Real Estate Blog - November, 2022

5 Design Trends on Their Way Out for 2023

With 2023 just around the corner, many of us are beginning to think of what to bring into the new year and what to leave behind. This applies to our homes as well. When all of the holiday décor comes down, it’s a good time to consider what sort of design elements in your home are in need of a shakeup. By nature, home décor trends come and go, but there are a few making their way out as we usher in the new year. From all-white minimalism to modern farmhouse, read more to find out what experts say should be left behind in 2022.

1. Modern farmhouse

Modern farmhouse has really had its moment. Starting in the mid 2010s, the design was revered for its homey vibes and was hailed as a way to bring bits of rural life…

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Tips to Enhance Your Curb Appeal This Winter

The grey and lifeless winter landscape can leave your home’s curb appeal… lacking. If you’re selling your home and are hoping to channel your inner Norman Rockwell in a cozy, welcoming scene, take it from the experts: it is a lot simpler than you think! Homeowners who want to give their front yard a facelift or prepare their home to sell during the winter season should be aware that it does not require too much of an investment. From a fresh coat of paint to a modest bird feeder, it is the little things that count, and can add the most charm to your home’s exterior. We have compiled a list of tips from real estate experts on how you can enhance your curb appeal this winter.

6 Tips to Enhance Your Curb Appeal This Winter

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What Are Condo Fees?

What are condo fees, how are they calculated, and what do they cover? Condos have become the home of choice for many Canadian homebuyers, particularly first-timers, but increasingly move-up buyers as well. But many don’t understand this lifestyle option before deciding that it’s right for them.

Homeowners are drawn to condo living for a variety of reasons. It is a good option as residents age and can no longer care for a house or want to downsize. There is less maintenance and repair responsibility and more security features. But the big draw is often on-site amenities such as a swimming pool that you would not otherwise be able to afford.

Affordability is a big factor behind the relatively recent shift to condo living,…

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How to Prepare Your House Before You Go on Vacation

Most people have watched the movie Home Alone or have at least know the storyline. To summarize, a family goes away for Christmas vacation, and two robbers scope out the house and decide to break in and steal everything. However, the family forgets their youngest son, who spends his days pranking the robbers and keeping them at bay. While this makes for an amusing movie plot, being in this situation in reality is not what anyone wants – especially when they are out of the country. Now, in you’re wondering how to prepare your house before you go on vacation this winter, read on!

While the likelihood of you forgetting one of your children at home when you leave for winter vacation in next to none, the chances of someone breaking into your home while…

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How Do You Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster?

Buying a home is a big investment and a huge commitment, but most homeowners will attest that the pay-off is worth the pains and strains of making those regular mortgage payments. Most people focus on their mortgage interest rate as a way of saving money (or at least, ensuring more of it goes toward your principal), but there are other ways to decrease the amount paid in interest. One way is to pay your mortgage off faster. More on that below, but let’s start with a basic mortgage 101.

What is a mortgage?

In order to buy a home in Canada, you’ll need a down payment of at least five per cent of the home’s purchase price (but it can be more). These funds are typically saved over time and can be boosted with the help of…

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Retirement May Change What You Need in a Home

Approaching one’s retirement years can be a very exciting time. You’ve made it through your work years, you’ve raised a family, the kids have left the nest, and you’re finally ready to enjoy more time at home and doing the things you’ve been waiting your whole life for. However, you may find that your current home does not fit your new lifestyle. It’s too big, too much to maintain, and too expensive. If that is the case, it may be time to think about downsizing to a smaller home that will better suit your lifestyle.

Determine What You Need in a Home in Retirement

If you’ve been living in your home for many years, it can be challenging to make a significant life change like selling your home. Your current home is full of memories, and your…

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How to Make the Most of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday

Though Black Friday feels like something that’s emerged over the last couple of decades, the “Black Friday” name was first used in connection with the crash of the United States gold market in September 1869. It was only in the late 1980s Black Friday took on its role as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. “Black” refers to retail accounting practices where black ink represents profits. It’s suggested it took until late November for retail businesses to finally move out of the unprofitable red ink that leads to the clearance-type prices available on Black Friday.  

Today, the Black Friday shopping event has also spawned other retail events, including Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. No longer do Canadians…

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5 Questions to Ask a Condo Board Before Buying

Doing your due diligence before buying a condo is of the utmost importance. Potential questions include: 

• What are the service terms for board members?
• Does the condo board have a reserve fund and how much money is in it? 
• Does the condo have any upcoming major repairs? 
• Are water, electricity or heating included?
• Is maintenance of common areas (garbage pickup, snow removal, etc.) covered by condo fees? 

They’re all questions you’ll want answers to before you decide to put in an offer. 

Whether you live in a big city full of condos like Toronto, Ontario, or a smaller town like Canmore, Alberta, condos are often seen as a first step in homeownership for young adults. They’re also popular among seniors looking for…

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Building vs. Buying a Home

In today’s market, you might be considering building vs. buying a home. This is certainly a viable option, but it has its advantages and drawbacks, just as buying a resale home does. There are many factors to consider, such as time-frame, location and design of the house. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between building and buying a home, so that you can make an informed decision.

Benefits of Building vs. Buying a Home

Customization of your home – This is a huge advantage of building a house. When you build a home from scratch, you have control of its various elements rather inheriting someone else’s preferences, from layout to materials right down to little things like what covers go on your light switches.

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How Do Rent-to-Own Programs Work?

The Canadian real estate market is showing signs of slowing, now that interest rates are rising. Despite sales activity sliding and prices moderating, the country’s housing sector is still leaving many hopeful homebuyers sitting on the sidelines.

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national home sales tumbled at a monthly rate of 3.9 per cent in September. The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) declined by 1.4 per cent month-over-month but was still up 3.3 per cent year-over-year. Meanwhile, the actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average sale price declined 6.6 per cent year-over-year, to $640,479.

New residential listings fell 0.8 per cent month-over-month, and months of inventory edged up slightly…

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