Real Estate Blog

5 Canadian Islands for Your Next Vacation Getaway

We’d bet our bottom Loonie when people think about island destinations, Canada is pretty low on their list. While our country might not rank high on the list of exotic tropical getaways, you can still find plenty of gorgeous islands in every corner of the Great White North. 

Whatever your taste is, be it dreamy white sand beaches or a view of the city skyline along the shore, we’ve rounded up some unique island communities you may want to add to your bucket list of places to visit!

1. Baffin Island, Nunavut

Tucked between Greenland and the Canadian mainland, you’ll find a quintessentially arctic island—remote, rugged, and rich with Inuit culture. Baffin Island is the largest island in Canada (and fifth largest in the world), sitting on…

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Spook Up Your Space with DIY Halloween Decorations

It’s officially the spookiest time of the year! Although Halloween plans were somewhat halted last year, we learned you can still show off your creativity and get into the spirit. While you might be tempted to focus your energy on dreaming up the perfect costume and skipping out on decorations, decking your home out doesn’t have to cost a lot or require too much effort. 

Read on to discover some of our favourite DIY Halloween decorating ideas that are so easy, it’s scary. Plus, many are seasonal enough you can keep them up through November. 

Sequin pumpkins

If you prefer a less traditional black and orange colour palette, we suggest adding your own white, gold, and touch of sparkle to your décor with a sequin…

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11 Tasks to Do When Shutting Down the Cottage for Winter

No one wants to say goodbye to their cottage for the winter, but as the days get shorter, the air gets crisper and the leaves continue to blanket the ground, it’s the ideal time to do just that. While some cottages can be used year-round, many are three-season only. These are the ones that need to be prepped for the winter months so you can head back without issue once the warm weather returns!

Just like your home, your cottage requires proper care and maintenance to ensure it can be used and enjoyed for many years to come. This is why it’s well worth the time and effort to shut it down properly, so you can hopefully mitigate any issues by the time you return in the spring. 

If you’re a cottage owner, be sure to check these 11 tasks off your…

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National Home Sales Forecast to Edge Back Further

With interest rates on the rise, home sales have continued to cool. In some parts of the country, home prices have fallen from their peaks reached earlier this year, are flat in some regions, and are still climbing in others. The issue of not enough homes for sale has not gone away.

Some 532,545 properties are forecast to trade hands via Canadian MLS® Systems in 2022, a decline of 20% from the 2021 annual record. The downward revision from CREA’s June forecast was mostly the result of a downward revision to sales activity in Ontario, along with smaller revisions in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.

The national average home price is forecast to rise by 4.7% on an annual basis to $720,255 in 2022. That said, much of that increase reflects how…

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Are Higher Fixed Mortgage Rates Here To Stay?

One question many Canadians are asking is are higher fixed mortgage rates here to stay? At the September policy meeting, the Bank of Canada (BoC) raised interest rates by 75 basis points, bringing the benchmark rate to 3.25 per cent, maintaining its hawkish approach to monetary policy. The central bank signalled that it would be prepared to keep pulling the trigger on rate hikes until there is sufficient evidence the consumer price index (CPI) is showing signs of coming down.

Although the Canadian annual inflation rate has eased from its 30-year high of 8.1 per cent in August, officials conceded that this was driven mainly by gasoline prices. The national economy endured “a further broadening of price pressures, particularly…

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A Look at Financial Help and Incentives for First-Time Homebuyers

Despite recent softening in the housing market, home ownership in Canada is expensive and can be intimidating if you’re a first-timer. Luckily, there’s financial help and incentives for first-time homebuyers, which can help offset the cost of purchasing a new home. You don’t need to feel as if you have to do it all alone – read below to see what incentives are available.

Incentives for First-Time Homebuyers

Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)

The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) offers an alternative way of securing funds for a down payment for first-time homebuyers. If you have a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), you may withdraw up to $35,000 from the account to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself or a related person…

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Happy Thanksgiving

RE/MAX Infinity would like to take this opportunity to thank every client, business associate, and Realtor® that helps contribute to our success. 

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart" - Helen Keller

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

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Where You Should (and Shouldn’t) Store Things in Your Home

The changeover to fall and winter is often a little melancholy in Canada as we bid adieu to the fair weather months and hunker down for winter. The storage battle is sometimes a challenge, particularly if you’ve added something like new outdoor furniture,or if you have leftovers from a summer renovation project. 

The garage, basement, and attic are all go-to seasonal storage solutions—we know this. In the crunch to get everything put away, it’s tempting to simply stick it where it fits. That could be, unfortunately, a setup for disappointment. 

The garage, basement, and attic are three distinct environments and the things they store best aren’t always interchangeable. To help you make sure everything in storage survives the winter, check out our…

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What’s Mortgage Pre-Approval? Canadian Real Estate Questions Answered.

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, do I just have to be really nice to the broker?  You have questions about Canadian real estate. Read on for answers.

Though you’re probably that aware posting selfies with the house you’re interested in buying and tallying “likes” has nothing to do with pre-approval. But you may have other questions about the Canadian housing market, mortgages, offer conditions and negotiations and selling. It can all be a little overwhelming, and sometimes you need help.

That’s why RE/MAX Canada decided to hit the streets and talk with Canadians, to see what real estate questions they may need answers to.

How Much do People Really Know About Canadian Real Estate?

How much does the average person…

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Prepping Your Home for a New Puppy

After a long search you’ve finally found the perfect furry friend to bring home. Your world is about to change in the best way as flapping ears, a wagging tail, and a droopy tongue become your new normal. Before bringing home your new puppy or dog, there are important changes to make to ensure your pet is safe and happy in its new space, and that your home doesn’t get completely destroyed!

Flooring

When it comes to floors and dogs, hardwood and carpet both have their pros and cons. Hardwood is good because it’s easy to clean paw marks, accidents, and shedding fur. The downside to hardwood is it can be easily scratched by long nails. Waxing floors often, clipping pet nails, and taking long walks with your puppy can help extend the life of…

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