The Upgrades That Count

February 22nd, 2013 by Linh Pham

Buying a new home can be a stressful experience as it is and what’s worse? Giving you more options! Trying to find a house that feels like home can be as simple as finding a style or feature that fits your personal taste and we all know that isn’t what always comes standard. So when my husband and I were looking at factoring in upgrades we wanted to consider resale value and what would fit our lifestyle best. It was a back and forth debate between cost and benefit because not everything you find attractive is worth the same to the person you may sell it to in the future.

Home Ownership – More than meets the eye

September 5th, 2012 by Linh Pham

So you’re looking to buy a home.  It’s that point in time where you start to realize space is becoming increasingly limited, your spare bedroom houses kitchen supplies, winter tires and you can’t help but give dirty looks to those neighbours with pets ruining your courtyard.  Maybe you’ve been renting or want to move up from a condo or townhouse to a single family home. All you can think about is how grand life would be without condo fees or to live in a world without attached neighbours and it sounds almost perfect.  Let’s explore the “almost” in a little more detail.

Happy First Time Home Buyers

July 6th, 2012 by Kim Tieu

So you’ve decided to buy a house! Woohoo!  Buying a home is big deal, in fact buying a home will likely be the single biggest purchase you’ll make in your entire life.  Along with all the excitement that comes from this milestone occasion, there will inevitably be some nervousness in what to expect and how to make the best decisions throughout the entire process.  Questions such as what you can afford and different payment options are ones that will cause anyone’s head to spin, but are completely necessary when you’re buying a new home.  If you’re a first time home buyer, here are a few useful tips to make your home buying experience go a lot smoother.

Would You Buy Your Home Online?

May 11th, 2012 by Zulfikar Akbar

A new type of home buyer has arrived in Canada!! Who is this consumer?  Probably you because you happen to be reading this article online! My point is that consumers are getting smarter with the use of the internet as an information tool that gives their shopping experience a new vantage point.  Home buying is the biggest and one of the most researched investments that consumers are making in their lifetimes. The volatility of the last few years in real estate has made everyone consider doing their homework before purchasing.  With market information readily available and advancements in smart phone applications such as Mortgage Calculators, MLS listings, and New Builder Info, consumers have insight at their finger tips. Facebook, twitter feeds, and blogs have also found their way to feed potential buyers with important information.

The First Time Buyer’s Quest on Finding the One

April 27th, 2012 by Linh Pham

First off, I’m not talking about the perfect man, that I’ve found and reeled in a year ago. That was easy. Approaching your first home isn’t as simple as throwing on a black dress and laughing at every joke to close the deal, there are several items to consider when looking to purchase your new home.

The Truth About the Townhome

March 15th, 2012 by Kim Tieu

Townhomes come in all shapes and sizes.  Aside from the commonalities such as the fact that they are always attached to at least one other home, townhomes can be expected to be just as unique as any other home style.  They can be stacked or row, one or more levels, and come in a variety of floor plans and bedroom allocations.  They may feature a full sized garage (attached or detached), have all the space and comfort of a single family home, and offer a true sense of community.  Plus, you can find neighbourhoods with or without condo fees – whatever works for you!  Not to mention that townhomes are super cute and economical.

What’s the Skinny on Duplexes?

February 20th, 2012 by Kim Tieu

Firstly, what exactly is a duplex?  It’s two separate homes that just happen to share the same roof and a single wall.  A.K.A. Semi-detached, semi-attached, side-by-side home.  Rohit Communities also calls it Elements, but for today’s purpose, let’s just call it a duplex.  It’s getting the affordability and camaraderie with your neighbours you might find with a condo, but with the privacy and space you would expect from a single family home.  You can think of it as their happy love child!

Why Buy a Condo?

January 17th, 2012 by Kim Tieu

Once upon a time, living in a condo was viewed as an option only for singles, or seniors.  Nowadays the condo owner comes from a whole myriad of people in all walks of life, so whether you like to classify yourself in the trendy young professional category, the family (wo)man, or downsizer, here are some of the top reasons why buying a condo may be perfect for you.