January 2019

Outdoor options have changed over the years. Portable grills and picnic tables are now being supplanted by all-weather kitchens and serving stations, covered decks with comfortable sofas and chairs, and dining areas every bit as elegant as their indoor counterparts. Canadians in all provinces are more attuned to the possibilties of outdoor living—at home—than ever before.

Gaining Additional Living Space

Whether moving into the yard is a reaction to spiraling home prices and higher vacation costs, or simply an acknowledgement that good times can be had at home, well-equipped outdoor living rooms are a hot new trend, even in provinces with shorter summers. Upscale outdoor rooms boast fireplaces or ceiling fans and summer misters to extend the

When someone decides to buy a home, they often get a crash course in many areas of personal finance, including credit. Understanding a credit score and how it affects a person's chances of being able to buy a home is vital. By learning early about what is required, buyers can increase their chances of checking off all the boxes for success and move into that new home.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What Is Included in a Credit Score?

Credit scores are numbers that banks and other financial institutions use to determine how likely someone is to repay a debt. They are based on factors that include a person's history, as well as their

The trend of fewer sales and more listings available for sale continued through the end of the year with  just 375 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board in December 2018, 19% fewer than the 462 sold in December 2017 and 25% less than sold in November.

In 2018 in total 7,150 properties were sold , 20% fewer than the 8,994 sold in 2017. That's also 33% less than the record 10,622 the previous year and now below the 7,351 10 year average. The number of Single Family Homes sold in 2018 was down 22% in 2018 to 3,187 from 4,069 in 2017. Condo sales also declined 23% to 2,150 in 2018 from 2,773 in 2017.

There were 1,998 active listings available for sale on the VREB MLS at the end of December 2018, up 44% from the end of December a

When a buyer budgets for a home purchase, closing costs must be taken into consideration. Since closing costs are due in cash at the time of the purchase, it's imperative that the buyer have money for these fees on hand. Knowing what closing costs are, how much to expect to pay and when they're due helps home buyers to plan for a smooth home buying process.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Closing Costs, Defined

Closing costs are the extra fees and costs associated with purchasing a home. These costs are usually incurred throughout the home buying process. When a home buyer hires a lawyer, seeks various insurances and interacts with

One thing that many sellers dread is a buyer’s market. This means that there are far more homes for sale than there are buyers looking for homes. As a result, home buyers effectively have their pick of the litter and sellers are left competing with each other to provide the best deal to entice the buyers. This is different than a sellers market where there are not enough homes and the buyers are at a disadvantage.

Selling in a buyer’s market can be tricky, but it isn’t impossible. If sellers make the right preparations before putting their home on the market, they can help ensure that their home finds a buyer regardless of the market. Here are some of the different things buyers can do to appeal to buyers and make a sale. 

For informational