empty room, clean with broom leaning up against the wall

Preparing Your Home for the Buyer

As you prepare to hand over the keys to your home’s new owners, it’s important to leave the property in good condition. A well-maintained and clean home creates a positive final impression and ensures a smooth transition. Below are some guidelines to help you meet buyer expectations. General Cleaning & Maintenance Kitchen & Appliances Bathrooms […]

vacant land condo

Vacant Land Condo

A vacant land condominium (VLC) in Ontario is a type of condominium development where individual owners purchase vacant lots within a shared community. While the land is privately owned, common areas and services are maintained collectively by the condominium corporation. Here are the key benefits: 1. Ownership of Land & Customization 2. Shared Maintenance & […]

Couple signing mortgage documents

How Do Mortgage Broker Fees Work in Ontario?

One of the biggest misconceptions about mortgage brokers is that using one is expensive. In reality, most mortgage brokers in Ontario do not charge you a fee for their services when you are applying for a standard mortgage with a prime lender (such as a bank or credit union). Instead, they are paid a commission […]

Mortgage Papers

How Do Mortgage PreApprovals Work in Ontario

In Ontario, a mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s conditional commitment to loan you a specific amount of money for a home purchase, based on an initial assessment of your financial situation. Here’s how the process works: 1. Applying for Pre-Approval You’ll need to provide the lender with:✅ Income Verification – Pay stubs, T4s, employment letter, […]

Guide to Additional Residential Units (ARUs) in London

Additional Residential Units (ARUs) are self-contained dwelling units located within the same building or on the same lot as an existing residential unit. ARUs aim to improve housing diversity, affordability, and sustainable land use in London. This guide provides comprehensive information on planning, creating, and understanding ARUs in London. Types of ARUs: There are four […]

Bill 23 ADU's

What is Bill 23?

Bill 23, known as the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, introduced significant changes to Ontario’s land use planning and development framework, with implications for London City Council’s policies and by-laws. These changes aim to address the housing crisis by facilitating the construction of 1.5 million new homes over the next decade. Key amendments introduced […]

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Government First Time Home Buyer Incentive

Summary of FTHBI Program Incentive 5% for existing homes, 5% or 10% for new builds Benefit Reduces monthly mortgage payments Repayment No ongoing payments, non-interest bearing, repayable at any time without penalty Eligibility First-time homebuyers, income and property type restrictions apply Property Types New construction, re-sale home, new and re-sale mobile/manufactured homes Equity Sharing Government […]

real estate deposits

Real Estate Deposits 101

The standard Purchase and Sale Agreement in Ontario gives the buyer two options when it comes to real estate deposits: 1.  pay the deposit at the time of making the offer – “herewith” or 2.  within 24 hours of the having the offer accepted – “upon acceptance”.  Most buyers prefer the latter as there is no point in […]

additional dwelling unit London Ontario

Secondary Dwelling Units in London Ontario

A Comprehensive Guide to Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) in London, Ontario Are you interested in adding additional dwelling units (ADUs) to your property in London, Ontario? ADUs are becoming increasingly popular as a way to increase the supply of affordable housing, and recent changes in legislation have made it easier than ever. In this blog […]

St Thomas Ontario Real Estate

25 Things to Do in St. Thomas

St. Thomas, Ontario, is a charming city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, with its own unique attractions and activities. Here’s a list of things to do in St. Thomas, Ontario: Visit the Elgin County Railway Museum: Explore the history of railways in Canada at this engaging museum. You can even take a ride on a vintage […]