REAL ESTATE BLOG

What’s worth renovating?   One of the questions most frequently asked by homeowners considering a renovation is  “What’s worth doing?”  Well, the answer isn’t a simple one, because it all depends on what you want to get out of it.  Is your purpose primarily to improve your property value, or increase your enjoyment of your home, or a combination of the two?   If you’re thinking primarily of increasing your home’s...

The rising importance of specialized Home Inspectors For most Canadians, buying a home is the single largest investment they'll ever make and it's become increasingly true in recent years of record home prices. As a homebuyer, you'll want to ensure you get good value for your investment, and that's why professional home inspections are becoming an integral part of the buying process. In fact, the field is now becoming more specialized and some buyers are even using the...

These days, we're starting to see some changes on the Canadian real estate scene. The number of listings being offered for sale -- otherwise known as ‘inventory' -- is growing, so it's starting to take more time now for homes to sell. However, while your home may be on the market a little longer because there are more properties for buyers to consider, prices are still staying strong. But what if you're getting lots of showings, but never any offers? If that's the...

Maximize your Home Search with Online Buyer Resources At Coldwell Banker®, we recognize that the vast majority of today’s homebuyers use the Internet as part of their home search.  However, the effectiveness of your home search depends largely on what site you use.  Remember, when it comes to quality information, all websites are not the same. To help you in the process, we’ve assembled a comprehensive array of helpful buyer resources and online tools that you can...

Buying tips for a strong housing market Canada 's housing market has been on a record-breaking pace and that's good news for home sellers. Buyers on the other hand, can find that their choices are limited in a market that has been so strong for such an extended period. In fact, when demand is so high for attractive, well-priced homes coming on the market, the result can even be “bidding wars” where more than one prospective buyer places competing offers for the same...

Avoid these pitfalls when buying home   Buying a home can be a very complex, and sometimes emotional experience.  Some buyers find themselves getting caught up in the emotional side, and let their heart take over their head.  Here are a few tips from Coldwell Banker on how would-be buyers can stay grounded and avoid some common pitfalls during the home buying process:   DON’T fall in love with the first house or neighbourhood you see.  That...

Real Estate Matters     Tips for Visiting an Open House   There’s a lot of information out there for sellers staging an Open House, but surprisingly few guidelines for the people who come to view them.  For some, an Open House viewing may simply be an impulse activity to satisfy their curiosity about a neighbor’s home.  However, for serious buyers, especially First Time Buyers who have limited experience in seeing different home styles and...

‘Curb appeal' starts at the lawn Selling your home is all about creating a good impression, and believe it or not, that first impression starts right from the curb – literally. A beautiful and well-maintained lawn tells the buyer a lot about your property from the very first glance. While you may be tempted to put off the mowing and watering while you concentrate on getting ready to move, you'll be missing a great opportunity to show that you care about every aspect of...

Beat the heat and your energy bill During the hot days of summer, many Canadians open their energy bill with a sense of dread. While it may be tempting to run your air conditioning at full capacity for weeks on end, you can't do it without paying a price – in more ways than one. High energy consumption is not only a costly proposition for individual homeowners, it also carries a high cost in terms of pollution that's created as we generate power to meet today's high...

When the price is right...act quickly!   Should you always negotiate the price of a home you’re interested in?  That’s a question more and more Canadian homebuyers are asking these days.  While every transaction is different, some buyers may be surprised to learn that there will be times when it is appropriate -- and even desirable -- to go in at the asking price.  This is where the expertise of your real estate professional really proves its worth. ...

Investing in a cottage property These days the cottage market is booming, and for good reason. It’s easy to understand why so many people want to own a cottage. A peaceful hideaway in a natural setting where we can enjoy time with our family has universal appeal. Yet, in these times of rapidly increasing prices, buying a cottage means a lot more than just financing a weekend getaway. Today, a cottage is a very significant investment, so you need to know your facts before you buy....

A Seller’s biggest mistake If you’re thinking of selling your home, you'll probably be interested in knowing about one of the most common mistakes homeowners make when they decide to sell their property. When the time comes to sell, everyone wants to get the best possible price for their home, but you need to carefully consider what sale price will ultimately net you the best result. Getting it wrong could result in a loss of what could amount to several thousand dollars in...

WHAT IS BUYER AGENCY? WHY YOU SHOULD USE A REALTOR®TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR HOME When helping you buy your home, I have 3 simple goals. I’m sure these goals of mine are also goals of yours: 1 . To help you determine what type of home is most suitable to your needs. 2.  To help you find that home, at the best price and under the most favorable terms possible. 3.  To help you become a more educated Real Estate purchaser (and seller) for your future...

To plan an effective Open House tour, you should start with a map. Plot out the addresses of where the Open Houses are located, and the times of showings to ensure that you make the most productive use of your time. Better still, plan your Open House tour with your Coldwell Banker Realtor®, who will make up the list of all Open Houses in your target area, including times and do the mapping for you! If you don’t already know the neighbourhood, then that’s the first place to...

Recapping The Real Estate Of The Union SHARE         Check out the advice that Coldwell Banker’s® CEO shared for home buyers + sellers to help navigate the real estate market during the Covid-19 pandemic.     Gustavo Gonzalez Apr 16, 2020   SHARE   Ryan Gorman, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker hosted a “Real Estate of the Union” live event via Microsoft...

Transform Your Home For Stay-At-Home SHARE         Tips to Create a Functional Space for Your Stay-At-Home Needs     Gustavo Gonzalez Yesterday   SHARE   Guest post written by Laura McHolm, Co-Founder NorthStar Moving Company   What day is it? Where is my laptop? Where can I find a quiet place?  Should we have dinner on the couch…again? Didn’t we have...

How to Keep Your Kids’ Minds Moving           Tips on how to keep your kids motivated, learning and entertained during this strange time.     GUSTAVO GONZALEZAPR 30, 2020         Guest post written by Co-Founder NorthStar Moving Company Laura McHolm These are certainly challenging times, especially if you have children who are home because their schools and...