When it comes to maintaining or increasing your home's value, you probably think of major renovations, curb appeal, and market trends. However, some lesser-known factors can quietly decrease your property's worth. Whether you're planning to sell soon or simply want to protect your investment, here are five surprising things that can lower your home's value.

1. Excessive Personalization
Your home should reflect your personality, but overly customized features can make it harder to sell. Bold paint colours, built-in entertainment center’s, and unique room conversions (like turning a garage into a home gym) may not appeal to the average buyer.

How to Avoid This
● Stick to neutral colour palettes for walls and flooring.
● Opt for removable or easily reversible customizations.
● If you’ve made major modifications, consider offering to revert them before listing your home.

2. Poorly Maintained Landscaping
Curb appeal plays a crucial role in a home's value, and a neglected yard can be a major red flag for potential buyers. Overgrown lawns, dead plants, or an unkempt exterior can suggest deeper maintenance issues inside the house.

How to Improve Your Yard
● Regularly mow the lawn and trim hedges.
● Remove dead plants and weeds to keep the landscape neat.
● Invest in low-maintenance plants to keep the yard attractive with minimal effort.

3. Unpleasant Odours
Lingering smells from pets, smoke, or even strong cooking odors can deter buyers and lower your home’s value. Smells can seep into carpets, walls, and furniture, making them difficult to remove.

How to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh
● Deep clean carpets, drapes, and upholstery regularly.
● Use air purifiers to eliminate persistent odors.
● Open windows frequently to improve ventilation.
● Avoid smoking indoors and keep pet areas clean.

4. Outdated or Poorly Done DIY Renovations
While DIY projects can save money, poor craftsmanship can be a turn-off for buyers. Improperlyinstalled flooring, uneven...

The chill in Canada's housing market could be thawing sooner than expected.

Interest rates are dropping.1 Pent-up demand is building.2 Sales are starting to heat up.3 And a potentially electrifying set of mortgage rules just went into effect, making it easier than it 's been in years for first-time buyers with smaller down payments to qualify for a higher priced home.4

As a result, some experts now project that competition for new homes could start tightening sooner than anticipated.5 "It's game on for home buyers," wrote NerdWallet's mortgage and real estate expert Clay Jarvis after the Bank of Canada announced its latest jumbo rate cut in December. "The combined impact of lower rates and less-stringent lending guidelines could be a game-changer –– for some buyers, anyway."4

Even the Bank of Canada acknowledged last month that a confluence of factors that are now widely expected to come together in 2025 could help to rekindle Canada's long frozen housing market. "There are some mortgage rule changes to come," noted Bank of Canada senior deputy governor Carolyn Rogers at a December press conference. Plus, "another 50-basis-point cut. We know housing is very sensitive to interest rates, so we do expect more pickup."6

What does this mean for you? Read on for our take on what to expect for 2025.  

MORTGAGE RATES WILL BOTTOM OUT

With the Bank of Canada's policy rate now at its lowest point since 2022, both fixed and variable rate mortgages are more affordable than they have been in years.7

Mortgage rates could slide further still. The Bank of Canada is still widely expected to cut its key rate by another percentage point or more this year, which will push the prime rate below 5%.8

But don't expect fixed mortgage rates to fall too much more in the coming months, if they drop at all. In fact, BMO Senior Economist Robert Kavcic thinks fixed rates may have already hit bottom. That's because today's rates not only reflect previous rate cuts. They're also influenced by anticipated...

Tech the Halls: Smart Home Gadgets for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and celebration, but they also bring added responsibilities. Between decorating, hosting, and just keeping up with your daily routines, your home can quickly start to feel more like a neverending to-do list rather than your haven.

That’s where smart home technology comes in. It can help you streamline holiday tasks to focus on what matters most—spending time with loved ones and enjoying the season's magic.

