Blog Articles

How to Prevent Flooding in Your Basement

Sep 13, 2022

How to Prevent Flooding in Your Basement

    Basement floods and leaks can be both damaging to your home and costly to fix. Water damage can destroy your personal belongings, it can ruin your flooring, appliances, drywall, and if not dried properly, it can result in a mold problem.   So, what can homeowners do to prevent water damage to the basement?   Today, we are l ...

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Ryan Out Loud - This Week in Housing (September 24th, 2022)

Sep 23, 2022

Ryan Out Loud - This Week in Housing (September 24th, 2022)

  Benchmark Interest Rate hiked to 3.25% In an effort to control inflation, the Bank of Canada raised it's trendsetting interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Wednesday. The Bank of Canada has raised interest rates four times since late September, as the world's 10th-largest economy tries to battle a financial crisis. Surges in ...

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10-06-2022 - What is a Vendor Take-Back Mortgage?

Sep 26, 2022

10-06-2022 - What is a Vendor Take-Back Mortgage?

  We're going to break down a little bit of a vendor take-back mortgage and why people use them.     What is a Vendor Take-Back Mortgage? A Vendor Take-Back Mortgage is simply when the seller of a property provides some or all of the financing for the buyer. The seller or the property owner essentially becomes the bank and they hold t ...

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Mistakes to Avoid When Paying Off Your Home Early

Sep 27, 2022

Mistakes to Avoid When Paying Off Your Home Early

    In our previous blog we looked at some ways you can pay off your home early: How to Pay Your Mortgage Off Early   You could increase the size of your mortgage payments, do accelerated mortgage payments, make lump-sum payments, shorten your amortization period when you refinance or pay it off in cash. But there are mistakes that can b ...

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RRSP Home Buyers' Plan

Sep 27, 2022

RRSP Home Buyers' Plan

      Coming up with a down payment for a home can be a challenge. We all saw prices rise in our area to levels never seen before, pushing many aspiring homeowners to the wayside. The good news is, if you've been contributing to an RRSP, you may be able to take advantage of a plan to help first-time home buyers with the Home ...

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What's going on this weekend in Sarnia? September 30th to Oc...

Sep 28, 2022

What's going on this weekend in Sarnia? September 30th to Oc...

  The Sadies at Refined Fool Brewing Co. | September 30th | 8pm - 11pm The one and only SADIES are coming BACK to our London Rd taproom to blow your mind and the roof off. You do not want to miss this intimate and amazing performance. In support of their most recent album COLDER STREAMS. Tickets are $30 each + tax & fees Opening Act: TBA &nbs ...

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September 2022 Housing Market Update for Sarnia-Lambton

Oct 06, 2022

September 2022 Housing Market Update for Sarnia-Lambton

      Current active listings: 710   Sales & Sales Volume: September 2021: 162 sales, and $78 million in volume. September 2022: 132 sales, and $66 million in volume. Number of Sales by Price Range: 11 sales: $0 - 200,000 37 sales: 200,000 - 400,000 42 sales: 400,000-600,000 40 sales: 600,000+     Averag ...

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This Week in Housing (October 14th, 2022)

Oct 14, 2022

This Week in Housing (October 14th, 2022)

    Low-Speed Vehicles The City of Sarnia is considering permitting low-speed vehicles (LSVs) to operate on city streets and would like public input on the matter. Electric LSVs have a top speed of 40 km/h and are ideal for shorter trips within an urban area.   blackburnnews.com/sarnia-seeking-feedback-lsvs   Mayoral Candidates ...

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Preventing Fire in the Home

Oct 19, 2022

Preventing Fire in the Home

  When a home is affected by fire, the results can range from financially costly to tragic. Many people have friends or acquaintances who have lost their homes, possessions or their lives to fire. Let's do our part and check out some preventative tips.   It's important for everyone to know their role in fire safety. Homeowners, landlords and ...

