Of the many population centres and market towns which surround our portion of Southern Ontario, the City of Woodstock is one of the larger ones within a 45-minute drive of Kitchener-Waterloo. As the the seat of Oxford County, Woodstock has a population now north of 40,000 residents. In recent years, it has become an increasingly popular option for would-be homebuyers exasperated by spiraling costs of...
New countertops have always been a major contributor to kitchen makeovers, and the range of choices has never been greater. Beyond laminates and tile, or natural stone, wood and bamboo, some durable acrylics have become quite popular. But, there are also newer composite materials that offer advantages. These advantages might make them an ideal compromise between natural and synthetic countertops....
When you purchased your current home, chances are it was a good match for your lifestyle. It had the space you needed, the features you wanted, and a location that worked for you. But for most people, lifestyle and needs evolve through the years. Kids get older. Jobs or careers change. People take on new hobbies and other interests. As a result, the home that was ideal a few years ago may not fit...
As communities grow, reliance on personal transport tends to decrease - here’s the situation in our own backyard. Waterloo Region currently stands as the tenth most populous metropolitan area in the entire country; with a total population of over 620,000 residents as of 2020 according to data published by the regional government. Assuming the regional government’s projections hold true and...
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 —...