Found 25 blog entries tagged as real estate.

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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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Hands down, one of the number one questions I get asked as a REALTOR® is, “When is the best time to sell my house?” The trouble with answering that question, though, is that the “best time” can vary quite significantly from family to family. However, if we are looking purely from a perspective of how the market is doing, here are some of the pros and cons to selling at different times of the year:

Selling Your Home in Winter

Winter is traditionally thought of as the worst time to sell your house, with less demand in the market. Typically, with more homes for sale than buyers looking, properties tend to sit on the market for longer, and those buyers that are in the market may be looking to take advantage of the slow season for a better price,…

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Buying a house isn’t like buying a new TV. You can’t just walk in the store, drop some cash, and leave with your new purchase. A house is a piece of equity and one of the largest purchases you can make in a lifetime, so it’s understandable that there is a certain procedure in place to ensure the transaction goes as smoothly as possible. So, whether you’re buying for the first time or simply need a refresher on how it goes, here are the steps to buying a house.

Step 1: Determine if You’re Ready

Like I said before, a house is one of the biggest purchases you can make, so it’s important to remember that, while it may seem like a good idea in theory, it’s not a pool you can jump into without checking the water first. Before diving in, you should…

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Easily one of the most common questions I get when working with new buyers is “What should I be looking for when buying a house?” And rightfully so; buying a home is one of the largest purchases you are going to make in your lifetime! You want to be sure you’re getting what you want and need! So what should you be looking for?

#1: Ownership History

The house you’re looking at may seem to check off every box on your list, but there may be something you can’t see that you’re missing. The easiest way to tell? Look at the ownership turnover! If the house has passed hands every couple of years for the last decade, that may be a pretty good indicator that there’s something pushing owners out. 

When looking at houses to buy in Saskatoon, my…

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If you are purchasing a home for the first time, the role of “First Time Home Buyer” can come with a lot of questions. Do I need a real estate agent? Where can I find a real estate lawyer? How much does it actually cost? And, of course, how do I get a mortgage? 

Understandably, with all of these questions—and more!—swimming around in your mind, it can be easy to begin feeling overwhelmed. Luckily, that’s where a REALTOR® can help! We work in the realm of Saskatoon real estate each and every day, making us more than familiar with every question you can think of. Plus, we come with some other handy and even helpful information that can help you along the way—including the First Time Home Buyer Incentive.

What is the First Time Home Buyer…

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