With today’s interest rates at near record lows, many people recognize that a mortgage payment on a house can actually be comparable to what they would spend on renting an apartment or home. Perhaps you’re one of them and are ready to take a step up the property ladder. For most people, buying a home …
If you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future, investing in a few well-conceived improvements could pay big dividends in terms of improving your resale value. So, where should you spend your money and what value would you place on the improvements while you’re continuing to live in the home? After you’ve considered that, there …
I am happy to report that in just a few months (starting in July to be exact), I will be able to search properties on the Toronto Real Estate Board based on ‘actual’ neighbourhoods! While we have been able to create a custom map search on the Oakville Board website for some time and drill …
Here are a few important steps that everyone should consider when preparing for a home renovation: Set a realistic budget. Determine what you would like to have done, and then decide how much you can afford to spend. Be sure to build in a buffer for ‘contingencies’. Expect some emotional, as well as physical upheaval, …
Earlier today, I was reading an interesting post on decluttering by Gloria Hildebrandt, a friend who edits and publishes the wonderful Escarpment Views magazine. You can find her full post at http://www.escarpmentviews.ca/index.php/2011/01/02/200-tips-for-de-cluttering-by-daniela-santos-quartino/. I have advocated decluttering as an important first step in preparing a home for sale, as well as in making it pleasantly livable. Like …
Here are the meaning of some common terms used when talking about mortgages… Conventional Mortgage – a mortgage with a down payment of 20% or more of the value of the property Conventional High Ratio – a mortgage where the down payment is less than 20%of the value of the property Amortization – the period …