Buying a new home often means confronting the challenge of refinancing and choosing the best package from a wide choice of products with varying interest rates and eligibility rules. Many of us select a 30-year loan with a fixed interest rate, while others choose a 15-year option, which has a lower interest rate but higher…
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The tax rules around owning a rental property can be confusing, and it’s common for landlords to misunderstand which business expenses can be legitimately deducted to minimize their tax bill. Business expenses for rentals are available to those who actively manage the property, rather than a passive investor. And while it might sound obvious, the…
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Setting up a home office is one of the most popular projects in recent times as the work-from-home movement continues to grow. Prospective buyers in our neighborhood are consistently expressing their interest in homes that have an established office situated away from the main living areas. If that’s not possible in your property, you can…
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Most of us have spent more time at home over the past months than we could ever have imagined, especially those who now count themselves among the work-from-home community. Frustration at some of the flaws in your home may well have surfaced. It’s an emotion that I see frequently as your neighborhood real estate agent.…
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Planning for where you should live in your sunset years is one of the most important tasks of your life. There’s no right or wrong answer as so much depends on personal circumstance and the support you enjoy from your family. You can dive straight into a retirement village, choose to live in your existing…
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Home improvement has become a popular pastime during the pandemic, and lumber yards and hardware stores are reporting significant growth in orders from DIY enthusiasts. It’s no wonder that folks are picking up hammers and drills when they have time on their hands, and property prices continue to remain healthy. After an initial blip, prices…
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Life is full of “what if” questions, and the act of purchasing real estate is rarely completed without the buyer wondering what might have happened if they’d looked harder or for longer. Could you have found a dreamier dream home? As an experienced real estate agent, I advise all my clients not to do this…
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It’s easy to become distracted by bright and shiny features when you’re walking through a home for the first time. A new bathroom or a modern kitchen can quickly capture your attention and divert you from other important aspects of the property. While your agent will have used your initial brief to scope out its…
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With interest rates at record lows and no sign of them rising, this is a great time to consider buying your first home or moving up the property ladder. In my time as a real estate agent, I cannot remember money ever being so cheap. But that doesn’t mean you should assume a lender will…
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Your home is a sanctuary from the craziness of modern life, but if it becomes draughty and cold in the fall and winter months, it can quickly become depressing. Investing in solutions to protect your home from the ravages of the cold and damp is always money well-spent. That is especially true if you’re considering…
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