Real Estate Blog

Dear Friends,

Real estate investing can be one way towards financial independence and long-term security. When you imagine a real estate investor with an empire of properties, it may be hard to picture yourself in that role – but it shouldn’t be! 

There are many ways to building up revenue streams through real estate depending on your individual situation. Read on to learn more about the infamously coined term “house hacking” and what it means. 

On a similar note … you’ve made the purchase and have a new home. Now what? I have included a New Home Checklist to help you take the next steps. 

If you have any questions about these next steps, or any steps in the home purchasing experience, please feel free to message me. I am here to help you, no matter where you are in the journey.

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Dear Friends,

Here is a really crucial question: do you have the right insurance policy in place protecting your home? As the world sees an increasing number of natural disasters from wildfires to floods to tornadoes, it’s more important than ever to be properly insured. 

But do you know how living in a natural disaster zone can impact your premiums and even, in some cases, your ability to get insurance? Read on to learn more. 

The other thing I’d like to draw your attention to is much more light-hearted: accent walls. You’ve probably seen these “pops” of colour popping up all over your social media. I discuss what they are and how to use them. 

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. If you are looking for your next home, or know someone who is, I am here to help you get started.

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Dear Friends,

We hope you are enjoying the last few weeks of summer before the autumnal equinox later this month – soak up as much as you can before the shorter, colder days ahead!

If you are looking to take on an extra project, why not make your property work for you? There are a few ways your home can earn you some extra cash. 

By renting out portions of your home to holiday-goers (or buying a separate investment property), you can turn your property into a money-maker – and we have a few tips on how to add value to your AirBnB. If renting isn’t on your radar but you still want to boost the value, consider changing the exterior paint of your home. A fresh coat can bump up the value by up to 5 percent when it comes time to sell. 

If you, or someone you know, needs assistance finding the right property  - please reach out. We would love to help you find your dream home.

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Dear Friends,

The weather is fantastic in August and, if you’re anything like me, you’re soaking up as much sunshine outside as you can these days. 

And you’re not alone. The desire for outdoor living spaces – from cooking set-ups to sprawling patios – has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Read on to learn more about the hottest trends for outdoor spaces in 2021. 

On a less bright side, inflation hit a decade-old record this spring. What does that mean for investors and should you be concerned? Not yet. We look at what happening in the economy. 

As always, please feel free to reach out to me at any time if you should need assistance with your housing journey. I would be glad to help and guide you. 

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Dear Friends,

The sun is out and summer is in full swing – it’s the perfect time to get out and explore your neighbourhood. And the best way to explore? On foot. 

Read on to find out more about how walkable your area is … and what that means for the value of your property. (As a hint: each point on the Walk Score increases the value by $3,250).

We’ll also cover on how you can secure your home from burglars when you are going on a vacation. 

If you, or someone you know, is that prospective homebuyer – I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have at this stage of your journey and I’ll be happy to assist you.

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Dear Friends,

If you haven’t got the ball rolling to purchase a home, you may need to act quickly – The proposed higher mortgage stress test went in effect on June 1 and it may make it harder for borrowers to qualify for a mortgage. We have more details in this email.

And if you’re happily settled into your home and looking for a new project this summer, consider vertical gardening! It’s a great way to maximize space while still harvesting a bountiful crop or adding a natural atmosphere to your surroundings. We’ve got tons of ideas about how to start, from tin can fences to floating shelves. 

Whatever your needs are and whatever stage of the homebuyer’s journey you are on, I’m here to help guide you and assist you. 

Please feel free to reach out any time.

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Dear Friends,

Buying a home can seem like a daunting experience for many people. 

But homeownership is one of the best long-term investments Canadians can make. You may be familiar with the popular investment idiom “Time in the market beats timing the market” and, in many ways, that’s true for homeownership as well. With rising house prices, getting in sooner is often better than later. 

But where do you start? In this month’s newsletter, we look at down payments - what you need to know, how much you need to save and an often-overlooked way of saving money through RRSP contributions. 

If you find this information helpful, forward it to a friend! 

And, when you’ve got that down payment locked in and you’re searching for your dream home, I am here to assist you. 

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Dear Friends,

Everything looks a little brighter during the month of April. The remnants of winter are firmly washed away and, with that, comes the hint of new beginnings. 

Follow the natural cycle of the seasons and use this time for your own fresh starts in whatever areas you are pursuing – relationships, career, hobbies or home. Sometimes, all you need to start on the path of pursuits is shaking off the cobwebs and looking at life with a clean slate. 

As the economy bounces back from the effects of the global pandemic, many people in our province are feeling more optimistic about the housing market. And for solid reasons, now is a good time to buy. 

If you have questions about the process or need a supporting hand to guide you, please reach out. I would be delighted to work with you to find your dream home. 

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Dear Friends,

Smile, we’ve almost made it through winter at this point! March is here, a month full of uplifting dates and events. 

We have International Women’s Day on March 8 to celebrate equality and the strong women in all our lives, there’s St. Patrick’s Day coming up and – always a happy moment – the March equinox to mark the start of spring! 

If your goals for the coming spring include getting fitter – or perhaps it’s a lingering New Year’s Resolution - there is no better time than now. With the endless possibilities of home workouts, there is no excuse not to!

If you are planning on buying or selling soon, or know someone who is, please keep me in mind and I will be happy to help you with the process to make it as seamless and productive as possible. 

Don’t hesitate to get in touch!

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Dear Friends,

Last month, we published 10 Tips for an Awesome Home Office and our predictions for real estate activity during 2021. I hope you found those articles informative and helpful. 

This month, we want to make it easier for you to work-from-home and upgrade your home office by writing off the expenses on your taxes, whether you’re self-employed or working remotely as an employee. 

We’re here for you every month with an open line of communication to discuss your real estate market and we urge you to stay up-to-date on the stats we cover in these newsletters and on social media. 

We’re in this together and I want to keep your real estate dreams alive, providing support as you list, stage, show, sell, find, finance and buy properties, whichever activity you’re working on. Please check out the Neighbourhood Profile for your marketplace. We update them monthly. 

Enjoy the Photo Feature and please give me a shout to talk about real estate as we keep moving forward into 2021. 

And, of course, Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

Give yourselves, and each other, a pat on the back for entering 2021 ready to take on new opportunities! Despite some challenges with showing properties, Canadian real estate activity remained very strong through 2020. Now that we’re moving toward a new era of optimism, 2021 looks like it could be a fun and productive year for real estate. 

Whether you plan to stay put and work from your current home or look for a new one with more square footage (so you can add an even more serious workspace), read on! You’ll love our 10 Tips for an Awesome Home Office. Some of the advice -- lots of light, good storage and some style and personality -- is just as relevant for a personal gym or workout zone. 

If you’re planning to sell or buy soon, check out the 2021 predictions for real estate activity, with percentage price increase expectations for your market. Let’s talk!

I can ensure your property gets strong exposure online and off… and I know what’s out there right now in terms of places that might be a perfect fit for you as you move toward new chapters in your lives. 

Let’s make it happen!

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