REAL ESTATE BLOG

            For our inaugural Coldwell Banker Around the World blog post, we are heading to the sunny climate of Cascais, Portugal. In addition to becoming a popular international travel destination for leisure over the years, Pedro Abecassis, the broker-owner of the office who we spoke with, notes the area is ripe for quality investments too.     SAM...

        Real Estate with a Real Impact     ATHENA SNOWTODAY       Coldwell Banker affiliated agents know the value of home, as they have been guiding people home since 1906. Home is the place we long for at the end of the day, the place that holds all we love and everything we cherish. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®️ treats more than 8,500 kids a year from...

            A picture is worth a thousand words. Professional photography can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home more quickly!     GUSTAVO GONZALEZ       A picture is worth a thousand words. We’ve all heard the saying before, and it’s definitely true when it comes to real estate. It would be almost impossible to fully describe a house...

    In today’s changing market, many Canadians are wondering whether it’s still a good time to buy or sell a home.  The truth of the matter is, there’s no one right answer to that question.  The real question to ask is whether it’s the right time for you.     Don’t make the mistake of trying to time the market.  If you’re buying a home, you need to determine the costs vs. the expected return, and then decide if...

First time buyers want ‘turnkey’ ready homes, not ‘fixer uppers’   As a home seller, you may be thinking that a ‘fixer-upper’ property would appeal to most first time buyers trying to put their first step on the property ladder.However, according to the results of a recent ® survey on the preferences of first-time buyers, you’d better think again!   Coldwell Banker recently conducted a survey of real estate brokers and sales...

Pantone Color(s) Of The Year 2021: Ultimate Gray And Illuminating           After a most unique year, it only makes sense that we would launch into 2021 with an unexpected color of the year choice. In fact, Pantone has gone with not one, but two, hues in its annual proclamation. In a news release, Pantone called them “two independent colors that come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of...

            GUSTAVO GONZALE Since most of us will be spending more time at home this holiday, take the opportunity to create a wonderful and whimsical atmosphere in your home this season. Present everyone in the family with great gift ideas both new – and old – that bring an element of surprise, give a nod to high tech and fill your home with pure joy. Nostalgia Is the Name of the Game. The holidays are a great time to get back...

            Time to add sparkle and shine without waking up the neighborhood     GUSTAVO GONZALEZ       ‘Tis the season to deck your halls and ring in the holidays with festive sophistication – and not necessarily with all the bells and whistles that come with it. There are subtle ways to sing the praises of the season and embrace its beauty while still...

  When the time comes to put your home on the market, you may be one of those home sellers who asks themselves, ‘So, who needs a ‘For Sale’ sign anyway?’ Well, the short answer to that question is – you do! In these days of web surfers and online listing data bases, some vendors assume that their buyers are going to come from either professional realtors or out of cyberspace – or both. They make the mistake of thinking that a ‘For Sale’...

    If you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future, investing in a few well-conceived improvements could pay you big dividends in terms of improving your resale value The big question is: where to spend your money?  Whether you’re selling in the near future or at some later date, your first consideration should be the value you place on the improvements while you’re continuing to live in the home. After taking that into consideration, there are...

    In today’s highly competitive real estate market, the key to selling your home is being able to attract buyers to your listing.  When you’re selling your home, it’s important to remember that you’re in competition with every other similarly priced listing in your area.  To win buyers, you need your home to stand out from all the rest.  Here’s a Top Ten list of things a seller can do to win buyer interest:   Create...

Real Estate Matters     Many financial planners will tell you that one of the best investment strategies you can adopt is to pay off your mortgage in the shortest time frame possible.  Here are a few tips to put your mortgage repayment schedule on the fast track, and with a minimum of hassle and stress.   Select the most frequent payment option available.  By choosing to make your mortgage payment on a bi-weekly, or better still, a weekly basis versus...

  Selling a home can be a stressful experience, full of emotional highs and lows. Private showings and Open Houses both require a lot of upfront effort getting your home ready to show to prospective buyers. Hopefully, the end result for all your hard work is at least some positive comments from the viewers and at best your showing may even lead to an offer. However, there will also be times when negative comments are received and your showing may even reveal one or more points of...

            Selling your home in 2021? The spring home selling season is right around the corner and there is so much to do to prepare. Here are some things you can do now to make sure your home is ready to list when buyers are ready to buy.     ANNE WEST       If you plan on selling your home next year and want to get the highest price possible, you should put it on the...