And there are more upsides to upgrading your home tech: doing so can also enhance the overall value and appeal of your property. Current research suggests that buyers are more likely to make an offer — and a higher one at that —- on a home that already has smart home features installed.1

So whether you're thinking about selling in the near future or just want to enjoy your home to the fullest this season, adding smart gadgets is an investment that pays off. Read on for some of the best smart home solutions to simplify your holidays (and just maybe make your home more marketable down the road, too).

ENTERTAINING MADE EASY

Spending time with friends and family is the highlight of the holiday season — but entertaining can be a lot of work. These tools can help turn any gathering into a celebration to remember without all of the fuss.

1. Make cooking easier with digital recipe access

Holiday cooking often means late nights and multiple trips to the store. Instead of juggling old recipe cards, let smart-home displays keep you organized with easy menu planning and grocery lists.

High-end: Google Nest Hub Max
Among its many capabilities, this smart display offers an easy-to-use recipe mode with step-by-step guidance from the Google Assistant. Imagine having a sous chef right on your countertop!

Mid-range: LG - 27" Smart Monitor
Looking for a nice big screen to watch cooking shows or YouTube videos or to pull up your favorite recipe? This smart TV can be perched on your kitchen counter...

For many homebuyers, multigenerational living used to be considered an option of last resort: it was a route families took only when they needed to ride out a financial storm or care for ailing family members. But that mindset is on the decline: A growing number of families now say that they are embracing multigenerational living and moving in together by choice.

In fact, the share of homes occupied by three or more generations or by cohabiting households has jumped 45% in the last 20 years, according to Statistics Canada. By the time the 2021 census was recorded, over half a million kids lived with both parents and grandparents.1

Living with extended family has become especially popular in recent years as younger generations face higher home costs and seniors embrace aging in place. With average home prices continuing to outpace median incomes in Canada, first-time home buyers have become more open-minded about co-buying a home with friends or family.2

Indigenous and immigrant families are especially likely to embrace multigenerational living—often for cultural reasons.3 With multigenerational homes more common in other parts of the world, newcomers from those regions often prefer living with extended family, says Dr. Shimi Kang, a psychiatrist and parenting expert. "As Canada, in particular, is getting more multicultural, we see [multigenerational homes] are becoming a norm, not just for financial reasons."4

For many families, the benefits are substantial, said Kang to HuffPost Canada. "Pooling finances, pooling childcare, pooling household responsibilities, having a support system built-in."4 Plus, research shows that people who live in multigenerational homes are healthier and tend to live longer. They also enjoy more financial security.5

That's not to say that multigenerational living is easy: It can also be stressful—especially if you choose a home that isn't suited for a larger family. The key to making it work is to pick a home that can accommodate young and old alike...

The Ultimate Relocation Guide: From Finding a House to Feeling at Home

May is “Moving Month,” as designated by the Better Business Bureau and Canadian Association of Movers.1 It also happens to kick off the peak moving season, which generally runs from May through September.2 

According to a survey by Statistics Canada, respondents listed their top motivations for moving as “bigger or better housing” (28.0%) or “a more desirable neighbourhood” (16.8%).3 But no matter the reason, a relocation can feel stressful and overwhelming.

If you’re one of the many Canadians planning to relocate in the coming months, this guide is for you. We’ve outlined six steps to make your move easier. Our hope is to alleviate some of the hassle of relocating—so you can focus on the adventure ahead! 

1. CHOOSE A COMMUNITY

When planning a relocation, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is where you want to live. This could be as broad as an area of town, or you might narrow it down to a specific neighborhood.

Depending on your priorities, you may want to start with communities that are close to work, friends, family and/or your preferred schools. If you commute, map out the route and check on the availability of public transportation, if you plan to use it. Then, if possible, try out the commute during rush hour to see what it’s like.

Next, it’s crucial to consider housing prices and cost of living so you don’t set your sights on an area that you can’t realistically afford. Don’t forget to look up local crime statistics to ensure the community is safe. Finally, visit any neighborhoods you’re considering to gauge the vibe and observe characteristics, like pedestrian accessibility, retail offerings, and population density. 

