Buying a house is a big investment, so it is natural to look for ways to save money wherever possible. Some buyers and sellers may assume that they can stretch their budget further if they handle the entire purchase themselves. Doing this may seem like a good way save you money, but can also lead to problems and higher costs in the long run.  As a buyer, hiring a Realtor typically does not cost you a cent; your Real estate agent will be paid from the commission on the sale of the home. Hiring a professional who is on your
Read More

Are you a Canadian homeowner? A first time home buyer? Do you see yourself purchasing a home for your family in foreseeable future? If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, or have considered tapping into the real estate market in the New Year, keep reading! The time has come, once again, for the Canadian mortgage rules to change. Effective January 1st , 2018 the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) will be implementing new mortgage regulations that may ultimately reduce purchasing power on conventional purchases and refinancing of all homes. Of course, as word of these new
Read More

Protecting Your Home: Picking a Safe Neighbourhood Moving into a new home – your dream home, the one you’ve been searching for –  is an exciting time in anyone’s life. Choosing the right neighbourhood – safe, and one you feel most comfortable moving into – is another. In fact, when it comes time to finding a neighbourhood that’s best suited for you and your family to move into, it’s important to do your research before packing your boxes. We are lucky here in Ottawa to live in an overall very safe city but here are a few things to be
Read More

Home ownership is something that comes with great pride. And with it being one of, if not, the biggest, most sought-after purchase (and decision) that you will ever make in your years as an adult, it’s recommended that you thoroughly prepare yourself for the emotional and financial attributes that go along with doing so. This said, there are people of every age group and at each stage in their lives that look into the real estate market and agree to buy or sell their home. Most recently, however, it’s the millennials that are powering the housing market. Millennials – those
Read More

As we all know, the home buying experience can lengthy and longwinded. Rightfully so, however, as purchasing a new home is something worth waiting, saving, and hunting for – not to mention something worth spending an allotted amount of time perfecting. But what happens if your search has lead you to the home you’ve been waiting for – the home of your dreams! – and it’s already been snatched up by another buyer? You may feel defeated, discouraged, wondering if you’ll ever find another home like that one again. Sound familiar? Well, before you nod your heads in agreeance, don’t!
Read More

We are very fortunate to live in a City that offers economically booming neighbourhoods and family-friendly communities. In Ottawa, there’s bound to be something for anyone and everyone. In fact, according to MoneySense, Ottawa has been ranked Canada’s Best Place to Live in 2017. Why? Well, aside from being home to one of the most respected tech hubs in Canada, having an extremely low-by-comparison unemployment rate of only 5%, and host to some of the greatest, most talented chefs in the country, Ottawa is a safe and affordable city that hasn’t been caught up in the real estate frenzy that’s
Read More

Truth be told, there are a lot of decisions to be made when it comes to purchasing a home. Regardless of where we stand on the home-buying scale – first time homebuyers, second time homebuyers, or those just simply looking to downsize and/or relocate – there are questions to be asked, and answers to be had. Yes, the onset of this process may seem a little daunting at first, however, that very common (and overwhelming) feeling of “where do I even start” eventually shapes itself into the certainty that you’ve found the home you’ve been waiting for. So, where do
Read More

Buying a house is a big undertaking, and there are lots of things to consider. The cost of the house is a big factor to think about, but is far from the only thing you should look when it comes time to buy! Something that you may choose to consider when buying a house is looking at ones that are newly built. Whether you choose to buy an older home or a brand new one, a Realtor can help you with this process and ensure that your interests are well represented. Benefits of Buying a New House: Reduced maintenance costs
Read More