Throughout the history of journalism, reporters would pride themselves on getting the “inside scoop” on a story. In fact, that’s where that expression came from.

So imagine you’re shopping for a new home and click on a listing online. Up comes all the property information.

But, chances are, there is more to the story of that property than is presented in that listing. For example, you might want to know more about:

 

The empty field behind the home.


The addition that was added to the house. (Was it professionally done?)


What the neighbourhood is really like.


The age of the roof shingles. (Will they need to be replaced soon?)


Noise levels on weekends.


Upcoming new development that might change the character of the area.


Most property information listed on MLS and elsewhere is incomplete. There’s almost always more to the story of a listing than you can find online.

And, even after viewing a listed prop ...

Imagine if, for whatever reason, you suddenly needed to find and buy a new home in a hurry. What if you had just a few weeks?
If you’re like most people, your first instinct might be to panic. Well, there’s nothing wrong with having some apprehension about having to find a new home quickly. But, there are steps you can take that will make the process a lot less stressful and, ultimately, make it more likely that you’ll find a great property you’ll love.
The first thing you need to do is determine your budget. That will give you a price range you can confidently shop within. Your budget should take into account how much your current home will likely sell for, how much you qualify to receive on a new mortgage, as well as any other funds you can put into a new home.
Next, decide on areas or neighbourhoods that have listings within your budget to target in your search. Narrowing your scope will actually help you find the right home, sooner.
When viewing ...

Happy New Year!
There are numerous reasons why you might need to sell early in the year. Perhaps you even need to sell this month! Whatever your reasons, preparation is key. Make the right moves now and your sale is likely to go smoothly and successfully.

Follow these tips:

1.    Make a list of what needs to be done around the property to prepare it for listing. That includes decluttering, cleaning, getting needed repairs done, and so forth. 

2.    Schedule those tasks. On a calendar or planner, block out ample time to do everything on your list. Give yourself a time buffer because things can often take longer to do than expected.

3.    Get help. You don’t need to do everything yourself. Consider hiring a painter, contractor, cleaning service, and other professionals. Outsourcing can reduce a lot of the stress of selling while ensuring your property is prepared in time.

4.   ! ...

Once again, it’s seeming like homeownership is the right move for a lot of people, especially for renters.
When the pandemic hit, rents decreased for many people. But now that things are returning to normal, rents are on the rise. In some places, rent has increased more than 40% since the beginning of the pandemic.
If you’re a renter, this can turn into a serious problem. You might think everything is going great, but then BAM, your lease is up for renewal and your landlord slaps a steep rent hike on you.
You’re faced with 1) sticking it out and paying the more expensive rent or 2) finding a new rental for cheaper, which sadly won’t be easy in our market.
But there’s a third option: homeownership.
If you’re a current renter and you’re worried about rent increases (as you should be), homeownership might be the right move for you. Why?
- Your monthly payment will stay the same. No ridiculous increases every year when you have a fixed-rate m. ...

When you’re getting ready to sell your home,  you’re always on the lookout for ways to increase your home’s value and get more money in your pocket. There’s the old standbys, of course, like the kitchen remodel, updating the backyard, redoing the bathrooms.
But there’s one quick fix that can seriously boost your home’s value: paint! A recent study by Zillow found that buyers were willing to offer $5,000 more when a home was painted certain colours.
It seems so simple, but paint can really change the feeling of your entire home. Just imagine repainting a bright red kitchen with a cool grey. It would make the room feel totally different with just one change. And the best part? Painting a room is fast and inexpensive compared to other renovations.

Here’s how you can get the most bang for your buck by painting your home.
- Avoid bright colours. Not only do many buyers dislike bright colours, it can also really date your property. If you ! ...