Many homeowners like to save money on their home improvements by performing the work themselves. In addition, many homeowners enjoy performing DIY home improvements because they appreciate the feeling of satisfaction they get from caring for their own property. Still, some home improvement projects are best not left to the homeowner. Some home improvement projects can involve safety risks or are simply too easy to mess up. Homeowners who want to take care of their property and avoid problems when they sell must be aware of the differences.

Best DIY Projects

The best DIY projects are those that are easy to perform, involve little risk to the homeowner and are unlikely to result in serious damage to the property if they're performed

…

While the summer weather has heated up the real estate market is generally cooling off.  In July the trend of increasing listings available for sale and fewer sales continued with just 651 properties sold a decline of 17.6% from the 790 sold in July 2017. The number of listings available for sale was up to 2,607 at the end of July from 1,921 at the end of July last year.

 

Overall the proportion of listings available for sale relative to the number selling represents a balanced market with four month supply. Looking a little closer at specific property types, neighbourhoods and price ranges quickly reveals that there are significant differences in various parts of the market. For example under $750,000 in Victoria's core there are currently only 347

…

A home seller can take a number of different approaches to attract home buyers and get the offers they want. However, sellers need to understand how the process works before they start trying to add in their own special touches. Keep the main stages in mind to have a better idea of where to start and how to navigate your home sale without the hassle.

Declare a Budget

From staging and advertising to closing costs, home sellers need to hammer out their finances before deciding who to hire and how to list. Canadian buyers are usually required to hire a lawyer to ensure their paperwork is air-tight, so sellers should start researching average fees in their area as soon as possible. If sellers still have an active mortgage, they'll likely need to

…

Home buying may be specific to the type of home a buyer chooses and the neighborhood they hope to live in, but there are several stages that are common to all home buyers. Before delving into the details of each stage, learn more about how the process works as a whole to get a better sense of where to start.

Find a Price Range

Before a homeowner asks themselves if they want an adjustable or fixed-rate mortgage, they need to know more about the kinds of homes they can afford. Many buyers are surprised at just how much they're able to afford, regardless of their credit or financial standing. While the general rule is to keep a mortgage at about a third of the homeowner's monthly income, this is not always possible with the rising rates of home

…

There are a number of advantages of buying new which may the reason why almost 1 in 4 homes purchased every year are new construction. New homeowners in particular may appreciate the convenience of moving into a new construction home that is designed to meet their specific lifestyle requirements and aesthetic tastes from day one.

Explore the advantages of buying new construction today.

Go Green with New Home Construction

Homeowners may get paid to go green and improve their new home's energy-efficiency. Investigate the new home construction incentives that pay homeowners for achieving specified performance ratings, such as Save On Energy for homeowners in Ontario. There are a range of Canadian programs available that can pay homeowners to

…

 

For users of recreational cannabis in Canada, “4/20” may no longer be the most celebrated date. October 17th, 2018 has been declared the official date that use of marijuana for non-medicinal purposes becomes officially legal, essentially the last hurdle to the complete legalization of pot throughout Canada. While “10/17” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, marijuana users will be breathing a sigh of relief nonetheless. But do property owners feel the same joy, especially when it comes to the issue of pot cultivation on their properties, whether in the past or in the future?

The Risks of Selling or Buying a Former Grow-op Property

The Risks for Sellers

Canada initiated the process of decriminalizing marijuana in 2016 in part to abolish

…

Whether or not a homeowner is living in or planning to list a home, a professional paint job can make a home look more attractive. Homeowners do not need to shell out money to contract out the work when they use the following tips to get the job done right. There are some ways a homeowner can professionally paint their home.

1. Use High Quality Primer

Spend money wisely and do not cut corners. Many homeowners may choose to buy the least expensive primer. However, a poor quality primer can ruin a paint job. For a professional look that lasts, use a quality primer.

2. Repair Walls Before Painting

Take the time to repair flaws in walls and properly prep the walls to ensure a smooth and even appearance. Do you own an older home? Or are you

…

From the amenities to the sense of community, owning a condo is an attractive option for many people. However, there are many factors a homeowner should consider before deciding whether a single-family home or a condo is right for them. Just like the decision as to rent or to buy, it's a personal decision. And as with any decision, there are advantages and disadvantages to living in a Canadian condo.

Condo Pricing and Budgeting

The prices for a condo will almost certainly look appealing to the budget-conscious home buyer because they can usually get the same amount of space as a single-family for less money. They're usually best for those who are looking for homes on the smaller side though, as condos offer less in square footage than

…

As our summer weather has heated up our Victoria real estate market has cooled off. The trend of increasing number of available listings and fewer sales has continued since the beginning of the year transitioning us to a more balanced market with more choice for buyers and fewer properties selling immediately with competing offers. In some parts of the market the supply and demand ratio has shifted to a buyer's market.   There were a total of 708 properties sold in Greater Victoria in June, a decrease of 30% from the 1,008 sold in June of 2017 and 6% fewer than May 2018. The decrease came more from single family home sales which decreased by a third (34.7%) from 2017 while condo sales declined by a quarter (25.1%).   The number of active…

There are a lot of opinions out there about renting vs. buying, but many of which are on the antiquated side. With the economy as it is, the question of buying or renting isn't exactly as obvious as it may seem. And believe it or not, it may have less to do with a person's financial situation and more to do with their lifestyle. While renting may not give a person very much equity, it's also a safer decision for many. See which elements to consider if you're on the fence about buying or renting a Central Saanich home.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Changing Hands

Jobs today aren't exactly forever, with the majority of people changing jobs around

…