From extreme cold to wildfires and floods, the past few years have brought a historic number of devastating climate and weather events to Canada. In 2023 alone, unusually harsh weather and a string of natural disasters caused more than $3.1 billion in insured damages, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, making it the fourth […]
35 Tips to Furnish Your New Home for Less
Buying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in life. And if you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll be planning your furniture placement and decor before the ink dries on your offer letter. But before you run to the nearest home goods store, take a deep breath. First, you’ll need to delay any […]
7 Common Homebuyer Regrets (And How To Avoid Them)
Most new homebuyers don’t regret becoming homeowners. In fact, according to a recent survey by Zolo, 80% of Canadians who purchased a home during the pandemic say they’re glad they bought their current home.1 But that doesn’t mean newly-minted homeowners don’t have any regrets about their buying choices. On the contrary, research shows that even […]
How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget
It’s not easy being a first-time home buyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.1 Additionally, mortgage rates have risen significantly since 2021, while inventory remains tight for many property categories – especially for starter homes. Even lower-priced condos are harder to snag these days, as investors and […]
Buying a Home? Here Are 5 Tips for Negotiating
Before negotiating the purchase of a home, you have to look closely at the seller’s motivation and the current market conditions. Whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market, these tips should help you successfully negotiate a deal on a home. 1. Begin by knowing what you want in a home. Decide on what kind of […]
2023 Real Estate Market Outlook for Ottawa, ON – by Graham WEBB
Last year, one factor drove the real estate market more than any other: rising mortgage rates. In March 2022, the Bank of Canada began a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to pump the brakes on inflation.1 And while some market sectors have been slow to respond, the housing market has reacted accordingly. […]
Top Tips for Buying a Home
Buying a home is an important life decision. Make sure you consider these important tips before you buy: 1. Look at your finances and decide how much you can afford.2. Make sure to physical inspect the home and property for potential fixes and hazards.3. Tour the neighborhood at different hours to get a feel for the […]
Buy Now or Rent Longer? 5 Questions to Answer Before Purchasing Your First Home
Deciding whether it is a good time to buy your first home is never an easy decision. But in today’s whirlwind market, you may find it even more challenging. A real estate boom during the pandemic pushed home prices to an all-time high.1 Add higher mortgage rates, and some buyers are wondering if they should […]
8 Strategies to Secure a Lower Mortgage Rate
Interest rates have risen rapidly this year, triggered by the Bank of Canada’s efforts to curb inflation. And the July MNP Consumer Debt Index found that 59% of Canadians “are already feeling the effects of interest rate increases.”1 Why has the impact been so widespread? In part, due to the rising popularity of variable rate […]
10 Pro Tips for a Smooth Home Move
The process of buying a new home can be both exhilarating and exhausting. But the journey doesn’t stop when you close on your property. On the contrary, you still have quite a bit to do before you can begin the process of settling into your new place. Fortunately, you don’t have to do everything in […]