Found 200 blog entries tagged as real estate.

 Buying a Recreational Property

Spending time at a cottage or recreational property can be a great idea. Not only do you have the conveniences of home, but you feel you are on a vacation whenever you need to get away.

However, there are a few things to consider when looking to purchase a recreational property.

  • Can you financially afford a second property? Ensure that you have a solid plan in place, and know where the down payment will be coming from. 
  • How will you make the monthly mortgage payments? Will the monthly payments leave you house poor, or will you be able to save enough for repairs, maintenance, and enjoying life? 
  • Keep in mind that CMHC will not allow anyone to take advantage of their program when buying a second…

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CHIP Open Is A Mortgage Designed Specifically For Clients With Short-Term Financing Needs.

 

I am able to offer your buyers a CHIP Open – a flexible Mortgage solution. CHIP Open will provide Canadians 55+ with a short-term Mortgage giving them flexibility to repay 100% of the balance at any time, without prepayment penalties.

What is CHIP Open?
CHIP Open is a Mortgage designed specifically for clients with short-term financing needs, such as bridge financing, or completing a large renovation in preparation to sell, and it offers the ability to repay in full without penalty. CHIP Open allows your clients to access up to 55% of the equity in their home in tax-free funds, and they are never required to make a payment until they decide to repay the…

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Home Inspections: What to Know and Why You Need One

As a buyer, home inspections are an important part of the buying process. It is not mandatory to have one, but it is in your best interest that you know exactly what you are getting from a professional level. Home inspections can cost a few hundred dollars, but it will be the best money you will spend.


The last thing you want is to be a home owner that has issues occurring a month or so down the road that could have been prevented or brought to your attention prior to purchasing the home.


A home inspector is your ally as they will go into the house and look for things you are not aware of. Inspectors are well- versed in what regulations and standards exist in your city or town, and are keen…

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If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won't notice a difference of 2 degrees either way... and the savings can be substantial.

 

However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement.

 

  •        Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration can occur at windows and doors. So, check around your home for drafts. Windy or cold days are the best days to check. Then, get any drafts you find repaired or, at least, temporarily plugged. 
  •        Check the attic. Heat rises and can escape through the attic. So, once a year, check the attic insulation for thin…

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Labour Day in Canada

Labour Day is a statutory national holiday celebrated throughout Canada on the first Monday in September. The September date has remained unchanged, even though the government has been encouraged to adopt May 1st as Labour Day, the date celebrated by the majority of the rest of the world. Moving the holiday, in addition to breaking with tradition, could have been viewed as aligning the Canadian labour movements with internationalist sympathies. Another major reason for keeping the current September date is that the United States celebrates its Labor Day on the same day. History of Canadian Labour Day The origins of Labour Day in Canada can be traced back to a printer's revolt in…

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Winter Proofing Your Home


Clean the Gutters: Remove leaves and debris, unclog drains, and rinse away any dirt. This will extend the life of your gutters and help water drain easier once spring comes.

Check and Fix Leaks: Check your home for any indoor and outdoor leaks and drafts. Drafts can be checked by using a lighter and watching for a flickering flame. If the flame flickers, there are issues. Places to check: Electrical sockets, door jams, and windows. Some areas can easily be fixed by caulking around the areas with leaks.

Insulation: Add more insulation to the existing insulation in the attic. This will warm your home and cut down on the heating bill

Furnace: Get the furnace cleaned and checked once per year. Also, change the furnace…

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There are many reasons why you might suddenly need to sell your home. It could be an unexpected work relocation, a change in family circumstances, or simply a desire to move. 

Whatever the reason, selling quickly requires some fast action on your part. But that doesn't mean you need to get into panic mode. You can list and sell your property, quickly while still enjoying the process!

The first thing you need to do is figure out how to make your home show its best. In addition to cleaning and de-cluttering, that might include getting any needed repairs done, sprucing up the place by painting and perhaps even doing some minor improvements.

How much you need to "stage" your property depends on many factors, including what conditions are…

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9 Steps to Buying a Home Main Image

Even if you’ve done it all before, the home buying process can be downright overwhelming. But the good news is, with the right advice and guidance, your next home purchase can be quick, easy and even enjoyable – all you need to do is take the right steps. 

Here are the nine key steps every buyer should take when purchasing a home: 

1. Find Out How Much You Can Afford

First thing’s first: you’ll want to get an idea of how much home you can afford. This applies to how much you can (and are willing to) pay for a monthly mortgage payment, down payment and other additional expenses (i.e. closing costs). Remember, to afford a home in Canada, you must come up with a minimum down payment of 5%. With the help of a free Mortgage Calculator, you’ll be…

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Not much is written about HOW - TO successfully flip homes in Calgary.  Most agents just point you to some cheap homes, and say, fix them, sell them for more.  I think there has to be more to it.  More science.  More of a guide.  More steps.  So, I set out to start.  This is what I do for my FLIP clients.  Your agent might have other concepts, but this is what I consider advanced.

Here are my rules:

  1. buy in a good location
    1. ensure the home isn't on a major road and/or backs to major road.
  2. focus on the older areas. Think of the homes we grew up in or our grandparents owned.  Typically large lots.  Typically bungalows
  3. use area VALUE CHARTS to quickly identify which areas are possible to flip
  4. next, ensure that even if the value chart…

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