When thinking about purchasing a new home, many of us put the cart before the horse. We start house shopping before knowing what kind of mortgage we qualify for. Knowing where you stand financially will put you in charge of your home buying journey and potentially save you the time and heartache to a home that was out of your reach.
There has been a lot of talk about low interest rates on mortgages ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on February 8, 2012
Heading into the holiday season people who have been thinking about putting their home on the market will often hesitate listing until after the holiday season. One very obvious and understandable reason for that is simply because the holidays are hectic. The thought of adding showings and open houses into the mix is daunting. Also, some potential sellers may take the opinion that people typically ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on December 7, 2011
Summer time is one of the best times on Prince Edward Island and for many, there’s nothing better than having a cottage near a beach so you can enjoy a different pace of life. There are so many areas around PEI to choose a cottage that already exists, or to choose a lot and build your own. Whatever your choice, it is very important to discuss your situation with a lender as seasonal home financing ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on August 4, 2011
Home inspections are a very important part of the home buying process. Although it's not's mandatory on PEI when purchasing a home, it's something that should be done if you want to get a "report card" on the home you are looking to buy.
For both parties in the sale, a home inspection is important as it can identify potential issues in the home. A home inspector will check to see the current condition ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on July 28, 2011
Choosing an agent to represent you in a very important decision. Whether you are buying or selling a property, you have many important decisions to make.
You need to have someone working with you who makes you comfortable, who is knowledgeable about the market and understands what you are looking for. Here are some things to look for in your agent:
How long have they been in the business?
Are ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on July 7, 2011
When placing your home on the market it is important to set a reasonable asking price. If you price it too high, potential buyers who have been watching the market will know it is priced too high. You may choose to price your home high using the strategy that you will negotiate a lower price, however, you may not get that opportunity as some potential buyers won't pursue a property out of their price ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on June 30, 2011
When looking to sell your home, first impressions are extremely important. Landscaping is a great feature of your home that people will consider in this first impression of your home. Even though the internet is becoming the biggest source for searching for homes, many prospective home buyers drive by homes to take a look.
If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future, you will ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on June 23, 2011
Here is is January 25, 2011 and its still -19 C and close to -30C with the wind chill. Take a few moments to see what is coming up as the season's change.
If you havent been to PEI before, this video from PEI Tourism shows why this a great place to visit and to live. As Canadians we get used to suffering through our winters as our Summers make it all worthwhile.
If you would like to get your own ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on January 25, 2011
On January 17,2011 Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced changes to government insured mortgages and new regulations to take effect on April 18,2011. Full details can be found on the Federal Government’s web page.
The new changes are:
Reduce the maximum amortization period to 30 years from 35 years for new government-backed insured mortgages with loan-to-value ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on January 19, 2011
We are pleased to announce that Joel MacDonald has joined Century 21 Colonial Realty as our E-Marketing Co-Ordinator and Trainer.
Joel is presently a Business Student at UPEI and he will be co-ordinating our already extensive online marketing systems to promote our property listings, our agents and the services our company provides. He will also be researching other tools available to assist ...
Posted by Joel Ives
on January 10, 2011