How to interpret neighbourhood red flags
Thinking of moving to a new, unfamiliar neighbourhood? There are a few red flags you should watch out for, but that said, the scenario is different when you’re considering buying in a neighbourhood with a new construction development underway.First of
The standard features you need in your new home
On the surface, buying a new home may seem very similar to buying an existing property, but it is very different. The exciting part of buying a new home is that you get to personalize it to your specific tastes and needs. You determine which community
Steps I took to fall in love with my new home
Confession: I had no idea what my new home looked like until the day my family and I moved in. As I unloaded boxes into what would be my new room, I felt a fierce pang of disappointment rushing over me. While my childhood home was modest and quaint, our
How to create the best backyard entertainment areas
The long awaited summer has finally arrived in the GTA! If you are like me then you will agree that this is the best time of year to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Do you have some backyard activities that top your list? Making separate
When will the new condo market cater to first-time buyers?
There was a time when the Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA) new condo market was catering to first-time buyers. And it wasn’t as long ago as you might think. Today, first-time buyers are few and far between, and it doesn’t look like things are going to change
Things you should NEVER do when you live in a condo
No matter where you live, a low-rise home on a quiet suburban street or in the heart of downtown in a 40-storey tower, it’s always important to be respectful of your neighbours. With that in mind, we want to share a list of a few things you should never
Will millennials put an end to NIMBYism?
Say what you want about the oft-maligned millennials, but they may well be the generation that puts an end to NIMBYism for good.The “not in my backyard” attitude that has historically hampered development in some of the city’s most desirable
71% of first-time buyers use their own savings for a down payment
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released the results of its annual Mortgage Consumer Survey, announcing some not-so-shocking statistics about first-time buyers. The survey was completed by 3,002 mortgage consumers that participated in
A crash course on buying new construction homes
It’s been a while since we provided a few tips and notes about buying new construction homes. Whether you’re buying your first home or you’re buying direct from the builder or developer for the first time, the list below will be helpful! 1) Registering
Are we all actually real estate addicts?
Interesting read by Ian McGugan in the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business this week: “Face it, Canada — you’re a real estate addict, and no one wants a cure.”As the percentage of Canadians who own their own homes hits 70%, the majority of the population
