If you're thinking about buying a home, chances are you're worried about paying too much. Who can blame you? Prices have been skyrocketing. You have to wonder if those prices are sustainable and what your home will be worth in ten years. If you're worried, here are some thoughts that might help you make a decision. 1. No one knows what home prices will be in ten years. Don't assume prices will fall or rise. Make calculations based on today's facts,... [read more]

Financing, if needed, is a critical piece of the puzzle. Considering homes are not selling for the asking price and there are so many guidelines and restrictions imposed by lenders, you have to make sure you are selecting a mortgage agent or a bank specialist that is experienced and is working for you.  Don’t assume because they have a license or work for a national bank that they are experts. Get references and ask about experience. My usual recommendation is to always use a... [read more]

I recently had some first-time home buyers looking for affordable homes in the Greater Toronto Area.  While they were on Realtor.CA, they started looking  on the outskirts of Toronto and found some great deals in Simcoe County.  They found homes that were priced $100,000 to $300,000 for a detached home which seemed like a great deal until we realized the homes were on leased land. What is leased land? It means that you don't own the land on which the home is situated. The... [read more]