Deciding to purchase a home is an exciting step for many individuals. Whether setting down roots for a new family, investing in an up-and-coming urban center or anything in between, there are plenty of reasons why taking the plunge as a buyer can have great payoffs. Making the move from a renter to a first-time […]

Bathrooms are a big deal in a high-end home. Buyers don’t just want a functional or even a trendy space. They want a true retreat that rivals the best Canadian hotel spas. So it’s no surprise that many homeowners preparing to sell assume that the bathrooms are a good place to upgrade, and they’re right. […]

It’s easy to take gutters for granted. They serve a utilitarian purpose by directing rainwater away from your home’s foundation. In luxury real estate, however, installing high quality gutters can also be a way to set your home apart. While aluminum and vinyl are the most prevalent materials for a home’s drain system, here are […]

Whether you want to give your kitchen a luxury upgrade by gutting it before you sell, or you just purchased an older home and want to bring it into the 21st century, designing the kitchen layout will be critical. It’s one of the most well-used rooms in any house and can really make or break the […]

Canadians love familiarity. They love spending quality time with family and friends, and many find it difficult to let go of the places such as the family home where those cherished memories were made. If you’re at a time in your life when the starlings have fled the nest and you’re finding that your voice […]

Particularly for millennials, many of whom are renting or living with their parents far longer into adulthood than past generations, homeownership is a dream come true. For many young adults, it seems like an impossible goal—but more and more millennials are successfully securing mortgages. However, making the transition from renting to owning is not a […]

Your home may be beautiful to you, but that could actually hurt you when it comes to netting a great offer. Why? Because a buyer wants to be able to imagine themselves in a home, and an overly personal design—hello, bright orange accent wall—could make things difficult for them. But it can be hard to […]

With homeownership financially impossible for many young Canadians, a craze called house hacking has been gaining momentum all across the country. This is when a homeowner also becomes an investor more out of financial need than anything else. It can pretty much be summed up by the old adage, “having your cake and eating it, […]

Thanks to Canada’s thriving rental market, many homeowners are considering the idea of becoming a landlord. Whether this means buying a second condominium unit as an income property or buying a home with a basement suite to lease out, there are lots of options for rental income. Here’s what you should know before you take […]

One of the biggest hurdles first-time buyers face is the dreaded mortgage application. Between worrying about being able to qualify, and wondering which rate is best for you, it can become a nightmare in an already lengthy process. It’s important to do some research on what to expect before dipping your toe into the often […]

There’s just something about a newly-renovated property, whether it’s gleaming marble countertops afresh, a glass-walled extension or a sparkling new pool. Before you go ahead and put in a rush offer on a home just because it’s been newly renovated, however, it pays to ask a few questions. After all, beauty, as the saying goes, […]

As housing shortages become more and more common in big cities across Canada, turning your basement into a rental suite not only helps pay your mortgage, but gives those with lower incomes a place to live. While there are big financial benefits to renting out a part of your home, it’s also a big commitment […]

With Canada’s ongoing development boom, many purchasers consider buying a home or condo pre-construction, or one that’s just about to be finished. And while there are some amazing benefits to buying a home from plans or just as it’s being completed, there are a few things to take into consideration: You’re under warranty…for a while. If […]

There’s a lot of debate about what really constitutes a luxury home, and in some ways, it’s not surprising. There’s nothing to stop anyone from marketing their home as a “luxury property” and, in fact, some homes are designed to carefully mimic upscale finishes and features. So how can you tell these homes from the […]

House hunting is known to be a process that’s uniquely exciting and panic-inducing. For Canadian luxury buyers, the stakes are high! In this overwhelming situation, it can be easy to neglect details, jump the gun or listen to the wrong advice. Here are some of the most common mistakes we see luxury buyers making during […]

It’s no secret that most Canadians love to get a deal. We enjoy hunting for things that look like they’re worth scads of money, but were actually bought at a bargain. In the same vein, a home can be updated to look chic and sleek without emptying the bank. These seven ways to update your […]

Everyone appreciates the simple joy of a luxury hotel: the soft linens, the balcony, the nighttime cityscape. If you’re hoping to create that experience in your own home, it’s entirely within reach. Here are a few options to transform your home into the ultimate luxury experience. Wall SconcesIndoor lighting is one of the subtlest changes […]

If you’re retiring and downsizing soon, consider these factors. The neighborhood. You want to be close to things like grocery stores and banks. As a senior, it may be easier to get around if you’re not 30 minutes from a downtown area. Modifications. Can the home easily be updated to fit your needs? Mobility is something you […]

Living in a condominium can seem like a pretty sweet deal. In exchange for your monthly condo fees, all your maintenance tasks are taken care of. Right? Well, while you might not be on the hook for things like shovelling snow or cleaning the building’s pool, there are still some maintenance tasks you can’t forget. […]

Even though Canada is a vast country with tons of places to visit, there are some destinations that seem to get all the attention (we’re looking at you, Vancouver). If you’re planning a trip to the great white north and you’re looking for a unique and memorable destination, these are some top picks for underrated […]