The Real Estate Blog - Greg Dewar

Are You Financially Ready to Buy a House?

Are You Financially Ready to Buy a House?

Are you a first time home buyer? If you’re starting to think about buying a home and have peeked inside an open house or two, you'll want to keep reading.

If your employment is secure and you plan on living in the same place for a while, it might be time to consider if you are financially ready to purchase a home. Here are some important financial questions everyone should ask themselves before they buy a home:

Do you have a Down Payment?

The minimum down payment to purchase a home today is 5% of the purchase price. Obviously the more you are able to put down the better, and anything over 20% of the purchase price will also help you avoid paying fees for mortgage insurance.

More money for Other…

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Why work with a realtor when selling your home?

Selling Your Home: Why Use A REALTOR®?

One of the most common questions I get as a REALTOR® is why work with a realtor when selling your home? There are a lot of practical reasons why working with a real estate agent can benefit you when you’re selling your home – but I’ve narrowed it down to what I think are the top ten. You may already know some of the reasons why you should work with a realtor but I think you’ll discover some hidden benefits that you weren’t aware of!

Top 10 Benefits of Selling with a REALTOR®:

1. A realtor can help you decide when to sell your home so that you can make the most money. We have the market knowledge you need to make sure you are listing at the most optimal time.

2. A realtor can help you determine…

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Spooky Season in Cambridge

Spooky Season is Here!

With Halloween just around the corner, pumpkins and fake spiderwebs have begun popping up all around the neighbourhoods. Like many parents, you might be wondering what to do with your little ones this year, as there is a lot of uncertainty to what is even available or open.

Luckily Waterloo Region has plenty to do! Here are some local fun ideas from TheRecord.com:

Family Fun at Snyder’s Farm

Open each weekend in October, Snyder’s Farm offers classic farm attractions like hayrides, a corn maze, haunted house, animal barnyard and more. This outdoor, physically distanced experience also includes a licensed patio and a bakery serving delicious food and drinks.

Go Thrill-Seeking at Bingemans Screampark

This is one…

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Galt Developers Are Seeking New Heights!

* UPDATE - City Council Approves Development, details below. [10.21.2021] *

Big Changes May Be Coming To Downtown Galt's Skyline | Local News

In preparation for a potential LRT line through downtown, possible changes are coming to the Galt Core Area Height Guidelines. This could mean a new look for the core of downtown.

Some of the proposed developments would include a Park Hill Road 37-storey building containing 253 residential units, as well as 30-storey and 24-storey buildings on Shade Street boasting an additional combined 445 units.

The biggest development though is on Water Street, where the fate of 5 buildings totaling 991 residential units hangs in the balance of the City Council's decision on height limits.

Of course, as with any…

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Home Renovations to Avoid When Selling Your Home

Sellers: Avoid These Renovations

Recently I shared some of the things you can do to increase the value of your home when you're selling it. This week I wanted to share some of the things that you should avoid doing if you're trying to increase the value of your home. The following things aren't worth the time, money, or the hassle that will come of it. You want to make sure that every penny you spend on your home is going to give you a return that you can bank on.

Putting in a Pool.

Many families don't want to have to deal with the hassle of a pool, including cleaning it or maintaining it. Some people with children want to avoid the risk of accidental drowning that comes with a pool. In reality, even if you would like a pool, it can only be…

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Staging Your Home

Staging Your Home

Before you place your home on the market you should try to achieve a show home quality. You want to highlight your home's strong points and minimize the weak points. You are trying to persuade someone to spend Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars on your home, so you should try to deliver a quality product.

Get your Home Ready for Showings by focusing on these areas:

Lighting.

Open blinds & drapes, make sure all light fixtures are on & have working bulbs during showings. Many houses don't have enough lighting to begin with but you can go to any big box store and buy beautiful fixtures or lamps for minimal investment.

Living Areas.

Make sure furniture isn’t blocking the flow of a room. You might have a great sectional…

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How to Clean Up Fast - Preparing for Last Minute House Viewings

How to Clean Up Fast

When it's time to sell your home, the presentation of the property will strongly influence whether buyers make an offer. If you're still living in the house, it can be difficult to prepare for last minute house viewings, especially if your personal belongings are left out. If you want to clean up the house quickly before potential buyers arrive, there are a few important steps to take.

Check Your Curb Appeal

The curb appeal of your home is the first impression that you make on home buyers. Make sure your lawn is nicely trimmed. Spend time daily making sure toys or yard tools are put away neatly. You'll also need to pick up after pets that may spend time in the setting every day.

Remove Clutter

Clutter is an…

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Tips on Moving from a Family Home to a Condo

Downsizing

Many people are making the decision to downsize from a larger family home into a smaller condo. Condo living may be more affordable and convenient because you do not have to care for the exterior of the building or the landscaping. The realtors at Dewar Realty, can help you find the perfect condo for your needs. However, because you are moving into a smaller space with neighbours closer by, it is important to properly prepare yourself for this new living experience.

Prepare to Live in a Smaller Space

You should take steps to downsize your belongings before you relocate to your new condo. Conduct thorough cleaning to eliminate unnecessary clutter. Determine which furnishings you will have room for in your new condo. For the items…

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Should I Purchase a Condo or a House?

House or Condo: What Should I Purchase?

Looking for a new home can be tough, especially when you are not exactly sure what you want. The best thing you can do is make a list of your non-negotiables. What does your new home absolutely need to have? This will make your ultimate decisions a lot easier. In fact, it will even help determine the type of property that will best suit your needs - a condo or a house? There are a few things to take into consideration when choosing between the two.

Price

If you are just looking to invest in a piece of real estate, condos are generally less expensive than detached homes. This holds true, of course, unless you are comparing at a house in the middle of nowhere and condo in the heart of an urban…

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Selling Your Home With Pets

"What Should I Do With My Pets?"

Your pets may be cute, cuddly and very friendly, but the reality is that they can be a detriment when you are trying to sell your home. Some sellers are afraid of certain pets, or they may have an allergy. They may think that pets make the home dirty, or the home may have an animal odor that strikes buyers as soon as they walk in the front door. These are just some of the many reasons why your pets may pose an issue when you list your home for sale. Our team at Dewar Realty has considerable experience helping our clients sell homes for top dollar in the Cambridge area. I myself have 100lb dog’s so I understand the challenges well & by following a few helpful tips, you can more easily overcome the issues of selling…

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