2022

Want to save money in 2023? There are many money-saving opportunities — including tax savings — that you can realize if you take action before the year ends. Here are just a few examples of what to consider: Do you own a business? Even if it’s just a side-hustle to make extra money, you can save on taxes if you make planned purchases this month. For example, if you need a new printer, buy it in...

There’s an interesting psychological characteristic of clutter. We tend to notice it more in other people’s homes than in our own. In fact, we may not even realize a room in our house feels cluttered and uncomfortable to visitors. That’s why making each room look neat and spacious is so important when you’re selling your property.Although the task may seem daunting at first, decluttering is...

Usually, a home inspection is done after an offer is made to buy a home. The offer will typically include a condition that the property must pass such an inspection. The buyer then hires the inspector, who goes through the home, top to bottom, inside and out, looking for issues. With this in mind, will a home inspection help sell your home faster? However, you can also get an inspection done as the...

The Provincial Government has moved recently to introduce new legislation aimed at alleviating housing shortages in Ontario and stabilizing the cost of entry to our housing market. Bill 109, or the “More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022”, aims to ease financial pressures on homebuyers by acting to restrict the activities of real estate speculators, curbing predatory development practices, and working...

Warnings about online security breaches leading to identity theft are often based on worst-case scenarios of scams or viruses, but it’s important to be aware that normal online activity can also contribute to a decrease in privacy. Most people’s social media conversations, browser histories and search-engine activities are constantly contributing to virtual profiles that identify them as prime...

Imagine you find a home on the market that checks all the boxes. There’s only one issue. It needs work. Perhaps the paint has faded, or the kitchen is old, or there are repairs needed. Should you make an offer or buy a home that needs work? That depends on many factors, of course. The first thing you should consider is whether or not the home is otherwise ideal. If it has everything you want —...

When you sell your property and buy your next dream home, closing day can come faster than you might imagine. Before you know it, it’s just weeks away! So it’s important to make the proper plans to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here are the most common plans to make before closing day: Contact the post office to get your mail forwarded. No matter how thorough you are in updating your address...

Is it really possible to improve your kitchen’s look for about the cost of a takeout gourmet dinner with the family? Obviously you’re not going to be able to do anything major, such as replace the cabinets within that budget. But, there are many surprisingly low-budget ways to spruce up the kitchen. Here are a few ideas for kitchen improvements for under $100: Do you have old cabinets? You’d...

When you have a buyer coming to view your property, you want to make the best impression possible. So, you do the usual things. You clean, tidy and declutter. However, some details are easy to forget. 5 Easy-to-Forget Things to Do when selling your home: For example: Is there a mat by the front door for shoes, umbrellas, etc.?Did you air out the home as much as possible to get rid of any lingering...

When considering whether or not to sell their home, many people think about market conditions. They consider whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market or they look at trends. They try to time the sale to get the best price for their property, but there are “non-market” reasons why it's the ideal time to sell your home. While market conditions certainly can play a role in deciding whether you...