November 2009

Whether you use your home office to run a full-time business or just as a quiet place to catch up on work outside of your normal workplace; you should have it set up so that you are able to function efficiently and effectively.

Home office organization is something we don't think much about until it's too late. You need a home office, so you create one. And over time, things stack up and layer around you until one day, when something gets in your way or disappears at the last minute, you suddenly realize that your home office organization is long overdue.

Here are a few tips for turning your home office into an attractive and efficient workspace.

Maintain a dedicated workspace
A dedicated workspace not only helps organization but it also may…

Record-low borrowing costs combined with the growing realization that the economic storm is passing have fuelled the remarkable recovery of the real estate market in Canada. However, it is important to understand some of the issues that have surfaced with these exceptionally low interest rates.

If you are obtaining a mortgage, you are fortunate to be obtaining some truly historically low interest rates. The decision between taking a variable rate mortgage versus a fixed rate mortgage should be evaluated with your mortgage consultant and/or your realtor to assess the pros and cons of each option. Although rates are exceptionally low, lenders are definitely exercising more caution with their lending policies.

If you are thinking of refinancing your…

Once again we saw record-setting sales numbers for the month of October. This brings the year-to-date sales close to, or even higher than, the same period last year. Strong sales growth has occurred across many property classes from price ranges that would attract first-time buyers to luxury properties selling for over one million dollars. Listing inventory remained at a low level, and combined with brisk sales, indicates that we are still in a strong sellers’ market.

“After a short dip in the winter, the average home price has rebounded because sales have been high relative to listings,” according to Jason Mercer, TREB’s (Toronto Real Estate Board) Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Watch for listings to rebound in 2010 as homeowners react to the…

For some people, a condominium lifestyle is the only way to live—no lawn maintenance, a pool and tennis court, and extra security features you might not have in a single-family home. Other people simply can’t breathe in a condo because the neighbours are too close for comfort. Consider the pros and cons and your specific needs and desires before deciding to buy a condo.

Because of all of the advantages of home ownership in comparison to renting, many of you will soon be reaching a point where you want to buy a home. However, you may not be sure whether you should actually buy a house or if you should look in to buying a condo instead. This is especially true for younger home buyers who might want the benefits of living in a more communal situation…