With the Re-Open Saskatchewan initiative now officially underway and businesses and services beginning to reopen slowly over the coming weeks, many of you may be wondering whether it is safe to buy or sell your home. And couldn’t be happier to tell you that it certainly is...with the right precautions, of course. 

Real Estate During COVID-19

Here in Saskatoon, real estate services earned the designation as an essential service early on, and has continued to maintain that status throughout the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reality is, as long as people need a place to live, they will need the help of a REALTOR®. However, real estate as it stands today looks much different than it did before the coronavirus hit. 

In order to continue…

1517 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

One of the best things about Saskatoon is its stunning collection of beautifully-preserved historic homes. Scattered throughout the city, you can find these communities of culture and character that tell the unique past of times before us that can be hard to find in many places nowadays. And with their distinct architectural features and design characteristics, it's not hard to see why you may find yourself searching for “historic homes for sale” as your next real estate venture!

From ornate fireplaces and crown mouldings to established, mature landscaping, there are many benefits to buying a historic house. However, there are also some disadvantages that you’ll definitely want to factor in when considering the purchase, as well. 

Expect Repairs

…

2470 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

With the rapid population growth in the past few years, new build homes have been popping up seemingly everywhere here in Saskatoon. And with the recent announcement of the Government of Saskatchewan’s new PST rebate, buying a new construction home is more attractive than ever! Buying a brand new home is slightly different than buying just any home, however; and if you’re considering making that move right now, there are a few things you should know before getting started.

The Pros of Buying New Build Homes

Buying a new build property can come with many attractive benefits for prospective homeowners! First and foremost, many buyers love the idea that they will be the first owners. By starting clean and fresh, they feel they can really put their…

2268 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

For many first time home buyers, the natural assumption that the first step in buying a home is choosing the right neighbourhood, searching for homes online, and going for showings with their REALTOR®. But what they may not know is that before they even begin their search, the best first step in their journey to homeownership is getting pre-approved for a mortgage!  

What is a Mortgage Pre-Approval?

A mortgage pre-approval is the first step to buying a home, taken before you even start your search. It is when a potential buyer meets with a mortgage broker or lender and starts the mortgage application process before buying a home to get a clear idea of what kind of home loan they qualify for. This gives them the clarity in what they can afford, so…

2019 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

If you’ve been thinking about selling your house, there’s a good chance you’ve been making plans for some renovations that will attract buyers to your home. When it comes to the value of a potential property in a buyer’s mind, simple upgrades and repairs can go a long way; especially in the kitchen! Here’s what’s trending in kitchen renovations right now:

Colourful Cabinets

Gone are the days of pearly white cabinets that are in constant need of a wipe down. Instead, what we are seeing is a rising trend of cabinets being refinished with a colourful coat of paint to add a pop of contrast to the space, especially when partnered with white tile backsplashes and lighter-toned countertops. 

To make this simple shift in your kitchen, start by removing…

1609 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

For many of us that may be looking for a new way to generate some pretty simple revenue on the side, buying an investment property can seem like a no-brainer! For relatively little disruption to your current lifestyle, you can watch a rent payment appear in your bank account each month, almost like free money, right? Well...not quite. While it can seem as simple as that—and sometimes it even is!—there are quite a few different nuances to owning rental property, and pros and cons that come with each of them. 

The Benefits of Owning Rental Property

Like I said, investing in rental property can be a fantastic, lucrative venture for anyone looking to generate some side income. Here are some of the pros:

Steady Monthly Income. So long as you have…

1731 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Unlike selling your old MacBook, which you can just post to Facebook Marketplace and have sold overnight, selling your house takes a bit more planning and preparation. You can’t just pick a price off the top of your head, post it online, and make a deal over text message. No, there are strategic steps that need to be taken to ensure you sell your house quickly (and legally). 

Step 1: Choose the Right REALTOR®

When selling your house, you’ll want to make sure that someone is looking out for your best interests and that you’re being represented properly. That’s why working with a listing agent is so important. They work to not only market your home effectively, but they will also help you navigate the current market to ensure you get the best deal…

2653 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Choosing the right neighbourhood for you and your family is just as—if not more—important than choosing the right home. Unless you plan on spending every waking minute confined within the four walls of your new house, knowing your neighbourhood and where you live is an essential part of your lifestyle. This is where your kids may go to school or where you’ll walk the dog. This is where you’ll start your morning commute and drink your afternoon tea. Whatever this new home is for you, the location is an integral part of that. So, how do you choose the right neighbourhood for you?

Schools

Regardless of whether you have kids or you don’t—or you’re expecting (congratulations!)—one of the most important things to consider in choosing the right…

2003 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Real estate is one of those industries that seemingly comes with its own language; full of unfamiliar terms and definitions that can make the process of selling your home quite stressful. But there’s no need to sweat—you’re not alone! You’re just one of thousands of confused home sellers anxiously Googling “what does contingent mean in real estate” on a Saturday night. And unless you’re experienced in real estate, no one is expecting you to know! That’s why we REALTORS® are here to guide you and educate you through the process. And that includes teaching you the terms you may encounter in the journey to selling your home, like these:

Appraisal

An appraisal is the process of assessing your home’s fair market value based on its condition, features,…

1512 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

In today’s world, it seems like everything costs money. Whether it be a product, service, or activity you’re after, it feels impossible to leave the wallet at home and just take care of things on your own anymore. And because of this feeling, many people are now—rightfully so—more suspicious of hidden fees and charges, especially when it comes to services, like real estate! 

I think if you asked any REALTOR® today what question they are asked most often, each and every one of them would say, “How much does it cost to use a real estate agent?” or “How do you get paid?” And since we aren’t displaying any prices on a menu of services anywhere or asking for payment from the start, it’s easy to see how you might worry about surprise costs popping up…

1747 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post