It's a well-known reality that making money is a hard job, but making it flourish in any way is even more challenging. Speaking of which, growing your money is more difficult than making it in the first place.   So, when it comes to investing their money, people frequently look for a variety of possibilities in order to avoid losing it. They put their money into businesses, stocks, bonds, real estate, and property. However, each of these options has its own set of pros and... [read more]

One of the essential uses of equity is to invest in real estate. Most people use their equity casually and end up with either no financial means or an extra load of loans. Here are five ways that you need to avoid doing with your extra equity.   Needless Expenses Just how one drop of water makes a river, one dollar either makes you rich or poor. Although spending on a few luxuries or dine-outs may seem like a “small expense,” they add up to a large amount. Before you... [read more]

The Great Toronto Area’s housing market is one flexible and rapidly changing market of all times. This ground is a little challenging to play in, from fluctuation in prices and demands to the uncertainty of interest rates.    Home equity is also known as a home equity installment loan or second mortgage. It helps the homeowners to borrow against their equity. These loans are based on two factors: the home’s current market value and mortgage balance... [read more]

When you bought a house, you might have thought about the next four or five years. Fast forward ten years, you now have two girls who do not wish to share the room and other family members do not want to give up on their space or another scenario could be that you are near retirement period and you need more rooms in your house for your grandkids —  what to do now?   Your first thought is home renovation, but you are a little skeptical about the expenses. Today we will... [read more]

Your home equity is the value of your home minus the amount of mortgage you owe. Home equity fluctuates alongside the market, but there are ways you can increase your home equity.   Now, home equity is valuable to you for a variety of reasons. You can borrow against your home if you have good credit scores, you can cancel private mortgage insurance when your equity reaches 20% or more, and you can sell for a greater profit the higher your home equity is.   No matter what... [read more]

I’m passionate about real estate. But more than that, I’m passionate about helping my clients invest their hard earned money in a way that will not only get them their dream home, but do so in a way that gets them the biggest bang for their buck. That’s why they call me the Equity Master. I know how to help you choose the right investment for the least amount of capital and simultaneously gain you more equity in ways you may not have thought of.   Based in... [read more]

Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. The clock “falls back” one hour on Sunday November 3rd at 2:00AM (making it 1:00AM). This allows for more light in the morning, but unfortunately makes it darker much sooner in the evenings.   Daylight saving time can be a great way to remind us to do some important tasks around the house,     Test your smoke detectors & Replace Batteries: Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are incredibly important.... [read more]

“Remote-friendly” workplaces are one of those rising trends. This workplace can Increase appeal for homebuyers If you think it might be time to get to work on sprucing up (or creating) that home-office space, here are some tips to help you get started:   Designate a Dedicated Office Space One of the pitfalls to working from home is distraction. It’s crucial to create an atmosphere that’s conducive to professionalism and creativity. If your... [read more]

The impact of climate change affects us all. Not only are the Earth’s temperatures rising, we are seeing more natural disasters as a result of the phenomenon and natural habitats are declining at an alarming rate. The good news is, there are small steps you can take for a more energy efficient home, that go beyond recycling and composting. Consider the following tips for going green: Install a smart thermostat: Heating and cooling your home takes an immense amount of energy, and the... [read more]

From splitting expenses, to sharing chores and everything in between, there are many benefits to living in a multi-generational home. This living arrangement can help reduce stress, save money and strengthen a family’s bond. Many homeowners tend to pass on this type of living situation, feeling they could lose their privacy or independence, but it is possible to re-design a home to ensure that everyone has their own space and a place to get some quiet time! Here are four renovation... [read more]

Keep your home from serving as a breeding ground for the cold or flu virus with these simple tips:   1. Keep the remotes wiped off Flu sufferers are likely to spend long hours on the couch sniffling and feeling sorry for themselves, clicking through Netflix. So all those remotes will be covered in germs. Make sure their germs don’t stick around by cleaning your remote regularly using antibacterial wipes.   2. Lose the shoes Flu-causing viruses and... [read more]

Spending an hour watching one of the many house flipping shows on TV or online can be enough to convince anyone to try this quick and easy investment and good way to make thousands of dollars of profit in a short time. The process looks very easy and anyone can do it. Just buy a cheap old house, spend a little time and money to renovate it, and then resell for thousand more than you paid... right? But actually, nothing is ever as easy as it looks, and if you now own a house you are trying... [read more]

