Whether you’re considering remodelling worn-out surroundings, enlarging your home for a growing family or going beyond yesterday’s standards, you have important investment choices to make.

The first piece of advice is never try to renovate a part of your home, simply for the purpose of selling. You are incurring a huge risk here.  The housing market can be volatile, and you never know which amenities are going to pay-off. If you renovate for yourself, at the least you will get value simply by enjoyment of the change.

If you are looking to spruce up your home a little bit before you sell, make minor cosmetic changes like painting.  They are fast, inexpensive and involve little risk. If you know that you will be living in a home for some time, but are

Mortgage Insurance or Life Insurance?

For many Canadians buying a home is the single largest investment in their lifetime.

You’re excited and stressed – not only because of the financial commitment, but because it’s about a place and a community that you have set your heart on.  It is during this emotional time you will meet with a lender to arrange the mortgage and you will also be asked to purchase Mortgage Insurance. If you’re like many people, you may have overlooked insurance in the home buying process.

Buying a home is an exciting time! Buy ensure you are making an informed decisions about protecting your investment, and your future. So what is the difference between Mortgage Insurance and Life Insurance?

1. Keep updates in line with the style of your neighbourhood.  Expensive upgrades may not pay off in the future if they’re too out of the norm of the neighbourhood.  If you plan on selling your home soon, choose materials and appliances that are on par with the style of the average home in your neighbourhood.  A $70,000 kitchen renovation won’t go over well if the average home price in the neighbourhood is $250,000.

2. Don’t over-improve the room; you’re unlikely to get a great return on your investment.  Instead, make simple upgrades to your lighting, fixtures, and hardware and freshen up the space with a coat of paint.

3. Update appliances, especially if they’re no longer working properly.  Don’t focus on upgrading to the highest end

1. Why are you remodeling? Do you want to improve the function of your kitchen? Update the style? Or are you planning to sell soon?  The answer to this question will help you determine the scope of your project and your budget.

2. How long do you plan to live in your home? If you think you’ll be house shopping within 5 years, try to focus on a renovation that will give you the highest return on investment.  If you plan to stay in your home for a decade or longer, consider making long-term functional improvements that will fit your style and your budget.

3. Do you have or plan to have children? If the answer is yes, it’s a good idea to consider choosing durable, easy-to-clean materials for your renovation.

4. Are you planning to live

 If you’re looking to update your kitchen, but don’t have the budget for a complete remodel try these tips to make your space appear larger:

Choose light colors – Light colours give the illusion of openness, so try updating your wall color to something light or if you’re a DIY enthusiast you could try giving your dated cabinets an update with a coat of white paint.

Install Open Shelving – Ditching your upper cabinets for open shelving will open up the space and allow you to keep dishes within easy reach.  Display your dishes with style and up the wow factor of your kitchen!

Incorporate Patterns – Choosing a bold pattern for the floor, countertops or a wall will create visual interest in the room.

Diversify your lighting – Installing flushed or

The total cost of buying a house goes beyond just its price.  Your Real Estate Agent or Lawyer will be able to tell you exactly how much you’ll have to pay.

LAND TRANSFER TAX | .5-2% of value
When a home changes hands, many provinces and a few municipalities, charge a property transfer tax, or title transfer fee.  It can add thousands to your purchase price. (First time home buyers qualify for rebates or exemptions in some provinces)

APPRAISAL FEE | around $500
Your lender may ask you to have a home appraised to confirm its market value.  Fees vary depending on a property’s value and complexity.

LEGAL FEES | $500-$800
A lawyer or notary will help protect your interest by reviewing your purchase agreement, searching the property titles, and

There are many reasons why you should consider owning a home, here are ten reasons to seriously consider if homeownership is for you:

To quit renting – This is probably one of the biggest reasons people consider.  Why contribute to someone else’s mortgage when you could be paying off your own? With the current market increase in rent, it could even be cheaper to own.

Security – You don’t have to worry about your house being sold from under you, where rent can substantially increase without notice; forcing you into debt or even out of your home.

Investment – The price of real estate continues to increase.  Purchasing real estate is one of the safest long term investments a person can make.  A house appreciates in value over the years. Once

Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular renovations that homeowners complete, as it often nets the highest return on your investment (ROI) in comparison to other areas of your home.  Many homeowners give the kitchen a minor upgrade to keep up with design trends while others choose a full overhaul to improve the style, functionality and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Here are 5 popular kitchen trends that yield great returns:

Smart Technology – Did you know some kitchen appliances feature technology that allows you to control the appliance from your smart phone? Imagine a refrigerator that lets you know if you’re running low on milk or an oven that will pre-heat on your way home from work!  

Open Space Concepts – Consider

Check out this great opportunity in Stonebridge.  2 bedroom, 1 bath 903 square foot apartment style condo in the Trillium building.  Very well kept home perfect for a first time home buyer or someone looking to down size.  Click the link below to go to the full listing of this property or to see what other properties are for sale.

Check out this perfect first time home buyer starter home or potential revenue property for any investor.  Its got 3 bedroom and 1 bath.  It sits at the edge of Birch Hills and overlooks the country side.  Follow the links below to check out the full listing or to see what other homes are for sale in Birch Hills Saskatchewan.