Category: General

How your home can ease cost-of-living pain

With a focus on cost-of-living pressures since the post-Covid spike in inflation, many homeowners have been investigating the benefits of downsizing or taking out a reverse mortgage – and sometimes both. The impetus to downsize usually strikes so-called “empty-nesters” – those couples whose adult children are no longer living in the family home. But levies…
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Young Canadians sideline marriage for property goals

Forget wedding bells, young Canadians are more interested in being a homeowner. Some 40% of under-30s say buying a property is critical to their five-year plan, signalling a preference over travel (30%) and marriage (24%). The survey conducted by the Royal Bank of Canada comes as interest rates have dropped a further 0.5% to 3.75%,…
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10 ideas to make your home eco-friendly

As more people become increasingly aware of their environmental footprint, sustainable living is gaining momentum.  This translates into a growing interest in eco-friendly home renovations and upgrades. By making conscious choices, homeowners can significantly reduce their impact on the planet while enjoying a comfortable and healthy living space.  And just as importantly, you’ll be adding…
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Setting Real Estate Goals for the Holidays

It’s the perfect time to focus on your real estate goals with the interest rate another falling 0.5% to 3.75% and with the possibility of more cuts coming from the Bank of canada. Property ambitions are certainly going to be a keen topic of conversation this upcoming Holidays, that’s for sure. If you’re psychologically ready…
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Essential tips for d. signing homes for seniors

As our population ages, the demand for homes that cater to the unique needs of seniors is growing rapidly.  Creating a living space that allows individuals to age in place—remaining comfortably and safely in their own homes as they grow older—is a priority for many families.  Thoughtful design choices can make a world of difference…
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Rule change to improve property appraisal accuracy

A significant change has been made to the home appraisal process, which will affect both first homebuyers and upgraders. Lenders will now be required to implement a borrower-driven process for requesting a Reconsideration of Value (ROV).  Essentially, owners of homes can now contact their lender and ask for their home to be revalued so that…
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More properties on the market as spring arrives

As we herald the start of the spring selling season, there’ll be a few owners who’ll be anxiously watching the trends for buyer demand and prices. Some owners won’t give it a second thought – they’re the ones selling in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, which are thriving markets currently.  Those in the other capital cities…
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How to move quickly after the Fed rate cut

Finally, the Federal Reserve has made its move with a 0.5% cut in the cash rate, making money cheaper to borrow. As a result, you may be thinking that now is the time to make your move in the property market. The size of the rate cut will see mortgage costs fall in the coming…
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Seven tips to make your tapware bright and shiny

Preparing your home for sale always takes a little time and a touch of elbow grease – after all, you don’t want your potential buyers to experience a cluttered and untidy home. The bathroom and kitchen are often the most time-consuming areas to clean before you open your doors to buyers.  These are also the…
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High rents and market on edge of growth tempt investors

As we await a rebound in the Canadian property market after welcome reductions to the interest rate, many investors are sizing up the market to extend their portfolio. Capital appreciation is a primary motivator as investors expect property values will soon rise as buyers access cheaper cash from lenders. Supporting the case for investment is…
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