As you think about getting your first home, you’re probably hearing a lot of advice from your friends and family. Anyone who’s been through the process knows just how stressful it can be, and they want you to avoid all of the pitfalls. Read More
When you look through the latest design magazines, it seems that everyone has these giant, open kitchens. Everyone, that is, except for you. Read More
When you picture your dream home, it probably includes a beautiful yard in both the front and back. After all the construction trucks leave your lot, you’re starting with a pretty blank slate. In some ways, that can feel overwhelming. You may only have the rough grade completed in the yard when you move in. On the other hand, it’s an opportunity to create landscaping that’s perfect for your family. Read More
You’ve gotten so excited at the prospect of buying your first home, so it may come as a big surprise when a bank rejects your mortgage application. Lenders have to be careful about who they lend their money to, and they often have strict criteria that you must meet to qualify. Read More
A fresh coat of paint is the best way to get your home ready to sell, but are some colours much better than others? You bet! Read More
Many people choose to buy a home as an investment property, and it’s easy to see why – if managed well, an investment property could not only pay for itself in the rent that it brings in from tenants, but once it’s fully paid off it can also be sold again for a profit! Read More
Practically everyone has heard the rumour that the best time to sell a home is in the spring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sell your home any other time of year. In fact, the laid-back feeling and ability to let a lot of sunlight into your home during these months can make your home seem even more attractive. Read More
When you buy a family home, you’re buying for the benefit of everyone in your family. But when you downsize, you want a home specifically for your own dreams and ambitions. Downsizing doesn’t mean getting a less quality home, it just means getting a better-suited home for your current needs. Needs that are different from what you had the last time you bought a house. Read More
While it’s a completely normal part of the home construction process, house settling can still seem a little, well… unsettling while it’s happening. However, it’s a lot less scary once you understand the full process, so let’s take a look at what house settling actually is and how it’s likely to affect your new home. Read More
Spring is the time when we shake off those winter doldrums and start looking at everything around us with fresh eyes. That makes it the perfect time to give your home a little bit of extra love. Read More
Being debt-free has a number of benefits, especially when you’re trying to buy a home. Lower debt tends to increase your credit score, which means that you’ll qualify for better mortgage rates. Reduced debt payments can increase the amount of money the bank will lend you for your home. And eliminating your debt gives you more financial freedom with your budget. Read More
Every month you pay your mortgage, you increase the equity in your home. Over time, this means that you have tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity. Ultimately, you will get that money when you sell your home, but most people are also able to access up to 65 percent of the equity they have in their home through a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Read More
As you think about getting your first home, you’re probably hearing a lot of advice from your friends and family. Anyone who’s been through the process knows just how stressful it can be, and they want you to avoid all of the pitfalls. Read More
