The Real Estate Blog - Buying

Advantages of Buying A Home in the Winter

Advantages of Buying a Home in the Winter

Don't wait until Spring!

We've shared how to find a hot deal on a home purchase in the summer, but many clients often ask me when the best time of year is to purchase a home. Many people say that it's crucial to buy a home in the spring or summer because you have the most options to choose from but the reality is that people buy and sell homes all year. What a lot of people don't realize is that buying a home in winter can actually have a lot of advantages that you might not even have considered.

One of the biggest advantages to buying a home in the winter is avoiding competition. With most people focused on the holiday season, there is less competition for homes. In today's bidding war-centered real…

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Exploring Cambridge’s Diverse Neighbourhoods

Welcome to
Cambridge, Ontario

As a Cambridge realtor, I frequently get asked what part of Cambridge is best to live in. My answer always depends on what the asker’s lifestyle is – do they like to be in the thick of things or are they looking for a quiet spot to settle down? Do they have children or would they prefer to be in a good location to commute to Toronto?

One of the reasons why Cambridge is such an appealing place to live is because of its proximity to Toronto and also because the city itself is mature with a wide range of different styles of homes. There are four main neighbourhoods in Cambridge – each of which I’ve written about before but I think is worth tying together with an nice overview for an even easier comparison.

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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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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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Buying a Home While Going Through a Divorce

Buying a Home While Going Through a Divorce

Divorce is one of the most emotionally devastating events that you can experience, and you understandably want to get your life settled as quickly as possible. Buying a new home can help you to establish new roots and get back on your feet. However, if you plan to buy real estate before your divorce is finalized, you should consider a few important points before you get started.

The Assets for the Down Payment

Simply filing for divorce does not dissolve the marriage, but assets may be divided when you are legally separated. Whether you are using cash for a down payment or to buy the property outright, you will likely need to pay out of pocket with a large sum of money. It is important to speak…

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House Hunting in a Hot Housing Market

House Hunting in a Hot Housing Market

Real estate in the Cambridge Ontario area is in high demand. Whether you are looking for the perfect new home in Cambridge or in another surrounding community like Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph or other areas, you may be wondering how you can be successful with your house hunting efforts in a hot real estate market. These tips can help you to enjoy a smoother, easier process when searching for a home in a popular market.

Get Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage

One of the first steps you should take is to get pre-qualified for your mortgage. Pre-qualification helps you to determine how much house you can afford, and this can narrow down the scope of your search. A pre-qualification letter can also be provided to…

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How to Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection

A home inspection is always an important part of buying or selling a home, it almost always reveals something that needs to be repaired or renovated. You might think that you're stuck footing the bill if you've already decided to buy a home, but there are still ways to negotiate with the sellers to have at least some of the necessary repairs completed if some issues have come up during the home inspection. Here are a few tips that might help you succeed in your negotiation.

Get a Second Opinion

After a home inspection is completed, many realtors will call in a contractor to get a second opinion. You should follow suit and contact a contractor to take a look at the possible repairs. There's no harm in having a second or third set of eyes take a…

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Moving to a new city - things to consider when buying a house in an unfamiliar place

Can You Afford It?

This should be the first question you ask yourself before making the leap. After all, the cost of living could be different for a number of reasons.

Your best bet is to narrow down the list of cities you want to live in. Next, you’ll want to write out your current expenses. Now, try to project how much those same bills will cost you in the new city. This financial assessment gives you the first look at what you can expect from a money standpoint.

Finally, you need to figure out a way to make a living. It is best to have a job lined up in your new place before you move. Do you? If you don’t, are you comfortable moving there without financial support? Finding a job can be challenging, even in large urban centers.

Live Like a…

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5 Issues you can identify without a home inspector

When buying a house in Ontario, you understandably want to purchase a property that is in great condition. At Dewar Realty, we typically recommend that clients get a home inspection. A property inspection is a great way to learn about the true condition of the home. After all, many types of damage cannot be detected by an untrained eye, and you need to know as much as possible about property condition before you make a purchase. While a home inspection is a great resource for you to use, you can learn a lot about a home by being observant during the home tour. In this market, a home inspection clause in your offer is not always possible. Here are some of the top things you can learn about a property without an inspection. 

1. Roof Condition

While…

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