Even though TV shows frequently feature “fixer-uppers” that are magically transformed into dream homes, many people don’t realize just what’s involved in the transformation. Not, that is, until they’re the proud owner of what has turned out to be a money pit. Agreed, it’s a great idea to buy a fix-up in a good neighborhood […]
Tag Archives: buying
Beware of Rogue Movers and Their Scams
Moving? Beware the estimate that is too good to be true, and do your homework before your goods are loaded on the truck. According to the Canadian Association of Movers, criminals are infiltrating the moving industry with scams galore to separate you from your money – and maybe your household goods as well. Across Canada, […]
Bad Neighbors can be Hazardous to Your Property Values
It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare: Your new neighbor has decided to tear down the charming colonial and build a monster home. Or he’s turned his backyard into a junkyard. Or she’s having noisy parties. Yes, having bad neighbors can be awful. And did you know they also can lower the value of your home by […]
“B” Clients Can Get a Mortgage if They Know Where to Look
Real estate agents who work only with clients capable of being pre-approved may be finding that their market is shrinking, thanks to mortgage changes implemented earlier this year. Only a few months ago, self-employed home buyers, new Canadians and even those with less-than-stellar credit but who were not sub-prime could be pre-approved for a mortgage […]
Ask the Agent: This Month’s Question
How do we find our dream home? Don’t let the media determine your dream home. Chances are you already know what you want and what you can afford. Find a respected agent and trust them. But also trust yourself – your home will only be a dream if it fits your life’s reality. Picture how […]
Are You Mortgage-Worthy? Look to Your Credit Report
There are few things more important to the process of financing a home than credit. Better credit means more financing options and often better rates, which will save you money. When you hear the term credit score, it actually means the middle of the three scores that lenders pull from three different credit bureaus. The […]
Adjustable Rate Mortgages: What You Must Know
With the record-low interest rate environment that we find ourselves in these days, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) seem to be more attractive than ever. After all, ARMs often have lower rates than their fixed rate counterparts. However, there are a few things that buyers should take into consideration before getting into an ARM. The First […]
An Appraisal May Make or Break Your Deal
An appraisal is an important part of any home purchase. This is an evaluation, ordered by lenders, that tells them exactly what their money is going towards; because they focus on the actual value of your property, appraisals are different than home inspections. An inspection looks deeply into the condition of a property, but is […]
Adjustable Rate Mortgages: Are They a Good Fit?
Adjustable-rate mortgages are often an attractive option to their fixed-rate counterparts, as the rates are often significantly lower. But are adjustable-rate mortgages a good fit for you? For some period of time after you take out an adjustable-rate mortgage, it has a fixed rate. After that time period has expired, the rate fluctuates based on an agreed-upon […]
7 Things that Will Stop Your House Selling
Poor curb appeal Buyers won’t even go inside if the outside of the house looks unappealing. So clean up your front yard by tidying plants and pulling up weeds. Make sure the outside of your home looks well cared-for by painting the trim, mowing the lawn and placing attractive potted plants by the door. Unpleasant […]
