Getting a mortgage in OntarioIf you’re new to the home buying process, mortgages might seem a little complicated and overwhelming to you. Luckily, in today’s blog post I’m breaking down exactly what a mortgage is and the most important things you need to know about them.

What exactly is a mortgage?
A mortgage is a loan that is secured by property (the home you’re planning to purchase) and paid for over a set amount of time in installments.

How do I get a mortgage?
To get a mortgage, you will need to meet a variety of criteria set out by a lender. This will include things like credit history, income and assets. A mortgage lender can be a broker, a bank or credit union.

How big of a mortgage can I get?
The amount of your mortgage depends on your income. The more money you…

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Why you should hire a home stagerIf you've decided to sell your home, you might be wondering whether it's worth it to hire a home stager. As a seller, your ultimate goal is to sell your home and this can happen much more quickly when the house appeals to the buyer as much as possible. A home stager will make sure each room in your home is reworked to best market it to the potential buyer by showing it in its best light.

The reality is that staging your home benefits the seller a great deal because a well-dressed, nice-looking home will sell much faster than one that is not. When a potential buyer comes through your home, they want to purchase a home that looks great and is move-in ready, which is why hiring a professional stager can save you a lot of time and money. A home stager…

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What you need to do before buying a Cambridge homeYou’ve decided to buy a home but now what? I’ve put together a list of five important things you need to do before buying a home. For even more advice, check out our blog post on where to start when you’ve decided to buy a home.

  1. Choose experienced professionals to work with. This includes finding a realtor who is familiar and experienced in the city or area you want to move to. Prepare a list of questions to ask your realtor before you meet him or her. Find out what kind of experience they have, how many buyers they’re currently working with and ask if they can share any references with you. Finding a trusted house inspector who will inspect the home you want to buy and finding a lawyer who can help you when you close on the house is equally…

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Pros & Cons of Buying a Home

Pros and cons of buying a houseWelcome back to my two-part blog series on renting vs. buying a home! This week’s post takes a look at the pros and cons of buying a home. It’s no secret that I think buying a home is more beneficial than renting for most people. Take a look at the pros and cons of buying a home below and start thinking about which option is best for you!

Pros of Buying a Home:

  • Owning your home builds equity and it’s an asset that can be sold down the line. This means that if the house appreciates in value, you will make a profit when you sell the home.
  • Even if your home doesn’t appreciate in value (which is highly unlikely) you still have an asset you can sell when it is paid off.
  • Your monthly mortgage payments are stable,…

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Pros & Cons of Renting a Home

Renting vs buying a house

As a Cambridge realtor, one of the questions I’m often asked is whether it’s better to rent or buy. Truthfully, it depends on your situation, what you can afford and whether or how long you plan to stay in your home. Right now I’m covering the pros and cons of renting vs. buying in a two-part blog series but in a later post I’ll share why I believe buying is always preferable. This blog post is dedicated to the pros and cons of renting a home and what to keep in mind if this is a decision you’re leaning towards. Stay tuned for next week’s blog post on the pros and cons of buying a home.

Pros of Renting a Home

  • No maintenance is required. If something breaks or you have a plumbing issue, it will be your landlord’s…

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Galt Dunfield Theatre CambridgeIf you’re looking for a neighbourhood in Cambridge, Ontario to suit your needs, you might be interested in learning more about Galt. Galt comprises a large portion of Cambridge which is why it’s usually broken into three distinct neighbourhoods with unique characteristics: East Galt, West Galt and North Galt.

East Galt, Cambridge:

East Galt home are some of the most southerly in Cambridge. This area is quickly growing, with many developments building new homes in the area. This part of Galt is close to Brantford and Hamilton, perfect for commuters to either of these cities. In addition to newer homes, East Galt features many communities with century homes. This is also the part of Galt where the downtown core is located, with several blocks lining…

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Because buying a home is usually considered to be a good investment, many people want to get into the real estate market, regardless of their credit history. Right now, the real estate market is favourable to buyers since interest rates have remained low for so long. But for those who have a bad credit history, buying can be tough. In 2012, the Globe & Mail reported that more than one in eight Canadians will declare bankruptcy or negotiate a debt settlement with creditors. This means that there are a lot of Canadians with bad credit who recognize the value in purchasing a home. Here are somethings to keep in mind if you’re buying a house with bad credit.

You might need to wait two years after you’ve been discharged from bankruptcy or consumer proposal…

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You’ve saved enough money for your down payment and have been preapproved for a mortgage but now what? Before you go ahead and purchase your dream house, you need to be aware of the hidden closing costs in Ontario which could impact your home buying budget. Having enough money to cover all the closing costs and hidden fees you might not have considered will make for a smooth closing with no surprises.

 

Typical Closing Costs in Ontario:

  • Home Inspection – If the home you’re purchasing isn’t brand new, a home inspection fee will cost around $500. The home inspector goes through each room of the house to evaluate the structures and its condition. You’ll get a written report with the findings and what the costs to any repairs would be when the…

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Why work with a realtorOne of the most commonly asked questions that most realtors get is why a buyer needs a real estate agent when they’re buying a house. Although many people can certainly buy a home themselves, the home buying process isn’t as simple as many people make it out to be.

In today’s blog, I’m giving you a list of my top reasons why you should work with a real estate agent when you’re buying a home. From convenience to saving yourself the headache of miles of paperwork, each person’s reason for working with a realtor is going to be a little different. 

Why you should work with a realtor to buy your next home

  • Help you find exactly what you want. Whether you’re looking for a giant backyard to play soccer in or need a pool for the summertime, a realtor…

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When you’re looking for a new home it might be difficult to determine what a house is actually worth before making an offer. As a realtor, my advice is to always do your research and to really use the skills of your realtor to help you make an informed decision before putting an offer in on a home.

Here are some things that anyone can do to help them get a handle on what a home is really worth.

  1. Rely on your realtor. This one is a bit of a no-brainer and definitely shows my bias, but it’s true. If you’re working with a realtor, this is one of the top benefits of doing so – they have the knowledge, skills and experience to recognize what a home is actually worth. They’ll be able to tell you if the home is overpriced or even if it’s underpriced and…

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