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How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget
It's not easy being a first-time homebuyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.1Additionally, mortgage rates have risen significantly since 2021, while inventory remains tight for many property categories, but especially for starter homes. Even lower-priced condos are harder to snag these days, ...
Continue ReadingHow Is The Real Estate Market?
The real estate market is a complex and ever-changing landscape, influenced by a wide range of factors, including economic trends, demographics, and even global events. In recent years, the market has experienced both ups and downs, making it difficult for buyers and sellers to navigate the process of buying or ...
Continue Reading3 Reasons to Talk to a Realtor Today
You might naturally assume that it is most important to talk to a Realtor when you’re selling or buying a home. But there are many other circumstances in which it makes sense to give me a call. Here are a few examples. When you’re at the “thinking about it” ...
Continue ReadingReal Estate 2017: What to Expect
One of the most common questions we get at this time of year is, “What’s going on in the market?” It’s not just potential buyers and sellers who are curious; homeowners always want reassurance their home’s value is going up. The good news is the American real estate market is ...
Continue ReadingTop 12 Tips for a Safer Holiday Home
Our world is full of risk at every turn—from perilous jobs to dangerous driving conditions. That’s why we all love to get back to our homes and not worry about everyday safety hazards. It’s great to feel comfortable and safe at home, but is it as safe as it can ...
Continue ReadingThe Home Equity Playbook
What is Home Equity? Home equity seems to be a very simple calculation — the total amount of mortgages owed subtracted from the current market value of a home. Here is a simple example: Current Home Market Value $325,000 Existing Mortgage $225,000 Homeowner Equity $100,000 One side of the equation is well defined, ...
Continue ReadingSelling a Home in a Crowded Market
When you’re about to sell your home, it may be disheartening to see so many other properties for sale in your neighbourhood. You may be thinking, “That’s a lot of competition! Will our property get noticed?” Fortunately, there are many proven strategies for standing out in a sea of For Sale ...
Continue Reading8 Smart Home Technology Trends that Can Save You Money
The ‘smart home’ is the new ‘internet of things’, or objects that can serve you better by communicating with each other or directly with you through apps on your smart phone. In the ideal version of the wired future, all of our appliances and gadgets talk to each other seamlessly. What ...
Continue ReadingGet Your Credit Score in Shape Before Buying a Home
Get Your Credit Score in Shape Before Buying a Home How strong is your credit? Cleaning up your credit is essential before you make any major financial moves. Having a bad score can hurt your chances of being able to open a credit card, apply for a loan, purchase a car, ...
Continue ReadingWhen it Comes to Offers, it’s Not Always about Price
When it Comes to Offers, it’s Not Always about Price When considering which of two or more competing offers to accept for your home, there is no doubt price plays a huge role. After all, if Offer #1 is $10,000 higher than Offer #2, that’s an enticing difference that puts thousands ...
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