1. Start With a Full Exterior Walkaround Before touching anything, do a slow loop of the property. Look for: Cracked or shifting walkways Peeling paint or exposed wood Loose siding or missing caulking Grading issues (water pooling near the foundation) Why it matters: Small issues now = leverage problems later when selling. 2. Roof & G ...

The market today is very different from the crazy bidding-war years. Buyers now have more time, more choices, and more negotiating power than they did a few years ago. Let’s break it down simply. The London Market Has Slowed Down In March 2026: The average home price in London was about $627,000 Prices were down about 2.5% compared to la ...

1. Know Why You’re Selling (It Drives Everything) Before you even think about price or photos, get clear on: Timeline (fast sale vs. maximize price) Next move (buying, renting, relocating) Financial target (what you need to walk away with) Your strategy—pricing, marketing, negotiation—should all align with this. 2. Underst ...

Selling your home in the winter can offer several advantages depending on your goals and circumstances. Less Competition on the Market One of the biggest benefits of selling during the winter months is reduced competition. Many sellers wait until spring, which means fewer listings are available in late fall and winter. With fewer homes for sale, you ...

Step 1: Start With a Strategy (Not a Sign on the Lawn) Before anything goes live, you need a plan. This includes: Understanding your home’s current market value Reviewing recent sales in your neighbourhood Identifying ideal timing based on local inventory Mapping out your next move (buy first vs. sell first) In a market like London, ev ...

How Much Are Closing Costs in London, Ontario? A safe rule of thumb: Plan for 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price. On a $600,000 home, that means roughly: $9,000 to $18,000 in closing costs Some lenders will quote closer to the low end, but in practice, most buyers should budget toward the middle to upper range to avoid surprises. The Main Clo ...

1. The Big Question: Is Your Sale Taxable? Primary Residence = Usually Tax-Free If the property you’re selling is your principal residence, you’re generally exempt from paying capital gains tax thanks to the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). To qualify: You (or your family) lived in the home You designate it as your principal resi ...

Why Invest in Real Estate? Ontario remains one of the most stable real estate markets in Canada. With strong population growth, steady demand for housing, and limited supply in many areas, real estate continues to be a reliable long-term investment. Key benefits include: Monthly cash flow from rent Property appreciation over time Leverage (using ...

A pre-approval tells you exactly what you can afford, strengthens your offer, and prevents wasted time looking at homes outside your budget. Here’s how it actually works. What Is a Mortgage Pre-Approval? A mortgage pre-approval is a lender reviewing your finances and confirming: How much they’re willing to lend you What your interest ...

How the Bank of Canada Measures Inflation The Bank of Canada sets monetary policy by targeting inflation. First introduced in 1991, the inflation-control target is set jointly by the Bank of Canada and the Federal Government and reviewed every five years. In 2016, they agreed that the inflation target will continue to be the 2 per cent mid-point of ...

Title InsuranceWhen Title insurance was first introduced in Canada it seemed to cover a property from “sidewalk to fence.” It’s still an important consideration, but before you purchase, compare policies to find out what’s covered and be aware of possible exclusions, which may include:- Known title defects (that were revealed befo ...

Home Inspection Strategies A home inspection is a fairly comprehensive diagnostic overview of a home, and the inspector’s findings will provide a list of issues that may need immediate attention or can be addressed down the road. Get a qualified home inspector Ask for their certifications, experience and how long they’ve been inspectin ...

10 Things to Review as You Compare HomesMoving ahead with home buying plans? A first step is to make a list of lifestyle questions to help narrow down your “must-haves,” as well as consider trade-offs that fit within financial parameters?1)            Do you have a preference for housing ...

Home Selling Strategies When you’re ready to sell, there are a few easy ways to freshen-up your place to make it more attractive to buyers. 1. Paint – A freshly painted home gives your place a well-looked after feeling. Keep the colour palette neutral – warm white. Unusual colour choices, even if they’re currently poplular, ma ...

Identity Theft InsuranceStill a relatively new product and marketed as protection against the fraud of Identity Theft, it often won’t replace stolen money or cover improper bills. You may have seen some of the television ads which focus on helping to “re-establish credit,” this is different than covering an actual loss.Some policies are ...

Home Inspection Checklist The inside-outside visual inspection will detail many areas of the home – for buyers the checklist will outline what needs to be done and when. For  sellers - some key points that will want to addressed before anyone shows up with a clipboard. Exterior Foundation: Are there cracks? Does the grade around the fou ...

Buying? You’ll Want a SurveySome Mortgage Lenders accept either Title Insurance or a Property Survey to secure mortgage financing. Both are important. Title Insurance may not protect a buyer against problems that may have been revealed by and up-to-date survey of the property. An up-to-date survey is a graphical representation of the size of the pr ...

10 Tips for Home Buyers 1. Write out the wish list Determine needs and wants. Create a list of features you could do without, and ones that area absolute must-haves. Consider lifestyle as well. Do you like being close to downtown, or would you prefer living outside the city? Do you like the prospect of maintaining a garden? Where do you want your chil ...