Coldwell Banker - R.M.R. Real Estate, Brokerage *'s blog

A home improvement boom is in full swing in Canada and homeowners are investing more money in renovations than ever before. Whether it’s a do-it-yourself task or a major professional project, more of today’s homeowners are investing time and money to make their residences more functional and more comfortable. One of the requirements of your home improvement project may be acquiring a building permit.

Canada’s housing environment has more single home buyers entering the market than ever before.  With inventory levels improving in many markets, and interest rates near record lows many people across the country who may have never considered buying a home in the past are recognizing that a mortgage payment on a house can actually be the same or less than what they woul

Selling a home can be a stressful experience, full of emotional highs and lows. Private showings and Open Houses both require a lot of upfront effort getting your home ready to show to prospective buyers. Hopefully, the end result for all your hard work is at least some positive comments from the viewers and at best your showing may even lead to an offer. However, there will also be times when negative comments are received and your showing may even reveal one or more points of concern being raised by your visitors.

These days the cottage market is booming, and for good reason. It’s easy to understand why so many people want to own a cottage. A peaceful hideaway in a natural setting where we can enjoy time with our family has universal appeal. Yet, in these times of rapidly increasing prices, buying a cottage means a lot more than just financing a weekend getaway. Today, a cottage is a very significant investment, so you need to know your facts before you buy.

In today’s marketplace, Canadian consumers are constantly being inundated with advertising claims from a number of real estate brands, many of which sound very similar from one company to the next.  The consumer is left wondering whether there really is a difference between real estate companies.  <

Young Canadians have learned a powerful lesson from their parents about the benefits of owning their own home.  At least, that’s the conclusion that many people would make when reviewing a recent government study.  According to an analysis of the findings of the General Social Survey on family transitions, recently published in Canadian Social Trends, there’s a positive link between the age at which young adults in Canada leave the parental home and the likelihood that they’ll become homeowners themselves, but only until about age 25.

There is great value in today’s real estate market for several good reasons.  There’s good inventory to choose from, interest rates are at historically low levels, and lower prices in some markets have led to the best home affordability seen in Canada in many years.  But despite all this, some consumers are still just sitting on the fence, waiting to time the market.  This can prove to be a costly mistake.  Consumer need to be aware that their best opportunity may just be right here and now.    

Selling your home is all about creating a good impression, and believe it or not, that first impression starts right from the curb – literally. A beautiful and well-maintained lawn tells the buyer a lot about your property from the very first glance. While you may be tempted to put off the mowing and watering while you concentrate on getting ready to move, you'll be missing a great opportunity to show that you care about every aspect of your property, and that maintenance has not been put off because you plan to leave.

One of the most critical factors in selling a home quickly and for a good final sale price is choosing the right list price. There are several different approaches you can take to determine the right price for your property. Which one you choose depends on what strategy you want to use to attract buyers, and also how much risk you're prepared to take in order to attract offers.

There’s a lot to consider when buying a home, and especially in today’s changing market conditions.  As your local Coldwell Banker® sales professional will tell you, many markets across Canada are beginning to moderate and become more favourable to buyers.  So while you’re considering a possible home purchase, here’s a Homebuyer “Don’t” list that may help you avoid some