  Few experiences can equal the sense of satisfaction that comes from buying that one special home that’s just right for you and your family.  However, it can sometimes be a long journey before you get to that happy ending.  And with today’s gas prices, it can also be an expensive proposition if you don’t do some of the groundwork upfront.  Why not save yourself the cost of driving around and use online resources first? It’s an easy way to save...

            With many gyms closed or operating at minimum capacity, a home gym has never sounded more appealing. Three out of five Americans are actually turning to home gyms for good, and over half of the population is looking for the best home-fitness options. You can even find affordable home gym equipment that gets the job done just as efficiently as a commercial gym can.     SAM...

  One of the most common mistakes that Canadian homebuyers – particularly first time buyers -- make is starting out at the wrong price level.  Prospective buyers have a tendency to get ‘hung up’ on the sale price, but the monthly carrying cost is what really counts. These buyers arbitrarily pick a figure – giving their salesperson instructions like, “I don’t want to go above $300,000” – without even knowing what that figure carries...

Buyer Beware – of the low down payment!  If you're looking to get into the housing market, a listing that's advertised as requiring little or no money down can sound like a great deal. But is it really?  Before you decide, you should consider who this type of advertising appeals to and why this pricing tactic is being used. You may just find that what sounded like a great deal can actually end up costing you a lot more money than you needed to spend.  Low or...

    Here are a few ways to think creatively about indoor lighting to liven up your home during the long winter ahead.     GUSTAVO GONZALEZ   With shorter days and more hours of darkness in autumn and winter, turn to the power of indoor lighting as a solution – never underestimate its brilliance. Clever lighting can transform the look and feel of your home with the flip of a switch. While natural sunlight streaming inside is ideal, sometimes...

  A key reason many people choose to rent instead of buying their own home is their reluctance to sign their name to a long-term mortgage agreement. But when you come right down to it, very few of us can expect to go through life without paying the cost of a place of residence in one form or another. As a renter, you’ve probably already made a commitment to a fixed schedule of payments for housing – but instead of a mortgage, it’s a lease or rental agreement. In...

Looking back on historical patterns, the majority of Canadian home sellers have a tendency to list their homes during the very active Spring or Fall markets. Due to this trend, listings in past years have generally tended to taper off as the busy year-end and holiday season approaches. But is waiting really the best selling strategy for your home? If you're considering selling, you may find that it's really in your best interest to list your home now, rather than waiting until...

    Whether you're a home buyer or seller, one of the most exciting, yet stressful parts of the entire real estate process is negotiating an offer. Many of us have spent a fretful few hours, or even a sleepless night, while an endless series of questions filled our minds: Will the price be appealing? Will the offer be accepted? Can we come to terms about conditions? Will the deal go through?  While price is most certainly a major – if not the major –...

    In. Out. Repeat. Sound familiar? Stop playing doorman and install a pet door in your home with this guide.     SHARON LEE   The first and most important step in determining whether a pet door is right for your home is to consider what issues might come from your pet’s new-found freedom. For instance, does your dog or cat have a tendency to run away? Or, do you live on a busy street? Will your neighbors mind if your pet is outside...

Getting Ready For Winter   Winter is a time of year when many of us resolve to get ourselves in trim, whether it’s joining the gym or a dance class, or perhaps buying some exercise machinery for our home.  We devote a lot of attention to our cars too, putting on the snow tires, changing to winter anti-freeze, loading a bag of salt in the trunk.  But what about a ‘tune-up” to get your home operating at top efficiency?  While we’re snuggled in at...

    Winter’s chill is in the air but there’s plenty to do in your hometown during the colder months including checking out a winter farmer’s market.     KATE SPEARS   Winter’s chill is in the air but there’s plenty to do in your hometown during the colder months including checking out a winter farmer’s market. Traditional farmer’s markets usually run from early spring to late fall, but...

    A Manitoba winter can be harsh, and the ice and snow can lead to big homeowner headaches if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are a few things that you should do to prepare your home for winter.     TAMARA OAKLEY   A Manitoba winter can be harsh, and the ice and snow can lead to big homeowner headaches if the proper precautions aren’t taken during the milder months of the year. Here are a few things that you should do...

    Home Design pros share their staging secrets for wowing potential home buyers. Suggestions include maximizing light, highlighting architectural features, minimizing visual distractions, and making selective low-cost updates.     ANNE WEST   If you are selling your home, these home staging secrets could help you get top dollar. 1. Know Your Buyer While you want to appeal to the broadest group of potential buyers, you also need to...

    Whether you are going across the country or across the street, moving can be stressful. Here are some helpful moving hacks that can save you time and money, and just maybe make your life a little easier!     STEPHEN MEADOWS   I’m just going to say it, “I hate moving!” My friends might not believe me since I have done it three times in two years. The only good part is that I’m getting pretty good at finding moving hacks...

