Curb appeal is one of the most important selling factors for a home. It’s the very first impression potential buyers ever have, and it can even be the make-or-break factor that decides whether they even step inside the door at all. That’s why, if you’re planning on selling your home, it should be one of the first places you focus your home-staging efforts to ensure a quick and seamless sale!

Give It a Good Clean

Dirt and grime on the exterior of a home very rarely accumulate in just one day, so it’s easy not to notice the subtle build-up over time. To us, it may not necessarily feel unclean because we saw it just yesterday and it looked just the same! But to a potential buyer, that slightly “off” tinge can stick out like a sore thumb. 

Take a

From the day that you move out of your family house, you dream of the day when you finally stop paying rent and buy your first home. But, as you may have discovered, buying a home is not quite as simple as it seems! There is a lot to consider when deciding whether or not to make the move into homeownership.

By buying a house, you’ll be taking on all the pros of being a homeowner versus a renter. But you’ll also be taking on quite a bit of responsibility and giving up on some of the advantages that come with being a tenant. That’s why, before you start your home search, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of both renting and buying to decide whether or not you’re ready to become a first time homeowner.

Should You Buy or Rent: The Pros &

Book Your Move

Whether you decide to hire a moving company or do the move yourself, you will need to make the appropriate arrangements.

When using a moving company you will need to decide what, if anything, you want them to pack up for you and what you want to be responsible for yourself. It is never too soon to begin planning for a move, so make sure to pick your moving day and book your moving company as soon as possible.

If you have chosen to do the move yourself, remember that you may need to rent a truck, pick up your packing supplies and reserve a few friends to help you with your move. Remember, the more organized you are, the easier your moving day will be.

Change of Address
Make sure to fill out a "Change of Address" form at

Beginning a home search is exciting and many people just jump right in without considering all the elements that make a home truly right for them. It is a complicated and personal process. With an unsuitable choice, you could lose money, waste time and effort relocating, or even put your family’s health in danger.

Choosing a Neighbourhood

Remember that you can renovate a house, but neighbourhoods take years to change and there is no guarantee they will change for the better! On the other hand, if you really love a certain part of town but it’s out of your price range, you may way to consider buying a less-than-perfect home then doing renovations. They can be quite expensive so try to make improvements that will be reflected in the value when

Starting out with too high of a listing price will add to the stress of selling your home. 

Ideally, during the first few weeks, your home should be overflowing with activity.  Listing agents will market and promote your home to other agents who are working with homebuyers, increasing your personal sales force. 

If you have overpriced, chances are fewer agents will promote your home to their clients.  As REALTORS®, it is their job to know the market demand and fair market value of a home. If your home was dramatically priced above market value, you will essentially be wasting your time. 

Dropping Your Price Too Late

Your house could take longer to sell if you start with a high list price and then drop it later.  By this point, your house

There are countless advantages to purchasing a new home. You are able to build equity, enjoy pride of ownership, and truly make a home your own. If you are planning to buy property in the near future, preparing now can help you save time and money. Being prepared may also give you an advantage over other buyers. Here are a few tips to consider prior to your home search.

Know your bottom line before you start looking at homes. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but think about more than just knowing what price you are willing to pay. Consider the distance you’re willing to commute to work, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you require and what you need in terms of local amenities. If you have children, you’ll likely want to consider schools and

The last thing you want to end up with after purchasing your home is unanticipated costly renovations. That’s why home inspections are such an important part of the home buying process. Choosing an experienced home inspector can be tricky, so it’s important to consult with others to help you find a reliable inspector with good references.

Contact several local home inspectors and interview them in advance to determine their qualifications.

Questions to Ask

1. How long has the inspector been in business with a home inspection firm?
2. Is the inspector specifically experienced in Residential Construction?
3. What does the inspection include? Inspections should include visual inspections covering exterior, structure, garage, plumbing, heating,

Buying a home is typically a very exciting time for most people, whether you’re a first time homebuyer or this is the fourteenth time.

Many people think of the basic costs like legal fees, GST (in some cases), property tax adjustments, the cost of movers, set-up fees for utilities, new window coverings, etc.  If you’re a first-time homeowner you should also consider home maintenance costs like purchasing tools, a lawnmower, etc. You may also have to consider some major costs like replacing flooring, windows, or roofs.

On the opposite side, some buyers may gain a cost-benefit from purchasing a new home.  You could purchase in a development that has a fitness center or swimming pool - so no more gym membership or transportation fees.  

Next, you’ll

How to find the home right for you

You've gotten your finances sorted and you've now been pre-approved with a budget in mind, what should you do? Well, now comes the fun part. Searching for the house that's right for you.  

Wants. vs. Needs - First I recommend to sit down and determine your wants vs. needs. This is a big one that will help you determine what is important to you and what you are willing to negotiate on. In an ideal world, you will be able to find a home with all of your wants and needs under budget, however, realistically, you may have to decide what you're willing to give on. Use my Wants vs. Needs checklist found here to help you and come up with a better picture of what it is you are looking for.  

Research - After we've

What to do in the meantime

Now that you've purchased your new home- whether it's your first home, one that you've downsized into, or one you've added to your investment portfolio, there are a few things to remember to do while you are waiting for your chosen possession date.

Insured - You will need to ensure that your home has fire insurance set up for the property effective whatever the date of possession will be. I always recommend shopping around to a few insurance providers as their rates can vary greatly. Bring a copy of your feature sheet with you as they will need to know the specifics of the property. Also, bring a copy (or ensure that one gets sent) to your lawyer. If the lawyer doesn't have confirmation that your insurance is in place,