Researching the ins and outs of various communities can be a time-consuming and sometimes difficult process, but we’re here to help! Give us a call to discuss your needs and aspirations, and we’d be happy to provide our recommendations of neighborhoods that may...

Downsize Your Home, Rightsize Your Life: 
How to Choose the Ideal Smaller Home

When you've lived somewhere for many years, it can be tough to say goodbye. But if you (or a loved one) currently have a home that is bigger than necessary or is too high maintenance, it may be time to trade unused square footage for a smaller, more manageable space. 

Take it from the downsizers who’ve been there: Although living small might require some adjustments, it can also be liberating––especially if you're in a stage of life where past responsibilities have given way to new possibilities and adventures.  

In fact, many downsizers report feeling invigorated by the change, according to American journalist and real estate writer Sheri Koones. “It scares people to think of moving into a smaller space,” said Koones to the Associated Press. “But every single person I interviewed who has made the transition says they are so happy they did.”¹

The key is to find somewhere you can live well and move around comfortably, without feeling overly restricted. If you like the idea of aging in place or are already in your golden years, you may also want to look for signs that a new home can conveniently age with you. 

With that in mind, I recommend focusing your search around three key factors: desired lifestyle, optimal design, and long-term accessibility. Read on for specific tips, then call me for a free consultation. I can help you identify the types of homes that are best suited to living large with less.

DESIRED LIFESTYLE 

The best part of downsizing is the lifestyle you unlock when you trade square footage for convenience. With fewer chores and home maintenance tasks to worry about, you can instead channel your energy into other pursuits. 

For example, instead of spending...

Real Estate Market Forecast: Opportunities for Home Buyers and Sellers in 2024

Home buyers surprised everyone last spring when they shook off higher borrowing costs and showed up to new home sales in droves. The surge in competition for a still-limited pool of properties helped home prices pop and renewed sellers' confidence in their ability to get top dollar for a home. But experts caution that the 2024 housing market could unfold quite differently, especially if Canada's economy experiences another dip later this year.¹  

Ever since the Bank of Canada hiked interest rates last summer, home sales have dropped in many areas as buyers and sellers alike struggle to close deals.² Canada’s economy has also softened, prompting some home buyers to move forward more cautiously.³ But with the Bank of Canada now widely expected to cut rates in the spring, competition could reheat quickly.⁴

Not every neighbourhood is cooling at the same rate either, making the familiar adage that “all real estate is local” especially relevant.⁵ With a market this fluid, the home buyers and sellers with an edge will be those who proactively leverage a real estate agent’s on-the-ground expertise and stay flexible so that they can quickly adapt to hyper-local changes.

What does that mean for you? Read on to learn more about the current state of the Canadian housing market, the potential opportunities for buyers and sellers, and economists’ predictions for the coming year. 

MORTGAGE RATES MAY DROP SOONER THAN EXPECTED

The best news we've got incoming for 2024? The extra high mortgage rates that have weighed heavily on Canadian real estate for some time may finally be headed south.

Citing a global economic slowdown and improving inflation, policymakers at the Bank of Canada opted to leave the central bank's key rate unchanged in December after pushing rates to a 22-year high last summer.⁶ The feds cautioned that another rate hike was still...

Celebrate Sustainably: 5 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Holiday at Home

 It's the most wonderful time of the year. But for many families with festive plans and hectic schedules, it's also the most wasteful. 

According to one survey, for example, 60% of respondents admitted to throwing away more than usual during the holiday months as they filled up their trash bins with uneaten food, wrapping paper, gift bags, and commercial packaging.¹

The reality is, Canadians routinely toss about 25% more trash during the holidays, according to Zero Waste Canada.²In fact, we throw away so much wrapping paper that the waste, combined with castoff shopping bags, is estimated to weigh as much as 100,000 elephants.^2,3

As our holiday schedules grow busier, many of us also forget to take simple steps at home to shrink our carbon footprints or prepare for a more energy-efficient winter. 

