Category: Collingwood Real Estate

Top Tips for Saving a Down Payment for a House in Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Finally, deciding to invest in a house is not easy, especially given Canada’s current real estate market. This essentially means that you will be taking on a huge debt that you will commit yourself to for many years down the line. In addition to this, you will also have to save up for a substantial down payment on the property, which is also one of the biggest reasons why many Canadians are not homeowners yet. They simply cannot afford the down payment on a property.

A lot of us have the option to save up for a down payment, but we know that it takes many sacrifices and a lot of self-discipline to get there. It also requires individuals to commit to a particular plan to save up the amount by an ideal date.

With that big concern in mind, here are a few top tips for saving for a down payment on a house.

1.If you have any high-interest rate debts, pay them off as fast as you can!

The sooner you make payments on these debts, the more you save on overall interest rates.  When these debts are out of the way, you can put your money towards a down payment instead of paying a monthly amount elsewhere. You can pay off your mortgage much sooner by making higher payments.

2.Figure out problem areas where you spend too much.

Everyone has certain money weaknesses, such as; some of us tend to eat out a lot; others spend a lot of money on clothes. It doesn’t matter what your money weaknesses are; what matters is that you need to identify them by being honest with yourself. The more you deny them, the more it will delay your homeownership. Once you have identified your problem areas, you can set a much lower budget for yourself and these categories and calculate the overall difference.

3.Try to set up automatic transfers.

If you already have this done, then good for you. But for those of you that don’t, try to set up automatic transfers from your bank account to send a particular amount of cash from your checking account into your savings account every month. The sooner you get used to it; you won’t even think about this money when you budget your expenses every month.

4.Set a reasonable monthly budget for your household.

This may be the most significant thing you have to do so far: get all parties in your home to agree to a specific budget for every month.  Suppose you live from paycheck to paycheck; it should be your ideal goal to have some money left over from your previous paycheck before you get your next paycheck.

5.Consider a more modest rental.

If you are saving up for a down payment on a home, you may be paying a high amount in rent every month. To save more money for a down payment, consider downsizing and moving to a more modest rental until you have enough saved up.

 

 

Jumping Into the Post-Pandemic Real Estate Market: What to Expect

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Description: The hike in the prices of real estate properties has left investors feeling devastated, wondering if it is even the right time to buy. 

 

The Covid-19 pandemic rather negatively impacted the real estate market. While the pandemic pretty much impacted most things, there are a few sectors that remained untouched. 

The world is slowly healing from the severe economic disruptions caused by Covid-19, making investors wonder what is next for the real estate industry. While we cannot make specific predictions, we can track trends to come to a logical conclusion as to what comes next. Worry is a natural reaction to most things today. But, what does help, is doing all the research and educating yourself, so you know in your conscious mind what to expect from the future. 

Covid and Office Properties

Most people began working from home rather than from their offices due to the pandemic. Companies deduced that remote work caused their employees to work more productively and even beat their performance levels from before the pandemic struck. With the vaccination rates on the rise, many companies have returned to their work-from-the-office model, but many have chosen remote work over this. 

What impact does this pivot from in-office to WFH have on office-property investors in Collingwood, Ontario? If the company has a one-person per desk rule, this might significantly impact how they invest in office spaces. They may need floors with smaller subdivisions to accommodate these changes or entirely disregard expensive spaces to invest in more affordable spaces. 

This may change as the pandemic leaves us, but we can’t be sure at this point. 

As for commercial real estate investors, the advice would be to be mindful of the shift in desirable locations when investing in office spaces. Many investors have ditched the hustle and bustle of the city and invested in office spaces in the suburbs. It is a high possibility that investing in these locations might prove to be rather fruitful in the coming years. 

Commercial Properties Post Covid

The commercial real estate world was devastated because of the pandemic. The overall demand for office spaces, retail spaces, and hotel spaces has declined. This has, in turn, put significant pressure on sale prices and has reduced sellers’ expectations when it comes to selling their properties and turning a profit. However, on the flip side, the pandemic has increased the sales of properties for industrial real estate such as data centers, cell towers, and healthcare institutes. 

