Buy and Sell Saskatoon Real Estate

Tidy up the garage, clean the patio furniture or finally get around to that DIY project…we all have a list of projects around the house that seems to grow faster than you can finish it.

Now that you might be spending more time around the house, why not use this as an opportunity to start a new project or get around to a few of those chores you’ve been putting off? To help you get started, we’re sharing a list of around-the-house tasks for a quiet or rainy day. 

1. Tidy the garage

The ultimate “I’ll do it one day” project: cleaning out the garage. Start this project on a dry day so you can pull everything out onto the driveway or the lawn. Set aside what you want to get rid of and organize it into three piles: toss, donate and sell. Group what’s left by category (for example, sporting goods, tools, luggage, paint or kid’s items). 

Once the garage is empty, use kitty litter, sawdust or cornmeal to soak up any grease or oil. Sweep it up and then use dish detergent, water and a scrub brush to clean any stains. When repacking the garage, put less-used items on harder to reach shelves or in labelled storage containers, while keeping frequently used items in sight and easy to access. 

2. Soundproof a room

If your house is currently functioning as a home office, classroom and doggy daycare, you’re probably finding out exactly how soundproof each room is. Fortunately, there are some easy ways you can minimize sound travelling between rooms without making permanent changes. Hanging drapes, adding rugs and carpets, setting up a bookcase or investing in new doors are some solutions. Get more tips in our post about six easy ways you can soundproof a room.

3. Boost the Wi-Fi signal in your home

Whether it’s the basement, backyard or corner bedroom, there’s likely a space in your home where the Wi-Fi doesn’t work properly. To improve your online experience around the home, try putting a password on your network, using a router with four or more antennas or getting a signalbooster. To find out more about what might be causing your wireless woes and how to fix them, read our comprehensive guide to choosing the right Wi-Fi for your home.

4. Clean your patio furniture

Whether you store your patio furniture inside, cover it up with a tarp or leave it outdoors to brave the elements, your patio furniture is probably in need of some TLC before the summer season. Use soapy water and a soft brush or sponge to clean dirt and dust off your metal, wicker or wooden patio set (to avoid scratches, be sure to not use anything abrasive). 

If your patio set has cushions with removable covers, follow the washing instructions on the tag. For cushion covers that can’t be removed, use soap and water to scrub dirt and stains and leave cushions outside to dry.

5. Reupholster a chair

You might think that reupholstery projects are best left to a professional, but with some simple instructions and basic tools, you can bring new life to a treasured piece in just a few hours. Plus, you can use up fabric you might already have around the house like an old set of curtains, denim or other scraps. 

To set yourself up for success, start simple by choosing a chair or cushion with straight lines. Next, read our guide to DIY upholstery to find out what tools you’ll need and how to get started.

6. Set up your smart home

Maybe you never got around to setting up your smart washing machine, or maybe you want to be able to turn the kettle on from your bed. Smart appliances or smart add-ons can make those everyday chores easier and safer. Read our guides to smart appliances and smart home hubs and devices, and you won’t have to worry about whether or not you turned off the oven before leaving the house again. 

7. Purge your closet

Does it fit? Do you love it? Do you wear it? If you can answer “no” for any item in your closet, it’s time for a purge. Follow our guide to Kondo-ing your clutter to find out how to clean out and reorganize your closet to keep it functional and organized. If your local clothing donation location (like Goodwill or Salvation Army) is currently closed, fold and pack away clothes in clean, tightly-sealed plastic bags so they don’t get dusty and donate items once it’s safe to do so. 

8.  Refresh your home with paint

If you’re looking for an easy DIY project with a big impact, think about painting a room, touching up the trim or adding a pop of colour by painting a door. Contact your local hardware or building store for information about curbside pickup for painting supplies, or try online paint shop Digby to get supplies delivered to your door. To help you pick the perfect colour, check out our favourite paint colours for spring or this guide to choosing a colour to increase productivity, promote calm or boost creativity levels. 

Whether you spend a few hours or a few days working on projects around the house, you’re sure to enjoy your next Netflix binge even more knowing that you’ve crossed a few items off your to-do list.

Source:  Realtor.ca/blog

https://www.realtor.ca/blog/postpage/13426/1363/8-around-the-house-projects-to-tackle

With summer officially approaching, now’s the time to start creating a blueprint for the backyard reboot of your winter-weary dreams. Make the most out of your outdoor space this summer by bringing your kitchen outdoors and growing your own cocktail ingredients.

