As a realtor, I’ve seen many first-time home buyers make mistakes that can cost them, time, money, and stress.  Here are some common mistakes to avoid when buying your first home. 1. Failure to Plan for the Future: It’s important to consider your future plans and needs when buying a home.  Will you start a family soon?  Do you need a home office?  These are impo...Read More

Purchasing a home for the first time can be a very exciting yet also overwhelming experience.  As a first-time home buyer, you may be wondering where and how to get started, what to expect, and how to make the process as smooth as possible.  In the blog, I will provide some helpful tips and information for first-time homebuyers looking to navigate the home-buying process.  He...Read More

You probably spent quite a bit of time upfront determining how much you can afford and how much money you will need for the down payment and deposit.  But don’t forget that when your offer gets accepted on that perfect home you will need to also budget for closing costs on closing day.  The guidance on what to budget for in Ontario is anywhere between 1.5% - 4% of the purchase pric...Read More

Buying a first home is a very exciting time but can also be a time of uncertainty and stress.  Buying a first home is a huge milestone both from a life and financial perspective.  It will most likely be the biggest purchase that you will make in your life but also one of the best decisions in the long run.   Having a good understanding of what to do to get ready will ...Read More

Spring and the summer are usually the most popular times of year for buyers to start their search for that dream home.  As you have most definitely heard the number of homes listed through the months of July and August dramatically declined this year which is very normal even more so this year as buyers and families started to enjoy the summer after being locked down in the spring. But now ...Read More

Why has Barrie become so attractive to both investors and homeowners in the last several years?   Barrie is located north of Toronto, on Lake Simcoe, and is a community that has seen dramatic population growth.  Barrie is seen as a bedroom community for Toronto as more and more people move north now that GO transit has expanded its trains to Barrie making it easy access in and out o...Read More

  When looking for a dream home it is easy to get lost in the excitement and falling in love with the look and feel of a home.  However, buying a home is an expensive purchase, and being on the lookout for expensive repairs is critical.  Many people think that serious home defects are easy to spot but the truth is that often the most costly and serious problems can only be detected...Read More

You finally found your dream home and you are planning to make an offer but may have questions on what the difference is between a deposit and a down payment.  I frequently have clients ask this question.  Deposits and down payments are two very different things to consider when deciding to buy a property, although both require savings.  They occur at different stages during the buy...Read More

I quite often get the question from my buyer clients in a competitive market, if using a seller’s Realtor can increase the chances of getting the house?  Before I outline the risks of buying with a listing agent, I will outline the rules in Ontario in dealing with sellers and buyers on the sale of the same property.   In Ontario,  buyers and sellers hire a brokerage, not a Rea...Read More

  Is it time to buy a home or condo, or should you continue renting?  The answer to this question is that it depends on your lifestyle preferences and other circumstances.  Choosing to rent or buy your home is a major decision that affects both lifestyles but also your financial stability.     There are a number of things to consider when making a decision.   W...Read More