Imagine going to a restaurant with your family for dinner. You're

planning on ordering a nice pasta and salad. Your heart is set on it.

But, after you go to the trouble of driving there and getting a table,

you discover that pasta is not on the menu.

That’s disappointing!

Of course, it’s only a meal. You can go somewhere else next time.

But, what if the same scenario played out once you had moved into a

new neighbourhood? Imagine you were counting on public transit

being in easy walking distance, but discovered the nearest stop is

four blocks away. Argh!

That's why it's important to ensure a neighbourhood has the

characteristics you want — before you make an offer on a home you like.

Think about what you want most in a…

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New windows will increase your home’s resale value and energy efficiency, but they can also play a major role in boosting your home’s style and aesthetics. With design in mind, here are some tips for your window replacement project.

Choose the right material.

The three main types of materials used in window manufacturing are wood, vinyl and fiberglass. Vinyl is the most popular choice for window replacements in Canada. Not only do they offer great energy efficiency, they also come in nearly every colour and can even mimic the look of wooden frames. Fiberglass window frames also have good thermal performance and have come a long way in terms of design choices.

Wood frames are timeless and a classy choice for your window replacement. You can…

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Ideally you should have a week or two available before you list your

property in order to stage your home and make it look its best for buyers.

But, what if you listed quickly and within hours of the For Sale sign going up

a buyer wants to view your property?

In that scenario, you need to do some quick "staging" to get your home

ready. Let's assume your property is already clean and tidy. Here are some

other things you can do.

· Open the curtains, even at night. This will make each room seem

brighter, more appealing and more spacious.

· Pull out some boxes or storage bins. Put away personal knick-knacks

(like that bowling trophy) and other personal items to reduce clutter on

shelves and countertops.

· Clear…

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Moving around the corner or even across town is relatively simple because you are likely familiar with the various neighbourhoods and you can access them anytime. If there's a listed home you want to view, you can simply go see it. 

Relocating to a different town or city, however, is much more challenging. It may not be possible for you to make multiple visits to see homes for sale. You may also be unfamiliar with the various neighbourhoods. 

So what do you do if you want to move out-of-town or need to relocate due to work? 

Your first step is to get the information you need. You'll want up-to-date data on the neighbourhoods so you can pinpoint the ones that are the best fit for your needs and lifestyle. You'll also want to get a sense of the…

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 It is with great excitement that we announce Alex Ward as the new owner of both MaxWell Devonshire and MaxWell Devonshire Realty (Including the Devon, Lethbridge and Tofield office locations). Alex is a motivated young man who has always dreamed of owning an office. In fact, he was so motivated that he was able to purchase his first offices after only 4 years of working as a real estate agent within one of those offices. 

Mentored under previous Devonshire owner, Gary Kirkham, Alex has a deep understanding of each of the offices and plans for dramatic growth by 2025. Existing agents can expect to receive a multitude of new services designed to help them develop larger networks, more effectively reach their sphere of influence, and more effectively…

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How are my kids going to afford a home?  If you are like me, then parents of millennials may have asked themselves this same question. With a national average home price of $375,000 (excluding Vancouver and Toronto), a stress test implemented in 2016 which makes insured buyers qualify for a mortgage payment at higher interest rates and tightening qualification criteria at Genworth, Canada’s largest default insurer, are our kids ever going to be able to move out of our basements and into homes of their own?

Well, those who think the government went overboard on mortgage tightening may have a glimmer of hope. Recently the federal government is looking to make home-buying more affordable for millennials – and one potential solution would have a…

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If you're thinking ahead to your next dream home, the road you need to take to get there may seem confusing. Do you search for listings online? Drop by Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs?

 

Let's break it all down! Here are the specific steps you need to take to ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs and budget.

 

1.  Find out how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s market.

2.  Arrange for financing, so you know what you can afford.

3.  Select neighbourhoods you'd love to live in. (That may involve some fun exploring!)

4.  Decide on the type of home you want to buy. (For example: detached, three-bedroom, etc.)

5.  Prioritize the property features you want most,…

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