Whether you gather around a custom-built fire pit with s’mores or sweat it out in a barrel sauna, a little work now will mean a lot of relaxation in the not distant future. 

Grow your own cocktail ingredients

Hopping on the farm-to-table bandwagon, garden-to-glass cocktails will elevate your reputation and mixology abilities. When it’s safe to host again, you’ll be well-practiced and confident in your bar menu. Whether you choose to get deeply botanical with infusions and “shrubs” or keep it simple with ready-to-pluck mint and Thai basil, cocktail gardens can be as minimal or extensive as your liquor cabinet. 

Take-out pizza: the real deal

If you want to engage in a labour of love that will return the favour, upgrade your outdoor kitchen from a generic barbecue to a showstopper pizza oven. There are several online tutorials that will satisfy all skill levels, budgets and design tastes from rustic to elaborate. For a quick and portable fix, you can order an Ooni Koda. Fueled by propane, the Koda oven reaches 500°C in minutes, and you’ll have a piping pizza pie at the ready in 60 seconds. 

S’mores headquarters

Before you create your vision board, make sure to check with your municipality’s fire regulations and permit requirements. If you live in a wooded area, be mindful fires can burn deep below the surface and ignite tree roots. A 5-inch base layer of crushed gravel is advised. Like pizza ovens, fire pits can be built using natural stone, fire pit blocks or metal fire rings. Hard rocks like granite or lava rock won’t crack under extreme heat. Building centres carry complete kits with palletized stone (pre-sorted stone of uniform size) and DIY divas can learn how to lay capstone and build custom Muskoka chairs for the entire family.

Gas and propane-fuelled fire pit tables are popular for their mess-free instant gratification (no wood! No ash! No smoky clothes to launder!) while freestanding copper fire bowls create a natural and artistic focal point. 

Need help choosing the right fire pit or location for your outdoor space? Check out Your Guide to Outdoor Fireplaces. 

Let off some steam

Outdoor saunas can be a timeless addition to a backyard space. They can be used year-round and the health benefits make them a sound wellness investment. Lady Gaga and much of Finland swear by them. The design options jump from traditional to panoramic to white cedar barrel saunas with miniature porches. However, with a little sweat equity, friends will be eager to join you once it’s safe to do so. And, even more so when your backyard reboot is complete!

Open air shower or cowboy bath?

If you don’t have a lake in your backyard to jump into after cutting the grass, how about building an outdoor shower? It can be enclosed or open-air, making the set-up even simpler. All you need is an accessible water source, weatherproof wood and sufficient drainage away from your house.

Prefer a soak? “Cowboy tubs” are traditionally galvanized livestock water troughs or stock tanks and they are a fun off-grid amenity gaining popularity on Airbnb listings. Copper tubing makes the magic happen and with a little fire-tending patience, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind hot tub to soak in. With a garden-to-glass cocktail in hand, of course!

Backyard reboots can be achieved with any budget and a little ingenuity. Remember, you’re investing in relaxation and serenity, which is priceless!Looking for more ideas on how to transform your backyard into the ultimate retreat? Check out these suggestions for me-time she sheds, and big impact upgrades for your patio, porch and balcony too.

Source: Realtor.ca/blog

 https://www.realtor.ca/blog/postpage/13310/1367/creating-a-backyard-space-that-you-won%E2%80%99t-want-to-leave

As temperatures begin to rise, there’s nothing more rewarding than packing away your winter gear and tackling spring cleaning projects. Plus, now that we’re spending more time at home than usual, it’s the perfect opportunity to check off those often forgotten items on your cleaning to-do list. 

To help you take it step-by-step, we’re sharing 12 ways to deep clean for spring with tips from cleaning expert Melissa Maker. Whether you do two or ten projects from this list, your home is sure to feel fresh and ready for spring. 

In the kitchen

1. Remove your oven racks and scrub them in the sink with soapy water. For a natural way to clean the inside of your oven, mix three-quarters of a cup of baking soda with a quarter-cup of water, spread the paste inside your oven and let it sit overnight before wiping it clean.
2. Clear out your refrigerator, dispose of the expired items and wipe down all the interior surfaces with your favourite cleaning solution. Remove and soak any shelves with stubborn spills.
3. Check the filter at the back of your dishwasher, pop it out and clean it in the sink (check the manual if you can’t find it). Next, put approximately two cups of vinegar in a container on the top rack and run the dishwasher on the hottest setting to make it shine.
4. Tidy and organize the area underneath your sink. “It’s a very forgotten area and a really easy task!” says Maker. “Remove everything, and select only the things that are important to put back. While the area is still empty, wipe out the bottom of the cabinet and place a shelf liner on the bottom. This prevents the base of the cabinet from being damaged.”

