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…
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…
In today’s hot housing market, things can move pretty quickly, and not just in big urban centres like Toronto or Vancouver. Here in the Muskoka region, we see home, condo and cottage purchases that get pretty competitive, with multiple offers coming in all at once.…
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…
In today’s competitive real estate market, many eager buyers decide to opt-out of the home inspection in order to push their offer through with as little delay as possible. However, in passing up a home inspection, you could be missing out on critical information about…
It’s a well-known fact: Cottage living doesn’t get much better than here in the Muskoka region. While cottage prices have definitely increased over the years, mortgage rates remain low and there’s a great selection of available cottages – from tiny cabins to sprawling estates and…
A family cottage is a cherished oasis; the last thing owners want to worry about when it comes to their beloved cottage is a break in. Whether your cottage is left unused for an entire winter, or just for a week, it’s important to take…
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…
An essential part of any Muskoka cottage is the dock. It’s not just a functional port for a boat, it’s often the social hub of the entire cottage! Whether it’s for watching sunsets, jumping off, sunbathing or enjoying your morning coffee, it’s important that your…
We all know buying a home or cottage can be expensive, especially in today’s market. There’s the obvious purchase price, the down-payment, then the home inspection, utility hook-ups, and even moving costs…just to name a few. On top of these costs, any purchase of a…
You’ve just bought a new Muskoka home or cottage – congratulations! It’s all yours now…well, almost. Buying a property has a number of steps to it and the overall process can be daunting. Before you move into your new home, there are a few things…
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…
Hardwood floors, granite countertops and a gorgeous backyard – you have finally found your dream home or cottage in Muskoka, put in your offer and signed the purchase agreement. The deal is almost done! But what about title insurance? If you’re not exactly sure about…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
You’ve scrimped and saved, planned and dreamed, and the time has finally come – you’re ready to purchase your family cottage in the much-coveted Muskoka region. Although this is certainly an exciting time, it’s also important to know that purchasing a cottage or vacation property…
Watching a beautiful sunset while sitting on the dock, spending the days splashing in the lake, cooking up a storm, and creating family memories that will last a lifetime…all of these are immeasurable joys. The sentimental value of your Muskoka cottage, contrasted with the monetary…
Your financing has been approved, the home inspection hasn’t turned up anything worrisome – it’s now time to take the final step, sign your Agreement of Purchase and Sale, and officially purchase your new home or cottage in Muskoka. But wait! Are you planning on…
If you’re starting the process of buying or selling a home, you may be wondering whether it makes sense to involve a real estate lawyer right from the get-go. While it’s clear that more complex real estate transactions benefit from the services provided by a…
Are you on the hunt for a new home or cottage in Bracebridge or the surrounding area? Although searching for and purchasing real estate is an exciting time, it can also involve challenges and even some stress. One way to avoid this stress is to…