The tiny home trend comes with many benefits, such as a lower price and less “stuff” to clutter your life. But living in a bachelor apartment, loft or bona fide “tiny home” can be tricky when it comes to planning where to put your furniture and belongings. You may have to get creative in terms of storage, beds, coffee tables and just about everything in between. Thankfully, it’s easy to make the most out of a small space by strategizing your interior design. Here... [read more]

    When looking into ways to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market, think smart — “smart home,” that is. Installing at least three high-tech features in your house can up your sale price and entice the next generation of buyers to step inside.   Applied Science If you want the biggest return on investment, start in the kitchen and by measuring your space for a new smart fridge, stove and dishwasher. State-of-the-art... [read more]

As first-time homeowners, you might get to a point where it’s time to sell your house and move on to your next home. However, you don’t want to sell your home at the wrong time—you might have trouble finding buyers or you might miss out on making the most money back. Therefore, it’s crucial to watch the market in order to gauge whether it’s time to put your house up for sale. There are several things to consider before doing so, especially when it comes to a... [read more]

Whether you are a first-time home-buyer or a current homeowner looking to downsize, more than likely you will be viewing houses or attending open houses while searching for the perfect home. Regardless of how experienced you are with home buying and home owning, there are always things that are missed when going through the house hunting and home buying process.   We, at RE/MAX, reached out to our Influencers – a panel consisting of RE/MAX sales associates... [read more]

If your goal is sell your home faster, renovations can help move the needle. Buyers are attracted to a space that feels new and modern, so even small upgrades can go a long way – especially if it’s been decades since the last home update. If you plan to put your house on the market, consider making these small but impactful updates before you list.   Fresh Paint: A fresh coat of paint, both inside and outside the home, can brighten up the space and make... [read more]

One of your objectives as a homebuyer – and ultimately, a home seller – is to achieve the highest return on investment. A hot property value boils down to a number of factors, such as location, proximity to public transit, the local and greater economy, and the market conditions at the time you list your home. While some of these factors are entirely out of the seller’s control, there are some things you can do to influence your home’s selling price. Whether your... [read more]

Real Estate offers both entrepreneurs and investors a path for low-risk, long-term investment which can benefit them more than stocks, shares or investing in a company based in Silicon Valley.  1. It’s safer, easier, and more stable When compared to other asset classes, real estate wins because of one thing; real estate industry is far less risky and volatile. It’s more stable, especially for people who invest in rental properties. As a real estate investor, you... [read more]

House flipping is, essentially, buying a house or property with the intent to sell it for a profit. But the logistics can get pretty complicated. There are a lot of decisions to make from the beginning. Where should you buy? If you purchase a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood, you're banking on the neighborhood increasing in value. If you decide to buy in a new development, you'll want to attract higher-end home buyers who want the luxury features and... [read more]

  As the famous saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover – except, of course, when we’re talking about real estate. When buyers are hunting for their dream home, curb appeal can be the deciding factor on whether or not they want to take a closer look inside. Here are five tips to set your listing apart from the others on the block. Improve Your Curb Appeal 5 Easy Tips to Get Started Start with the Basics: One of the first things... [read more]

Whenever you leave your home, you want everything to be in its place when you get back. Protect yourself from theft with these DO’s and DON'Ts of home security.     DO’s   Lock It Down Sure, it’s home-security common sense to have locks on all exterior doors, but have you thought about other entrances? Basically, any entrance into the property should have a locking mechanism, including gates and windows. Many burglaries aren’t... [read more]

As the snow begins to melt, a homeowner should prepare his/her springtime to-do list. Beyond your lawn-maintenance basics, there are a number of must-do tasks that are often overlooked but incredibly important — especially if you’re considering listing your home this selling season or you would like to keep your house's value up.   Gutter Mutter We all know that gutters are designed to whisk away spring showers and melting snow but they do much more than divert... [read more]

You’ve filed your taxes (or you’re planning to very soon) and you’re expecting an income tax refund. To some, this perceived windfall can be a sign to go on a spending binge. According to Canada Revenue Agency, the average income tax refund for the 2018 tax year to date is $1,735 – about the cost of an all-inclusive vacation for one in the sunny south, a few nice dinners out, or a very decent shopping spree. If you’re getting an... [read more]

