April 19, 2018
It’s an exciting time. Your offer has been accepted. You can’t wait to move into your new home. But don’t start celebrating yet. There is one final stage involved in purchasing a home — closing the deal. Closing is the point at which ownership and usually possession of the property is transferred from the seller to you. It takes place after the parties involved agree that all legal and financial obligations have been met. Your lawyer and your REALTOR® will do much of the work, but here’s a checklist that […]
April 19, 2018
One of the easiest, most cost-efficient ways of enhancing your home is with paint. With the advances made in paint over the past decade, there’s not much you can’t do with it indoors and outdoors. Gone are the days of the all-purpose can of paint. Today, there are paints available for specific materials and surfaces. Whether your floor is wood or concrete, there is a paint designed for use on it. There are even paints for metals, such as the smoke pipe of a stove, that heat up to extremely […]
April 19, 2018
Homeowners face a double quandary when faced with the prospect of selling their homes: how does one make sure the decision to sell is the right one; and once the choice is made, when is the right time to sell? Traditionally, there have been four major reasons why and when people sell their homes: financial and market conditions, employment changes, family matters and lifestyle changes. In today’s economy, one additional issue has emerged which has great bearing: low interest rates. All these will not only affect your fundamental decision to […]
April 19, 2018
Whether it is aircraft overhead, traffic on the street, a neighbour practicing the saxophone, or your own kids at play, often our homes are not as quiet and peaceful as we would like them to be. That’s why taking some measures to soundproof your home has lots of pay-offs. Not only will you reduce noise and add value to your property, but you will be helping to reduce the stress that excessive noise can cause. If you’re tired of excessive noise, start by determining which areas of your home are […]
April 18, 2018
Getting the maximum exposure possible is a key part of any home sale. That’s why it pays to sell your home with the help of a REALTOR® through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS provides details of your home to all real estate professionals in the area and markets the property to a broad range of potential buyers. To further maximize exposure, your REALTOR® may recommend you hold one or two types of open houses as soon as the property goes on the market. The first will be an open […]
April 19, 2018
Real estate sections of public libraries abound with books on selling you home privately. In addition to pointers on sprucing up your home for maximum sale ability, they provide homeowners with tips on the “psychology of showing a house.” Yet, most homeowners choose to sell through a REALTOR®. Selecting a REALTOR® Finding the right real estate representative takes some time and care. A good place to start is in your neighbourhood. Check “For Sale” signs to see which brokers are doing business in your area. Ask them about their track […]
April 19, 2018
Arranging your mortgage doesn’t have to be a baffling experience Buying a home today is an extremely attractive proposition. Interest rates are at their lowest in decades and the housing market is full of homes to suit just about any budget or family requirement. Still, you’ll inevitably have to deal with financing and this will mean taking on a mortgage. Sorting through the numerous mortgage options available to today’s home buyers can be intimidating for everyone from first-time purchasers to long-time owners. The rules seem to change constantly and there’s […]
April 19, 2018
How to match the home you buy to your pocketbook So, you’ve decided to take the big leap and purchase your first home. Most of us have a “dream home” tucked away at the back of our minds — complete with six bedrooms, two fireplaces and a panoramic view. Before setting off to view properties you likely can’t afford, step back and take a reality check. Your “dream home” can easily become a nightmare when most of your money goes to pay the mortgage and there’s little left over for […]
April 19, 2018
A heating system converts fuel into heat which then flows through a house. The efficiency of a heating system depends on the amount of fuel consumed to meet heating needs. Using less fuel means your system has increased its energy efficiency. Check your heating system first One way to maximize output using the least amount of fuel is to reduce air leakage. Before deciding to replace or upgrade your present heating system you will have to consider how much of your present system can be saved. Can the boiler or […]
