A winter escape is a popular choice among many Canadians. With crossborder travel reopened, many snowbirds are eager to flock south again this winter. The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) estimated 30% of Canada’s more than one-million snowbirds vacationed for the winter in 2020/2021 and predicted that number increased to about 90% during the 2021/2022 season.

With so many Canadians journeying south and abroad in the upcoming months, some homes across the country are left unoccupied for extended periods of time. If you’re planning a winter getaway—whether for a few weeks or a few months—it’s important to plan ahead and protect your investment. Here’s what you need to know about prepping and securing your home for your absence. 

Protect…

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buying an acreage

If you dream of rural living, you may have considered buying an acreage and are looking around at different options. An acreage can provide a cozy style of country living, whether close to an urban centre or out in the middle of nowhere. Buying an acreage property is a bit different than buying a more traditional home, so let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider.

5 Factors to Consider when Buying an Acreage

The Size of the Acreage

The size of the acreage you want to purchase will influence the type of mortgage that you apply for. Mortgage lenders will likely approve up to a certain number of acres with a house and garage, and varies based on the location. A property located close to an urban centre…

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how to make a low ball offer

Could the Canadian housing market be in store for the return of the low-ball offer? While this buying strategy became all but extinct given the heated housing market in the last couple of years, rising interest rates have caused many markets to cool, and shift from strong seller’s markets to more balances, or even tilted in favour of buyers.

What is a Low-Ball Offer?

A low-ball offer is when a prospective homebuyer makes an offer to purchase a home that is below the asking price.

When Should You Make a Low-Ball offer?

Low-ball offers are more common in a buyer’s market, when there are more listings than there are buyers, and competition is not a factor. Another common scenario for low-ball offers is when looking to…

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tiny home

The skyrocketing price of houses has some people wondering: is there a way to own a home that is affordable? And the answer is yes. A tiny home can provide you with a permanent residence and give you more financial freedom. Just because a home is small does not mean it is uncomfortable. If you choose the right kind of tiny home, you can experience a life of freedom, flexibility and adventure.

Tiny Homes on Foundations

TV shows like Tiny House Nation (Netflix) have made the idea of the tiny house on a foundation more popular in recent years. This is an excellent option if you have a piece of land and want to build a “normal” home that is just smaller. You would build your home on a concrete foundation, or if you think you…

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It’s time to embrace those knits, scarves, and gloves! Winter is quickly approaching and although many of us are tempted to flee to warmer places, there’s a plethora of Canadian winter events to help brighten up even the darkest of winter days. 

From Ottawa to Yellowknife, we’ve rounded up four annual festivals across Canada that will surely help alleviate some of the winter blues. Let’s get started!

Image via Ross Dunn on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

1. Winterlude—Ottawa, Ontario

Picture it: you’ve just skated the world’s largest natural ice rink. You’re now snacking on a warm Beavertail and sipping on decadent hot chocolate while admiring ice sculptures. The stunning architecture of the Chateau Laurier and Peace Tower form the perfect backdrop…

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How Much Does It Cost to Stage a Home

If you are in the process of putting up your house for sale, you may have thought about staging it to attract potential buyers. Staging a home involves creating spaces that are furnished just enough that potential buyers can envision themselves (and their stuff!) living there. Home staging can reduce the time a listing spends on the market, increase the number of potential buyers, and yield higher offers. So, how much does it cost to stage a home? Here’s an estimated breakdown.

How Much Does it Cost to Stage a Home?

Initial Walk-Through Consultation: $150-$600 – In the initial consultation, a professional home stager will walk through your house with you and offer ideas on how to use your existing interior décor to stage…

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A well-served housing market means different things for different cities—and, on a more granular level, different neighbourhoods. Some people benefit more from multi-family buildings, others are better served by a larger share of single-family homes. One trend in many major Canadian markets is missing middle housing, even in those that stand to benefit from it.

Image via Cole Jackson on Flickr, Public Domain

What is middle housing? 

Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhomes, cottage courts, and laneway homes—it’s the middle ground between multi-family apartments or condos and single-family homes. Middle housing tends to be more affordable and requires a similar amount of land as single-family homes, while offering more…

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Fire safety in the home is essential throughout the year, though extra attention is encouraged during colder seasons as we fire up our heating systems and turn to candles to create warm atmospheres. There are simple, yet preventative, steps you can take to reduce the risk of fires in your home to keep you, your loved ones and your belongings safe.

This article will assess some of the key hazards in our homes we tend to overlook as well as the major, life-saving effect of working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Fire hazards in your home you may not realize

Some fire hazards are easily identifiable, including unattended cigarettes or fire-burning candles, but there are some less obvious dangers we often overlook. Be sure to add these…

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Canadians recognize Remembrance Day, originally called Armistice Day, every 11 November at 11 a.m. It marks the end of hostilities during the First World War and an opportunity to recall all those who have served in the nation’s defence.

Armistice Day

Armistice Day was inaugurated in 1919 throughout much of the British Empire, but on the second Monday in November. In 1921, the Canadian Parliament passed an Armistice Day bill to observe ceremonies on the first Monday in the week of 11 November, but this combined the event with the Thanksgiving Day holiday. For much of the 1920s, Canadians observed the date with little public demonstration. Veterans and their families gathered in churches and around local memorials, but observances involved few…

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property boundaries land survey

We have all heard stories of neighbours fighting over a property line that is not clearly defined. A land survey takes the guesswork out of property boundaries by mapping all boundary lines and structures on your property. While we only think about land surveys in relation to conflict, they are also useful when purchasing a new home. A land survey provides an accurate picture of your property so that you know exactly what you are getting into in buying it. Let’s take a closer look at what a land survey entails, how it works, and why it is useful.

What is a Land Survey?

A land survey is a map showing your property’s area and the legal boundaries. It also indicates any buildings and other structures on the property and any…

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