When shopping for a new Waterloo Region home, it’s easy to fall in love, and fast. You can find yourself dazzled by the sprawling backyard, trendy kitchen, or sky-high ceilings, and want to make an offer right then and there, so that no one else can score this stunning home. But before you have your real […]
When you think about real estate negotiations, what comes to mind? For most buyers and sellers, price tops the list. While this is certainly an important part of any real estate deal, did you know there are at least six other areas of potential real estate negotiations when buying or selling a Waterloo Region home? Here’s […]
Eventually almost all homeowners reach that point where they begin to ask themselves, even if they love their current home, “is it time to move?” But since doing so is a major decision – and a major lifestyle change – making a move does call for some serious thought and consideration. However, that being said, […]
You’ve done it! You’ve closed on your new Waterloo Region home, the movers are scheduled and now it’s just a matter of time before you head to your new house as its proud new owners. Before the big move day however, there is still lots left to do. Or there is if you want the […]
Moving to a new home, in a new neighbourhood, can be exciting, but it can also be rather challenging. Amid unfamiliar surroundings, newcomers may find it difficult to get plugged in to the area. Fortunately, there are a few tried-and-true steps you can take to help yourself feel at home after a move. Try these […]
John and Jane Homebuyer just found their dream property for $100K and fixed it up in three weeks. It now looks like a palace when less than a month ago it resembled a bomb site. Stories like this have skewed viewers’ expectations of real estate reality. TV shows about home buying and renovation projects can […]
A home is one of the largest – and most important – purchases you will ever make in life. Because this is the case it’s only natural that you might, as a first -time buyer, be rather nervous and unsure. Whether you actually want it or not, on the road to homeownership you will receiving […]
Moving with children adds another very important criteria to your house selection search: It must be in a family-friendly neighbourhood. It’s not enough to have a great house in a so-so location anymore, once kids are in the picture, you’re looking for the whole package. But what characteristics should you look for in a family […]
We’ve covered why selling your home alone – FSBO – is usually not the best idea several times here in the past. But what about if you’re the buyer? On the face of things, buying a Waterloo Region home without a real estate buyer’s agent seems easy enough. You browse the local listings, find a […]
Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. It’s a large part of what real estate brokers do, and often what is missing when home sellers are seduced by those ‘sell your own home’ articles that make everything seem so simple. You […]
Congratulations! You’ve found a Waterloo Region home to buy and have applied for a mortgage! You are undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to move in and start enjoying your new home. But before you make any big purchases, move any money around, or make any big-time life changes, consult your mortgage broker or loan officer. […]
Once you have made an offer on a great Waterloo home that has been accepted you are definitely heading into the ‘home stretch’, but the transaction is not yet over. One of the ‘must-dos’ left on your home buying list is to get a home inspection prior to closing. It’s not unusual for your Realtor […]
When it comes to commissioning home improvements, the primary purpose of the undertaking is to improve the current owner’s enjoyment of their home. Many homeowners also believe that they will be increasing at least the perceived value of their home as well. And in some instances they are correct. Kitchen and bathroom remodels usually top […]
You’ve already taken the right steps to buying your first home but now you need to ensure you take the right steps to live with the added expenses of being a homeowner without sacrificing too much of your old way of life. Remember, you’ve made a big investment in your future, but that doesn’t mean […]
If you have shopped for a home in recent years you will probably have noticed that certain home features always seem to be played up as selling points in the listings. Hardwood floors. Wood burning fireplaces. And more and more often these days, granite kitchen countertops. Granite kitchen countertops really are the ‘hot’ countertop material […]