If you’re buying or selling an older home in London, Ontario, there’s a chance the topic of aluminum wiring may come up. And when it does, it usually comes with a lot of questions. Is aluminum wiring safe? Will insurance companies cover it? Does the whole house need to be rewired? The answer is usually…
If you live in Ontario, you’ve heard the term ice dam. And if you own a home, you’ve probably had experience with an ice dam at some point during the frigid winters we see every year. As pretty as they are, icicles along your roofline aren’t ideal. In fact, they can be dangerous to your…
Each new year we enter with the excitement of getting our homes in to tip top de-cluttered shape. The post-holiday bustle is behind us and now we organize. If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed at the prospect of starting, we’ve broken out your de-cluttering process room by room so you can get those pesky jobs…
Our winter’s are apparently getting warmer; but that doesn’t mean we won’t experience those bitter -20 days and nights. In fact, because our temperatures are rising it makes those bitter cold days and nights feel even more bone chilling. Relief can be found under a cozy blanket, turning the thermostat to a desired temperature, or…
Home renovations have become a “need” for some homeowners during this pandemic, because what else is there to do? With travel restrictions in place, we look for something positive, and investing in our living space is a great way to boost our spirits while creating a magical place to cook and socialize. Before you start…
If you’re anything like us, the thought of prepping your home for winter has us already chilled to the bone. The actual work involved, well we put that off as long as possible because if we don’t do the work, winter won’t come right? We’ve talked about the importance of winterizing your home in a…
If you’re anything like some of the people in our households, the laundry room is a very happy place. So when we spend a lot of time in our homes, we tend to notice little things we could improve, especially in high traffic areas. A common theme amongst our client is that they need more…
Are you a little lost with all of the real estate lingo you’re hearing? You’re not alone. There’s a lot to learn when you’re buying a home for the first time, or even your second or third time around. The lingo or jargon that’s used can be difficult to understand. So, we created a list…
With the summer months comes the summer heat and humidity… and the popular desire to have a break from the sweltering sun. A shaded tree brings a sense of serenity, and also with it a coolness from the blistering sun. But if you’re looking for a quick fix, and air conditioning (AC) unit provides instant…
The “Law” is confusing and Real Estate Law is no exception. We’re going to try to simplify clauses in the offer agreement for you. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) has a lot of language to protect the buyer. We insert clauses and conditions into the APS to further protect our buyers. Buying a property…
So we’ve all been there. We’ve looked around our home(s) and made note of the clear to the eye items we need to tidy up or clean. We make time to clean said items, and then give ourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. But here comes the point… What about…
Let’s say it loud… Spring is here! Of course we have a few cooler days sprinkled in, but the change is upon us. Out with the winter coats and in with the rainbows and “Can I wear shorts to school?” arguments with the kids. Not sure where to start, or have an idea but feel…
Kitchen renovations have been, and will continue to be, a top choice when considering home improvements. It’s a room that has the most traffic (aside from bathrooms), and it’s a cornerstone for entertaining. Cabinetry is always a big talking point, but choosing which counter type can easily make or break the design and functionality of…
Plants have a way of raising our happiness levels; they create an environment of growth and potential, which is needed in a world filled with uncertainty. They can brighten our spaces, freshen the air, and remind us to slow down and smell the roses. We’ve entered the time of year where we’re moving out of…
So you’ve renovated your home and are looking forward to many movies on the big screen or entertaining in your new space. Or, you’ve decided to move and need to make some updates for future buyers to see the wonder that you see. Either way, furniture selection is an important puzzle piece when decorating, or…
Have you ever wondered why it’s important to work with a Realtor when you’ve decided to buy a home or sell your home? It’s easy to get wrapped up in the misconception that you’ll save money if you do things on your own, but that’s not usually the case. Here’s a few misconceptions we’d like…
There are a few key professionals that are involved in the buying process when you’ve found a home you’re ready to purchase. These people can make the home buying experience simpler, less stressful, and definitely one of the most exciting moments in your life. The Realtor: The process of purchasing a home will feel less…
Even though you may not see yourself moving in the near future, home improvements can have an impact on your home’s value and appraisal. And speaking from lots of home renovation experience – it’s nice to live in it and enjoy the newness of the update. So, here’s some ideas you could run with if…
Your home is your greatest asset. When you know more about your home and its value, the more empowered you are to make informed decisions regarding your property. Whether a sale is imminent or not, determining how much your home is worth will help you become ready for your next steps. If you still aren’t…
Buying a home is exciting and challenging. You’ll get to see different properties, each with its own features and personalities. But purchasing a home is also a huge financial commitment—you can’t just get carried away due to excitement at the cost of overlooking important details of the home, which could lead to bigger and more…
The housing market needs stability during these uncertain times, and updating the rules for mortgage insurance is just one step in easing the burden on homeowners. Effective July 1, 2020, CMHC implemented a new set of rules that effects the eligibility rules for mortgage insurance. What are the new CMHC rules? Less debt as a…