Source:  Realtor.ca

Financial Post

March 5, 2020

Purchasing a property with the intention to turn it into an Airbnb can be risky. It's important to do your research and ask the right questions before you invest.

This article was created by StackCommerce in partnership with Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division. While Postmedia may collect a commission on sales through the links on this page, we are not being paid by the brands mentioned.

The rise of Airbnb may have you thinking about potential investment opportunities in the vacation rental market. Airbnb has made the idea of buying a property solely to turn it into short-term housing an interesting proposition. However, that strategy is not without risk. When it comes to Airbnb ownership, there are a handful of important questions you should ask yourself:

WHAT KIND OF INVESTOR DO YOU WANT TO BE?

There are plenty of ways to run a rental property, and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Do you want to be an active investor who spends a great deal of time maintaining the property to get those glowing user reviews? Or is kicking back and being a passive investor more your speed? Given how reviews can make or break an Airbnb property on the platform, playing the Airbnb game is much more suited to the active investor.

CAN YOU MANAGE THE PROPERTY?

Going off the importance of reviews, being able to keep a property in tip-top shape is vital for getting users to recommend your property and help it stand out on the platform. Can you keep the space clean and stocked with essentials like toiletries and linens? Can you delight your guests with fun recommendations or a tasty meal on the house? If not, it might be worth hiring a property manager to make sure your space wows your guests, though that will definitely cut into your bottom line.

Source:  Financial Post https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/what-you-should-consider-before-purchasing-a-rental-or-airbnb-property

Investing in real estate can seem scary at first. After all, a house is likely the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. So if you’re nervous don’t worry, because you’re not alone.

In my opinion, the best way to handle these first-time jitters is by starting small. If you’re scared of investing in real estate because you don’t want to lose everything I have a really simple solution: don’t risk everything.

I hear stories all the time of people who have put everything on the line by quitting their jobs and investing in major house flips. This is a terrible idea! Being successful in real estate, and any business, really, isn’t about making giant leaps. It’s not about getting rich quickly. Truly successful people are deliberate, decisive and strategic. They’re cautious and they look for warning signs. They take small but significant steps. And they take them continuously.

Dipping your toe in the real estate pool by renting out your basement to a friend, or investing in a rental property with a few partners, is a great way to test the waters and start to learn the business of real estate investing without taking on a ton of risk. And not just that.  Taking on partners on projects can minimize your risk, but it can also provide you with a support team to share in the successes and failures while you’re learning. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a win-win.

If that’s still too much, an even smaller step is to rent out your home while you’re away. Sites like Airbnb have made it easier than ever to make money from your home, and their review system helps to minimize some of the risks by giving you confidence about who you’re renting to. This is a particularly great option for people who live in popular tourist areas. When you live in a high-demand area – a city centre for example – you can always find people to rent your home when you’re away on vacation or business. And ultimately you can decide not to rent to someone if their profile doesn’t give you 100% confidence. 

Remember, you don’t have to make a huge commitment to get started as a real estate investor. There are more options now than ever before, so start small and then take bigger steps once you have more experience.

Source: Scott Mcgillivray

https://scottmcgillivray.com/afraid-to-invest-in-real-estate-start-small/

And this good advice doesn’t cost you a nickel, says Saanich mortgage broker

Is it time for your mortgage checkup?

After signing a mortgage document, many homeowners forget about it until five years later, when they receive a call or letter saying it is coming due for renewal. But your mortgage needs regular attention, says Brenda Joynson, a Mortgage Consultant with Mortgage Depot in Saanich.

“If you experienced changes in your physical health, you would go see your doctor. With changes in the mortgage world, including the Stress Test, your mortgage broker or banker can find new ways to improve your financial health,” she says.

