOME RIGHT NOW A MISTAKE?

Ask any real estate agent how the market is and you’re almost sure to get a similar answer: “Great!” With everything going on, you deserve more than that. Even if the market is great, it still may not be a great time for you to sell. Many real estate agents will tell you that NOW is the

DOWNSIZING TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT MOVE

In today’s real estate market, plenty of buyers find themselves moving into a smaller space. Whether you’re a mature couple selling the family home and investing in a more manageable space or a single buyer moving into an urban core to be closer to work, you might just find yourself wondering how you’re going to

ECO-FRIENDLY DECOR ITEMS FOR YOUR HOME

Homeowners are becoming more aware of environmental issues, and many of them are consciously trying to make progress toward a greener life. They are switching to renewable-resource materials in their homes and purchasing decor items that meet those standards. Here are ideas for greening your home without hurting the environment. Add plants. Although this may

IT’S ALMOST THE NEW YEAR! HERE ARE ITEMS WE THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THROWING FROM YOUR CLOSET.

For some people, the closet seems to be a place where just about everything is tossed. But there are some things that really have no place in a closet, and if you want to be organized, you might want to consider getting rid of some of these items or at least moving them out of

SAVE UTILITY COSTS BY DOING HOME UPDATES

A few quick updates can keep your utility costs down. When you go to sell, future buyers will be glad you took these steps. Install ceiling fans. They’re the budget-friendly way to cool your home. They’ll be a life-saver during humid Canadian summers. Caulk windows and doors. Insulation can get expensive. Caulking, however, is affordable and very

TIPS FOR MOVING IN THE WINTER

Although the first dusting of snow in Canada can come as early as October and the last of it might not leave until March, we all know that a homebuyer in Canada may find himself or herself doing a move during weather that’s less than ideal. These tips can help you manage your winter packing

HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME DURING THE WINTER SEASON

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year… to Sell? Snow and icy roads galore are upon us but winter may still be a great time to sell your home – especially if you’re ready to get settled by spring. There tend to be more serious buyers in the winter season and coupled with there

SCARED OF SELLING YOUR HOME? COMMON FEARS HOME SELLERS HAVE

It’s fall and almost winter, and we’ve headed towards that time again—Halloween passing and the upcoming holidays. But then again, deep in the heart of the property owner, a different fear might be growing – the fear of selling your home! If you’re thinking about accomplishing a real estate sale this fall/winter, don’t get spooked.

14 EASY (AND AFFORDABLE) HOME UPGRADES YOU CAN DO BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS

We all know the feeling of looking around the house and wanting to make a few changes… As this year begins to wrap up and with the holidays right around the corner you may be wanting to upgrade a few things around the house. From simple DIY projects like changing the kitchen knobs to painting

10 SIMPLE FALL/WINTER HOME DECOR IDEAS

It’s official—fall is here and winter is coming up quickly! While Mother Nature works her magic outside, you can do the same inside. These easy fall/winter home decor ideas can transform your living room, front porch, dining room, and more. This is the time of year all about coziness and making your home as inviting

I WANT TO SELL MY HOME BEFORE 2022. WHERE DO I START?

With only a few months left in the year, there is no better time than now to meet a few of your 2021 goals before 2022 begins. If one of them includes selling your home, then you’ve come to the right place. Selling your home in a brief time can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re

5 WAYS TO SAVE FOR A DOWN PAYMENT WHILE RENTING

Going from renting to buying a home is a big step forward — and can be overwhelming. Not only do you need to start thinking about what you want in a future home, but you need to look at your current finances and decide how to best start saving for a house.  Whether you’ve been

HOW TO BUY & SELL AT THE SAME TIME

Unless you’re moving from a rental, a family member’s home, or a property you intend to rent out (or use as a second home), you’re likely in a position where you have to sell your home and buy a new home at the same time. It’s a prospect that can feel daunting for even those

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIRING A BUYER’S AGENT & AN EXPERT LISTING AGENT

So you’ve decided to sell your home… Now it’s time to find a real estate agent. While you’re researching prospective real estate agents to interview, you’ll often come across two terms you may not be familiar with: buyer’s agents and listing agents. Though many potential sellers make the mistake in thinking that any real estate