Homeowner Insurance 101
Not all insurance products are created equal. It is important to understand all the different insurance products to ensure you have proper coverage.
Below are the main insurance product options you will encounter with homeownership, and ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on July 17, 2023 in Buying a Home
New Construction Loans: What You Need to Know
If you’re considering buying a home, you’ve likely thought about how you are going to finance that home. But what if you’re considering building a new home, instead of buying from a seller? Can you go through the mortgage ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on February 22, 2023 in Buying a Home
What to Know about Second Mortgages
A second mortgage is a mortgage that is taken out against a property that already has a home loan (mortgage) on it. Generally people take out second mortgages to satisfy short-term cash or liquidity requirements, have an investment ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on February 8, 2023 in Buying a Home
Five Myths First-Time Homebuyers Should Ignore
From searching for homes to picking up your new keys on closing day, buying a home is an exciting process. Many first-time homebuyers also have the benefit of receiving advice from family members or friends who’ve already gone through the ...
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Posted by Fiona Simard, Realtor® on January 25, 2023 in Buying a Home
Rethinking Rentership: How to get ahead financially while renting
Getting ahead financially while renting may be your new, realistic, goal. Considering that for roughly three-quarters of Canadians, owning property has become virtually unattainable, the concept that homeownership is the marker of ...
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Posted by Nick Ziebell, Realtor® on September 26, 2022 in Buying a Home
What to Check on Your Final Walk-Through
The final walk-through on your new home is an exciting event. It means you have successfully maneuvered through negotiations, inspections, and financing ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on July 12, 2022 in Buying a Home
What is Canada’s Mortgage Stress Test
Similar to putting salt in the driveway before a snowy night or drinking a lot of electrolytes before a big game, a stress test is a great way to prepare for anything. Buying a house and settling on a mortgage is one of the biggest decisions of ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on June 1, 2022 in Buying a Home
8 Reasons Why Real Estate is the Best Investment
Real estate has long been considered a solid investment for many reasons. It is a relatively safe and easy way for people to build wealth beginning with a small amount of money. If you are interested in investing in real estate, I’d be happy ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on April 26, 2022 in Buying a Home
The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying Vacant Land
Building a custom home is hard work that is rewarded when you move into the home of your dreams. The first step is finding the perfect lot to build on. Before you purchase a lot to build on, be aware of these do’s and don’ts.
Do work ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on April 12, 2022 in Buying a Home
Upsize or Downsize: What's Your Best Move?
Deciding if it is time for your family to upsize or downsize is not always a clear choice. There are factors to consider that might push you to take the leap or stay put for a while longer. Whether you are thinking about upsizing so your family can ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on March 2, 2022 in Buying a Home
5 Tips for Buying a Luxury Home
Luxury homes are generally described as those in the top 10% of their market. Luxury homes are usually located in the most optimal areas in a market, are large in size, and built with high-end materials. Luxury homes often have unique design ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on February 10, 2022 in Buying a Home
The Do’s and Don’ts for Investing in Real Estate
Are you thinking about investing in real estate in 2021? It may be the perfect year to purchase a rental property, a vacation home, or to flip houses. I would be happy to help you find the perfect investment property, and I’ve put together ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on January 7, 2022 in Buying a Home
Buy or rent a home: Which is better financially?
For generations, Canadians have been asking themselves this important question: ‘Is it better to buy a home or rent?’ On the one hand, owning comes with more responsibility and higher monthly expenses, but offers more stability and a ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on November 4, 2021 in Buying a Home
Prices in Canada’s secondary cities continue to rise as buyers prioritize space and affordability in age of remote work
Since the late spring of 2020, Canadian home prices have been rising at historic rates, following the onset of the global pandemic. Widespread lockdowns suddenly forced millions of workers and students to conduct their daily business from home. ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on November 2, 2021 in Buying a Home
Closed vs Open Variable Rate Mortgage
With interest rates trending low, Variable Rate Mortgages (VRMs) have shown to be a tremendous money-saving option. And like Fixed Rate Mortgages, VRMs come with open and closed terms.
An open VRM allows the borrower to pay off the mortgage at any ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on September 30, 2021 in Buying a Home
Price Dropped-Is it a good deal?
It sure may look like one, but keep in mind, it's not about, "they came down 10k or even 50k." It's about, "Was the property priced right to begin with?"
Some properties hit the market out of sync with the neighbourhood. As few people are interested ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on September 20, 2021 in Buying a Home
Buyer Agreement-Why You Should Want One
Some Buyers might be wary of signing a Buyer Agency Agreement because they are concerned that the relationship might not work out. And they don't want to be stuck with a 'crummy agent.' That's understandable.
Having a relationship with a Buyer Agent ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on September 18, 2021 in Buying a Home
Cost planning now, reduces stress later
A detailed plan is key when buying your home. Let's get together and go over all the calculations now, so you're prepared at 'deal time.'
Mortgage financing is just one component. Here are other expenses to keep in mind.
Mortgage Loan Insurance ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on September 15, 2021 in Buying a Home
Buying Your First Home? Know These 5 Things!
I love working with first-time home buyers. Helping you find your first home, learn the home buying process, and guiding you from house-hunting to move-in day gives me the warm fuzzies. Here are three things you should know before you start looking....
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on September 6, 2021 in Buying a Home
When is HST Applicable in a Real Estate Transaction
Generally, in Ontario, HST is applicable on the purchase of property in four instances:
(a) where the property is residential property and is a new construction build or has been substantially renovated
(b) where the property is a residential ...
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Posted by Kim Ziebell, Realtor® on August 26, 2021 in Buying a Home