Here’s five good questions to ask your mortgage professional:

1. Do the Stress Test rules apply to me? This test was designed to ensure borrowers would be able to pay the loan if interest rates rose. But did you know the rules do not apply to mortgage renewals, as long as they are with the borrower’s existing lender? You may even be able to move your existing mortgage to a new lender to take advantage of better rates, without having to apply the stress test.
2. Does refinancing make financial sense to access my equity for other things? Even with mortgage payout penalties, your savings could be significant. That could help you increase cash flow by eliminating credit card balances or lines of credit. This would allow you to increase your mortgage payment and pay it off faster to save interest. Perhaps your properties need maintenance, or you’re considering a renovation to enhance its value and/or rentability? Leveraging your equity can also play an important role in successful investing.
3. Is there room for improvement in my mortgage structure? If you own more than one property or want to pursue tax-deductible investments, changing your mortgage structure can save you money at tax time. For example, many multi-level mortgage products allow you to separate non-deductible mortgage payments from your deductible mortgage interest.
4. When should I lock in my variable-rate mortgage? Current fixed rates are often lower, so if you plan to keep the property, it’s worth having your professional do a comparison between fixed rates and your current variable rate. A key consideration are the penalties charged for breaking the mortgage contract early.
5. How can I pay my mortgage off faster? Mortgage payments determine amortization length: the higher the payment, the lower the amortization; the lower the payment, the longer it takes to pay the mortgage off. One strategy worth looking at is extending amortization on revenue properties and reducing it on your residential mortgage.

If you have other mortgage questions, an annual mortgage check up might be just what the doctor ordered, Joynson says. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you anything!

Source: Saanich News https://www.saanichnews.com/marketplace/5-questions-that-could-save-you-thousands-on-your-next-mortgage/

Buying a house can be an exciting, but complex process. So when you embark on your journey, one of your first stops should be familiarizing yourself with the lingo.

We've curated helpful information from our Homebuyers' Road Map and Tips for Buyers, to share with you some of the most important terminology a new buyer needs to know—from pre-purchase to post-purchase.

Before you buy

First things first, you need to find yourself a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® can bring you peace of mind thanks to their experience and professionalism. From helping you find a home that meets your needs and price range, to negotiating your purchase price, directing you through complex contracts, a REALTOR® is an important part of your home buying journey. 

While it's exciting to start visiting open houses, you must first determine how much a mortgage lender is willing to let you borrow to purchase your first home. Your mortgage is a loan that can help you cover the cost of buying a home. How much you're able to borrow will depend on factors including your total current debt, monthly household income, how long you’ve been at your current job and how long it will take you to pay it back: Introducing the amortization period. A longer amortization period means lower monthly payments but higher interest rates. 

Mortgage lenders use Principle, Interest, Taxes and Heating (PITH) as a tool to ensure mortgage affordability by determining the monthly payments that can be made by the home buyer. The REALTOR.ca mortgage affordability calculators can help you perform your own PITH test to estimate affordable mortgage payments.

When taking out a mortgage, home buyers grant the bank a lien on the property. This gives the bank the right to seize your property in the event you don't repay your mortgage.

Types of mortgages: 

• Fixed-rate mortgage: Your interest rate is locked in for a specified period called a term. Your payments stay the same for the mortgage's term so you will not pay more even if interest rates increase over time.
• Variable rate mortgage: The rate of interest you pay may change if rates go up or down.
• Conventional mortgage: Requires a down payment of 20% or more of the property's value. You're not required to get mortgage default insurance with a conventional mortgage.
• Closed mortgage: The mortgage cannot be paid off early without paying a prepayment charge.
• Open mortgage: A mortgage that can be paid off at any time during the term, without having to pay a charge. The interest rate for an open mortgage may be higher than for a closed mortgage with the same term.

Now that you know how much you can afford, your REALTOR® can help determine what type of neighbourhood you want to live in and what type of house you want to buy.

Buying a home

You've found your dream home…now what? It's not time to pack your bags just yet. There are many expenses you must consider beyond the purchase price (the price you're willing to pay for the house). 

You need to consider how much of a down payment you can afford. This refers to the initial up-front portion you pay against your home purchase. The larger the down payment, the smaller your mortgage. Are you a first-time home buyer with a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) account? You can now withdraw up to $35,000 without paying income tax through the Home Buyers' Plan.

Other factors you may want to consider at this stage are:

• Property taxes: This annual fee, imposed by the local government, pays for services like public education, local police and libraries. 
• Home insurance: This is a form of property insurance protecting you financially in the event of damages or losses to your home and its contents. In most cases, you can include these payments in your monthly mortgage payment. 
• Home inspection: Even if the home appears to be flawless, many home buyers arrange a home inspection as a condition of their purchase. Hiring a professional to inspect the overall condition of the home can cost a few hundred dollars, but can reveal any serious defects.

