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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
There are enough things to worry about in life, your cottage security shouldn’t be one of them. After all, your cottage is your zen escape from the hustle and bustle, but unfortunately, cottage break ins aren’t that uncommon in our region. They can happen when…
A cottage boathouse is often so much more than a boathouse. In fact, sometimes its role to house a boat is its least important function! From being a storage space, party spot, extra bedroom or a cool, shady escape on a hot day, a boathouse…
If you’re looking at buying a home that is currently a rental property, there are a lot of facts you need to know before you sign on the dotted line, especially if you’d like to have the home as your primary residence. We’ve outlined the…
Imagine buying a home only to find out later that a violent crime took place in it, a tornado ripped through it, or there was a drug lab in the basement? As a buyer, you have certain rights as well as responsibilities when it comes…
Your new home or cottage purchase is a big reason to celebrate – much of the footwork is over, and now all you have to do is get the keys and move in! Well, almost. There are still a few tasks to conquer, such as…
Inheriting a property as a result of a loved-one’s death is very emotional and exhausting. The situation requires understanding on how it works legally and what the process is. On top of dealing with the loss and grieving, if you do inherit the family cottage,…
To DIY your home purchase or not…that is a popular question! In today’s day and age, being able to buy practically anything online without needing a sales associate or someone there to assist you is practically the norm. There are even websites where you can…
Although the weather in early fall can be reminiscent of summer, we all know that before long, winter will be here. Whether this thought makes you jump for joy or start to plan your cold-weather escape, it’s important to be prepared for the arrival of…
If you’re in the final stages of purchasing a home in Parry Sound or the Muskoka region, you may have come across the term Title insurance and are wondering whether this is something you need before you seal the deal. The term ‘Title’ basically means…