Whether you’re dreaming of your own little sunny vacation property, a cottage to escape to, or a home for a child who’s away at school, there are many reasons to consider buying a second property. But are you ready for such a big investment?   What Qualifies as a Second Home in Ontario? There’s a difference between an investment property and a second home. A second home is a property that the owner or a family member will be living in it at least part of the time. It can be a weekday residence for someone who commutes, a cottage, or a vacation property. A second property does not ..read more

  In a tough market, you need to do everything you can to help your home stand out from the competition. And that starts with your real estate listing! When all the pieces come together, a good listing can highlight the best features of your home and bring in more potential buyers. Here are eight great tips to give your real estate listing an advantage.   1.      Always Use Professional Photos There’s really no better way to showcase your home than with professional photos. An experienced real estate photographer knows how to make each space look as good as ..read more

  Selling your home is a big undertaking. It can be time consuming, emotionally taxing and exhausting. With so many things on your moving checklist, knowing what not to do can save you a lot of stress and headaches. Here are our top ten things not to do when selling your home to help you stay on track.   1.      Not Planning Ahead There’s a lot more to selling your home than just calling your agent and getting a listing online. From cleaning and repairs, to packing and staging there is weeks (or sometimes even months!) of work that has to happen before you c ..read more

Whether it’s the desire for a bigger yard, fewer crowds, or a slower lifestyle, there are many reasons to consider moving to a rural area. But getting away from it all does have some disadvantages you might not be aware of. If you’re ready to abandon the city in favour of greener pastures and wide-open spaces, here’s what you need to know before buying a home in a rural area.   Commuting to Ottawa How do you feel about spending time in the car? Be sure to consider how far you’re willing to drive every day. A 40-minute commute can easily become an hour (or longer) drive at rush hour. Whic ..read more

  You might think that every update is going to improve the value of your home. But not all home improvements are created (or valued) equally. Some projects like bathroom and kitchen updates or adding more living space are almost always a smart choice. But other common projects aren’t always as valuable as you might think. If you’re planning to sell your home, now or in the future, avoid these mistakes that could be lowering the value of your home.   Reducing the Number of Bedrooms While the dream of a large primary suite is tempting, it’s not wise to sacrifice another bedroom to get ..read more

Are you dreaming of building your own home, but aren’t sure where to begin? Building a custom home can be very rewarding but it’s also a huge undertaking. There’s a lot to learn and a lot that can go wrong. But when all the work is done and you get to come home to your dream home every day, it’ll all be worth it. Before you jump into the process there are a few things you should consider. Here’s are five things you need to know about building a new home in Ottawa to help you get started.   1.      Building a New Home Takes a LOT of Planning When you’re building a ..read more

Choosing to live a greener lifestyle is healthier for you and your family as well as the planet. And while you’re saving the planet, many environmentally friendly habits will also save you money. With a few easy changes, you can reduce waste, lower your energy consumption, and cut costs. It’s a win-win-win situation. Here are seven easy ways to live greener at home. Plus, some bonus tips for how to stay green when you’re on the go!   Host Green Get Togethers We all love a good gathering with friends but hosting a party can create a lot of waste. And unfortunately, food-stained products c ..read more

Moving is filled with big decisions. And deciding which neighbourhood to move to is just as important as finding the right house. After all, you can update your house, but it’s a lot harder to change a neighbourhood. Whether you already live in the Ottawa area or are relocating to the Nation’s Capital from elsewhere, it can be tough to figure out which community will be best for you and your family. There are a number of important factors you should consider when choosing which neighbourhood to move to. Here are our six best tips for finding the right neighbourhood in Ottawa.   1.  ..read more

  Buying a home is likely one of the biggest purchases you will ever make in your life. And when you’re spending most of your savings in one shot, you definitely want to avoid any major or costly errors. There are a lot of steps, a lot of paperwork, and a lot of details to take care of when buying a home. Our years of experience helping first time home buyers navigate the process have taught us what to do and what NOT to do! Here are the top six mistakes first time home buyers make so you can avoid them.   1.      Not Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage It’s ..read more

  A slow real estate market doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to sell your home. In fact, a slow market can present opportunities for those who are willing to put in a bit of extra effort. Because even when the market shifts, people still need to move. The key is to make sure your home stands out from the competition and offers what buyers are looking for. Here are our seven best tips for selling your home in a slow market.   What is a Slow Real Estate Market? A slow market, also known as a buyer’s market, is one that gives advantage to the buyer over the seller. A slow real estate marke ..read more