Oh my, qualifying, renewing, and refinancing! Mortgages may seem like a riddle. Fortunately, things aren't always as difficult as they seem. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you have a lot of tools at your disposal, such as the advice of your REALTOR®.

Let's look closely at the mortgage refinancing process, including what it involves, when it happens, and why it happens.

What exactly is refinancing?

To put it simply, when you refinance a mortgage, you end the old loan agreement and start a new one....

Zak’s Diner is opening a new location... Guess where?!

The fifth restaurant site of Ottawa's "locally world-famous" Zak's Diner will open in the hip Westboro neighbourhood. Early February 2023 will see the opening of this well-liked Ottawa diner and brunch place at what was formerly The Savoy Brasserie.

Zak's Diner loves this neighbourhood, and it is close to their hearts; they adore the neighbourhood.

In 2013, the owners of Zak's opened and owned The Savoy. It has a beautiful interior and has...

If you own a home and have recently glanced at the headlines, it's likely that you've considered what an increase in interest rates may entail for your mortgage.

The number of headlines about rising interest rates and increasing inflation is increasing. The Bank of Canada raised benchmark rates as inflation reached historical highs to help prevent high inflation from becoming entrenched. The benchmark rate set by the Bank of Canada also serves as a baseline for the interest rates that financial i...

The Bank of Canada stated on January 25 that its overnight lending rate would increase by 0.25% to 4.50%. In light of the most recent disclosure, Economists examine the effects of rising interest rates on inflation, mortgages, and the outlook for the coming year.

The hot subjects of 2022 were rising inflation, interest rate hikes, and rumours of an imminent recession. Some of these themes seem likely to persist in 2023.

The Bank of Canada began boosting its overnight lending rate in March...

It's a significant decision to downsize. There are steps you can take to help ensure that you are satisfied with your real estate transactions—selling your present house and buying a new one—as you relocate from your current home to a smaller one that is more fit for your lifestyle and needs.

Think about the features you'd like in a new house. Do you host a lot of events? Do you frequently receive out-of-town visitors? Do you prefer a low-maintenance lifestyle? Do you enjoy gardening?...

Are you familiar with SoPa? 

In an effort to generate buzz, local business owners and restaurateurs have come up with a creative name for the region just south of Parliament Hill.

"Triangle Below Canal Street" is what gives Tribeca its name. "South of Houston Street" is what gives SoHo its name. In Ottawa, the area south of Parliament will be known as SoPa

The purpose of SoPa is to make the downtown Ottawa entertainment sector more noticeable.

The name is part of a branding strategy that business...

A real estate purchase involves a significant financial investment, so many details must be carefully considered to make sure everything goes smoothly and successfully.

Here is a list of advice to get you started if you are looking to undertake either of these things:

• Do your research. Before buying or selling anything, be aware of the procedure. Our buyer and seller pages are a fantastic place to start. A range of helpful tools and guides are available here.
• Employ a real estate agent who can meet...

Question: What’s the true cost of selling a home? 
Answer: Usually 7-10% of the sale price.

Here’s a DETAILED breakdown (with 2022 data):

- Agent commissions: 5% of the sale price + applicable taxes (HST), split between the listing and buyer agents.

- Lawyer fees, land transfer taxes, and other administrative costs: 1-2% of the sale price.

- Home repairs and inspection requests: $100-10,000. The most common repair on a home inspection report? Sticky doors that need adjusting. The second?...

Is selling a house more difficult in the winter?

It's an excellent question, and if you ask around, you'll probably get a variety of answers.

In my opinion, personal and financial circumstances of each person determine this more so than the weather, though the market's state is obviously still a role.

In Ontario, spring and fall are widely regarded as the best times to buy and sell. While it is true that real estate transactions take place year-round, the winter months may present some unique challenges....

Resolutions for buying and selling in the new year.

To begin with, Happy New Year! I hope you spent the holiday season with loved ones in safety and delight (and great food).Many of you have already set some New Year's resolutions as we approach 2023 and a new beginning.

Here are a few more goals you might want to add to your list if you're thinking about buying or selling a house in 2023.

1. Before choosing a real estate agent, I will interview several.

Real estate transactions may be expensive,...