Winter may not feel like it’s ever going to end, but the incrementally longer and warmer days mean spring is indeed on its way. Make sure your home is ready for the busy housing market ahead with these seven spring repairs. Roof Repairs Ice dams and falling snow sheets can cause damage to a roof over a long, cold winter; gutters warp, soffits crack, [...]
When it comes to renting versus owning a home in a city like Toronto or Calgary, are Millennials really opting out of home ownership, or is this a classic case of affordability? Home ownership among Millennials seems to be down compared to previous generations. Some have attributed this trend to this cohort’s resistance to owning big-ticket items versus experience-driven purchases. Others determine that the [...]
Neighbours are awesome. They are there for you when you need a cup of sugar, they provide entertainment for your kids allowing you to keep an eye on them from your kitchen window, and you can always count on them for a friendly greeting when out for an evening walk. However, the best neighbours come with boundaries, and that is exactly why you should [...]
Making the decision to purchase a home is one of the largest financial decisions you will make. It is important to do your research, talk to your real estate agent, and make plans to ensure you purchase a home that is within your price range. In the same way it is important to understand what you need to know to make a financially responsible [...]
With tax season right around the corner, many Canadians are collecting their tax slips outlining your earnings and investments, gathering receipts and perhaps you’re even planning how to spend your income tax refund. To some, this perceived windfall is considered a “green light” to go on a spending spree. According to Canada Revenue Agency, the average income tax refund in Canada in 2019 was $1,740 [...]
Bank drops overnight benchmark rate to 1.25% As was widely expected, the Bank of Canada announced that it is dropping its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points. The Bank’s overnight interest rate target currently sits at 1.25 per cent, down from 1.75 per cent. Despite Canada’s economy and inflation both hovering at expected levels, the Bank cites global and Canadian economic shocks due to coronavirus concerns. [...]
As first-time homeowners, you might get to a point where it’s time to sell your house and move on to your next home. However, you don’t want to sell your home at the wrong time—you might have trouble finding buyers or you might miss out on making the most money back. Therefore, it’s crucial to watch the market in order to gauge whether it’s [...]
Move-up buyers are in a better position than their first-time counterparts. Shopping for a “forever home” feels like less of a stretch. When you bought your first place, chances are you were young, strapped for cash and prepared (at the very least, warned) to make some concessions. You can’t have it all, they said. So where will you take the hit – price, location, [...]
Despite housing affordability, many buyers being priced out of the market 62 per cent of brokers surveyed in major Canadian cities are seeing buyers priced out of their market; however, 75 per cent of brokers agree that their market is undervalued Based on average household income rates and monthly percentage allocated to housing, Canadians can afford homes Despite the commonly held notion that housing [...]
As all homeowners should know, buying a house is a task that can be as difficult as it is expensive. There are many costs associated with owning a property—be it maintenance, renovations, or mortgage payments. However, one cost that is commonly overlooked when purchasing a home is property tax. A property tax can cause quite the headache for any novice homeowner, which is why [...]