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6 Ways We Protect Our Clients' Interests

Oct 20, 2022

6 Ways We Protect Our Clients' Interests

  When you're on your own buying or selling, you're missing out on some of the biggest perks of working with a real estate brokerage; agency.   Our clients gain some big advantages over those trying to do so on their own. But how do we protect our clients' interests?   Here are 6 Ways We Protect Our Clients' Interests.     ...

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Eight Ways to get Your Home Ready for Winter

Oct 26, 2022

Eight Ways to get Your Home Ready for Winter

The winter season is drawing near which means sub-zero arctic-like temperatures, icy conditions, and a whole lot of snow. That's why it's time to start thinking about how to protect your home from any potential damage the frigid temperatures and snow may bring. Taking charge now, before it is too late, may help you avoid a home insurance claim late ...

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How to Choose the Best Down Payment

Nov 02, 2022

How to Choose the Best Down Payment

    How much money should you put down as a down payment? Let's break it down for you and give you some tips on how to choose the right amount.       Down Payments in the  5%-20% Range. 5% is the minimum amount that you can put down on a home in Canada for your principal residence. It's also the amount ...

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What's going on this weekend? Nov 11th - 13th

Nov 09, 2022

What's going on this weekend? Nov 11th - 13th

    What's going on this weekend? November 11th - November 13th   November 11th | FUSION at Degroots BACK IN PERSON! Lambton County Developmental Services (LCDS) is pleased to celebrate FUSION: Food, Wine & Craft Beer Show, presented by Pembina Pipeline Construction, with you!   This year we have tons of amazing celebrations pl ...

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October 2022 Housing Market Update for Sarnia-Lambton

Nov 10, 2022

October 2022 Housing Market Update for Sarnia-Lambton

      Active listings: 638   Sales Count October 2021: 148 sales October 2022: 125 sales   Sales Volume: October 2021: $77,400,000 October 2022: $57,000,000 Sales by Price Range: 2 sales: $0 - $200,000 56 sales: $200,000 - $400,000 43 sales: $400,000 - $600,000 22 sales: $600,000+   Average Sale Price: O ...

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What's going on this weekend? November 18th -21st

Nov 17, 2022

What's going on this weekend? November 18th -21st

November 18th | Disney's Beauty & The Beast | Imperial Based on the smash hit 1991 Disney animated feature and dating back to a late 18th-century classic French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is impriso ...

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What's going on this weekend? December 2nd - 4th

Nov 30, 2022

What's going on this weekend? December 2nd - 4th

  What's going on this weekend? December 2nd - 4th Christmas on the Farm | Friday December 2nd Join us for a free celebration of the holiday season with Christmas on the Farm. Old favourites are back alongside some new attractions to delight all ages including roasting chestnuts; horse and carriage rides; ice carving demonstrations; crafts; storyt ...

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Open vs Closed Mortgage

Nov 30, 2022

Open vs Closed Mortgage

  Most homeowners need a mortgage loan to be able to finance the purchase of a home. But did you know there are many types of mortgages? Today, we're going to give you a breakdown of two popular types. This is Open vs Closed Mortgages.     Open Mortgages Open mortgages offer more flexibility to the borrower and the freedom to make add ...

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The Benefits of Buying a Fixer-Upper

Mar 30, 2023

The Benefits of Buying a Fixer-Upper

  If you're considering buying a home in Canada, you might want to take a closer look at fixer-upper homes. Here are some reasons why investing in a fixer-upper property could be a smart choice.   Lower Price Tag One of the most significant benefits of a fixer-upper is the cost. These properties are often priced lower than move-in-ready homes ...

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How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Feb 07, 2023

How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Improving the energy efficiency of your home doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. By making a few simple changes to your habits and completing some DIY projects, you can create a more comfortable home and save money on your energy bills.     1. Install low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water usage. This simple change can ...

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The Mortgage Process

Feb 23, 2023

The Mortgage Process

  The mortgage process involves several steps, which can generally be divided into the following stages:     1. Pre-approval Before home buyers begin the process of shopping for a home, they should obtain a pre-approval from a lender. This typically involves submitting a loan application and providing some documentation of the borrowe ...

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