The housing crisis in Guelph (and the region) is a complex, decades-in-the-making problem. No one solution is going to usher us out of this predicament. Key to solving the housing crisis is that all of us – residents and political leaders alike – keep an open mind. We must openly and respectfully debate any reasonable solution that’s proposed. And we have to embrace both short- and long-term solutions. So, what’s one example of a long-term approach to housing affordability that we should be talking about in Guelph? Community Land Trusts. Should we as a community be doing more to encourage and ..read more

The Guelph housing crisis is hardly new. In fact, it’s brewing for a number of years. Finding our way out of this complex issue is going to require us to get serious – and creative – about tackling it. In Guelph and in most cities, the time has come to stop pretending that we will “new build” our way out of the housing crisis. This is a profoundly complex issue, but we continue to have politicians and members of the business community who make it sound as the path out of this is just as simple as adding more “supply” to the market. Look, of course inadequate housing supply is a huge part of th ..read more

Virtual Staging has come a long way over the years. The first time I saw a listing that was Virtually Staged, I was pretty mortified. It looked terribly fake and all in all the effect was a mess. Times have changed. I list a lot of Guelph properties for sale, and I’m a big believer in the value of Home Staging. Even in a heated Seller’s market, I invest time and resources into Staging. It helps present a home at its best, without question. That said, there are times when it’s just not practical to bring in furniture, art, and decor – for a number of reasons. Cost can be an issue. Those of us w ..read more

The only thing I know for certain is that, when it comes to real estate (and life, in general) … everything changes. That includes, among so many things, how favourable the conditions will be for you, when the time comes to sell your home. We’re half-way through the calendar year, and it has already been a year of almost unprecedented highs and lows in Guelph. We started the year with the most overheated Seller’s market I have ever seen. Literally everything was selling… and for prices that left most of us shaking our heads and trying to figure out what in the heck was going on. Now, the pendu ..read more

Preparing your home for sale is a lot of work. But, regardless of market conditions, most homeowners realize that de-cluttering, updating, and Staging all add value when it comes time to sell. If you’re Selling and Buying, there are many ways to approach the process. Some buy first; others sell first. There are pros and cons to both scenarios. In a Seller’s market – especially when inventory is inadequate – buying first is often necessary. Otherwise, you risk selling your home and struggling to find something suitable to buy. Buying first comes with its own risk. What if the market shifts down ..read more

Hardly a week goes by when I don’t hear directly or indirectly of a home renovation disaster.What constitutes a failed renovation ranges from the annoying to the disastrous. Either way, it’s pretty painful for home owners. As home prices and general costs of living rise, many of us are look at updating and renovation vs. trying to “sell up.” But home renovations are stressful, even under the best of circumstances. How to avoid a total disaster? Some tips, based upon my own experiences. Understand and Research Trades Professionals First things first: not all projects can or should be completed ..read more

Buying and Selling in the same market can be tricky, especially in a Seller’s market. Whether you’re downsizing or upsizing, Seller’s markets are tough. Typically, housing inventory is in short supply while Buyer demand is high. In more balanced markets, people would often choose to sell their home first. To me, in a balanced market or a Buyer’s market, that approach is logical and less risky. You get a firm offer accepted on your property and, knowing exactly how much purchasing power you have, you hit the ground running and find a home to buy. Unfortunately, that kind of sensible approach is ..read more

The Staged home sells faster – and often for more money – than comparable homes that look more “lived in.” Yes, even in a hot Seller’s market like Guelph currently has, most agree that Staging works. Home Staging is the act of preparing your home to show optimally by drawing a Buyer’s attention to its features and benefits – and often away from its drawbacks. Staging can also be useful as a way of helping Buyers visualize themselves living in the home. Selling a home is very stressful, even in the best of scenarios. Currently, our market in Guelph is very fast-paced. Homes typically sell here ..read more

Market shifts happen in real estate… all the time. At the moment, Guelph is in the midst of a pretty much red-hot Seller’s Market. We haven’t seen conditions like this since 2017. Will it last? I say no. I just don’t see any indication that this surge in Buyer interest and prices will be markedly different from the last time. In 2017… it went down pretty much like this: Early in the year, we had a shortage of inventory (which… we pretty much always have in Guelph.) At the same time, we had a huge surge of in-migration from GTA Buyers. Those Buyers were a game-changer. They added to the dispari ..read more

Finding Fixer Uppers in Guelph isn’t easy. In fact, it’s a really tough market to buy in. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that a large volume of home buyers have the same idea: find a solid house that needs work, purchase it for sub-market value, fix it up, and make money by flipping or, down the road, through resale. Well, it’s a great plan but it’s harder than a lot of people think. Whether you’re looking for fixer uppers to flip – or you just want to find something that you can renovate and live in, there are a few challenges. Fixer Uppers & Financing First, let’s talk about fin ..read more