Why Should I Move to Collingwood, Ontario?
Imagine waking up every morning feeling like you’re still on vacation, or viewing spectacular sunsets from your waterfront or beachfront property. Imagine driving for 20 minutes and actually getting somewhere, or having coffee on your porch without the noise and dust of buses and trucks going by.
How to Bridge the Appraisal Gap in Today’s Real Estate Market
If you’re searching for drama, don’t limit yourself to Netflix. Instead, tune in to the real estate market, where the competition among buyers has never been fiercer. And with homes selling for record highs,1 the appraisal process—historically a standard part of a...
Could Rising Home Prices Impact Your Net Worth?
Among its many impacts, COVID-19 has had a pronounced effect on the housing market. Low home inventory and high buyer demand have driven home prices to an all-time high.
Life Stages in Real Estate: Finding Your Next Home
While every home-buying journey is different, life transitions often trigger a home purchase.
Can I Buy or Sell a Home Without a Real Estate Agent?
It is important for you to understand your options and think through your preferences when considering whether or not to work with a real estate professional. If you are experienced in real estate transactions and legal contracts, comfortable negotiating under high-stakes circumstances, and have plenty of extra time on your hands, you may find that an iBuyer or FSBO sale works for you.
However, if, like most people, you value expert guidance and would like an experienced professional to manage the process, you will probably experience far more peace of mind and security in working with a real estate agent or broker.
Is the Real Estate Market Going to Crash?
While many areas of the economy have contracted, the housing market has stayed remarkably strong. But can the good news last? When COVID-related shutdowns began in March, real estate brokers and clients scrambled to respond to the shift. Record-low interest...
5 Inspiring Home Design and Remodelling Trends for 2021
We’ve all spent a lot more time at home over the past year. And for many of us, our homes have become our office, our classroom, our gym—and most importantly, our safe haven during times of uncertainty. So it’s no surprise to see that design trends for 2021 revolve...
New Year, New Home? Set Homeownership Goals Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Staying Put
The start of a new year always compels people to take a fresh look at their goals, from health and career to relationships and finance. But with historically low mortgage rates, increased home sales and price growth, and a tight housing inventory, the time is right to...
10 Ways to Give Back to Our Local Community This Holiday Season
This year has demonstrated, perhaps more than ever, the importance of our family, friends, neighbors, and community. It truly “takes a village” to keep a community functioning effectively, whether that’s by keeping our waterways clean, feeding the hungry, teaching our...
12 Useful Apps for Home Buyers
Real Estate in the Digital Age If you’re like me, you like your smartphone, and you use it for a variety of tasks. When it comes to real estate, people are using the internet, especially their phones and tablets, more than ever! In fact, a recent American study found...
Summer 2020’s Surprising Pandemic Real Estate Markets
At the beginning of the pandemic, real estate professionals and economists, across Canada predicted dramatic price reductions in real estate markets. While the cities may have seen such dips, we haven’t experienced them here. Prices have remained stable and even increased, in some areas.
Real Estate & Coronavirus: Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell?
Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. But the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, sales volume fell to its lowest level since 1984, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.1 However, while sales have fallen, prices have remained stable.
How to See the Potential in Every Home You View
See the potential in any home. Not every family can proceed with a gut job, but there might be small updates you can do that will increase the value and make your new house feel like home.
A Brand New Decade
We’ve had a little time to settle in to 2020 and reflect on how much things have changed, in Real Estate, over the past ten years (such as prices $$$). You may find it hard to believe, but in 2010, the average 3-bdrm home in our area was selling for half of what it is...
Should I Cut Up My Credit Cards if I Want to Get a Mortgage?
Lenders want to see that you are able to use credit wisely, and that you’re willing to pay it off. Cutting up your credit cards will make it difficult to determine your worthiness as a borrower.
Why You Need to Get Pre-approved BEFORE You Start Looking for Houses
Whether you plan to visit a bank or enlist the help of a mortgage broker, you should get in touch with a mortgage pro, before you start pounding the pavement.
Your Guide to Selling Your Home in the Winter
As someone who has personally bought and sold a home in the winter months several times, I can tell you there is definitely a winter real estate market.
Home Insurance and Your Real Estate Purchase
What you need to know about Home Insurance when you buy Real Estate.
Why Do I Need a Realtor Anyway?
Do I Really Need a Realtor? They're Expensive! This is a great question. Often, people ask, “Won’t I save money if I sell my home on my own?” The short answer is, if you feel confident enough, go for it! For many people though, reaI estate transactions can be...
Keeping Your House Warm and The Cold Out!
When your home is breathing in cold air, it runs the risk of meeting the warm air and producing condensation, which then can become mold. You want to avoid that, so let’s take a walk around your home and check for potential cold spots.
18 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Value Before You Sell
If you are getting ready to sell your home, you might be wondering how you can improve its value, even when finances are tight.
MPAC VS MLS Pricing/Valuation For Your Home
People often ask, "Why are the MPAC and MLS Valuations so different?" Honestly, we may never fully understand the mysteries of MPAC. Sometimes, they are spot on in their assessments while other times, they seem to be outrageously off-target. Here are a few...
Is The Winter a Good Time to Sell Your Home?
There are so many reasons why folks may choose to sell their homes, and these life events happen, no matter what time of year it is. With that in mind, selling your home in the winter can be a great option.
Seniors Have Different Real Estate Needs
The Right Professional for the Job Did you know I'm an Accredited Senior Agent (ASA)? In other words, I've got specialized training that helps me understand the needs of seniors, in relation to real estate. I recently came across an ASA article about hiring the right...
What if the House Fails the Home Inspection?
Actually, there’s no such thing as failing a home inspection. It is not a home inspector's job to advise the buyer to buy or not buy. What Does the Home Inspector Do? The home inspector walks through the home, from top to bottom, determines how well the home is...