Low-Maintenance Plants for Summer Curb Appeal UPDATED May 21, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment First impressions matter—and for many homes, that starts at the curb. But once summer hits and the heat kicks in, keeping the yard fresh and inviting can feel like a second job. The trick? Choosing plants that thrive in the heat, ask for little, and still look like you& ...

Fast and Delicious Summer Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes or Less UPDATED April 25, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment Summer evenings move fast—between work, family time, and the occasional last-minute gathering, dinner can’t afford to be complicated. These five summer dinner recipes are built for that sweet spot: fresh, satisfying, and ready in 30 minutes ...

Carney’s Housing Plan Prime Minister Mark Carney has introduced an ambitious housing strategy aimed at addressing Canada's affordability crisis by significantly increasing the nation's housing supply. The cornerstone of this plan is the construction of 500,000 new homes annually over the next decade, effectively doubling the current rate of residential construction .(deeded.ca, Liberal Part ...

Easy Tricks to Clean Up Tough Messes UPDATED April 29, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment Some messes don’t just happen—they take over. An oil stain on your driveway that spreads like a shadow. Gum mashed into carpet fibers. Grease that clings to walls like it’s part of the paint job. These aren’t your average spills, and they don’t go away ...

SINK Homeowners Are Rising — Here’s How They Use Their Spare Rooms UPDATED April 24, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment There’s a new wave of homeowners influencing the housing market. Meet the SINKs — single income, no kids homeowners — who purchase homes even if they haven’t settled down with a partner. And with no children or partne ...

How Smart Homes and Digital Art Are Transforming Luxury Real Estate UPDATED April 25, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment The luxury real estate landscape has seen a rise in transformation over the years, captivating buyers to seek state-of-the-art smart home innovations alongside digital Surrealism art, merging both personality and functionality in modern residences ...

There are great opportunities out there in the real estate market. Be positive. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has a dynamic real estate market with plenty of opportunities for buyers, sellers, and investors. Here are some key insights: Market Trends: The GTA has seen a significant increase in new property listings, with a 48.6% rise compared to last year. This means buyers have more options a ...

This is a great question I get all the time! Whether you're leasing or buying a condo, the building itself is just as important as the unit. I just did a leasing deal and I did some of the points outlined below. Here's a breakdown of what to look for, split into practical categories: 🏢 Building Quality & Condition Age & Maintenance: How old is the building, and is it well-mainta ...

Simple & Affordable Ways to Refresh Your Home for Spring UPDATED March 27, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment As winter fades, spring brings the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into your home. You don’t need a major renovation or a big budget to make your space feel fresh and inviting. A few simple updates can transform any room, making it feel brighter ...

5 Things Homeowners Need to Secure Their Home UPDATED March 27, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment Keeping your home secure is the best way to prevent waking up in the middle of the night to the sight of a burglar. Plus, you avoid the potential cost and hassle of dealing with a break-in if one ever occurs. Investing in safeguards means investing in your family’s we ...

How to Prepare Soil for Spring Planting UPDATED February 27, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment A healthy garden starts with well-prepared soil. After a long winter, your soil needs some love to get it ready for spring planting. Prepping it properly can make a world of difference in how well your plants grow. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to help you give your ...

How Seasonal Color Analysis Can Transform Your Home UPDATED February 27, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment If you’ve ever walked into a room and something didn’t feel right, it could be because you haven’t discovered the right colors for the space. What started as a trend to uncover your best fashion looks can now be applied to your home. Here is what ...

Tariffs and how it will affect the Canadian Real Estate market When Donald Trump won the election in November 2024, he vowed to impose tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico, which together account for 45% of US imports as of 2022. 1 Concerns have arisen about the impact on the Canadian economy and the flow of Canadian goods into the U.S. Despite negative news, I believe the effects won't be as sev ...

Absolutely! Owning real estate comes with many hidden costs that people often overlook. Some of the biggest ones include:   1. **Property Taxes** – These can increase over time, depending on local government decisions and property value appreciation. Almost always property taxes go up because the most Municipal government needs money.  2. **Maintenance & Repairs** – Un ...

It depends on what you're looking for! Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of newer versus older condos: New Condos ✅ Modern Design & Features – Sleek finishes, open layouts, and smart home tech.✅ Energy Efficiency – Newer buildings have better insulation, appliances, and eco-friendly features.✅ Amenities – More high-end gyms, rooftop lounges, coworking spac ...

How to Give Your Old Home a Makeover Without Breaking the Bank UPDATED February 7, 2025 Alysia Heun Leave a comment Updating kitchen drawer hardware and fixtures is an easy way to give your old home a makeover. Older homes are pieces of history filled with charm and character you will not find in cookie-cutter new builds. From intricate moldings to vintage hardwood floors, these unique features ...

The "tale of two markets" in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) real estate refers to the contrasting trends between the **detached home market** and the **condominium apartment market**. Detached Homes- Prices Rising: Detached home prices have been on a steady rise, with a 22% increase since the COVID low in April. However, the crazy bidding wars are gone with most sellers getting close to thei ...

Buying a home in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) can be challenging, especially in a competitive and expensive market. Here are several strategies to consider: 1. Financial Preparation Assess Your Budget: Calculate your maximum budget by getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Include costs like property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance. Increase Your Down Payment: Save for a larger ...

A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a type of investment account available in Canada that allows individuals to earn investment income, such as interest, dividends, and capital gains, on a tax-free basis. It was introduced in 2009 to encourage Canadians to save for various financial goals. Key Features of a TFSA: Tax-Free Growth: Any income earned within the account, such as interest, dividen ...

In Ontario, "rent-to-own" is a housing arrangement where a tenant rents a property with the option to purchase it at a later date. It’s an alternative path to homeownership, particularly for people who may not qualify for a mortgage immediately due to credit or financial constraints. You see many Realtors or Mortgage Brokers advertising rent to own on bus signs and on the side of a bus. The ...