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What can an estate plan do for me? Aside from the clear financial benefits, having a plan in place puts you in control of your future. By working with a good lawyer you can decide what you want to happen with your assets and be confident that your wishes will be carried out. The realization of the goals you have set in life – goals such as your children’s education, your family’s economic independence, or your support for charities – […]

Things Seller to do 15 minutes before showing a House When preparing your house for a viewing, you’re obviously going to make sure it’s clean and tidy. After all, you want to make the best impression possible on potential buyers. But in the minutes before the buyers are due to arrive, there are a few final touches you need to do in your house to ensure it looks its best. Put away coats, hats and shoes. Focus around the foyer. […]

Attentions Real Estate Buyers…….. Mortgage rules and why you should have the financing condition: Now that we have all the new mortgage rules, it is more important than ever before to include the financing condition in any offer or be otherwise prepared for the consequences. 1. Pre-approvals are no guarantee you will obtain your financing Too many buyers are cavalier about submitting offers without a financing condition, especially during the pressure of a bidding war. You must understand that even […]

What is Shore Road Allowances Way back in the pioneer days the initial road allowances in Ontario were established. These allowances of 66 feet wide were created adjacent to many navigable rivers and lakes. These were created to allow business and public passage in a time when travel was most common by canoe. Most of these ‘roads’ were never opened. Many cottage owners know that there is an allowance in front of their property, however, no one else can purchase […]

BEFORE LISTING YOUR PROPERTY Items to Address Roof and Chimney – The shingles should be intact with no missing pieces. The mortar between the bricks of the chimney should be solid and not crumbling. Gutters – The gutters should be clean. An overflow of leaves and weeds screams poor maintenance to buyers. Pressure Wash – The exterior of the house should be pressure washed. A clean looking house can add a few thousand dollars worth of perceived value. Windows and […]

Advice for Buyers (The comments contained on this page are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.) Finding the perfect home doesn’t happen in one day. It takes careful planning and lots of work. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to simplify the process. 1. Things to Consider Before Starting Your Search What Features Do You Need? Do you need an extra bathroom, a garage, a fenced backyard, or lower utility bills? Do […]

20 Hard, Facts in Real Estate Selling Honesty is the best policy which is why I must tell you like it is, if you want to have any chance of success in selling your home. What are the 20 hard, facts in Real Estate Home Selling? 1. Know your local Real Estate Market – What’s moving the market? If you don’t know, make sure your Realtor knows. If your Realtor doesn’t know, find another Realtor who does know. Real Estate […]

How much of a deposit should I provide when buying a home? When you submit an offer to buy a home, the deposit demonstrates your commitment to the seller to complete the purchase. The deposit is reassurance that you are acting in good faith and have the means to purchase the home. It also shows you are comfortable taking on some risk by putting down a deposit until the deal closes. The agreement between you and the seller will determine […]

My house is for sale and I’ve just accepted a conditional offer. What happens if I get another offer that is more appealing? As a seller, you can entertain as many offers as you want — even after you sign a conditional offer. That’s because the sale is not final and binding on both parties until all of the conditions in that offer have been fulfilled or waived. However, before you accept a conditional offer, you might want to think […]

Bidding wars – almost anything goes! When it comes to bidding wars, it sometimes sounds as though the real estate market in parts of the GTA are like the old wild west, where anything goes. I recently was told that a buyer in a bidding war put in an offer without a price, telling the seller to just “fill it in.” Here are answers to some of the bidding war questions that I have received: 1. What does “holding back […]