• What to Know Before Buying a Pre-Construction Condo

    What to Know Before Buying a Pre-Construction Condo,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Thanks to Canada’s condo building boom and a competitive market, many luxury buyers are making the choice to buy a condo from floorplans; that is, a condominium unit that hasn’t been built yet. Buyers put a deposit down after reviewing the building plans in a sales centre, and continue paying instalments until the building is […]

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  • 3 Steps to Prepping Your Lawn for a Home Sale

    3 Steps to Prepping Your Lawn for a Home Sale,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Most real estate agents will tell you that curb appeal is a big part of selling a home. This includes your lawn too, whether it’s in the front or the back of your home. Keep it looking good all year-round with these tips: Rake leaves and cut the grass. If you’re selling your home in the […]

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  • 5 Simple Ways to Pet-Proof Your Luxury Home

    5 Simple Ways to Pet-Proof Your Luxury Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Most Canadians agree that it just wouldn’t be a home without a beloved pet curled up at your feet or snuffling around the kitchen as you prepare dinner. If the thought of a pet getting into trouble in your new luxury home makes you wince, however, you’re not alone. Follow these tips to keep your […]

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  • 3 Ways to Stage an Unused Basement

    3 Ways to Stage an Unused Basement,Mike McCarthy Realty

    What happens when you’re getting ready to stage your home and find yourself grappling with … gasp … an unused basement? For a home that’s staged to the tenth degree and set up to showcase its gleaming marble and lavish entertainment spaces, a basement that’s sitting empty is kind of a downer. Here’s how to show off […]

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  • 4 Financial Mistakes You Should Avoid

    4 Financial Mistakes You Should Avoid,Mike McCarthy Realty

    As Global News reported, more than half of Canadians are just $200 away from not being able to pay their bills. That’s not a comforting position to be in. While financial security should always be the goal, here are a few mistakes you should stop making now to help your financial future. Paying pointless fees. Far too often […]

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  • Converting a Portion of Your Home into an Income Suite

    Converting a Portion of Your Home into an Income Suite,Mike McCarthy Realty

    For new homeowners especially, the idea of renting out a part of your home to offset the mortgage payments is incredibly appealing. In a market that is unaffordable for the average young couple, it seems like a potential way to get into the market when your budget isn’t huge. While becoming a landlord does come […]

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  • 5 Essentials All Adults Need in Their Homes

    5 Essentials All Adults Need in Their Homes,Mike McCarthy Realty

    No matter how old you are, buying your first home can feel like the true threshold to adulthood. Here’s how to upgrade your new home so it reflects a new stage of your life and kisses the rental lifestyle goodbye. Framed ArtBand posters and oversized flags taped onto the wall have a certain aesthetic to […]

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  • Staging Your Outdoor Living Space for Luxury Buyers

    Staging Your Outdoor Living Space for Luxury Buyers,Mike McCarthy Realty

    If you’re selling a luxury home during the Canadian spring or summer, you’ll be courting buyers who are already imagining how they might use outdoor space to its fullest. Admiring city skyline views on a rooftop terrace, maybe. Or entertaining friends and family in a lavish garden. Extending your home’s living and entertaining space into […]

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  • How Millennial Homebuyers Differ From Their Parents' Generation

    How Millennial Homebuyers Differ From Their Parents' Generation,Mike McCarthy Realty

    As the millennial generation in Canada grows into their 30’s, it should come as no surprise that they’re making up more of the first-time homebuyer demographic than they ever have before. However, this group of buyers has some distinctly different habits when it comes to homeownership than their Boomer parents do. Here’s how millennials differ: […]

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  • 3 Colours You Should Never Paint Your Bedroom

    3 Colours You Should Never Paint Your Bedroom,Mike McCarthy Realty

    A true luxury bedroom should be many things: spacious, tranquil, opulent. Unfortunately, there’s almost nothing that ruins this sentiment faster than a retreat painted a shade that’s outdated or simply doesn’t convey these elements. If you’re staging or refreshing a bedroom in preparation for a home sale, make sure you never opt for these shades: […]

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  • 10 Real Estate Terms Every First-Time Buyer Should Know

    10 Real Estate Terms Every First-Time Buyer Should Know,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Are you one of those people who feels embarrassed when you don’t know what a word means? In the world of real estate, you’re not alone. There are so many niche terms being thrown around that it can be hard to keep up, particularly if you’re a first-time buyer. A good real estate professional will […]

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  • How to Make the Most of Your Renovation Budget

    How to Make the Most of Your Renovation Budget,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Has it been years since your home has had an update? Are you sick of the dated fixtures and flooring? Are you eager for three-pane windows so you can avoid the cold during the winter? Maybe it’s time to renovate. But renovations take time and money. And, when it comes to your home, you’ll want […]

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  • 3 Things You Shouldn't Sacrifice During the Home Search

    3 Things You Shouldn't Sacrifice During the Home Search,Mike McCarthy Realty

    In Canada, buying a home can seem expensive, especially if you’re a first-time purchaser. It’s common to think about what elements are crucial and where you might be able to cut corners (do you really need that main floor powder room or those high-end condo amenities?). There are some things, however, that just aren’t worth […]

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  • 4 Bedroom Design Mistakes to Avoid

    4 Bedroom Design Mistakes to Avoid,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Your bedroom is the room in your home where you will spend a large portion of your time in. It goes without saying that it should be a beautiful space you love being in. All too often, we get trapped into buying things just because they look luxurious but they don’t actually add value to […]

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  • 4 Things to Avoid When Selling Your Home

    4 Things to Avoid When Selling Your Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Selling can be just as stressful as buying, especially if you live in a desirable neighbourhood. The housing market is notoriously competitive, with flurries of “for sale” signs appearing on front lawns every day. If you’re trying to sell in a hurry, you’ll want to avoid these mistakes. Pricing too high or too low. It might […]

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  • 5 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

    5 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly,Mike McCarthy Realty

    While many can associate eco-friendly trends with a certain look that isn’t as desirable as you might want in your luxury home, there are many ways to improve the environmental impact of your home without losing style. Here are a few options to consider. Install a green roof. While we see these on many corporate buildings, […]

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  • Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Your Home

    Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Your Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Going the DIY route when taking photos of your home to sell? Listings with photos tend to generate much more interest than those without. If you’re tackling the snaps yourself, however, don’t fall victim to these common mistakes: Shooting at NightWhile it’s sometimes true that time is at a premium, if you can find time […]

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  • How to Enhance Your Foyer With Some Luxury Touches

    How to Enhance Your Foyer With Some Luxury Touches,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Though an entryway is usually seen as a mostly functional space, it’s also the first impression guests (or potential homebuyers) have of your home. And in a luxury home, you want that first impression to be unbeatable. Try these tips for a luxury makeover that makes your entryway shine. Opt for oversized art and a […]

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  • Blinds or Curtains: Which Is Right for Your Home?

    Blinds or Curtains: Which Is Right for Your Home?,Mike McCarthy Realty

    When it comes to staging your home for sale, interior decorating can be complicated. The debate between curtains or blinds goes beyond aesthetic preferences, with the design community having a variety of opinions on which is the best choice to help sell your home. Stylistically, there are a lot of choices. There are about as many […]

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  • These Could Lower Your Home's Value

    These Could Lower Your Home's Value,Mike McCarthy Realty

    There are some obvious elements that could lower your home’s resale value, and you can probably think of some of them, like living next to a waste plant or having floor-to-ceiling 70s wallpaper in every room. But these less obvious aspects that could decrease your home’s value might surprise you: Appliances That Aren’t Stainless SteelLike […]

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