Buying & Selling

Mortgages for Self-Employed Buyers

In general, for many years, most of the banks and lenders have had in place programs to approve clients that are “business for self” under what they call “stated income” guidelines.  Typically banks and lenders use line 150 on the Notice of Assessment’s as proof of income for qualifying purposes on a mortgage.  Essentially under… Read More >>

Getting to Know Your Community

Whether you have just settled into a new neighbourhood, are exploring the options for a move, or have your own reasons for getting more involved in your community, it can be difficult to know where best to turn first. Your neighbourhood community center is a great place to start. Enroll in one of the programs… Read More >>

Don’t Forget to Look At the Trees!

When buying a home, especially when you’re looking in established urban neighbourhoods, it’s really important to look at the property for more than just the house. Trees are beautiful in an urban landscape and in Ottawa we’re really lucky to have a great variety of majestic ones. When considering a property to purchase, take a… Read More >>

Finding the Right School

All schools are not created equal. But then again, neither are children! The key to making the right choices for your child’s education is to consider both the institution itself and the character of your child to make sure the two mesh. Attending the school information sessions is a great way to start, especially if… Read More >>

What Kind of Neighbourhood Are You Best Suited To?

We love working with buyers! The process of buying a home, whether it’s your first or your 10th, is always interesting and is usually a lot of fun. We like to meet buyers in person before we start the home-search process in order to review their criteria in detail so that we can ensure we’re… Read More >>

How Strategic is Buying and Selling Real Estate?

Very. Contrary to what inexperienced buyers and sellers believe, there is strategy involved almost every step of the way. Positioning your property. Marketing your property. Launching your property. Promoting your property. Negotiating your property. Even what you say to the agent or buyer who is asking a simple question. Strategy required! Well-executed strategies get the… Read More >>

The Home Buying Experience

If you are a first time buyer, you are looking for your first home. If you are a second time buyer, you are looking for your last home. (Or at least the one that is going to get you through your busiest years.) And the home-buying experience is vastly different for both. WHAT ARE YOU… Read More >>

When You Find Yourself in Multiple Offers

The one thing to expect when you find yourself in competition for a property is not to expect a thing. By that, I don’t mean not to expect to get it, but rather not to expect to know how the competition will play out. One thing is for sure, it could be any one of many… Read More >>