Luckily, it’s not that hard to shift our habits and plan for a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly celebration. Here are five ideas for ringing in the holidays this year without overstressing Mother Nature.

1. PREP YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

Depending on the amount of time and resources you have available, you could cut your carbon emissions significantly this season just by winterizing your home. According to Natural Resources Canada, around 61% of the average home's energy usage goes to heating.⁴

Investing in a more sustainable way to warm up your surroundings, such as a conventional or cold climate heat pump, could be especially impactful if your current HVAC is underperforming. The Canadian Climate Institute's Heat Pump Calculator estimates that homeowners can potentially save hundreds of dollars a year by switching from a gas furnace to a more energy-efficient heat pump.⁵ Replacing old appliances or things like chronically leaking windows with newer, more energy-efficient solutions can also save you money over the long term.⁶ Plus, you may qualify for a federal grant or...

35 Tips to Furnish Your New Home for Less

Buying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in life. And if you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll be planning your furniture placement and decor before the ink dries on your offer letter.

But before you run to the nearest home goods store, take a deep breath. First, you’ll need to delay any major purchases before you close on your new home. A large outlay or additional line of credit could affect your credit rating and, thus, impact your mortgage terms.¹ Second, moving and closing costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to be strategic with your remaining budget.

But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to save on home essentials, and I have rounded up some of my favourites to share with you. 

PRIORITIZE WHAT YOU REALLY NEED BEFORE YOU START SHOPPING

According to the nonprofit Furniture Bank, you could spend around $8,300 to outfit a one-bedroom apartment with the essentials, and the costs only go up from there for larger homes and higher-end items.² That’s why we recommend starting with a thorough assessment of what you already have and what you actually need to start life in your new place. Here are some steps to help you prioritize your purchases and keep spending in check. 

• Make a list of everything you need. Going room by room could help you brainstorm—for example, you might list items ranging from a mattress to blackout curtains for your new primary bedroom. 

• Inventory what you already have. Cross the big (dining table) to the small (kitchen knives) off your list as you go. 

• Divide the remaining items into three groups: things you need right away (a mattress), items you’d like to have in the near future (a coffee table for your living room), and pieces that can wait (an area rug). 

• Calculate your budget. Figure out how much money you’ll have available for immediate purchases after the sale has...

Income Properties Are Trending, But Is Landlord Life for You?

If the thought of investing your money into brick and mortar—or perhaps some stylishly-painted siding—excites you, join the club. 

Investing in real estate has long been one of Canadians' favourite ways to grow their wealth. According to a poll by CIBC, 15% of Canadian homeowners already earn some rental income, while another 11% aspire to it. What's more, over a third of current homeowners (37%) say they'd look for a property with income potential if they were buying a new home.¹

Baby boomers over the age of 55 are especially likely to own an income property these days.² But according to Statistics Canada, a growing share of millennials in their 30s and 40s have also cashed in on the real estate investment trend.³ The Bank of Canada estimates that at least 20% of newly purchased homes are now owned by individual investors, up from 18% in 2015.⁴

Canadians have historically embraced real estate, in part, because of the strong return on investment it can offer—especially to investors willing to stick with a property over time. It's also a popular way to hedge against inflation since both rental income and property values tend to rise in tandem with overall prices.⁵

But how do you know if you’re well-suited to take advantage of real estate investment opportunities? Here are three signs that owning a rental property could be right for you.

1. YOU'RE A HOMEBUYER WHO WANTS HELP COVERING THE MORTGAGE

If you're looking for a creative way to buy a home without overspending, “house hacking” could be the answer. Increasingly popular with first-time homebuyers and budget-conscious investors, house hacking simply means buying a home that you intend to live in while renting out a portion of it to one or more tenants.⁶

In addition to padding your monthly income, buying a home with a self-contained income suite can make it easier for you to qualify for a mortgage. If a secondary...