Now that you have figured out all of the costs associated with your purchase, you're ready to make an offer. An offer to purchase is a formal, legal agreement made between the buyer and seller which often contains certain conditions. This is commonly known as a conditional offer and includes factors that must be met in order for the sale to be successful such as financing terms, appliances and fixtures, inspections and the physical condition of the house. 

Generally, the seller has between 24 and 48 hours to accept, reject or counter-offer. This is known as irrevocability of the offer, the length of time the seller has to consider your offer. 

Once your offer is accepted, you will need to determine your closing costs. This includes your mortgage broker's fee, real estate commissions, moving costs, title insurance—an insurance policy protecting you against challenges related to the title of your home—and more. 

While there's a lot more lingo in the real estate dictionary, hopefully you now have a better understanding before taking plunge into one of the biggest single purchases you’ll ever make. These resources available on REALTOR.ca may also help you along your journey to homeownership:

• Tips for Buyers
• Find a Home
• Meet a REALTOR®
• Mortgage Calculators
• Homebuyers’ Road Map

Source: Realtor.ca/blog

https://www.realtor.ca/blog/postpage/11596/1362/real-estate-terms-cheat-sheet

The Canadian Real Estate Association says sales were slightly lower than November, but way up year-over-year

The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales in December were up 22.7 per cent compared with a year ago when sales were relatively quiet.

The association says sales in the final month of 2019 were up compared with a year ago earlier across most of Canada, including all of the largest urban markets.

On a month-over-month basis, home sales in December were down 0.9 per cent.

The decline ended a streak of monthly gains that began last March.

The actual national average price for a home sold in December 2019 was about $517,000, up 9.6 per cent compared with a year earlier.

Excluding the Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto Area, two of the country's most expensive and active housing markets, the average price of a home sold was about $400,000, up 6.7 per cent compared with December 2018.

The obvious follow-through from this increasingly tight market is that prices are starting to respond," said Douglas Porter, chief economist for BMO Economics.

"The MLS Home Price Index, which adjusts for shifts in the types of homes purchased, rose 3.3 per cent year over year. While that seems mild, it's a big pick-up from the outright declines reported in the first half of the year and is now running at its fastest pace in almost two years."

Source: CBC news https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/december-home-sales-crea-1.5427587

Have you ever considered building a skating rink in your backyard, but didn't quite know where to start? With so much to think about we spoke with two outdoor rink hobbyists, Devon Kunkel and John Houghton, to see what's needed to accomplish this wintry project.

Since all backyards are different, there's more than one way to create an ice rink. For example, Devon lives in a residential area and used purchased materials to build his, while John's rink receives extra help from Mother Nature thanks to his rural location (his yard partially floods each November). 

Timing and location

While you're waiting impatiently for winter to arrive, determine the rink's size—16 feet wide by 24 feet long, for example. Before the ground freezes solidly (it's OK if just the top half inch of soil begins to harden) is the best time to put your rink's perimeter in place. This also ensures your grass is dormant and avoids smothering it. If you wait until after it snows, you'll have to shovel or hope for a thaw before installing the perimeter.

When choosing your rink's location, consider how water drains from your yard. Avoid an area that will drain towards your home or your neighbours' and remember, flatter is always better. While you want to select a flat area away from your house, you want it to be close so a hose will reach, and where exterior lights can provide adequate coverage for night skating. If there's a slight slope, the 6” high boards should be enough to handle the increased ice depth at the lower end.

Pro tip: Before starting anything, always check with your municipality to determine if any bylaws or restrictions might affect your dream rink. Some municipalities require a permit to build one.

Materials

To start, you'll need rink-building materials, plus a few essentials to maintain your ice. Devon says a good quality hose, rated for winter use and long enough to reach the farthest ice with a spray attachment, is extremely important. A snow scoop and push shovel are ideal to clear snow accumulations. 

Complete rink kits, ranging from $80 to $700 or more, are available through national retailers, but if you'd like to build it yourself, these materials will do the trick for around $200 to $250 (excluding tools):

• 2” x 6' pressure treated boards (which usually come in 8 foot lengths)
• 2” x 2' pressure treated boards, cut to 8” lengths and tapered at one end
• tarps or heavy plastic sheeting — use a single sheet that overlaps the entire area
• 3” brass wood screws
• cordless drill
• mitre or hand saw
• rubber mallet

Source: Gord Brown @ Realtor.ca/blog

https://www.realtor.ca/blog/postpage/11576/1367/build-your-own-backyard-skating-rink