Blogs

The road to homeownership can be a rewarding journey. But despite the clear benefits of owning property, many Canadians are still tempted to rent. Rising interest rates, tougher mortgage rules, and the difficulty of saving up for a down payment are just some of the reasons people are intimidated to buy.    Although renting does have its perks, homeownership is an effective means of establishing wealth and putting yourself on a secure financial footing. If you’re still not convinced, here’s why we believe buying is always the better option.    Reason #1: Freedom to do whatever you want with the ...

After a long day, who doesn’t want to retreat to a cozy bedroom, read a good book or just put your feet up without any distractions? The bedroom should be an oasis, a place of refuge, a chance to relax and unwind or simply meditate the cares of the day away. The bedroom should be a place where you get your best sleep. Creating a bedroom retreat is easier to do than it sounds. Here are some simple yet proven tips that you can be sure will make your bedroom the first place to get some good R&R. Sweet Dreams ...

While 2017 was quite a volatile year in real estate, things are now trending upward. According to the TREB report for July 2018, there is hope for those who shied away from buying a home because of the The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) stress test which was implemented earlier this year. In addition, the provincial election had also created some uncertainty, but since both those events have now settled into the recesses of our real estate mind set, there is optimism once again. Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis, says “home buyers in the GTA ...

We can all agree that the housing market throughout Toronto and the GTA has changed dramatically over the past few years. Not only financially, but also when it comes to the needs and wants of home buyers. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, or a retired home owner looking to downsize, keep reading to see 2018’s most popular housing trends when it comes to home features, design and neighbourhood amenities. FEATURES Smart Homes Smart homes are continuing to get smarter and we don’t see that stopping anytime soon. Linking all devices in your home together harmoniously to your smartphone is ...

Exterior window trim is installed around the perimeter of the frame in order to add a hint of design. To make a clean and neat exterior, people usually install their window trims between the window sill and the window heather. The trim will be a little flatter than the sill and header. Although it's fun to garden and plant tropical plants, all the beauty in the world won't matter if your home itself doesn't also look good. Plus, a beautiful exterior to your home can increase your home's overall value and your curb appeal should you ever decide to sell ...

With the housing market being unpredictable, you should always be prepared if you plan on selling your home. Ideally, you want to make a profit on your resale, and the best way to do that is to increase the value of your property. This does not necessarily mean you need to plan for an entire home remodel, however, updating a few areas can go a long way when trying to get a higher sale price, especially in a competitive market place WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER ADDING VALUE? There are many benefits that come with adding value to your property. For ...

Buying a house is a big deal. Not only is it one of the biggest investments you'll most likely ever make in your life, it's also the place where you'll make a lot of your memories and spend most amount of your time. For that reason, a brief summary of some key real estate terms you'll most likely hear from your real estate agent, as well as potential listings, is in order. While this list is far from comprehensive, it should provide a good baseline for you to investigate different houses of your choosing. Detached Home This is the ...

Moving to a new city can be intimidating and stressful, especially if you are unfamiliar with the place that you are about to call your new home. For the majority of people, it takes years to find the best parts of your city and learn all of the great things your town has to offer. Instead of following the bandwagon and discovering things as they come up, here is a list of all of the top things you need to know before moving to Vaughan, Ontario. 1. Where is Vaughan Located? Vaughan is located right in the middle of the ...

Are you spending more money on monthly expenses than your mortgage calculator estimated? This is a common issue that can quickly become a prominent financial pain point. Although mortgage calculators are vital to framework your budget, there are a lot of misconceptions and overall misuses of these tools. The Myth About Mortgage Calculator Accuracy Many people swear by the mortgage calculator to make sound financial decisions. The only problem is that it is only as strong as the information you have. The more information you have, the better it will assist you in getting factual estimates. Just using the basic ...

When interest rates are raised by the Bank of Canada, this often affects mortgage payments. This is because the banks and lending institutions have to now pay more to borrow money. Keep in mind that mortgage payments will not automatically increase because the national interest rate went up. Under certain circumstances, they can actually decrease. It is also important to note that anyone with an established fixed mortgage rate will not see a change. One of the promising aspects of an increasing rate is that lenders become more competitive. This is because fewer people finance after a rise in ...