A tree-lined street with century-old oaks and stately, ancient homes has great curb appeal. However, before you invest your life savings into purchasing an antique home with tons of character, make sure you know what you are signing up for. Keep in mind that there is a huge commitment in time, cost and energy. Do as much as you can before you make an offer to avoid unforeseen issues down the road.

Get Two Inspections

An inspector is human and prone to mistakes, even one used to dealing with older homes. It is worth the money to get a second inspection to ensure that you know all the required repairs, and count on there always being repairs. You should include a structural engineer and a bug expert in the inspection team.

Common Issues with Older…

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Should you buy a house in the CountryOwning a home in the country is a dream for many people. Wide open spaces, fresh air, plenty of room to do your own thing – it is understandable that living a rural lifestyle is appealing. But when you get down to the actual home buying process in a country environment, it is important to remember that such properties present a unique set of potential problems.

 

 

Things To Consider Before Buying A Home In The Country

1. Is the septic system in good working order?

Because rural areas lack a sewer system, country homes require a septic system to process waste produced in the home. As a buyer, you want to verify that the septic system is functional and adequate for the needs of the home. If the system has not been properly maintained, or if…

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The Best Time of Year to Buy or Sell in OntarioBuying and selling property in Ontario is very nuances. Seasons and weather factor heavily in determining the real estate market; the busiest time for both buying and selling is in the spring and to a lesser extent the fall. Unfortunately, if you are caught between these high times, it can be very difficult to move on a property. The conundrum is that in Ontario, the best time to buy and sell often coincide. So, it can be difficult to get a good deal (buying) and drive up asking prices (selling) when the market is so competitive

When to Sell

There is more inventory in the spring, so buyers come out to browse. Overall, despite increased competition, this works to the sellers' advantage. One pundit even crunched the number to project the absolute best…

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Should you Live DowntownLiving in the city can be a great choice for many people. The culture, the nightlife, and the proximity to essential amenities can be an alluring draw for those looking to live at a faster pace than in the suburbs or country. Add this to the fact that many Southwestern Ontario cities, like Cambridge, are sponsoring multi-million dollar projects to update and improve their downtown cores and you may have a compelling argument for living the city lifestyle!

One element of living in a city’s downtown core usually means sacrificing space by living in an apartment or a condo. However, depending on your priorities and values, this is not necessarily a bad thing. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, someone living in an apartment style…

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Nice to Haves in A New PropertyShopping for a new home can be an overwhelming experience. When you’re busy looking at multiple homes over a short period, it can be easy to miss details in a house which might add a lot of value to you and your family’s living experience in the long run. In this blog, we’ll look at several updates, installations and features you should look for in a property when choosing a new home.

 

New Windows

The state of a house’s windows is an often-overlooked feature when people are buying a property. If the house is on a highly trafficked street, modern windows can insulate much of the noise from cars passing by. Depending on their quality, windows can also save you money in the long run by being energy efficient and keeping heat in your home. Make sure…

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The Importance of Location When House HuntingThere are many important factors to consider when buying a new home, and certainly high on the list is the location of the new property. Even something as innocuous as whether the home catches the sun in the morning or evening can influence a purchaser’s buying decision. This blog will explore location-based characteristics to consider when buying or selling property. It can be used by home buyers – to ensure they’ve considered all relevant location-related questions when inspecting a new property – and by sellers – to help accentuate the positive aspects of their land’s location when marketing their home.

How old is the house/neighbourhood

Certain parts of towns and cities were naturally built before others. It’s good to know how old the house and…

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Additional Costs to Consider When Buying a HomeIf you are preparing to buy your first home, there are additional pre-closing, closing, and post-closing costs above the down payment that you may need to include in your budget. At Dewar Realty, we can help you through the home buying process so you don’t get hit with unexpected fees. Check out our guide below.

Pre-Closing Costs

Home Inspection

While this isn't mandatory, a home inspection can help you avoid potentially expensive problems later. A home inspection is a visual examination by a certified home inspector of a home's major structure and systems. A home inspection report identifies necessary repairs or improvements, when they should be done, and the approximate cost involved. The cost of a home inspection depends on the age, location…

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Home Buying Tips for MillennialsWhen I talk to millennials (those born between 1980 and 2000) their number one concern when it comes to property ownership is affordability. To be fair, they have a lot of legitimate financial challenges ahead. A volatile labour market, high demand for real estate, and rising property prices in major urban centres combine to make it difficult for this new generation to buy a house at an early age. However, a willingness to compromise on location, strong financial prudence, and knowing what they want in a home can go a long way towards helping millennials purchase the perfect house for them.

Looking outside of major metropolitan centres could save millennials money if they are being priced out of property. Toronto real estate prices are soaring and many…

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What to Ask During a Home Inspection?Many home buyers feel like they know what to expect when finalizing their new home purchase. However, there are many questions a home buyer needs to remember to ask, especially during the home inspection. Knowing what to ask will help reduce the risk of something being overlooked or missing something beneath the surface. This can cause additional out-of-pocket expenses for the buyer after the purchase has been finalized.

During the home inspection, there are some questions buyers need to remember to ask. Here are some of those questions:

Can I see your license?

It is important to have a licensed home inspector conduct the inspection. Do not be afraid to ask to see his or her license and certification.

Who are you working for?

Make sure the…

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Tips for selling a Home with petsYou love your pets of course, and you’ve shared your home with them for a long time. You feel like your house is their house too, and justifiably so. You can’t imagine your home without them.

But the fact is, when you’re trying to sell your home, showing the house with pets around, or even any signs of them, is simply not a good idea. Too many people are just turned off at the presence of a pet, for a variety of reasons, some good, some bad. Maybe they’re worried about possible damage to the home. Maybe they have allergies. Maybe they had a bad experience when they were a child. Maybe they just don’t like animals.

I know first hand what it takes. I have a very hairy, 100lb, Alaskan Malamute. She is a fantastic dog but she makes a mess of things!…

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