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

  Are you thinking of making a move in the near future?  Buying real estate can be a very emotional process with highs and lows.  But spending a little time upfront to understand what we want and need and also ensuring that our financial house is in order will save you a lot of time and stress.  This includes validating in advance that your credit history is in order and accur...Read More

Buying a first home is a very exciting time but it can also feel overwhelming with so many decisions to make and all the costs involved.  Getting ready to purchase your first home or condo involves much more than just saving for the down payment.  When buying a home there are more costs involved than most first-time buyers are aware of.   In addition to the down payment home buyers ...Read More

  Bully offers can be an effective strategy when a property is holding off offers until a specific date in the future.  If you have fallen in love with a house and don’t want to get into another bidding war on the offer date.  There are some tips and strategies to get your bully offer accepted.   Tips for Bully Offer Success: Surprise the Seller – don’t...Read More

The housing market is currently very tight.  In other words, there are more buyers looking for homes than there are homes for sale.  This is known as a sellers’ market and quite often homes are selling with multiple offers and selling for over asking price.    What is a Bidding War?   In this type of market Realtors quite often use a holdback offer strategy when list...Read More

  How do you find the home of your dreams within a price range you can afford? Most buyers start by making a “wish list”. But, it’s easy to get frustrated when you have a long wish list and expect you’ll be able to find a home with everything on your list.   You might, for example, have “mature treed backyard” as number 23 on your list, and be...Read More

  A lot has changed in the last while and it will likely not go back to being completely normal any time soon. The time at home has taught us a lot and has forced us to assess what really matters in our lives and to re-assess how we have lived our lives. Prioritizing our Relationships with our Family and Friends The pandemic has forced us to take the time to care for each other and spend...Read More

    Although we have gone through unprecedented times living through the unexpected COVID pandemic the real estate market has jumped back surprisingly quickly.  With the economy opening up we are seeing pent-up demand putting pressure on the hot southern Ontario real estate market.  What is driving the market in a short supply of homes and many buyers looking to buy a home? ...Read More

  If you're thinking ahead to your next dream home, the road you need to take to get there may seem confusing. Do you search for listings online? Drop by Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs?   Let's break it all down! Here are the specific steps you need to take to ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs, and budget. &...Read More