Blog.

In fall 2020, buyers benefited from lower prices in the condo market compared to 2019. As an example, a couple bought a one-bedroom condo in the Lakeshore area for $500k. The unit was pretty big, with two bathrooms. It is rare to find a one-bedroom unit with two bathrooms, and obviously, it was an advantage. Also, the Condo Corporation has a good reputation, and people have many positive experiences with them.  A friendly and well-organized management team responds very quickly to... [read more]

As should be obvious, smart home technology has altered the real estate business. It has had an impact on the time it takes to sell a house, home appraisals, and a range of other facets of the sector. Be sure, it won't be long until every property owner has at least one smart home technology item. Technology appears to evolve at the speed of light, but is your house keeping up? Smarten it up with a few smart-home technologies that will promote safety, comfort, and may even save you... [read more]

Times are changing, and the "houses are better" stereotype is slowly fading. More and more young couples want to live close to the subway, fashionable boutiques, modern restaurants and enjoy the downtown nightlife. They are working hard and don't want to spend the rest of the day cutting grass, removing leaves or snow around the house, or doing other house-only errands. The families are looking for big units in safe, family-friendly areas with highly-rated public schools. They... [read more]

Building good credit in college is one of the best financial moves students can make. Having good credit allows them to qualify for loans, rental applications, auto insurance, phone plans and can help them get a job. Being responsible with credit is the best way to establish and improve a credit score. For college students without much credit history, there are small but important steps they can take to build up their score. Obtaining a Student Credit Card Some credit cards are... [read more]

A pool can make your backyard more inviting and give family members a place to relax, socialize and get some exercise. A pool can also be expensive, even after the installation process is complete, since it can increase the amount you’ll have to pay in property taxes. A Pool Can Increase Your Home’s Value Property taxes are based on a home’s assessed value, which is based on its size, condition, amenities and location. If you add an in-ground pool to your property, it will... [read more]

You are only required to have a fence on your property if you have a private swimming pool. An individual is required to keep the gate of a swimming pool enclosure locked at all times except when the enclosed area is in use. A pool enclosure fence is not required for a hot tub, whirlpool or spa if it has a cover permanently attached to it that can be locked to prevent access when it is not in use. A pool enclosure fence permit is required on private property. Other types of fences on... [read more]

What Homebuyers Want: Practicality and Energy Savings What’s the key to today’s homebuyer’s heart? Well, move over hardwood floors, granite countertops, mudrooms, and media rooms, and kiss living rooms and formal dining rooms goodbye. Welcome energy efficiency and a good layout. According to a recent study, more than 40 per cent of Canadians look for energy efficiency over a home with updated finishes such as stone countertops and stainless appliances. Slightly more than... [read more]

Buyers want to know they're purchasing a property not only that they love, but that's safe and well-maintained. A home inspection is designed to reveal any potential problems with the property. So sellers should try to make the buyer's inspection as smooth as possible to avoid red flags that might scrap the purchase. Clean, then tackle tasks you might overlook in your day-to-day life. Change the furnace filter. Replace light bulbs. If you haven't yet, replace smoke detector... [read more]

Home staging prepares a private residence to make it appealing to the greatest number of potential buyers. The goal is to help the home sell as quickly as possible at the best possible price. With this in mind, it is often a good idea to stage your home. A professional stager will recommend what items should be removed and what décor and furnishings should be added. Staging removes distracting clutter or personal items and creates a clean, inviting atmosphere. The stager's finishing... [read more]

If you already own a rental property, or you're looking to get into the business, the idea of having to deal with tenants and managing the property might be daunting. But that's where property managers step in. A credible property manager will take over the responsibilities that rental owners might not want to handle. This could include surveying the market and area to determine a reasonable and competitive rate to charge for rent. Property managers can also help you sell a home... [read more]

Sellers logically want to put their homes on the market when they will sell quickly and for the best price. To achieve this, they must find the busiest home-selling season - for their market. In most areas, this season is spring. For many regions, this time of year offers warmer weather and more daylight for shopping. It's also prime time for families to buy if their goal is to get settled in before the next school year begins. Launching in spring, the busy season typically peaks in June,... [read more]

Everyone knows the importance of making a good first impression. It's no different when it comes to your home’s curb appeal, which refers to your property’s overall appearance from the street. To make your home's "frosting" as appealing as possible, you’ll definitely want to think about planting stunning blooms and making sure your landscaping is well manicured and maintained. Implementing a long-term landscaping plan can help increase your property value... [read more]