There’s nothing like pulling your curtains open on a bright morning and letting the sunshine flood your room with natural light.

Embracing natural light in your home can make your space feel open and inviting, all while increasing your body’s feel-good serotonin levels. Plus, with “natural light” at the top of many home buyers’ wish lists, this highly sought-after feature has many benefits beyond aesthetics.

“The amount of natural light in a home has become so important, especially with people working from home and home schooling,” says Mark Arnstein, a sales representative and REALTOR® with RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd. Brokerage in Toronto, Ontario.  

Our guide will shed some light on the physical, mental, and economical benefits of natural…

451 Views, 0 Comments

Avoid overspending when applying for mortgage

You’ve assessed your finances and the housing market, and researched the various financial options open to you and your household. Then, you took the leap in applying for a mortgage – quite possibly the most significant money-related decision of your life. Now you play the waiting game.

This waiting period is perhaps one of the hardest parts of the home-buying process, determining if you have been approved or rejected for a home loan. While it can be challenging, especially in this red-hot Canadian real estate market, you can be confident in your prospects if you have taken the necessary steps and employed the right strategies to receive approval and attain the best mortgage rate.

But it is not time to throw caution to…

296 Views, 0 Comments

Commercial real estate

In today’s competitive commercial real estate market, a commercial real estate expert is the partner you need to make sure you get the best deal possible. With our expertise and knowledge of local markets it’s our job to get you maximum value – while minimizing headaches. Here are some tips to help you along the way.

Get Started

Be fully prepared to buy. Have a REALTOR® on your team. If you’re buying, selling or leasing commercial real estate, a commercial REALTOR® can make it easier.

Your local REALTOR® will help you find a commercial property that meets your needs perfectly. Get started here by searching for a commercial REALTOR® who can help you whether you are buying, selling or leasing commercial…

347 Views, 0 Comments

When housing markets begin to cool after record highs, some homebuyers get cold feet. Imagine you buy a home for $1.2 million. When it comes time to close after you have signed your purchase agreement, you notice a comparable home down the street sells for $855,000. What happens when a buyer backs out of a real estate deal?

Some homebuyers choose to walk away when it comes to closing day, despite agreeing to purchase the property. Another common scenario occurs when a homebuyer backs out after overbidding in a hot market and going over budget. Once it comes time to close, the bank completes an appraisal and refuses the entire mortgage amount. The homebuyers need to come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars to close. They walk away because they…

345 Views, 0 Comments

Canadian real estate with luxury homes

Are the effects of the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) tightening cycle being felt in the Canadian real estate market?

For at least two years and probably longer than that, the nation’s housing market has been sizzling, with nearly every pocket of the country experiencing soaring prices and impressive sales activity. The laws of supply and demand have been in full force since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic – inventory is low and demand has been strong – but historically low interest rates have also played a significant role.

When rates are low, prospective homeowners can take advantage of monetary conditions to increase their purchasing power and outcompete other buyers who may be interested in the same property. Now…

323 Views, 0 Comments

How do mortgage brokers get paid

When purchasing a home, one of the first steps is finding out just how much mortgage you can afford. The mortgage amount is determined on several factors, such as how much debt you carry, what your income level and if you pass the mortgage stress test. Prospective buyers often consult with a number of lenders to find the best mortgage rate available. This is where mortgage brokers come in. There are many benefits of using the services of a mortgage broker, including that the buyer doesn’t receive a bill for this service. So, how do mortgage brokers get paid?

What is a Mortgage Broker?

A mortgage broker is an intermediary who links borrowers to potential lenders to assist the borrowers in obtaining the best possible…

323 Views, 0 Comments

Choosing a place to retire is an important decision to make. You must take into account the kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy during your retirement. Some seniors like to retire in a peaceful and laid-back community, while others seek out active opportunities and thrive in an environment that enables them to explore the outdoors more. No matter what you want to do and enjoy, retiring in Newfoundland is a smart idea. 

Use this guide to help plan your retirement and to help decide where you would like to spend your retirement years.

Why Retire in Newfoundland?

Many people choose to retire in a place or country with tropical weather. Therefore, you might be curious to know why Newfoundland is gaining popularity as a retirement destination.…

6043 Views, 0 Comments

How do Home Renovation Loans Work

When first thinking about renovating our homes, we often get lost in daydreams and fantasies of new bathrooms, kitchens, walk-in closets, and a whole host of other great renovation ideas. Eventually, though, we come back to reality and the daunting thought of the cost associated with renovations. So, how do home renovations work? Let’s dig in.

Home renovations can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and there are many different ways to pay for them. While inexpensive upgrades such as new light fixtures, countertops and windows can be paid for using either a line of credit or a savings account, large reconstruction projects take far more time and money, often requiring home…

325 Views, 0 Comments