Posts by teamrealty

Financing Your Home Purchase – Mortgage Broker or Bank?

March 15, 2016 | Comments Off

When it comes time to purchase a new home, where should you go for financing? You may have a relationship with a bank from past transactions (RRSPs, savings accounts, car loan), so it’s the first option that comes to mind. But, mortgage brokers are licensed specialists who have access to many lenders and mortgage rates, so they may be a better choice. Here are some pros and cons for each. Advantages of Mortgage Brokers do all the negotiating for you to find the lowest rate have knowledge of, and access to, the entire mortgage market have exclusive
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Don't tax my dream campaign succeeds

January 1, 2016 | Comments Off

The efforts of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the Progressive Conservatives were recently rewarded when the provincial government decided they would NOT be expanding the municipal land transfer tax program. Liberals keep election promise In an unexpected announcement during the legislature’s question period, Municipal Affairs Minister Ted McMeekin ended concerns that the Liberals would break their election campaign promise and allow other cities and towns to introduce the tax. “There has been no call, at all, for a municipal land transfer tax,” he said, “nor is there any legislation before the House that would
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Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Home Green

December 12, 2015 | Comments Off

In this bhgrelife.com post, we learn just how easy it is to join the green movement and become an eco-warrior. For example, by improving the energy efficiency around home, you reduce consumption, conserving the planet’s resources and saving money at the same time. Installing a programmable thermostat lowers consumption and, surprisingly, a fully loaded dishwasher uses less energy than manual washing. Changing furnace filters and cleaning dryer lint traps regularly will improve operating efficiency and reduce consumption. Green landscaping ideas like composting, collecting and using rain water, pest control with natural products, using push mowers instead of gas
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Why Millennials Are Moving Home Design Trends

December 11, 2015 | Comments Off

In this article for Freshhome magazine, Shelly Little explains how Millennials, the generation born between 1980 and the early 2000’s, are redefining home design. According to her research, Millennials value money and success, individuality and urbanized environments. And, they want this outlook reflected in their homes. They want small designs that are unique and functional so they are willing to buy fixer-uppers or engage in DIY projects. They also desire technological innovations and smart automation. These attitudes are causing a major shift in the way homes are being designed and built. To read more click here.
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Buying Near Parks and Recreational Facilities

December 10, 2015 | Comments Off

According to RealtorMag, twenty-three percent of recent buyers indicated that convenience to parks or recreational facilities influenced their choice of neighborhoods. Proximity to parks and recreational facilities was the most important to recent buyers aged 34 and younger, and to those aged 35 to 49. Here are some reasons to believe those numbers will rise. Public Health Concerns The alarming increase in obesity, especially among children, has focused attention on how important physical activity is to our overall wellbeing. Governments at all levels are promoting the benefits of active living and we have become more receptive to
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Green Renovations — Basements

December 9, 2015 | Comments Off

Virtually all homeowners will find something of use in this detailed and practical fact sheet from Central Mortgage and Housing Corp (CMHC). If you’re planning a basement renovation, it’s a must read, filled with time, energy and money saving tips, features and advice on how to green any project, from extensive, expensive renos to slower, more affordable and incremental upgrades. The guide explains nine site factors to consider during the planning stage (structural conditions, air quality and circulation, moisture and water problems, mold, lead, asbestos and soil gases) as well as steps to remediate, when necessary, or incorporate corrective
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Emotional Homebuyers Can Lose Out On The Best Deals

December 8, 2015 | Comments Off

When we really like a property, we can overlook or downplay its negative aspects. This homeownership.ca post advises us to approach purchasing a home as a business decision and to remove emotion from the decision. Before viewing any properties, contact a financial adviser to set your budget, a mortgage broker to get pre-approval for that amount and a real estate agent familiar with the area(s) you like. Call and introduce yourself to 3 professional home inspectors – one should be available when you’re ready to bid, so you avoid stressful delays, and any temptation to skip
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6 Sneaky Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive

December 7, 2015 | Comments Off

If you want to convert your home’s look from average to exceptional, this Realtor.com post by Jamie Weibe tells you how. Remove mismatched decor items, store toys/magazines and organize your things to fix a cluttered appearance. Clean and re-grout tile to make it look new. Use traditional, neutral tones to freshen paint in areas that need it. Upgrading hardware, faucets or countertops are all relatively inexpensive ways to give kitchens and bathrooms a more luxurious appearance. Adding or rearranging lighting can create an illusion of space and separate rooms. To read more click here.
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How to Stage Your Home for Fall Showings

November 27, 2015 | Comments Off

This Zillow.com post by Nathalie Wise suggests that the time and cost of staging your home can result in higher sale prices and less time on the market. Remove clutter, store items that could distract viewers and move furniture away from walls to make your spaces appear larger. Clear counters and deep clean everywhere because it’s still the best way to make a house shine. Allow potential buyers to visualize themselves in the home by taking down family pictures that could impede their imagination. Open curtains to let in natural light and hang mirrors to bring light and life
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8 Deer-Resistant Elegant Evergreen Shrubs to Plant This Fall

November 25, 2015 | Comments Off

Shrubs bestow privacy, a sense of enclosure and a splash of colour during winter. In this houzz.com post, Brian Barth gives hope to discouraged homeowners who are tired of watching the local deer population feast on their shrubs. Needle-bearing shrubs like the juniper will survive deer grazing, but they can lack artistic appeal. Barth identifies 8 other options that have at least one redeeming aesthetic trait besides being evergreen. Heath and heather are an unusual group of low shrubs with colorful flowers and needle-like leaves that change colour as the weather gets cold. Doghobble spreads as it
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