Real Estate Blog

First-Time Buying Pitfalls to Avoid

Buying your first home is a major life milestone and possibly one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, both from a financial and long-term commitment perspective. And while being ready for every possible outcome isn’t possible (not to mention unrealistic!) it is possible to prepare for potential pitfalls you may run into during the home buying process. From identifying and making the most out of saving opportunities, to explaining how working outside of your budget will cost you in the long run, here are some common pitfalls first-time buyers tend to experience, and how two REALTORS® recommend avoiding them. 

1. Attempting to manage without professional assistance 

For Regan O’Rourke, a…

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What To Store in a Garage vs. Basement

When you own a home, outside of the closets, there are likely two main places where you can store your possessions: your garage and your basement. However, certain items will do better in one location over the other. Read on to learn about what to store in your garage and what is best to store in your basement.

What to Store in the Garage

In general, the items you should store in your garage have a common theme: they are all items that are used outdoors.

Car supplies – If you have a car, truck, or other vehicle, it likely spends a lot of time either in the garage or parked nearby. Therefore, it is only logical to store items for your vehicle, such as wiper fluid and extra tires, in your garage. The garage is also a…

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Homeowner 101: Plumbing

Along with heating and cooling, plumbing in your home is one of the most essential systems. But how does your plumbing system work exactly, how do you know there’s a problem, and when should you consult an expert? 

Let’s take a look at the basics of your home’s plumbing, how to identify potential issues, and identify when it’s time to call in a professional.

Your home’s plumbing comprises two main systems—the water supply line, and the sewage and waste line. These work in tandem to make sure your home has a fresh water supply and all the wastewater is taken away. 

Water supply 101

As the name suggests, the water supply provides you with water throughout your home. The water snakes through pipes installed in your walls and ceilings…

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What is a Balanced Market?

Over the last few years, home sellers have had the upper hand. But with Canadian housing market conditions expected to shift this year, you may be wondering, what is a balanced market? Let’s explore recent history, and what this recent change means for you.

At the height of the market during the pandemic, many Canadian cities experienced skyrocketing home prices, from single-family residential properties in major urban centres to townhomes in rural communities. In the process, prospective homeowners also had to endure intense bidding wars, causing some buyers to ditch conventional homebuying best practices, including home inspections. During this time, the Canadian real estate market transformed into a seller’s paradise…

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What Does the Future of Home Sales Look Like in Canada?

Real estate experts have been predicting how the Canadian housing market will fare in 2023 since the beginning of 2021. With current trends pointing towards a steady increase in home sales, it’s no wonder that many are eager to know what the future holds. With new trends and economic shifts, the landscape of home sales can be difficult to predict. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at why home sales are expected to continue to rise over the next few years, and what buyers and sellers can expect from the markets in 2023. 

How We Got Here 

Before we can look into the future, it’s important to understand how we got here. The Canadian housing market has seen an unprecedented surge over the past year due to both COVID-19 safety measures and…

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Get Ready for Spring with These Prep Tips

Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to start getting your home ready for the warmer weather ahead. From checking your air conditioning system to sprucing up your outdoor space, don't let the thought of tackling a big project overwhelm you. Follow these simple steps and you'll be done in no time!

Air Conditioning Maintenance
Just like you do with other appliances in your home, regular maintenance of your AC unit will help keep it running efficiently and reduce energy costs. Make sure to get an HVAC professional to come out and inspect the system before the warmer months arrive. This will ensure that any potential issues are addressed before they become a bigger problem. It’s also a good idea to change the filter regularly (at least every…

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How to Upgrade Your Kitchen with Minimal Fuss and Maximum Impact

The kitchen is the heart of the home and a great place to invest. A kitchen renovation can bring more light, more space, and more style into your home, making it an ideal place for friends and family to gather. Kitchen renovations can be intimidating. It’s a big job and not one to take lightly. But if you're ready to make the leap, there are plenty of options available to help you upgrade your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum impact. Let’s explore some of the best ways to get your kitchen renovation project off the ground and running in no time!

The first step for any kitchen renovation is planning. Start by making a list of what needs to be done, including minor updates like replacing outdated appliances or repainting cabinets, as well as…

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The Benefits of Investing in Real Estate

Real estate is one of the most profitable investments you can make. With a steady stream of income and long-term capital appreciation, investing in real estate can be an excellent way to diversify your portfolio and build wealth. In this article, we'll explore some of the key benefits of investing in real estate and why now may be the perfect time to get started.

Investing in real estate can be daunting, but with careful preparation and research, it can yield a significant income. Real estate is an asset class that has shown tremendous potential for generating significant returns. Before investing, it's important to figure out your goal and determine how much risk you're able to take. Researching the local market conditions is also essential in…

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Put Some ‘Pow’ in Your Tiny Powder Room

1. Don’t be afraid to add some drama.

Small spaces can pack some big design punches, so think about going in a totally different direction here than you may have used in the rest of your house, suggests interior designer Arianne Hudon-Brooks, owner of HB Design in Montreal. 

“Since powder rooms are rarely used to get ready in the morning, we get to have fun and disregard a few rules we might stick to in main bathrooms,” explains Hudon-Brooks. “Although many of our clients like bright-feeling rooms, some want to take advantage of the smaller space and create a darker, moodier effect. With powder rooms, we can be more daring with bolder finishes, too.”

2. Make the space appear larger with scale and colour.

Some…

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How a Canadian Family Turned a Funeral Home into a Stunning Mansion

The show Wednesday has been a hit on Netflix, becoming one of the most streamed shows of all time as people revisit the iconic character from The Addams Family. But, of course, that’s all fiction. The Addams family doesn’t actually exist, but the Blumberg family in Dresden, Ontario, comes pretty close! 

The family behind the Discovery+ show We Bought a Funeral Home have shown the world their spooky side, turning an old funeral home into an incredible work of art.  

Heather Blumberg, along with her husband Arryn, son Rafferty, and daughter Noa, made the move during the pandemic after finding the home on a list of mansions for sale outside of Toronto. The family went to see the property and within minutes knew it was for them. They ended up buying…

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