Real Estate Blog - Saskatoon real estate

How Your Home’s Value is Determined

If you have been thinking about selling your home, likely the most pressing question on your mind is, “How much is my home actually worth?” Much like how a car’s value starts to change the moment you drive it off the dealer’s lot, your home’s value similarly changes over time. And depending on a variety of factors that influence how the real estate market is today, that could mean appreciation or depreciation. 

The best way to get a quick and free assessment of your home’s valuation is to have a comparative market analysis done by an experienced and knowledgeable Saskatoon REALTOR®. They use real market data and real buyer experiences to help you get an accurate understanding of what people are willing to pay for your home right now. Here are some of…

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Your Guide to Buying a New Construction Home

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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Everything You Need to Know About Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

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…

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5 Kitchen Renovations to Consider Before Selling Your House

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…

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Your Guide to Buying an Investment Property

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…

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Homebuyer’s Guide to Choosing the Right Neighbourhood

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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7 Steps to Buying a House

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 always…

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The First Time Home Buyer Incentive: What It Is & How To Get It

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 Incentive?

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10 Reasons to Buy

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 you…

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