Real Estate Blog

There's been a lot of talk about how homeowners can do their part when it comes to saving the environment, and yet not every homeowner feels equipped to get started with this popular revolution. Solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and water-saving plumbing can all carry some very hefty price tags for owners who are watching their budget. For those who don't have a lot of capital to invest or just aren't sure how long they'll stay in their home, it's time to consider which energy efficient upgrades will net the best paybacks depending on the circumstances.

Start with an Audit

If you're wondering how to make your home more energy efficient, start with an audit. Committing to energy efficient upgrades may mean shelling out some cash

Smart technology is changing the face of real estate forever. But what is smart technology? Homes with smart technology make life more convenient for homeowners while making the home more attractive to buyers. Homeowners looking for ways to improve the value of their home can do so by upgrading their home systems with smarter, more modern, more functional pieces of technology. These tips will help homeowners as they get started with their smart home upgrade.

Get A Home Assistant

A home assistant is a machine or an app that can be used to control all the other smart systems in the home. With the home assistant, the homeowner may be able to control his or her own locks, lights, blinds, temperature and other smart devices for homes.

When

Home staging is a smart thing to do before putting a home on the market. On average, homeowners who stage their home are likely to sell their home for almost $1800 more than if they had not prepared their home in this way. Staging is a multi-step process that involves cleaning, de-cluttering, repainting and making the home look more inviting for buyers.

Repaint

Repainting is a smart idea if the walls of any home are scuffed, dirty, damaged or dated. It's also a good idea to repaint rooms that have been painted bold, vibrant, unusual colours. Bright shades of purple, green, blue and red are less likely to appeal to buyers than neutral colours like beige, gray, blue-gray and green-gray. Repainting a home in neutral shades can help that home

The allure of do it yourself home improvement can be a powerful one. It calls to homeowners in a primal way, beckoning them to save money while bonding with their property. But DIY projects for home improvements have another side to them that may not only cost more money to complete but may be more than a homeowner can handle. Before checking YouTube for tips, use these basic criteria to decide on a strategy.

Understand All Local Regulations

Every province in Canada has their own view on just how much control a homeowner has over their property, and it's important to understand these regulations. These regulations are enforced because no homeowner lives in a bubble, and their mistakes can have a major impact on the neighborhood. For example,

One of the things that you'll spend a lot of time thinking about when you're purchasing a home is homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance helps protect property owners from damage to their possessions and property in the event of an incident like a fire or break-in. How much does home insurance cost? Knowing what to buy, when to buy and what kind of coverage is right for you can help you through the home buying process.

Is It Required?

Homeowners insurance is not required by law, but it will be required by your mortgage lender if you have to borrow money for a home. Before your lender will grant the loan, you'll need to produce proof of purchase of home insurance. Once you've made an offer on a property, start contacting homeowners

Prospective Canadian homebuyers should be aware that they may pay approximately 4 percent of a home's selling price in closing costs. These costs quickly add up and a budget should be created to account for the fees and specific events that may require payment before closing on a home.

Get more information on closing costs and associated events that can easily exceed a homeowner's original budget.

Initial Cash Outlays

When homeowners want to purchase a home they will give an Offer to Purchase. At this point a deposit is required that will eventually be used as part of the full down payment of a home. The minimum percentage expected in Canada is 5 per cent. While this amount will be part of the eventual down payment, homeowners need to be

A well-planned and executed outdoor living space can serve many functions for homeowners. Spaces large and small can serve as a place to entertain, dine or relax. Oftentimes, current realizations of outdoor living space designs make an outdoor living space into an extension of a home and interior design elements may be incorporated into an area for a cohesive look. On the other hand, other homeowners prefer a deliberate separateness achieved with a themed look different than what may be captured inside the home.

There are a number of trends that can be included to make for an attractive and functional outdoor living space, that much like other home improvements, may improve the value of your home! Learn more about a few current trends when

Those in the market to buy a dwelling in Canada for personal use or as an investment property often want to know whether a condo or a single family home is the smartest choice. While both can be comfortable and wise investments overall, here are a few things that potential buyers should consider beforehand.

Explore Current Pricing Fluctuations

Markets can rise, stay steady or suddenly fall. Many investors and homeowners may remember the period of 1990–1996 when home and condo prices in Toronto dropped annually before stabilizing. While real estate prices have primarily recovered, one must pay attention to the market conditions when buying a home or condo, as their valuations and markets typically differ.

A historical example of fluctuating

Buying a home may be complicated, but it's easier if potential buyers take it just one step at a time. Use this short guide to get a better idea of how the next few weeks (or months) will look.

Finances First

Before buyers even look at an Open House sign, it helps to know what they can afford first. To avoid frustration, talk to your bank about available loans. (For a quick calculation, it's recommended that buyers spend about a third of their income on a mortgage payment.) Remember that pre-approval is not a guarantee by any means. Just because a bank states that a buyer is eligible for a loan of $500,000 doesn't mean that the loan always goes through. Pre-approval is generally a good way to determine financial security, but the reality is

Showing a home is one of the most important parts of selling a home. This is when interested home buyers come through and hopefully fall in love with the home so much that they feel they have to put in an offer. However, many homeowners don’t realize that some of the things they do are quietly sabotaging their chances at finding that buyer. Here are some common mistakes homeowners make when showing their home and how to avoid them.

1. Pets and Homeowners at Home

When having buyers come see the home with their agents, some homeowners may think it’s perfectly acceptable to stay in the home and go about their business or even shadow the visitors to see what they think of the home. However, homeowners at home can be detrimental to a home’s chances