If you’ve reached the time of life where you are contemplating downsizing your home, the first question to ask, according to this Realto.com post, is what kind of lifestyle do you want after downsizing? By defining how you want to live, you can narrow your search and focus on housing that will meet those requirements. […]
Month: December 2015
What’s the best property type for your first home?
Inexperience can cause first time home buyers to be confused by the multitude of available options. This post by Caroline James is an excellent introduction to the advantages and disadvantages of five popular property choices: a large detached house on a suburban block, a small home on a sub-divided lot, a townhouse, an apartment in […]
8 Mistakes That Could Screw Up Your Home Sale
Usually we hear “buyer beware”, but real estate author Michael Corbett advises sellers to beware and gives 8 reasons why in this trulia.com post. Always work with professional help, including a real estate agent. Their expertise, experience, neighbourhood knowledge and resources will help you plot a course through the selling process. Overpricing is a […]
5 Tips For Eco-Friendly Renovations
If you are renovating, you should consider the green strategies suggested in this realestate.com post by Danielle King. For example, add insulation to the roof and external walls and you could save 25% on energy costs. Replace inefficient windows or add window film since up to 40% of your heating can be lost through windows […]
Canadian Home Prices Are Growing At One Of The Fastest Paces In The World
The Canadian real estate market continues to boom, according to this Financial Post offering. With a year-over-year increase of 8.2%, Canada ranked 4th of the 23 countries studied in Scotiabank’s report Global Real Estate Trends, behind Ireland (13.3%), Sweden (10.5%) and Australia (8.3%). However, the report warns the trend could change if economic uncertainty and […]
Here’s What Pushes People to Buy Homes in 2015
If you want to sell your property quickly, at near the asking price, it is important to know why people are buying. In this post, Realtor.com chief economist, Jonathan Smoke, suggests we pay attention to the five main triggers for home buyers: they have grown tired of their home and want a change, interest rates […]
Unchecked Emotions Can Cause Costly Property Mistakes
We are sometimes enthralled by the presentation of a property, but ignoring the things we cannot see or overlooking obvious problems and risks can lead to disastrous consequences. To the extent possible, put your emotions aside and make buying property a business decision based facts and data. Getting Too Attached To A Property […]
The Number of Real Estate Appraisers Is Falling. Here’s Why You Should Care
According to this realtor.com post, the number of real estate appraisers is dropping to the point where parties on both sides of real estate transactions could suffer. Since most residential mortgages need an appraisal before a sale closes, a shortage of appraisers will affect buyers, who rely on accurate valuations to structure their offer, and sellers, […]
Boost Your Curb Appeal with 4 Doable DIY Projects
Most sellers realize that preparing the interior of their homes for viewing is essential. In this article, Bob Villa explains it is just as important to stage the exterior of your house as it is to prepare the inside rooms when you are selling. For example, a clean, well-maintained yard will signal that you have […]
5 Must-Do’s For First-Time Home Buyers
This homeownership.ca article by real estate lawyer Mark Weisleder gives the essentials for the novice buyer. Start by calculating what you can afford (general rule is 30% of gross income). Then, figure out what is important to you and search for properties with those features. Ask the seller about flooding, leaks, mould, insurance claims and […]