Have a Cautious But Optimistic View

Whether new or old, investors should be mindful of the lagging vaccination rates in several parts of Canada, whether new or old. These rates can quickly turn into future restrictions and lockdowns in parts of the country. Therefore, they should be careful when they are investing in these areas. It would be worth investing your time in a reputable real-estate agency like Collingwood Info to help you understand the many factors that now go into investing in real estate post-pandemic. 

So, what’s it going to be for you?

Top Effective Marketing Hacks for Real Estate Agents

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Description: Want to find out what makes for a modern-day successful real estate agent? Read on to find the top effective marking hacks all real estate agents must use to get ahead of the game.

For every real estate agent out there, the biggest worry is always the marketing strategy they employ and whether it is effective or not. They are getting it right results in expanding their presence in the market and helping them get more leads. 

The competition in the market is genuinely endless as new trends continue to pop up, making it nerve-wracking for those trying so hard to keep up. This is a task aside from the actual job, which is to manage and sell properties. Realtors must create marketing strategies to stay on top of their competition to get more buyers, sellers, and investors. 

Take a look at these effective marketing hacks real estate agents can employ. 

Have a Responsive Website

It counts more than you think. The Internet has been around for decades now, and most of us regularly rely on it to even get from one place to another. The first thing people do when they hear something new is “Google it.” To enhance your online reach, you need to have a functioning and responsive website that is mobile-friendly and can function on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. 

Inform Your Audience 

Even if you are on top of all the trends, it wouldn’t matter if your audience is not. As a realtor, people can trust it, and it is your job to make sure your audience is updated regarding new trends in the real estate market with the help of social media channels. Inform them not just of trends but also what your company is up to so they can build loyalty with your brand. A great way to do this would be to have a news page for your business so people can keep up with your growth and understand your brand values.

Advertise Effectively

Social media channels have pretty much taken over the world. While organic ads work, you can run paid ads for your business and reach a wider audience. Meanwhile, you can curate content that represents your brand well and keeps people updated on real estate trends in the industry. 

Give The Conventional Methods a Try

We must evolve with the times, which doesn’t mean we should leave behind what has worked for decades. We need to modify the conventional real estate marketing techniques. Still, to turn a more significant profit with the help of direct mails, postcards, pamphlets, and more just to grab the attention of people and hold it for much longer than a few seconds while scrolling. 

Want access to a reliable real estate agent in Collingwood, Ontario, that has your back through the changing trends? Reach out to us at Collingwood Info. 

Real Estate Market Trends to Look Out For 2021

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

The smart real estate investor will always know the signs, trends, and statistics that affect the real estate market. These can be small trends that develop over the year or they can be big trends that are felt all across the country. Real estate investors need to be aware of these trends if they are going to make smart investments. One way they can do this is by reading real estate market reports that forecast what will happen in the next year and beyond.

Renters Are Moving Away From Urban Areas

The real estate market on a city level is largely tied to the strength of that particular economy and how attractive it is for both businesses and individuals. In 2020, there was an increase in people moving away from urban areas. This trend continued into 2021 and looks like it will continue well into 2022. This pattern is due to many factors, including many workers switching to remote work due to COVID-19.

New Home Building is on a Downward Trend

Many building projects came to a halt due to COVID-19. Homeowners have stopped building new homes since it made less financial sense to do so. On top of that, many builders weren’t prepared for the financial repercussions of the pandemic. This caused an interruption in production that led to many projects being put on hold.

Mortgage Rates Remain Low

It looks like the trend of lower interest rates will continue. Some of the lowest interest rates were seen in early 2020. This gives investors more opportunities to purchase property. Demand for residential mortgages is expected to increase again on its upward trend.

Condominium Sales on the Rise

In recent years, there has been an increased demand for condominium properties from older millennials and buyers who aren’t planning to have a family. With the baby-boomer generation reaching retirement age, condo living will be more attractive to them.

