6 Tactics to Reduce Your Home Insurance Costs in Kamloops, BC In recent times, Canadian homeowners have faced a series of extreme weather conditions, ranging from intense cold spells to wildfires and floods. These events have led to a significant number of insurance claims. In 2023, for instance, natural disasters led to over $3.1 billion in insured damages across Canada, marking it as one of the costliest years for weather-related damage, as reported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada.1 The aftermath of these disasters in places like Kamloops, BC, has been a sharp rise in home insurance claim ..read more

Downsize Your Home, Rightsize Your Life: How to Choose the Ideal Smaller Home When you've lived somewhere for many years, it can be tough to say goodbye. But if you (or a loved one) currently have a home that is bigger than necessary or is too high maintenance, it may be time to trade unused square footage for a smaller, more manageable space. Take it from the downsizers who’ve been there: Although living small might require some adjustments, it can also be liberating––especially if you're in a stage of life where past responsibilities have given way to new possibilities and adventures.  ..read more

Upgrade Your Home With These 2024 Design Trends One of the best parts of owning a home is the freedom to make it truly your own with design choices that reflect your personality and lifestyle. Whether you lean toward contemporary design or a farmhouse aesthetic, your home is your canvas. Even so, it’s always smart to think about the long-term impact those decisions might have on your home’s value. Choosing over-personalized or unpopular materials and finishes could make your home less appealing to future buyers. And selecting out-of-style or overly-trendy elements could cause your home to fe ..read more

Real Estate Market Forecast: Opportunities for Home Buyers and Sellers in 2024 Home buyers surprised everyone last spring when they shook off higher borrowing costs and showed up to new home sales in droves. The surge in competition for a still-limited pool of properties helped home prices pop and renewed sellers' confidence in their ability to get top dollar for a home. But experts caution that the 2024 housing market could unfold quite differently, especially if Canada's economy experiences another dip later this year.1  Ever since the Bank of Canada hiked interest rates last summer, h ..read more

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 décor 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 major purchases before you close on your new home. A large outlay or additional line of credit could affect your credit rating and, thus, impact your mortgage terms.1 Second, moving and closing costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to be strategic ..read more

Income Properties Are Trending, But Is Landlord Life for You? If the thought of investing your money into brick and mortar—or perhaps some stylishly-painted siding—excites you, join the club. Investing in real estate has long been one of Canadians' favourite ways to grow their wealth. According to a poll by CIBC, 15% of Canadian homeowners already earn some rental income, while another 11% aspire to it. What's more, over a third of current homeowners (37%) say they'd look for a property with income potential if they were buying a new home.1 Baby boomers over the age of 55 are especially likel ..read more

Top 7 Tips To Attract the Best Offers for Your Home Not long ago, home sellers were in their heyday, as historically-low mortgage rates triggered a real estate buying frenzy. However, the Bank of Canada shut down the party when it began raising interest rates last year.1 Now, it’s not as simple to sell a home. While pandemic-era homebuyers were racing the clock—trying to lock in a low mortgage rate and gain a foothold in the market—current buyers are much more discerning. Higher prices and mortgage rates have pushed their limits of affordability, leading them to prioritize cost, condition, an ..read more

7 Common Homebuyer Regrets (And How To Avoid Them)  To avoid buyer's remorse, be sure to consider your future self when shopping for a home. 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 homes.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 the most-satisfied homeowners would change some aspects of their home purchase if given the opportunity ..read more

Kamloops Real Estate Market Analysis: Key Trends and Insights If you're in the market for a new home or investment property, you'll want to keep a close eye on the Kamloops Real Estate market. With its stunning scenery, vibrant community, and attractive housing options, Kamloops has become a sought-after destination for homebuyers and investors alike. But what does the current real estate landscape look like, and what key trends and insights should you be aware of? In this comprehensive analysis, we'll take a deep dive into the Kamloops real estate market, exploring everything from housing su ..read more

Renovate or Relocate? 3 Questions To Help You Decide Does your current home no longer serve your needs? If so, you may be torn between relocating to a new home or renovating your existing one. This can be a difficult choice, and there’s a lot to consider—including potential costs, financial implications, and quality of life. A major remodel can be a major commitment. From hiring contractors to selecting materials to managing a budget, it can take a tremendous amount of time and energy—not to mention the ordeal of living through construction or relocating to a temporary residence. On the othe ..read more