If you’re starting a business and need commercial space or if you’ve outgrown the space you are in, then it’s critical that you consider several factors before you sign your lease.

Key Lease Clauses

First of all, give careful thought to how long you think the new premises will meet your business needs. You don’t want to be saddled with a lease that’s too long if you think you’ll need more space in a few years. For the same token, you don’t want a lease that is too short because once it has expired, the landlord is under no obligation to renew it. Pay careful attention as well to any clauses relating to extending or renewing the lease beyond the initial term.

Also look for a lease that allows you to sublease or assign…

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How sellers win when housing inventory is low

A recent report from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) revealed that two-thirds of the nation’s housing markets are slanted in favour of sellers. With supply failing to keep up with demand, this could be the top trend for the foreseeable future.

For years, housing development has been tepid, resulting in supply falling short of demand levels. This imbalance might be more intense in more-populous markets such as Toronto and Vancouver, but this trend is prevalent throughout Canada, leading to accelerating home prices.

Under current conditions, sellers who bought even five years ago would benefit from this tight housing market. Here’s how sellers win when housing inventory is low.

How Sellers Win When Housing…

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The national average home price in the Canadian real estate market hit $796,000

In March, up 11.2 per cent from last year. Price growth slowed slightly month-over-month, but many industry experts project that prices still have room for growth this year. But while the broader housing conversation has been on the affordability crisis impacting many markets across Canada, there are still some relatively affordable parts of the country. Wait a minute. There is still affordability in Canada? Yes. All you have to do is look toward the nation’s east coast, to Newfoundland real estate.

According to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of REALTORS®, MLS® Home Price Index (HPI), which is considered a more accurate measurement than average or median…

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Image via HONOMOBO on Instagram

Looking for a unique, well-built home that’s ready for you in as little as 16 weeks? Welcome to the world of the modular home, an increasingly popular trend across Canada. These prefabricated (prefab) homes are generally cost effective and beautifully designed, and several companies have popped up in recent years to deliver on this trend. 

Daniel Engelman, president and co-founder of Edmonton-based HONOMOBO, launched in 2016, and says business is booming.  

“Numbers are going crazy now; last year, we did about 30 homes and this year, we’ll probably double it or more,” he says, adding buyers are typically busy professionals who want something beautiful, modern, and ready quickly. “We think modular homes are the…

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Typically, when tapping into your home’s equity, one uses a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or refinances their mortgage. What if we told you this was not the only way to free up home equity for other purposes? While a traditional mortgage is a loan secured by a home or property, the borrower must pay back the loan each month with interest throughout the loan lifetime. A reverse mortgage is the opposite. So, what is a reverse mortgage anyway?

A reverse mortgage is exclusive to Canadians over the age of 55. In a reverse mortgage situation, the homeowner can borrow as much as 55 per cent of the current home’s value. In other words, they are borrowing against the equity in the home. The borrower receives the money and does not have to make any…

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Many people use Earth Day to think about how we can protect and help the environment. But it’s important to remember this is not just a one-day commitment. There are lots of simple ways to be a good neighbour to the environment year-round, no matter where you live. Here are six environmentally friendly habits you can adopt at home to help make a difference in your community.

1. Plant a tree or start a community garden 

Trees can create habitats for wildlife, help cool your neighbourhood, and combat climate change by cleaning the air. Choose low-maintenance native species that don’t need much watering. Or, start up a community food garden, where people on your street can plant fresh produce and herbs. Local food sources use fewer fossil fuels as…

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* How Will Higher Interest Rates Impact My Mortgage

How will higher interest rates impact my mortgage? It’s a question more homebuyers and homeowners are asking, in the wake of the Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate hikes. We consider many variables in life before making any big decision, and one of the most important ones to think about when buying a home is the current state of interest rates. While a low interest rate is desirable for a prospective buyer, as it means they have more purchasing power, lower rates may not be all they are cracked up to be.

Interest rates fluctuate. They rise and fall in response to the economy and world events, and can significantly impact the amount you pay for your home over the lifespan of your mortgage.

Typically, mortgage loans are…

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Walk into your typical Canadian household laundry room and you’re likely to find a high-efficiency (HE) front-loading washing machine. It only seems fitting these laundry station spaces be used in a similarly efficient way, which leads us to a great intermediate DIY opportunity—a laundry room countertop! Let’s run through key considerations, steps, and hacks that’ll get you all set up to build and install your own beautifully functional laundry counter.

Using your machine tops as a make-shift counter may be fine for the short term, but a purpose-built countertop ensures more space and stability–so you can avoid items vibrating off during wash cycles. A countertop provides a sturdy surface to separate, fold, and steam your laundry without having to…

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Located on the east coast of Canada, Newfoundland is one of the most unique and historic provinces in the country. According to Maclean’s Magazine, we have one of the Top 10 Friendliest Cultures in the World! There are so many reasons why people flock to the island in search of a one-of-a-kind experience.

Photo by Jeff Smith on Unsplash

Did you know?

Newfoundlanders speak more varieties of the English language than anywhere else in the world! Our history dates back four centuries with accents rooted in Southern Ireland and Western England, as well as Indigenous and French influences. These things combined have helped shape our colorful language. So many dialects and traditions have been preserved right here on the island.

FUN FACT!

…

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There’s something about looking at images of a perfectly put together fridge or pantry that inspires you to do your own #fridgemakeover or reach #pantrygoals. It’s a popular trend on social media right now, but a well-organized kitchen isn’t just good for an Instagram post or TikTok video. Smart fridge and pantry organization can also help reduce food waste and inspire more home-cooked meals or snacks. If you have an appetite for organization, we’re sharing fridge and pantry hacks you can use in your own kitchen today.

Image via Pretty Little Designs

Consolidate, decant, and label 

The first thing to do is check what you have, toss out expired items, donate other unwanted items to a food bank (if accepted), and see what you have left. Once you know…

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