The process of buying or selling a house seems to involve a million details. It is important that you educate yourself on as many parts of this process as you can — this knowledge could mean the difference of thousands of dollars in the long-run. The legal issues involved in the process are often...
7 Things to Look for in a New Neighbourhood
Whether seeking solace, activity, schools, churches, or green space, every homebuyer looks for a different combination of attributes in a new community. Choosing a neighbourhood that suits your needs and wants is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process; your choice...
Before You Buy: A Guide to Getting to Know the Market
The asking prices of most homes on the market indicate the current state of the market, and usually mirror the prices for which other similar homes in the area have recently sold. In deciding upon a selling price, a home-seller must establish a balance between the desire to draw the highest offer and...
Home Inspections: Top 10 Problems to Watch Out For
Each homebuyer has different ideas of what will constitute the ideal home for them, these notions often based on particular aesthetic preferences. But one thing that unites all potential homebuyers is the desire to find a home that is fundamentally sound—in areas beyond the immediate sweep of the...
The Ultimate Moving Checklist
It’s official: you’ve signed the papers, dotted all the i’s, and crossed the t’s — you own a new home! You’ve almost reached the end of your journey. However, now, faced with the daunting task of moving, it may seem as though the journey has just begun. Moving can be...
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home
You’ve been saving for awhile, weighing your options, looking around casually. Now you’ve finally decided to do it—you’re ready to buy a house. The process of buying a new home can be incredibly exciting, yet stressful, all at once. Where do you start?
It is essential you do your...
Stop Paying Your Landlord: From Renter's Rut to Homeowning Paradise!
The thousands of dollars in rent you’ve already paid to your landlord may be a staggering figure — one you don’t even want to think about. Buying a house just isn’t possible for you right now and it isn’t in the financial cards for the foreseeable future... or is it?
The...
Buying a Home: 14 Expenses to Expect
Budgeting for a new home can be tricky. Not only are there mortgage installments and the down payment to consider, but there are also a host of other — sometimes unexpected — expenses to add to the equation. The last thing you want is to be caught financially unprepared, blindsided by taxes...
Buy or Sell First?
If you are considering looking for a new house, and are a current home-owner, then chances are you’re wondering what your strategy should be: do you wait to find the perfect new home before you put your current home on the market, or do you sell first and then look around? You have a few options....
How to Set an Offer Price
There is no set equation to determine how you’ll reach an offer price. Rather, the process involves a range of research and comparison that will vary with each situation. You’ll need to look at sales of comparable properties, and factor in additional data such as the condition of the property,...
Hiring the Right Agent: 8 Questions to Ask
Finding a real estate agent who is right for you requires doing a little homework, and asking the right questions. Choosing an agent is a decision that could ultimately cost or save you thousands of dollars.
Keep in mind the individual you choose will be handling almost every maneuver in the biggest financial...