Logically, the first step to finding the right home is to determine what you’re actually looking for. There are a lot of homes on the market at any one time, and looking at them all is not the best way to spend your time. To make your home search more efficient, ask yourself these three focus questions: 1. Where do I want to live? This is your first decision. What communities or neighbourh...Read More

When it comes to buying a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a very important step. Not only does it help you understand exactly how much you can afford to spend on a home, but it often allows you to lock in an interest rate for a period of time which could potentially save you thousands of dollars for years to come. Here are 4 simple steps to a mortgage pre-approval: 1. Talk to a mort...Read More

Here are a few key questions to help narrow down what you want in your home: What type of home are you looking for? Detached or semi-detached? What style of home is best for you? Two-storey, bungalow, split-level, duplex, townhouse? What about the age of the home? Does the home need to be brand new? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? What are you looking for in a kitchen? How about a fa...Read More

No one likes unexpected bad news—especially the financial kind! This worksheet can help you prepare for the cost of closing, moving, and getting settled into your new home. Common Closing Costs: Balance of down payment after initial deposit with offer Mortgage loan administration and/or appraisal fees Points or loan discount fees paid to receive a lower interest rate Credit report fees Mort...Read More

  This may seem hard to believe, but many people thoroughly enjoy their moving day and the time leading up to it. The secret? Being organized. Make sure you have the right tools—packing tape, permanent markers, sticky notes, and lots of boxes on hand will make your move much easier. Start early and work steadily. Make progress every day with your packing instead of leaving it all until...Read More

1) GIVE AN EXTRA CLEAN Deep cleaning the bathrooms and wiping down baseboards is a common first thing tackled when arriving at a new home. A quick clean cycle on the existing washing machine puts a new homeowners mind at peace when it comes to true cleanliness knowing the washer has been used by previous owners. An important tip when doing your clean cycle on your existing washing machine is to m...Read More

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING YOUR AGENT: 1. Are you a full-time real estate agent? 2. How much experience do you have in my neighbourhood and can you provide references? 3. How many homes have you listed and sold in the last year? 4. What services and resources do you offer? 5. How does the home-selling process work and what is expected of me? 6. How long are homes in my neighbourhood on th...Read More

1. ASKING PRICE: The price that the seller has agreed to list their property for. The asking price is different from the selling price, which is the final price that has been agreed upon by the buyer and seller. 2. BALANCED MARKET: There is an equal balance of buyers and sellers in the market, which means reasonable offers are often accepted by sellers, and homes sell within a reasonable amount o...Read More

Move-up buyers are often in a better position than their first-time counterparts. They typically have some savings and home equity to work with, making the move feel less like a compromise and more a thoughtful selection. But move-up buyers face their own set of challenges that call for a carefully considered strategy. Here are three options for the smart move-up buyer with a plan! SELL FIRST, BUY...Read More

Not interested in hiring a professional stager? Consider these six staging suggestions to help enhance your home: FIX minor flaws and imperfections; buyers don’t want deferred maintenance issues. REMOVE excess furniture and declutter countertops to make usable space and rooms appear larger. CLEAN and organize everything including garages, closets, storage rooms and laundry rooms. Buyers look...Read More