• How to Stage Your Extra Bedrooms

    How to Stage Your Extra Bedrooms,Mike McCarthy Realty

    If you’re selling a property, you might have bedrooms to spare. And while you might be tempted to leave them staged as, well, bedrooms, having a surplus of spaces can actually be a great opportunity to show buyers what they could really be used for. A Dressing RoomGot a spare bedroom? Why not turn it […]

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  • Behind the Scenes of a Real Estate Transaction

    Behind the Scenes of a Real Estate Transaction,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Buying a home is likely the largest financial transaction you’ll make in your entire life. It seems like it should be a personal decision for that reason. However, a decision this big requires many people to make it happen; probably more than you realize if you’re a first-time buyer. Here’s who you’ll want on your […]

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  • How to Sell a Home on a Busy Street

    How to Sell a Home on a Busy Street,Mike McCarthy Realty

    When you bought your home, the fact that it’s on a busy street obviously didn’t affect your decision. Now that you’re ready to sell, it may be an issue for some purchasers. Just remember, though, that you bought the place even despite the busy street, so know that the right purchaser will come along. In […]

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  • Condos or Single-Family Homes? Canadians Prefer This

    Condos or Single-Family Homes? Canadians Prefer This,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Recent numbers from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) are showing certain trends in Canadian homes sales. According to BILD CEO, David Wilkes, these trends show a major shift in what Canadians want and find feasible when it comes to purchasing a home. Here’s what the numbers show: Condo demand is still high. Condos […]

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  • 3 Tips for Moving in the Winter

    3 Tips for Moving in the Winter,Mike McCarthy Realty

    We all know that the first dusting of snow can come as early as October and the last of it might not leave until March. That means if you’re a homebuyer in Canada, there’s a good chance you might end up undertaking a move during weather that’s less than ideal. Use the tips to tackle […]

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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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  • 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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  • 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 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Getting the Best ROI for Your Luxury Bathroom Renovation

    Getting the Best ROI for Your Luxury Bathroom Renovation,Mike McCarthy Realty

    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. […]

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  • Upgrading Your Kitchen for a Competitive Edge in the Market

    Upgrading Your Kitchen for a Competitive Edge in the Market,Mike McCarthy Realty

    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 […]

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  • Thinking of Downsizing? How to Choose the Right Time

    Thinking of Downsizing? How to Choose the Right Time,Mike McCarthy Realty

    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 […]

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  • Mortgages 101: What to Expect

    Mortgages 101: What to Expect,Mike McCarthy Realty

    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 […]

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  • Renting Out Part of Your Home?

    Renting Out Part of Your Home?,Mike McCarthy Realty

    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 […]

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  • 5 Time-Saving Staging Tricks

    5 Time-Saving Staging Tricks,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Maybe you’re on a tight deadline to sell your place. Maybe viewings have been booked sooner than you expected and you just haven’t had time to find a quality stager. In the world of real estate, things happen fast, like, really fast. So if you need a quick method for staging your home in the […]

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  • What You Need to Know About Escrow

    What You Need to Know About Escrow,Mike McCarthy Realty

    While you might have heard the term in other contexts and could come across it for a variety of reasons, in real estate, understanding escrow is an important part of the buying process. What is it? There are two kinds of escrow when it comes to real estate. The first is when a neutral third […]

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  • Goals to Help You Win With Real Estate

    Goals to Help You Win With Real Estate,Mike McCarthy Realty

    There is definitely money to be made in real estate. Even when you buy your own home, chances are you will be able to put some money in the bank when you sell it. If you’re investing in real estate, you should have clearly defined goals of the numbers you’d like to attain. With these […]

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