The Real Estate Centre Blog

It’s natural that home buyers are excited and eager to find the house of their dreams during the home buying process. Real estate agents typically tell sellers not to be overly emotional during the process, because it may jeopardize their sale. However, some buyers may be unaware that approaching the buying process with too much [...] More...

A home is a person’s safe haven and an extension of themselves. After buying a home, it’s important that new owners implement safety measures to keep their homes safe from potential problems, ranging from poor air quality and mold to insects and contamination. There are several ways new owners can keep their homes healthy and [...] More...

Coldwell Banker Survey Finds Women and Men Make Home-Buying Decisions with Head and Heart Square-footage and price are important elements to consider when selecting a home but according to a new survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate of 1,000 men and women, they both also rely on how they feel and how their lifestyle fits [...] More...

Whether they are dealing with a growing family or have simply decided to change some aspect of their property, many homeowners may find themselves considering renovations or remodeling projects after buying a home. Many homeowners take on multiple home renovation projects to improve their home. Some people may prefer to get their major home-related activities [...] More...

Whether individuals currently own or are selling a home, making improvements around the house can add more character, charm and utility. There are several projects that may not only add dollar value to a home, but can also make it more enticing for potential buyers. And what’s more, many of these improvements can be completed [...] More...

Consumers who are buying a home may spend a great deal of time visiting open houses and working with a real estate agent to find the right home for them. An open house is one of the greatest opportunities buyers have to look around, visualize themselves living in the house and, most importantly, ask questions [...] More...

The push to “go green” is a common trend among prospective homebuyers, and many may seek out ways to become more environmentally-friendly after buying a home. Making improvements and upgrades, whether the home is new or old, can not only help buyers be more environmentally conscious, but it can also save them money on utility [...] More...

Prospective buyers have several factors to weigh in when buying a home, and one of the most important characteristics individuals look at is the neighborhood they plan to reside in. There are several more prominent amenities that buyers examine and desire in a community, such as a good school system, affordable taxes and friendly neighbors. [...] More...

February 7, 2012 When faced with winter cold, homeowners can take a number of steps to reduce how much they spend staying warm. According to HouseLogic, lowering the thermostat three to five degrees and turning it off when no one is home could reduce heating costs as much as 30 percent, depending on where the [...] More...

February 7, 2012 Working with a small living space can be a tricky scenario for new homeowners, especially more established couples who have accumulated a great deal furniture, accents and other personal keepsakes. But before home buying remorse sets in, new owners should consider some common decorating tips that can allow them to maximize the [...] More...

When shopping for and buying a home, one way to narrow down a search is to consider what aspects of a given property can or cannot be changed. For example, if a family wants yard space for children to play in, that may limit their prospects. If money is unlimited, then the only thing that [...] More...

One factor some home buyers look for, particularly in cities, is walkability. The Wall Street Journal notes that walkability is closely tied to a home’s location and the culture of the surrounding area. Walkability can allow residents to spend less time worrying about traffic congestion and make regular outings, such as shopping trips, much more [...] More...

Wise and cautious homeowners who purchase insurance coverage for their residences may not fully understand the differences between competing policies. If such a misunderstanding occurs, they may find out at the worst time that their coverage does not apply to their current circumstances.   If they are planning to stay in a home, this could [...] More...

Homeowners planning to sell are often aware of repairs and upgrades their home could benefit from. This presents a dilemma, since competing pressures encourage and discourage such actions. On the one hand, the expense of work on a home can be significant, and if the current homeowners are planning to move out it may seem [...] More...

Placing an Offer on a Home After finding a home they like, want to own and live in, home buyers still have to negotiate with the current homeowners. From making an offer to closing a deal, home buyers should consult their real estate agents who can help successfully secure their new homes.   One common [...] More...

Houses have always been a central element in the spooky and scary tales of Halloween. There’s something about a house with Gothic architecture, boarded up windows or even the aura of the supernatural that can send tingles up your spine. I’m sure all of us can think of that one house in the neighborhood that [...] More...

Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre expands their network to grow their presence in Ontario’s Barrie real estate and Innisfil real estate markets; Grand Opening celebrations to include national management and local business figures (BARRIE / INNISFIL, ON – SEPTEMBER 16, 2011) A world-renowned real estate brand is growing its presence in the Ontario market, [...] More...

Home Ownership for Retirement Savings When you are young, with your whole life ahead of you, home ownership makes perfect sense. After all, you have thirty or more years of earning income to pay for your house. But what about when you are older, and you have fewer years of full-time work ahead of you [...] More...

Housing Market Trends and Statistics for June 2011 It looks like the housing market in the Greater Toronto Area is finally looking up. As the statistics are reported for June of this year there is a definite positive trend in the form of housing starts, increased house prices, and the number of properties that are [...] More...

To “Rent” Or “Buy” – That Is The Question With mortgage rates at near-historical lows, more people than ever are debating as to whether they are wasting their cash by continuing to rent. So how do you decide whether it is better to rent or buy a home? It’s simple really: just do the math. By taking [...] More...

The Debate Between TREB and The Competition Bureau Continues Recent stories by the Globe and Mail, CBC, and other news outlets have been reporting on the ongoing battle between the  Toronto Real Estate Board and the Competition Bureau over what information realtors and real estate brokerages should be permitted to provide potential buyers and sellers who [...] More...

The Top 10 Things to Look For During a Home Inspection The last thing a first-time home buyer wants is to find out that there’s something wrong with their new home purchase after they have already moved in. Buying a home already has a significant impact on a household’s finances, so it is important to [...] More...

The Home Buying Process – Simplified For some people, home buying can be a long and complex process; so much so that many people put it off for years, or will continue living in an unsuitable home in order to avoid going through it. However, with some forethought and planning the process of purchasing a [...] More...

Thinking of buying your first home? Here we take a look at some of the costs you should consider. A new home is the dream that just about every person and every family shares without exception. Whether a family needs a bigger house to accommodate more children, or a necessary downsize after the kids have [...] More...

Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you’ll ever make, so prepare yourself to make a knowledgeable decision. Although buying a home almost always seems like a great idea, it is important to understand what homeownership involves. Of course, being a homeowner is something to be proud of but it [...] More...