We’re no stranger to living with our parents. I mean, we spend a good portion of our life under their roof, cleaning the floors they pay for, and watching the t.v. shows they find obnoxious. But what comes after the kids have “grown-up” and they’re “ready” to live on their own? Well, quite often nothing…
One of the key ingredients in selling your home is hosting an open house. This allows potential buyers to preview the home to see if it’s a fit for them. Leading up to the open house, we would have completed all of our “prep for sale” work, but we’re not done. I’ve compiled a list…
Holidays are a time for peace, love, harmony, food, family, friends… Selling your home doesn’t have to wait until the holiday rush and chaos has stopped. It’s actually common for people to sell their homes over the holidays, so… here’s a few things to consider: Decorate, but don’t overdo it. Buyers will expect your home…
We’ve included an easy-to-read example of how the Real Estate with Nate team can help you during a very emotional time. With a little care and finesse, we were able to seal a higher sale amount for our clients, but the bigger reward for us, we were able to guide the family through a difficult…
By now you should have had some good discussions on how to achieve your sales goals, and in the London area, those who apply themselves to the preparation phase are often rewarded the most. I’ve included two of the most common strategies for you to consider: 1) “Simple Simon”: We simply empty all contents from…
Selling your home is an emotional period of time; time that affects all members of the family. There are steps we can take together to ease the burden of estate sales so you and your family can focus on your time together: Meet with the lawyer to initiate the probate process. The probate process, initiated…
When the shopping is all done and you’ve made your choice, it’s offer time. There’s a mixed bag of emotions ranging from excitement, to nervous, to “is this really happening?!”. For us to ensure we’re putting the best offer forward, there’s some homework to be completed first. Understand the offer instructions. We need to review…
My wife will confirm – I prefer to do things right the first time around i.e. buying the right golf clubs, selecting the right contractor to renovate our home, or picking the best option for movie night with the family. This also holds true for large purchases such as buying a house. So let’s talk…
So I’m told the word “process” can be overused. It’s referenced for most things we do in life, even down to the simple “process” of buying groceries. In the case of buying a house it’s no different. When you’re on the hunt for a home, there are steps you need to take to ensure the…
I’m not a betting man, but I’d bet money that you’ve shared a photo and talked about that same photo a few times since taking it. The same goes for real estate photos. When you’re preparing your home for sale, photos become an integral part of the process. A professional photographer can provide photos that…
I am no longer a skeptic; in fact, staging is something I think all sellers should consider before they go to market. Not only am I not a skeptic, but my wife is now a Certified Staging Professional – that’s how much I believe in the work and the product it produces. So, here’s what…
I challenge the perception that painting before you list your home to sell isn’t necessary. If we take a step back, and view your home from a buyer’s perspective, paint is incredibly important. Here’s why… It’s one less thing a buyer has to do. From changing utilities to unpacking, moving into a new home…
Your trusty realtor has probably talked to you about prepping your house for sale. If not, you should. Buyers pay particular attention to the cleanliness of your home. They’ll look at the fine details of how you present your home on the surface because it indicates how well you take care of your home underneath…
So the saying goes “there’s a first time for everything” – well this holds true for buying a home. There’s always a first home you’ll buy; location, style of home or any other criteria in the one you actually purchase doesn’t change the fact that it’s your first home. Like other major life purchases, there’s…
Let’s say you’ve walked through the “house of your dreams” and you’ve contacted your trusty realtor to help you buy it (:)). You know it’s going to take work to have the house looking just how you want it to, but you don’t have a contractor. Your trusty realtor just might know a reputable company…
You found the house you want to buy. It may not be your forever home, but it’s your for today home. We’ve most likely already talked about the value of a home inspection, and the importance of selecting someone who, well… knows their job. So, my “go-to-guy”, Kory Mac Donald from Mike Holmes Inspections, graciously…
Just as easy as it is to talk about upsizing, the topic of downsizing has become a trend we’re seeing as our population ages. It’s inevitable really; as we move into the later stages of life, our desire to “keep up with the Jones’” lessens. Let me explain… Anyone out there enjoy lots of cleaning…
In the today’s market, we’re starting to see a rise in joining familial forces. Baby boomers have become the largest demographic facing the need to find a different space for living. For various reasons, multi-generations are choosing to live under the same roof – putting the need to upgrade from their existing home at the…
People grow, animals grow, plants grow (well if they last long enough in our home they will). With growth comes a need for space – bigger rooms, larger property, room to play, room to relax etc. We frequently hear from our clients, friends, and family that more space is needed, so an upgrade from their…
You’re ready to sell. You’ve thought long and hard about what it means to take on this adventure and have concluded that yup… you’re ready. Next step is when. I hear a lot about waiting for the warm weather. Letting the snow and ice melt away so your house will showcase at it’s best. I…
Winter is Coming… The inevitable time of year where heavy coats and gloves are a must, and sore backs from shovelling mounds of snow stick around to remind us, more snow is coming. I mean, it’s not all bad… skiing or skating with friends and family are enjoyable, as is tobogganing – minus the ice…
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