Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your lifetime. While the initial purchase of a home is a big cost, it is important to keep in mind the expected – and unexpected – costs of owning a home. From maintenance fixes and utilities, to insurance and emergency costs, it…

With the rapid rise of virtual deals, here are five tools to help homebuyers, sellers and myself stay in touch without ever leaving home. We know that even in the best of times, things can change quickly in real estate, from housing market conditions to new listings hitting and leaving the market. This means an efficient…

One of your objectives as a homebuyer – and ultimately, a home seller – is to achieve the highest return on investment. A hot property value boils down to a number of factors, such as location, proximity to public transit, the local and greater economy, and the market conditions at the time you list your…

Whenever you leave your home — whether it’s for a fall vacation, the school run, or a just a long day at Costco — you want everything to be in its place when you get back. Protect yourself from theft with these do’s and don’ts of home security. DO: Lock It Down Sure, it’s home-security common…

The sweet signs of summer: patios packed with sun worshipers, birds singing, flies buzzing, ants crawling. As much as we all love summer, those pesky insects can put a damper on things. It’s even more annoying when those insects decide to set up camp in your home.  If you are one of many homeowners with…

Planning to buy a home? Sell a home? Perhaps you’re looking for the latest and greatest products to deck your home out in true style. Maybe you need some ideas and inspiration. There are lots of great reasons to visit a Home Show. Here are 10. We all know that keeping a home current can…

Financing your home is probably one of the least fun aspects of home ownership. Nevertheless, it’s essential. And when it comes to a reverse mortgage, things get a little more interesting. With a reverse mortgage, you can take advantage of the value of your home without selling it. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Before you…

Before you put your house on the market, it’s part of my job to offer guidance on improving your home’s presentation. I can tell you what buyers expect in your particular market and at your home’s price point. The following 10 steps are a way to get a good head start on preparing to sell your…

Un-decorating after the holidays may not be as fun as decking the halls, but it really is time to take your holiday lights down. Here are a few space-saving ideas as you pack it all up. Rethink egg cartons…With all the holiday baking, you’re bound to have a bunch of cardboard egg containers left over….

As the days grow chillier, rodents have even more reason to try to move into your home. They don’t just gnaw holes into walls and floors and destroy wiring, they can also bring in germs and disease. Follow these tips to help keep them out. 1. Prevention is the best defence Don’t keep favorite rodent…