It’s hard to think about life after death, but planning your will and estate is a natural part of life. In constructing your plans have you thought about what the inheritance process will be like for your beneficiaries? If you don’t have a proper plan…
Purchasing a house is a huge financial decision with many factors to consider. When trying to get approved for a mortgage, it can be hard to hear that you haven’t been approved for a loan or that you have been approved, but not for nearly…
As parents, the first instinct is to help your child when they need something. Now, it’s time for them to leave the nest. However, there is a growing issue. In Canada, it’s becoming more and more difficult for millennials to buy a house. At this…
It’s tough to talk about death, dying, aging, and money, even at the best of times. Talking about it with your family when planning out your estate, however, is a very important conversation that can help put your mind, and everyone else’s, at ease not…
Your cottage is an amazing place where some of your family’s best memories were made. If you’re starting to think of your retirement, getting older, or you just don’t want the work that comes with owning a cottage, you may be contemplating your options to…
Many of us make lofty resolutions every New Year’s, whether it’s regarding our health, finances, careers or other personal goals. Sometimes we stick to them, and other times…not so much! However, here’s one resolution you can make that’s not only important for you and your…
Marital status matters in Ontario, at least when it comes to the law and your will. There are some misconceptions out there about the current estate laws, so let’s take a closer look at a few legal basics so you can be armed with more…
The holidays are a magical time of year, but for many of us, it’s just too darn busy and there never seems to be enough quality family time. Why not do things a little differently this year and head to the cottage for your Christmas…
There are a lot of real estate sales agents out there, so how does one decide who to hire? After all, it can be a stressful, complicated process with a lot at stake, so working with only the best should be your number one priority.…
Go high tech this year to keep a watchful eye on your cottage! We’ve listed some great new ways to keep your cottage safe & sound, so you can sit back…
Before you start getting serious about looking at those MLS listings or reaching out to a Realtor, be sure you get a mortgage pre-approval first. While it may seem like a complicated or unnecessary process, the time and frustration it saves is well worth every…
When drafting up a Last Will & Testament, there’s one part of the process that needs special consideration: Who to choose to ensure your estate is properly distributed and managed after your passing? It’s up to you to appoint an executor and/or estate trustee; if…
If you’re in the market to buy a fixer-upper, there are a few things to be on the lookout for in order to help ensure you don’t fall into the dreaded money-pit. When it comes to home renovations, things can go from bad to worse…
Life can get really hectic when we have young kids, and one task that may slip down the priority list is drafting your last will and testament. However, as parents of dependent children or adult kids who require specialized care, having a will is one…
Passing up a home inspection may make your purchase offer a little more attractive and speed up the process, but the long-term ramifications of not getting a formal inspection done may come back to haunt you. Home inspections, when completed by competent, certified inspectors, can…
Many people aren’t exactly sure what a power of attorney is, and if they need one. For this reason, we’ve outlined the key points about this and what it means to you. A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives someone (it…
In today’s world of Internet “How To’s” and easily accessible DIY tips, it might be tempting to try to go it alone and skip out on hiring a real estate lawyer to look after your home purchase or sale transactions. However, unless you have solid…
If you are thinking about buying a cottage in the Parry Sound or Muskoka region, or you’ve recently purchased one, you may not know that there’s a 66-foot stretch of land along your shoreline that might not be your property! It’s called a shore (or…
With summer winding down, the cottage real estate market starts to heat up again in our region. While the purchase price of your cottage may be exactly what you bargained for, it’s important to know about those additional cottage expenses that can get you bogged…
Once you’ve been to the Parry Sound or Muskoka area and experienced the magic of our cottage country, it’s hard to get it out of your head. Every day in this region there are people who come from across Ontario and beyond to look at…
The death of a loved one is such a hard time and families can be torn apart when the deceased’s will is read and the results for some parties are less than satisfactory. Some parties will try to contest – or challenge – the will…
If you’re pondering that first home purchase, it’s a great time to take the plunge. Mortgage interest rates are still at very low levels, and there are government incentives that can give you that financial boost you need to rocket into the real estate market.…
When we’re young and healthy, getting a will drafted up may seem like the furthest thing from our minds. However, as long as you have property and assets, an estate plan and will is a very good idea as everything will be divided up based…
Many people would say that the best part of their cottage is actually the dock! After all, it’s where we spend so much time from dawn until dusk most summer days. Who doesn’t savour those morning coffees as the mist burns off the lake, or…
Closing time on your home or cottage purchase is always an exciting time. If all goes as planned, all that’s left to do on closing day is sign your documents, hand over your cheque or transfer the funds, get those new keys and start your…
