Know your neighbours before you buy
To buy or not to buy
Who's buying condos these days?
Women love to shop—for real estate!
What is knob & tube wiring?

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How much can I afford? Home buying worksheet What makes buyers bite? Condo buying guide

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Real Estate tips from realtor and HGTV host, Sandra Rinomato

Know your neighbours before you buy

Sometimes one of the selling points a seller gives me about their home is "the neighbours are great." It's something that many of us take for granted and don't pay attention to when we buy a home. It most definitely can blight the enjoyment of your h...

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To buy or not to buy

That is the big question, with no simple answer. Home ownership is not right for everyone at all times in their lives, and life doesn't come with a handbook. If the question has popped into your mind here are some reasons why you should seriously con...

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Who's buying condos these days?

Recent polls have proven what I’ve noticed all along, that more and more Canadians are choosing condominiums for their home. In some cities 35% of those polled said they were likely to purchase a condo, which is similar to my own client statistics.Wh...

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Women love to shop—for real estate!

The demographics of the typical first-time homebuyer are changing these days. More and more women today can afford to purchase a property on their own to build up valuable equity and are no longer waiting to find a life partner before they pursue the...

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What is knob & tube wiring?

Knob and tube wiring is usually found in homes built about 50 years ago that have not had the wiring updated. Knob and tube wiring gets its name from the insulator knobs used to keep the wires isolated from objects and the ceramic tubes used to line ...

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Searching for homes online

With the prevalence of the internet more information has become available to the average home shopper or seller. But is that enough when it comes to your largest investment?Many people are under assumption that public real estate websites have the sa...

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Tips for surviving the bidding war

The housing market has been moving at a record-breaking pace creating what is known as a seller's market in many areas. Great, but where does that leave the buyers? Well, it can leave them with limited choices in a market that is highly motivated, or...

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Prices just have to go down, don't they?

"Prices just have to go down, don't they?" That is something I have been hearing for 10 years. Some folks get hung up on the myth that real estate follows a seven year cycle. These same people were sadly surprised when prices and activity levels cont...

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Buying strategies for today's market

Many clients often ask me if they should wait and save up a larger down payment before they get into the market. This can work, but it often doesn't work out, since you're also paying rent and just saving a small amount. In the meantime, house prices...

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What's a Property Survey?

A property survey shows the boundaries of the property indicating the lot size, and includes a written description of the property. Property surveys, which resemble a map, are carried out during the original construction of a house and are provided t...

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Thinking about buying your first home?

There are a lot of things to consider when buying your first home. How long do you plan on living there? What kind of lifestyle are you looking for? What do you really need? The average Canadian moves every three to five years; keep this in mind when...

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Don't just focus on the big number

Something that I often hear from buyers is "We are approved for a mortgage of $300,000 but we only want to spend around $240,000." That’s not a problem, and may even be wise, especially if you are thinking of increasing other expenses such as buying ...

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How much should I pay?

In many Canadian real estate markets the pace is quick and prices can move so quickly that it’s difficult to judge whether a listing is over-priced. If you’re a buyer, there’s a very simple solution—work with a professional real estate representative...

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Do I really need a home inspection?

As a homebuyer, you'll want to make sure that you make a wise investment choice, and that's why professional home inspections are becoming an essential part of the buying process. In fact, more and more buyers are using specialized inspections b...

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Why are some homes hard to insure?

When you're buying a home there can be a lot of details that need attending to in a short period of time. One of those details is arranging for the insurance on your new home and its contents. Mortgage finance companies will insist on proof that you ...

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Freehold vs. condo

Condos can be a great choice for many people, including first-time buyers looking to get into the market and build equity. A condo unit can be a good starting point since it is usually less expensive to own and carry than a traditional house. Condos ...

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Working with real estate agents

Did you know all realtors work on behalf of the seller of a home and not the buyer?By law, all realtors—even the one showing the home, listening to your housing dreams and your financial details—work in the best interest of the seller. That is, unles...

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In the marketwith sandra rinomato

In the market
with sandra rinomato