That is a question that real estate agents get asked a lot. In general, real estate tends to be a good investment as, in most cases, real estate appreciates in value over time. However, how much you pay for the property, how much it increases in value, and how long that takes varies greatly. Here’s the breakdown on investing in real estate to help you decide if it’s right for you. What is the Average Rate of Return on Real Estate Investments?  We expect to see modest... [read more]

Purchasing your first home is a milestone in your life, and becoming a first-time homeowner is an exciting moment. It can also be scary because there is so much you need to do in preparation. You need to make sure you are financially ready, get the paperwork in order, find a home and get a first time home buyer’s mortgage. But that's OK, because we are here to guide you through the buying process. We can help you to get approved, get the paperwork, and find the your dream... [read more]

One of the many benefits of owning a home is having the ability to sell it one day – hopefully for a healthy profit, which can then be leveraged to purchase a larger home, an investment or recreational property, or help finance your retirement. Once you decide that you’re ready to take the leap and list your home for sale, the next question you need to ask is, “How much is my house worth?” This is a loaded question indeed. It opens the floodgates to a slew... [read more]

Are you apartment owner? Is Your family is expanding? It's the time to upsize and move from apartment to your dream house !!   When you think about moving from apartment to your first house, the 1st thing you think about is: Will I be able to afford house payments?   YES, you can NOW.   Now, it's the best time to sell your apartment. Apartment prices are the highest since many years. For a house of $200k higher than your apartment price, you... [read more]

Many TV shows, vlogs and podcasts make it look as if house flipping is an easy, fun and highly profitable investment. Many investors have indeed made a handsome profit from house flipping. Maybe you know someone who has, or possibly have heard sensational anecdotes from friends, family members and internet blogs of people becoming rich overnight. And while its true that house flipping can be a profitable enterprise, it would be a fallacy to believe that you can simply throw repair money at any... [read more]

The real estate market is always booming in Ontario no matter how that would fluctuate during the year. Investing in additional property or even in your first property is a good investment for many reasons. When looking to invest in property in Ontario, you will need to have the down payment (20% if it is your second property) calculated with your realtor and mortgage provider to make sure you are covered financially. But the goal is to have tenants gradually pay off the mortgage so that... [read more]

For many years, investing in the real estate market has been a very smart move for many obvious reasons. However, investing in property in Canada is the smart thing to do. Why? Here are few reasons as we will not be able to add all the reasons of why should you invest in Canada. Real Estate is a Beast! The real estate market in Canada recently has been like a beast that is fed generously. With the different interest and high demand of the local investors and international investors,... [read more]

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused by all the decisions that go into buying a new home in Canada, but if you are well prepared that can be reduced. As I always say: If you want to buy a property tomorrow, start planning today! Your budget plan should start two years before the offer day and that should be communicated with all the members that will be involved in this saving plan. Here are few tips on how to budget for a home and be prepared for this important... [read more]

Home maintenance is something every homeowner should do, such as staining the deck or maintaining the roof, but some choose to make improvements with the intention of increasing the home's value. Some improvements, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as that does add to the value of the home. Other improvements, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell. Some projects might add a great value to the owner way of... [read more]

We have recently noticed the change in property prices with the beginning of 2017. This article will help you understand the background and will present some important announcements considering Toronto and the GTA that was released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).  The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has updated its forecast for home sales activity via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) Systems of Canadian real estate Boards and... [read more]

A 72-acre piece of land on Mississauga's waterfront is set to be reborn as a mixed-use development consisting of housing, retail and a new waterfront park. The former industrial property, vacant for almost three decades and located at 70 Mississauga Road South in Port Credit, was sold by Imperial Oil Ltd. to a real estate consortium called the West Village Partners in 2016. On Monday, the consortium revealed its plans for the development they call "West Village," which they describe as a... [read more]

While it is known that good smell can add lots to the selling process, I say, too much of a good smell is not good. Every home has it's unique smell, it is built with time and it usually references to the style of the home owners. But when selling your house, your style can be not the style that can help you with the process. Eric Spangenberg, Dean of the College of Business at Washington State University, has spent years studying the effect of smell on buying behavior.... [read more]

In the unfortunate circumstance that a homeowner is past-due on their monthly mortgage payments, they pave the way for a “foreclosure” on their property. In today’s market, banks and other lenders do not turn to foreclosure to take away the homes of homeowners who are in arrears. Instead, they perform a "Power of Sale" which is wholly different from a Foreclosure. What is a Foreclosure? Foreclosures are laborious, grueling, and costly to both the... [read more]