With flat-panel TVs mounted on walls, and stainless steel appliances strategically used to stage homes, buyers are including more chattels and fixtures in their offers to purchase these days.
(Examples of chattels: fridge, stove, microwave, Fixtures: Built-in dishwasher, exhaust fan, faucet and hardware.) Is it safe to assume that if a fixture is not listed as an exclusion in the purchase agreement, ...
Posted by Ray Petro
on July 31, 2009
Are you sitting on the fence - wondering if you should buy a home right now? If you've been afraid to invest in the real estate market because of the unstable economy, you may be missing a real opportunity.
The Kids are Alright
If you're a first-time homeowner, the federal government is giving you the ultimate Canadian double-double: The option to withdraw as much as $25,000 from your RRSP (compared ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on July 28, 2009
Bob , a small business owner who worked out of his home, wanted a large, well-appointed main floor office with separate entrance to welcome and entertain clients.
So he spared no expense in converting and extending the attached garage to his bi-level home. Bob also gave the large room a lavish yet comfortable family room appearance. He was thinking ahead, in the event he should one day decide to ...
Posted by Eugene Pilato
on July 27, 2009
Are you working so many hours that you can't do the cottage commute? Or maybe this is the summer your gang doesn't go on that big road trip because of creeping gasoline prices and household budget cutbacks.
Have you thought about building a backyard "resort' - say, an expansive deck with hot tub or gazebo? Or how about using your vacation days to finish up an indoor renovation?
That would ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on July 23, 2009
Big Brother (aka Google) may have physically been in your town recently. The (in)famous Google car with the roof-mounted camera has cruised Canadian streets to capture pictures of neighbourhoods to put up on the maple-leaf version of Street View in the near future. Google-cams have been spotted in:
Abbotsford, Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria, BC
Calgary, Lethbridge and Edmonton, AB
Regina, ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on July 22, 2009
I was showing homes in an upscale Waterloo, Ontario neighbourhood recently; upon opening the front door, we were greeted with this sign (right).
Turns out that this particular house was on the market for more than a month. Coincidence? I think not!
I posted this photo on the CENTURY 21 Canada's community on Yammer, and that opened up a broad discussion of "toys" that ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on July 20, 2009
In Prince Edward County, Ontario, a line has been drawn between those in favour of the turbines and those against.
Those who have supported this green energy alternative right from the start tend to be family members of the original county settlers.
Those opposed to the wind turbines are newcomers to the county - people who have invested here as a place to live or do business. ...
Posted by William Rorabeck
on July 20, 2009
Let's say, with a growing family, you want to sell your home and move to a bigger place. Don't you just hate that last-minute call from your realtor: "I have people who want to come by in the next hour." You have to drop everything, run around picking up toys and doing a quick vacuum, pack the kids in the car to the local fast food joint. It would be so much easier if the house was vacant so ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on July 20, 2009
We've all seen those TV commercials by big automakers saying they'll take back their vehicles if you lose your job. Well, how would you like it if you could stop pay your property taxes now - and not start again until you sell your home? You can do it in British Columbia - the only province offering this kind of option to help homeowners keep a roof over their heads as they weather the recession. ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on July 13, 2009
According to the Fifth Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, Cape Breton ranked number one of 10 cities found to have affordable housing out of 34 Canadian Markets.
Cape Breton also ranked the fifth most affordable housing market internationally.
The Nova Scotia Association of Realtors (NSAR) received a certificate from Demographia's Canadian partners, the Frontier Centre ...
Posted by Robert Doucette
on July 9, 2009