Thinking about life after you’ve passed away is never easy. However, when you do pass, have you thought about your assets and estate and what the process will be like for your beneficiaries? Without a proper will and estate plan, the inheritance process for your…
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a house. It’s a big financial decision and requires a strong plan and a lot of patience. One of the many things you might be considering right now is should you get a co-signer on your mortgage.…
A parent’s first instinct when their child is in need is to help. Now, it’s come time for your child to move out, but they are financially having difficulties. It is becoming a quickly growing issue in Canada that many millennials are struggling to buy…
Talking about money, wills, declining health and/or death is just plain difficult for most families. However, it’s probably one of the most important things you can do, and it can help alleviate a lot of worries and family strife. We’ve all heard of families who…
A family cottage passed down from previous generations is a very special thing. The memories, the history, the various transformations over the decades…it’s nice to keep it in the family whenever possible. However, transferring ownership of property isn’t like giving someone a nice watch or…
Your cottage is a special place for your friends and family to enjoy spending quality time, so why not consider hosting your family holiday celebrations at the cottage this year? It’s always fun to switch up the routine from time to time, and you’ll create…
Buying or selling real estate is a complicated endeavor, and one that should be trusted to experienced professionals who understand the industry. Choosing a real estate sales agent/representative (or Realtor) should be something that is carefully weighed. In the world of real estate law, we’ve…
If you’ve decided to finally make that will or get your will revised, good job! It’s an important step to take to help protect your loved ones and your hard-earned assets. However, there’s one important step that needs a lot of serious consideration: appointing an…
Thinking of buying that cottage-country fixer-upper for a steal? It can be a lucrative investment, as well as an adventure! Whether you’re the handy type or not, there are several things that can go wrong with your fixer-upper purchase and turn it from a profitable…
Buying or selling a home, condo or cottage is always a hectic time, and the various expenses can add up in a hurry. While there are some things that you can easily DIY to save money, such as home staging or repairs, managing the legal…
Although we’re absolutely in love with the Muskoka region any time of year, we must admit that fall in Bracebridge, Huntsville, Gravenhurst, Rosseau, Bala…and everywhere else in this fabulous region simply can’t be beat. Imagine almost 4,000 square kilometres full of deciduous trees turning into…
Think life at the cottage is nothing but hanging out on the dock, relaxing and spending time with family and friends? Well, it mostly is! However, if you are thinking of buying a cottage in Muskoka, it’s important to know that it can be a…
Owning a home or cottage can be just slightly out of reach for many people. Even when individuals feel they are financially ready, they may not qualify for a mortgage and get turned down by their bank. Luckily, this doesn’t necessarily mean that home-ownership is…
If you’ve previously bought an older home or cottage, or have renovated in the past, you’ve likely come across the term “lawful prior non-conforming use”, but frankly, most people know it more informally as “grandfathered”. The term ‘grandfathered’ is used rather often when it comes…
Probate, estate, executor, power of attorney – there’s quite a bit of jargon and ‘legalese’ involved when it comes to succession planning and writing your last will and testament. This, however, shouldn’t deter you from creating a will that clearly outlines your final wishes. To…
Despite a slow-down in other real estate markets, the Muskoka market continues to do well. For those of us lucky enough to call this area home, it’s certainly no surprise. We all know that Muskoka is the place to be. Whether you are moving to…
You’ve thought about it. Dreamed about it. Planned for it and worked hard to make it happen and finally, this is the year that you and your family will purchase your very own Muskoka cottage. While owning a cottage in Muskoka is definitely an amazing…
When it comes to choosing your summer weekend getaway, Muskoka is a popular choice for those from the GTA, across the province and even North America. Increasingly, however, there’s a trend towards more and more families opting to call the Muskoka region home base. Here…
With the May long weekend quickly approaching, you may find yourself thinking more and more about boat rides, barbeques, campfires and the cottage. You may also find yourself making big plans to either purchase a cottage or renovate the one you already own. Whether it’s…
Do-it-yourself taxes, do-it-yourself renovations, do-it-yourself wills … when it comes to DIY there are plenty of things that you can do without involving a professional. This also includes buying or selling a home or cottage. The question is, is DIY really a good idea? Although…
Here’s the scenario. You’re three-quarters of the way through your new cottage construction in Muskoka, and you’ve gone over budget. Your bank, who already loaned you money, has told you that you don’t qualify for additional funds. How will you fund the rest of the…
The times they are a-changin’ – when it comes to rules and regulations in Ontario and across the country, this sentiment definitely rings true. The start of 2018 heralded a few major changes in the Province, including an increase in the minimum wage, a new…
Spring is just around the corner, and we are happy to bid farewell to Jack Frost. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the spring real estate market, there are some important steps you can take to get a head start and become real estate…
Spring is just around the corner, and that means that home and cottage sales will be ramping up. If you’ve been saving and budgeting for your upcoming purchase, you’ll need to know about the many additional costs associated with buying a home, above and beyond…
Ready to be a proud real estate owner in Muskoka? Although the process of purchasing your first property is certainly an exciting one, it can also result in a little first-time home buyer anxiety. For property newbies, the best way to prepare (and lessen your…