      Virtual tours and virtual open houses on social media are quickly becoming a popular option for buyers in place of the traditional open house – and offer an incredible opportunity that benefits the consumer.     MATTHEW LIPANI   The real estate industry is always transforming with the development of new technology, and real estate agents have adopted an array of tools that help them provide increasingly sophisticated services to...

      When it’s summertime, homeowners are usually too distracted by the lure of beaches and yardwork to focus on home improvement projects. By the time the fall season arrives, there’s usually a long list of things to do.     LOUISE GAILLARD   When it’s summertime, homeowners are usually too distracted by the lure of beaches and yardwork to focus on home improvement projects. By the time the fall season arrives,...

to How do you store veggies and fruits? What can stay out on the counter and what needs to go in the fridge?     SHARON LEE   Guest post by Jennifer Tuohy To keep your food fresh, it’s important to know how to use the crisper drawers of your refrigerator properly. Follow the tips below for the best way to store fruits and vegetables both inside and outside of your refrigerator. In a Cool, Dark Place Never store these items in the fridge. Your...

    Moving into a new home brings with it the promise of a fresh start and new experiences, but it can also bring some financial challenges. These ideas will help you shift from scrimping to saving in no time at all.     SAM SHALOM   The following is a guest post by Christy Matte Moving into a new home brings with it the promise of a fresh start and new experiences, but it can also bring some financial challenges. Rental or mortgage costs, paying...

    Transforming a tired living space into one that’s timelessly stylish and effortlessly practical comes with a number of cumulative costs, but there are plenty of ways to save money along the way.     SAM SHALOM   The following is a guest post by Alex Jones With many of us confined to staying at home during the current global pandemic, now could be the ideal time to embark on a DIY home design overhaul. Of course, transforming a tired...

          There are some very useful smart technologies for your connected kitchen. Here are a few from CES that should be on your list.     ATHENA SNOW       The following post is a guest contribution from Matthew Rathbun, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker Elite. I am a geek. I admit it. I’m fascinated by the Internet of Things and smart devices. I also love...

          Hot tubs come in a wide variety of options and can be found to fit most budgets. Check out these pros and cons to adding a hot tub.     SHARON LEE       Guest post by Peter Goldberg Purchasing a hot tub for your home is becoming more and more appealing to those looking to spark joy in their outdoor space. Even the top local landscaping designs...

7 Crucial Areas a Home Inspector Checklist Doesn’t Cover SHARE         Did you know these items aren’t on your home inspector’s checklist?     LINDSAY LISTANSKIAUG 28, 2015       Guest Contribution from HomeAdvisor Hiring a home inspector is a crucial part of buying or selling a home. An inspector will assess the home for potential problems and identify any issues...

Real Estate an appealing alternative to volatile stock market   In today’s times of economic uncertainty, roller-coaster TSX performance, and rock-bottom interest rates, many Canadians are turning to real estate as an investment alternative.  Not surprising, when you consider that historically, real estate has proven to be a sound long-term investment.  However, bear in mind that the operative phrase here is long term.  Real estate builds value over time. ...

Buying a cottage in the off season The demand for cottages has increased over the years, and what was once a relatively low cost alternative for a family getaway has now become a significant financial investment.  One way to get good value for your money is to consider buying a cottage in the off season. All things being equal in terms of lot size and square footage, its features and general state of repair, there are three important factors that will tend to determine a...

Get your property ready for Fall While some people equate Fall with a time of ending and relative quiet, for many savvy homeowners, it’s anything but! Whether landscaping or exterior tasks, Fall is the ideal time to invest some effort to pay you big dividends next year. Fall is the best time to take stock of how your lawn and garden fared over the summer and determine what needs adjustment. Don’t wait until spring to try to remember what didn’t do well in its current...

Do You Need a Property Survey?   As a prospective home buyer, you’ve probably got a lot of questions about the buying process, and you may be wondering whether you need an up-to-date property survey.  For buyers, the answer is generally, yes.  However, rather than simply relying on the short answer, you need a clear understanding of when and why you should have one done.   Property surveys are usually done for the benefit of the buyer. A property survey...

Be prepared for any emergency There's hardly any area in Canada that hasn't been hit by a disaster of some sort in recent years – from flooding or wildfires in BC, power outages and damaging winds in Ontario and record snowfalls in the Maritimes. The federal government recommends that every Canadian household prepare an emergency kit that will help your family be self-sufficient without power or tap water for 72 hours. Make sure your kit is easy to carry. Keep it in a...

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...