As an experienced mortgage broker, I know that organizing your finances is the most crucial step in buying your first property. There’s no point spending hours checking out homes online or chasing around open houses on Saturdays if you don’t know what you can afford. You have two primary paths from which to choose when…
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The speed of lending approvals is becoming a significant issue as mortgage brokers and our clients seek an increasingly faster turnaround of applications. Homes have been selling so quickly that banks and other lenders are struggling to keep pace, often disappointing buyers who might have missed a property because they could not access finance sufficiently…
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A borrowing strategy is an intelligent approach to finding your first mortgage or refinancing to purchase a new home. The best loan consists of far more than the cheapest interest rate. Tracking down the most suitable deal for your circumstances is difficult and time consuming. It can take hundreds of hours to research all your…
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With prices continuing to rise for houses and apartments, there’s never been a better time to learn the basics of assessing a property’s value before meeting with your agent. Valuation is not a perfect science. You can never predict the behaviour of other buyers in a booming market. However, understanding the key elements that make…
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Real estate market predictions can offer valuable insights, but it’s important to approach them with a critical eye and understand their limitations. Here’s a guide to help you navigate property market forecasts: The Nature of Predictions Real estate crystal balls are never perfectly clear. Predictions often suggest general trends, but the market can be influenced…
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There’s plenty to think about when you decide to remodel your bathroom or update items such as showerscreen, vanity units and baths. A new-look bathroom can add thousands of dollars in value to your home, and it is one of the best ways to gain a return on investment when the time comes to sell.…
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As a real estate investor, understanding the dynamics of the rental market is crucial for making informed decisions. While specific conditions can vary year to year, certain trends tend to persist or recur in the rental market. Here are six key trends to watch: Rent Fluctuations. Rental rates can be influenced by various factors, including…
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When the real estate market is strong, it’s natural to consider your options, whether you’re thinking about upgrading or downsizing. Changing market conditions can present opportunities for both buyers and sellers. As inventory fluctuates, you may find more options available if you’re looking to make a move. For those considering downsizing, a robust market could…
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It’s easy but dangerous to become complacent if you intend to sell your home in a red-hot market. The media headlines amplify the big prices paid for some apartments and houses, and you can begin to think selling your home is only a matter of putting a “For Sale” sign at the front of the…
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Society is great at coming up with names to capture the mood of the moment. “Nimbys” (not in my backyard) is a favourite for those who don’t want progress, and then there are the “empty-nesters”, describing parents whose adult children have left the family home. The latest phrase doing the rounds in real estate is…
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