Leaving your shoes at the door

When it comes to inspecting a property, many potential buyers may wonder whether it’s appropriate to remove their shoes or leave them on.  The answer to this question depends on various factors, including cultural norms, personal preferences, and the condition of the property. In some cultures, it is customary to remove shoes before entering a…
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Choose a mower that makes neighbours green with envy

With summer in full swing, your lawn mower may be feeling the heat of a tough workload. You wouldn’t be alone in worrying about whether the mower will fire up one more time to trim grass that’s growing quickly in the mix of heat and moisture. If you’re tempted to put yours into the shop…
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Rent costs escalate to tempt investor action

As Canadian owners enjoyed a first interest rate that turned the tide on 20-year-high loan costs, tenants continue to deal with rising costs.  A new report claims our average rent has jumped the $2,200 barrier for the first time. It comes as the Bank of Canada reduced the benchmark cash rate from from 5% to…
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Rate cut offers hope for market bounce

The cut in the interest rate at the beginning of June has been welcomed by homeowners and those trying to break into the market. It wasn’t borrowers’ complaints who forced the Bank of Canada (BoC) to act, but the fact we achieved an inflation rate within the target band of 2-3%. Our Consumer Price Index…
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Family funds help young Canadians onto property ladder

As young Canadians continue to grapple with property prices that spiked during the pandemic, a new survey has found first-time buyers are getting more help than ever from their parents. Almost a third of first-home buyers have already received financial assistance from family members this year, according to a survey by the Canadian Imperial Bank…
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As rates fall, is the market storm of buyers coming?

In a sign we’re experiencing a calm before the storm, new data shows the Canadian property market is edging slightly down as buyers welcome a reduction in our 20-year-high interest rate. While the Bank of Canada’s 0.25% interest rate reduction will not substantially move the market, the BoC’s declared intention to reduce mortgage costs has…
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Check insurance in case wildfire arrives at your door

Predictions of a high-risk fire season for this summer have come from the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness.  Areas that continue to suffer from drought, such as northwestern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia and southern Northwest Territories, are considered especially at risk. From this month until the end of summer, the Federal Government has warned of “a…
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It’s not too late to catch the summer vibes with these selling tips

There’s still time to catch the property market’s summer vibes if you’re ready to put in a little extra effort to quickly prepare your home for sale. It’s a myth that there are better seasons than others to sell your home. Each has advantages, but that doesn’t stop many folks thinking they’ll find more buyers…
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How to embrace the wallpaper fashion craze!

Are the bare walls of your home starting to feel blah? Have you been reading some of the popular home interior magazines and discovered the new super-cool wallpapers that are all the rage? And are you just itching to start hanging wallpaper? If you are, I can’t blame you!  Wallpaper selection and quality have improved…
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How to choose a pet-friendly home when buying

Our pets are cherished members of the family and when you’re looking to buy your next home it’s natural to consider their needs, too. A recent survey by the aggregator website Zillow found that 61% of dog owners would only choose a new home if it were suitable for their pets. Many of my clients…
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