Archives for Buyers

Buying Your First Home

Without a doubt, buying your first home is an exciting milestone. But as with any large financial decision, it can also be quite a daunting experience. As a first-time homebuyer, you may have many questions and concerns about the process. Don’t worry, it’s not expected of you to know everything. That’s why I’ve put together some quick tips and resources to help you navigate the home buying process with more confidence.    Budgeting   Before you start looking for a home, it’s essential to determine your budget. Remember to make it flexible, as you’ll likely run into some unforeseen costs
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Before You Take Out a Mortgage

Before You Take Out a Mortgage   Taking out a mortgage is a huge decision – one that will often have a significant impact on your finances for years to come. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you are as prepared as possible before you take the plunge, striving for equity and eventual full ownership. Here are some measures you should likely take and a few things you should probably know before you sign that dotted line.   Know your budget.   Make sure you are prepared for the long-term financial commitment that taking out a mortgage entails.
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What to Expect When You Downsize

What to Expect When You Downsize: First, why are you downsizing? There are many different reasons people choose to downsize. Although most are compelled by the costly bills and the physical labour required when living in a larger home, you may just be wishing for something more quaint and humble. Below, I’ve listed some key takeaways which can make it easier to plan accordingly when downsizing, no matter your reason.    You might have less storage space than before   Start Early & Work Efficiently   The strategic thinking that goes into downsizing can take as much time as downsizing
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The Advantages of Homeownership

The arrival of COVID 19 in 2020 affected all our lives. The last few years have seen many dramatic changes. These included how and where some of us work, where we want to live, and added stress on everyone. The Ottawa Real estate market has been very dynamic since 2020. To further complicate our lives, inflation is at an all-time high. These uncertainties have made some of us sit back and reconsider our perspective on homeownership and whether or not it is the best way forward for ourselves and our families.  In the past, renting was a viable option for
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Your Indoor and Outdoor Spring Maintenance Checklist

Your Indoor and Outdoor Spring Maintenance Checklist. Higher temperatures are on the horizon, and speaking for residents in Ottawa (and likely across Ontario) we couldn’t be happier! Soon enough we will be soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm temperatures outdoors instead of staying cooped up indoors bundled in layers or blasting the furnace. However, for homeowners, once the snow begins to melt away, the honey-do list of spring home maintenance tasks is under-way.    Seasonal maintenance is important to ensure your home remains in good health, to show pride of ownership, and ultimately, to protect your investment and
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4 Reasons to use a Full-Service Realtor®

More Than a One Stop Shop: 4 Reasons to use a Full-Service Realtor® Spring is in the air, while the snow melted away for the most part, the busiest season in real estate is still well underway. Sellers are completing last minute touch ups to prepare their home to list, and buyers are getting their ducks in a row before taking on the busy and dynamic market that we have become familiarized with over the last two years. While you likely have an idea about what the process you’re about to embark on should look like, navigating the journey is
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Home Inspections: What You Need To Know

A home is quite likely one of the biggest purchases of your life and you want to make sure that you know what you are buying. While the home may have looked perfect to you, there may be underlying issues that are only visible to a trained eye. For this reason, it is important that you include a home inspection in the conditions of your offer. You should never judge a book by it’s cover and the same is true for home buying. Condition of the Sale Typically, when you find a house you love, your Realtor will draw up
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