The Complete Guide to Buying a Home 

Buying a home is a big decision, one that requires careful consideration and research. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of purchasing a home so you can make an informed decision and have a successful purchase. 

 

Step 1: Get Pre-Approved for Your Mortgage

The first step to buying a home in Canada is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Before you start looking at properties, it’s important to get pre-approval so you know what you can afford and what your monthly payments will look like. 

 

Step 2: Research the Home Market 

Once you have been approved for your mortgage, it’s time to research the real estate market. Look at prices, types of homes available, locations, etc. You may find…

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Weighing the Pros and Cons Before Investing in a Home With a Pool

Are you thinking of buying a home with a pool? Before taking the plunge, it’s important to consider the pros and cons associated with owning such a property. From maintenance costs to the potential for fun, here are some of the key factors to weigh when making your decision. 

 

PROS:

1. Added Value – Pools generally add value to a home, so when it comes time to sell in the future you can expect to get a higher price than if you didn’t have one.

 

2. Entertainment - Imagine having friends and family over to cool off in your own backyard oasis! Owning a pool means having countless hours of entertainment right outside your door (weather permitting).

 

3. Exercise –…

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If you're in the market for a new home, you may be considering a new construction home in one of Saskatoon's newest neighbourhoods. While there are definitely some perks to buying a new construction home, there are also some things you should be aware of before making your purchase. Buying a home is major purchase, here are a few things to keep in mind. 

Advantages of Buying a New Construction Home

One of the advantages of buying a new construction home is that you have the opportunity to customize your home to your specific needs and wants. When you work with a builder to construct your home, you'll be able to choose things like the layout, finishes, fixtures, and appliances. This means that you can create a space that is truly tailored to your…

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Saskatoon wears its "Foodies Paradise" badge with honour. With so many restaurants to choose from one could spend every day of the year trying a new restaurant and never run out of options! Plus, the great thing about local restaurants is supporting small businesses, farmers and producers in the community. Since most of our produce is seasonal, menus are apt to change every few months, making it exciting to revisit. Not sure where to start? No problem! I have done the heavy lifting for you with a concise list of my favourite local Saskatoon restaurants you need to try this summer!

Best Brunch

Hometown Diner: Located in Riversdale, on 20th Street, each dish is made from scratch with the freshest ingredients. Chef Cole Dobranski and his team…

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Buying a home can be challenging. After all, there are many steps, tasks, and requirements, and you may be anxious about making an expensive mistake.

To clarify the process, so you can get the most out of your purchase, here is a rundown of what to consider before you buy, and what you can expect from the homebuying process itself. Plus, tips to make life easier after buying your home.

Why to Make a List of Wants & Needs Before Buying a House

  • Creating a list of wants and needs will save you plenty of time in the long run when you won’t have to bother looking at houses that don’t “fit.”

  • It allows you to think about the investment with your head, not your heart.

  • Gets all the buyers involved on the same page, eliminating…

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It’s no secret that technology has invaded every aspect of our lives, and the real estate industry is no different. The past few years have seen an explosion of growth in what technology is being used and how it has shaped the way we sell houses today. 

Come with me as we explore how technology has made buying and selling homes more effortless and why it's better than ever to work with a trusted real estate professional in this ever-shifting industry. 

Social Media & Advertising

Before the abundance of technology, the best way to promote a home on the market used to be through newspaper ads or billboards. While these methods are still in use, the real estate industry has significantly shifted to adopting social media and websites as a key…

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When searching for your dream home, it's easy to get caught up in the little details when creating your list of wants and needs. Just as important as the number of bedrooms and having a finished basement, though, is the neighbourhood all those features will be in. With over 60 to choose from, choosing the right neighbourhood in Saskatoon can feel like a daunting task. But really, it all comes down to what is most important to you—whether that is access to amenities, commutability, affordability, etc.

For some, that one thing they may be prioritizing in their home search is finding a new home in which they can make their family's mark. And though infill properties are growing in popularity, the best place to find a new home is in one of Saskatoon's…

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So after days, weeks, or maybe even months of searching, you’ve finally found your dream home. Congratulations! You’re about to own a home—perhaps even your first home—and while that’s an exciting new venture to look forward to, there’s a lot to take care of before possession day. There seems to be an endless list of things to remember, from meetings with your real estate lawyer to securing your mortgage. And to top it all off, you’ve just now come across “title insurance” but have no idea what it is or whether you need it.

What is Title Insurance

First and foremost, to understand title insurance, you will need to understand what a title is. Essentially, a title is just the legal term for the right to own the property. So when you buy a home,…

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With the rapid spike in the number of Canadians working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a good chance you are among those who adopted a home office over the past couple of years. In doing so, you have also likely taken advantage or at least heard of the work-from-home tax credits available.

Changes to the Work-From-Home Tax Credits Due to COVID-19

Tax credits have been available for many years for Canadians working from home, either as a self-employed or remote-based employee. However, the Canadian government has made several changes to them over the past couple of years due to the rise of COVID-19 in 2020.

First and foremost was introducing the flat rate method for the 2021 tax season. This allowed anyone who worked more than…

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So you started your home search, found your dream home, and are writing up an offer with your REALTOR®—congratulations! Buying a home is an exciting time, and when it feels like you’ve found the perfect one, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking of it as your own even before the offer has been sent in. You start imagining your new future and all the adventures your family will have there, and before you know it, you’ve already started calling it “yours!”

A word of caution, though… As exhilarating as it is to feel like you have finally pinned down your new home, there are still some steps to take care of before making it official. One of the most crucial being the home inspection. Sure, your possible new house looks perfect behind those…

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