Archives for Homeowner tips

Having Your Home Listed Over the Holidays

If you are planning to sell your home in the next few months, it is wise to plan to maximize the sale of your home. As the temperatures are cooling and the days are getting shorter, we are starting to think of the coming fall and winter seasons. We will also start to think of the many special holidays we will be celebrating in the next few months. The good news is that buyers who are looking over the holidays tend to be more serious. We have put together some simple tips that will ease the pressure of having your
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Spring Cleaning – Get the Kids Involved

As the warmer temperatures begin to roll in, there is no thought more prevalent than the beginning of spring cleaning. Spring is a time when all the forgotten places of winter begin to come to light, and there is nothing more refreshing than refreshing your home. A major topic these days is how to involve your kids in spring cleaning, especially in a way that is fun and engaging for them. The hope is to get your kids involved and wanting to help clean, not only to teach them the value of hard work, and the importance of cleaning up
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Getting Ready to Sell Your Home in Winter: What You Need to Know

Selling your home in the winter real estate market may seem undesirable to some, but it has an upside. Let’s break down some of the advantages that actually make the cold dreary season a potential win for sellers. Ottawa is in a Seller’s Market. Regardless of the weather, listings that are on the market are getting the attention of buyers, there is just not enough inventory to keep up with the demand. Current active inventory is less than half of 2015-16 [October 2018]. Compared to last year, condo inventory is down 34.5% while residential inventory is 17.5% lower than October
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Home Renovations with a Great Return on Investment

Home Renovations with a Great Return on Investment Even if you love your space, at one point or another, most homeowners have thought about making changes…“I love our kitchen, but what if we added an island?” or “our ensuite bathroom is great, but I’d love double sinks” or even “our basement is so spacious, I wonder what it would look like finished”. If this sounds familiar read on! “When we decided to sell our first home for an opportunity to ‘move up’, we knew we needed to update the kitchen and bathroom to attract buyers and get the price we
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Fall Furnace Tune-Up

Fall Furnace Tune-Up As much as we may hate to admit it, fall is here. As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, the time of year when we switch from cooling our homes to heating them is upon us. However, before you switch your furnace on and start getting your winter blankets out of storage, it is wise to perform a routine inspection and maintenance of your furnace. You don’t want something going wrong in the middle of winter when you need heat more than ever. You can spend money to have a professional come and perform
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Protecting Your Home from Critters

As the cooler weather starts to roll in, we are all thinking of cozying up indoors and unfortunately our furry friends outside are also thinking the same. Wild animals are currently looking for warm spaces to call home for the winter months and unfortunately our homes can be an attractive target. When animals get into a home, the damage can be severe and costly to fix but fortunately, with some careful planning you can ensure that you are not welcoming some unwanted guests over the winter months. Ottawa is home to many different critters but let’s take a look at
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Frolic into Fall: Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Getting ready for fall and winter can sound like a chore. However with a few simple tips and tricks, getting it done can be quick and will pay off, big time for homeowners. The most important aspect of getting ready is that all of the appropriate maintenance has been performed to keep your home in top shape before the snow flies. There are a few major things to remember when it comes to cold weather. A large part of getting ready for fall is to prepare your outdoor landscapes for the harsh reality that is Canadian winter, including (but not
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Reverse Mortgages: What to consider when considering a reverse mortgage

Reverse Mortgages What to consider when considering a reverse mortgage… Reverse mortgages allow homeowners to use the equity in their home as a loan, it’s a financial strategy that is getting more common. This may be in part because a large segment of Canadian Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964) “is on strong financial footing and on a clear path to being mortgage-free, if not already.” But what exactly is a reverse mortgage, and how does it work? Let’s examine the concept of a reverse mortgage, and some of the benefits and downfalls. What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a
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Buying a Home: What The Extras Cost

Contracts and rentals to consider in home ownership When it comes to buying a home, there are always additional fees to be considering when you make an offer. Typically, a first-time home buyer needs to be aware of the costs associated with buying a home – legal fees, mortgage rates, home insurance, closing costs, property taxes, land transfer fees…But what about those little extras not everyone considers? The contracts and rentals associated with the home such as furnaces, hot water tanks, and in some locations even your septic tanks – and what that could cost you. The main point is
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3 Tips For Making A Major Homeowners Insurance Claim

3 Tips For Making A Major Homeowners Insurance Claim Home insurance is one of the costs that come with home ownership. You pay your premiums to your insurance company and when disaster strikes, you expect that they will pay for most, if not all of the bill. But will they? Here are 3 tips to help you get the most out of your homeowner’s insurance claim. Know your limits, deductibles and what your coverage includes. Depending on your policy, your insurance company may or may not cover things like water damage. By reviewing your policy, you’ll know how much you
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