Have you ever had your relaxing moment on the deck disrupted by a pesky wasp? Or have you been bombarded by mosquitoes when all you’re trying to do is just enjoy a nice dinner with friends? Decks and porches are fantastic—no doubt about it! They let us relax, work, and entertain while enjoying the fresh air and sunlight, which can help boost your mood and get you a dose of vitamin D. But, bugs driving us back inside are an unfortunate part of being outdoors.

If you want uninterrupted deck or patio time, here are three screen solutions to keep the insects and rodents at bay. 

1. A pop-up tent

If you want a temporary method for screening in your deck and turning it into a bug-free sanctuary, consider purchasing a pop-up tent with screen…

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Buying a cottage

If you’re considering buying a cottage in Canada and have been watching the market, you already know this market segment has seen a surge in competition between buyers over the last decade. In recent years, cabins and cottages have been in high demand, as interest in renting out personal properties for extra income has become more accessible through various online platforms.

While purchasing a cottage as a recreational property or even as a year-round home can be an excellent investment in both the short and long term, there are some important factors to consider during your hunt for the perfect getaway home. Below we break down five important factors to consider when purchasing a recreational property

5 Factors to…

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While a strong offer to purchase can help you get the home of your dreams, in today’s real estate market there’s more to buying a home beyond meeting or exceeding the asking price. Want to stand out among a sea of potential buyers? Consider including a personal letter so sellers can get to know you, suggests Pete Shpak, an associate broker and REALTOR® with Oakwyn Realty’s Lee and Pete Real Estate Team in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“When we’re doing the perfect offer package to present to a seller, it’s going to have a bank draft attached to it and a personal letter—we’re using this personal letter almost every time we’re in a competitive situation now,” says Shpak.

What to include in a personal letter to sellers

Shpak recommends…

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As recent as two years ago, traveling to the cottage was an event reserved for the weekends and summer months. Now, thanks to the rise in remote working, more and more Canadians are taking their full-time nine-to-five jobs to cottage country. 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Canadians have migrated permanently to rural vacation markets, regions that have traditionally served as vacation and cottage hotspots. This heightened demand has sent recreational property prices higher and inventory lower, with multiple buyers competing for cottages that offer the ability to work from home in Canada’s picturesque countryside. For many, working remotely from the cottage is a decision not just driven by real estate prices, but also a…

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St. John's Newfoundland real estate

Is the Newfoundland and Labrador real estate market still sizzling, or is it cooling down like a February evening in the province?

For the last two years, Canada’s housing market has been taken aback by the exceptional growth in Atlantic Canada, heated up by the population boom and the surge in home prices. This was a surprising turn of events because, before the coronavirus pandemic, people were leaving parts of the east coast, and some local real estate markets unable to gather much momentum.

Now it appears that Newfoundland real estate is joining the broader market. Sales activity is strong, though it has eased recently. Price gains remain sky-high, but growth has also eased year-over-year. Overall, the housing boom is…

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Selling your home can be an emotional experience. In fact, RE/MAX research reveals that a real estate transaction is one of life’s top stressors, second only to divorce. Under some circumstances, sellers may wish to handle the sale of their home on their own. While an FSBO may have some pros, it also has its cons. With all the many different moving parts involved in selling a home, here are eight very valid reasons to have a real estate agent on speed dial.

Pricing your property

While a homeowner likely has his or hew own expectations for what their house is worth, a realtor will approach it from perspectives the homeowner may not have considered, including the location and comparable sales in the area. An experienced real estate agent…

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In recent months, officials at all three levels of government have been scrambling to increase affordability in the Canadian real estate market, with municipal, provincial and federal housing proposals ranging from new or higher tax rates to more tax credits.

During the last general election, all of the federal party leaders put forward their ideas to improve the housing sector and ensure more Canadians can purchase a home, be it a single-family home, townhouse or condominium unit, without breaking their budgets to do so. But now that it appears Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government will remain in power for another three years, the Grits are beginning to tackle this national issue. What federal housing proposals will actually…

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What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do

The world of real estate can be a little confusing. With so many players involved in the process of buying a home, keeping everyone’s role straight can be a little challenging. However, by educating yourself on what each professional does and how they can each help you on your home-buying journey, you can make sure that you get the best experience possible. In this article, we’ll answer the question, what does a real estate lawyer do?

While it’s fairly common knowledge that employing a real estate agent to help you find your dream home can make the process run much smoother, it is less understood how a real estate lawyer can benefit you.

Hiring a real estate lawyer in Canada is required to close the deal on a home,…

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Nothing embodies summertime in Canada more than hanging out on your deck, grilling, sipping cold drinks, and making memories with family and friends.

Like other areas of your home, your deck does need to be cared for regularly to ensure it lasts long enough to keep the good times rolling season after season. Keeping your deck in tip-top condition is another way to maintain curb appeal—just ask a REALTOR®! 

In addition to keeping your deck free from dirt and debris, you should consider painting or staining it. The added layer of product protects your deck from moisture, mould, bugs, sun, and other harsh elements. Changing the colour of the wood is also an easy way to revitalize your deck without a total overhaul.

Let’s look at how you can…

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DIY Kitchen Renovation

Of all the rooms in your home, you are probably spending the most time in the kitchen. Whether as the place where you prepare meals each day or as an entertaining space, a lot can be done to improve it and to get the most out of this space. The good news is there are lots of DIY kitchen renovation projects that will make a significant impact without breaking the bank. The other good news is that kitchen upgrades are one of the best things you can do to increase your home’s resale value.

The ideas listed below won’t cost a bundle but may bring you closer to the kitchen you have always wanted. Read on to find inspiration for projects to improve the heart of your home.

DIY Kitchen Renovation Ideas

Refacing Cabinets

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