Real Estate News

A Home Stager Shares 5 Hot Trends She’s Watching f…
30 Jan - Homes are getting more energized by unique, personality-driven design. Consumers have been spending lots of time at home these past few years, and by now, they’ve probably finished out that basement to make space for a home office, created a yoga room and enjoyed plenty of s’mores around that newly designed firepit in the backyard. So, what does 2023 hold for further decorating our homes?  The biggest overall trend: break free from the norm and personalize your space. We are in an era where anything goes, as we have the freedom to no longer be Pinterest-perfect. This could mean bringing in a budget-friendly accent wall in a bold color that aims to lift our mood or a new rounded couch that feels like a cocoon. Consider this an era of personality-driven design. 1. Walls Molded or Wrapped Builders, investors and home flippers are using more creative molding designs for accent walls or tiles with graphic backsplashes. They’re incorporating more fun patterns in wallpaper. Photo Courtesy:…

8 Outdoor Projects to Boost Your Yard
22 Jun - 8 Outdoor Projects to Boost Your Yard This Summer Consider these outdoor upgrades for adding color, enhancing ambiance and carving out more usable space in your yard. Many of us are looking for ways to make the most of our homes and gardens. Whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony, there are plenty of ways to make a beautiful and useful outdoor space. The following projects range from more extensive improvements, like installing a deck, to quick and easy updates that offer immediate results. Take a look and tell us, do any spark your imagination? 1. Reclaim Your Side Yard Often overlooked side yards can, with a bit of imagination, become thoughtfully planted walkways or dynamic spots for outdoor living. Take a look at this side yard by Fair Studio in Los Angeles. It’s set up as a playful lounge, complete with a space-saving built-in sofa, a rope-wrapped fire pit, wall-mounted planters and a pair of swings leading to the backyard. 2. Try an Outdoor Rug If you’re looking…

Update to Canada's Mortgage Qualifying Rules Expla…
21 Jul - Earlier this summer, new changes were announced for the federal mortgage stress test, shifting the ground again in terms of how much house new and seasoned home buyers are qualified to purchase.  In April, Canada’s financial regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), proposed an increase for the stress test’s minimum qualifying rate on uninsured mortgages. This raised the previous rate from 4.79% to its current value of 5.25%. As of June 1, 2021, the new qualifying rate for the stress test is applicable to all federally regulated mortgages, including both uninsured and insured mortgages. Insured mortgages apply to borrowers who have a downpayment that’s less than 20% of their home purchase, while uninsured mortgages are available to borrowers who have a downpayment worth 20% or more. The stress test’s minimum qualifying rate helps ensure borrowers can still make mortgage payments in the event of a change in circumstances, such as a job…

Selling Your Home Solo to Save Money? You’ll Actua…
17 Aug - Some homeowners opt to sell their residence without a real estate agent to get around paying a commission and make more of the profit. Forty-eight percent of people who sell without a real estate agent think that if they sell themselves, they’ll end up doing a little extra work in exchange for not paying a commission or closing fee. According to the research, however, what they actually get is a lot of time spent hustling to make the sale and a final selling price that is less than what the market can bear. Do you have a lot of extra time to market your home and do all the work to meet and greet properly? Are you versed in local trends on the housing market and know the latest regulations for closing a sale? Do you have a list of potential buyers ready to view your home? Eighty-nine percent of all homes sold in 2015 were sold with the assistance of an experienced real estate professional, according to the 2015 Home Buyers and Sellers Profile. Most leave it to the professionals, yet there…

“Amherstburg, You’ll Love it Here” movement aims f…
1 Jun - A movement to promote Amherstburg that was started by a local real estate agent and a committee he has formed looked to gain some movement last Thursday night. Norm Mickle and his committee – which includes Anne Rota, Monica Bunde and Peggy Thompson – hosted a meeting at the Libro Centre where 50 members of the local business community accepted the invitation to attend. Bunde, the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce general manager, said they hope to see the slogan “Amherstburg, You’ll Love it Here” become more widely used and spread throughout the town. “We hope to use the logo in advertisements, social media, e-mail signatures and any promotional materials,” said Mickle. “You are welcome to use the new slogan.” Noting the idea came from a Mayor’s Breakfast held with local realtors in January, Mickle said if everyone uses it, it will encourage people to come to town to work, shop and play. Mickle referred to a recent letter to the editor from Rusty Brown that appeared…

NATIONAL REALTORS DAY!
26 May - In 2008, Mayor Eddie Francis proclaimed May 22 as REALTOR® Day. In recognition of this honourable day of achievement, we would like to shine some light on how much REALTORS® really do care! Spring cleaning helps Windsor kids attend summer camp April 9, 2016 REALTORS® in the Windsor, Ont., area contributed in a big way to a fundraising gala held at Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards on April 9 benefiting the Kiwanis Sunshine Point Camp. Members of the Dan Gemus Real Estate Team held a yard sale prior to the gala which allowed them to donate $9,000 towards the $45,000 raised during the event. The Kiwanis Club has a rich history of serving the children of Windsor/Essex County. It is the second branch of a worldwide organization and was established in 1919. Its Point Camp program is a six-night residential program put on throughout the summer for boys and girls aged 7-14. Norm Langlois, president of the Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS® also presented a cheque in the amount…