Housing is Still Unaffordable for Many

Despite the changes in mortgage lending rules, it is difficult for buyers to acquire homes these days. There is a shortage of condos and detached houses in many good locations. Prices are still unaffordable for most income brackets.

Home Prices Increases Are Faster Than Wage Growth

In larger cities, house prices are increasing more quickly than wage growth. When it comes to the real estate market, the debate rages on, with many arguing that housing affordability is a myth, while others see it as an ongoing crisis. The real home values have been rising consistently for years, but the pace at which they are rising appears to be at an all-time high.

Consumers are Buying Smaller Houses and Waiting to Buy

For years, people have been buying bigger homes to accommodate large families. But with millennials entering the real estate market picture, buyers are now looking at smaller homes to accommodate smaller families.

Check out what else is happening on the local real estate market here.

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Visit the Best Beaches in the Collingwood Area

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate / Collingwood things to do

It’s spring, which means that summer is just around the corner. Early blossoms, green buds, and chirping birds all promise warmer days and nights are coming. To help you make the most of our short summer season, let’s explore the best sandy and rocky beaches in and around Collingwood. Hey, one of these beaches was voted as the best beach for swimming in all of Canada!

Sandy Beaches

There is plenty of gorgeous Georgian Bay sand and water for everyone, with three sandy public beaches and one private one for Blue Mountain Resort members.

Wasaga Beach

Located along the southern end of Georgian Bay in Nottawasaga Bay, Wasaga Beach is the longest freshwater beach in the world. With stunning daytime views of the rugged Niagara Escarpment, the sunsets are also breathtaking. Wasaga Beach’s warm, shallow water makes it a safe place for swimmers of all ages and abilities. With 14 km of sandy shore, this is a popular beach with plenty of room to remain safe.

Undoubtedly, when you visit, you aren’t going to want to leave. To explore some real estate options—to keep your options open—there are knowledgeable real estate agents in the area who would love to chat.

Allenwood Beach

Allenwood Beach is a sandy beach at the east end of Wasaga Beach. It has shallow waters, making it a safe and fun beach for the whole family. There are parking and picnic areas and stunning picture-perfect sunsets. For some exciting entertainment, watch the kiteboarders and windsurfers play in the wind and surf.

young girl in the surf at sunset

Blue Mountain Beach

Blue Mountain Beach is a lovely private beach for members of Blue Mountain Resort. As a member, you can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for a day trip on gorgeous Georgian Bay. With warm, shallow waters, come dip your toes or relax in the surf.

Rocky Beaches

The city of Collingwood has some gorgeous rocky shored beaches that also offer room for land-based fun in the sun. Check out these iconic beaches within a short walk, cycle, or drive.

Northwinds Beach

Northwinds Beach is both a rocky and a sandy beach, a short trip from Collingwood. Located just off Highway 26, this beach is very popular with kiteboarders, windsurfers, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders. In addition, this beach is a popular spot for beach-loving visitors and locals.

rocky shoreline and blue water and sky

Sunset Point

Sunset Point is a waterfront location in the town of Collingwood. With a beautiful rocky shoreline and waterfront trails, this area also offers broad green spaces with playgrounds, volleyball courts, and plenty of healthy fresh air. In addition, there are several flat areas for you and your family to sunbathe and swim in the fresh Georgian Bay waters along the beach.

When you visit one or all of these beaches, you will no doubt fall madly in love with Collingwood and the surrounding areas. However, if you’re interested in learning more about real estate in the area, contact a reputable real estate agent who will be happy to help.

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Help Your Home Shine for the Spring Real Estate Market

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Spring is a great time to get your home ready to sell. Even if you’re not ready to list it, making some improvements now will allow you to enjoy them until you do. Creating the best first impression possible will help home hunters fall in love with your home as soon as they see it. First impressions are crucial for convincing potential buyers that your home has been waiting for them.

Spend some time this spring tidying up both the outside and inside and reap the benefits when it’s time to list your home for sale. Here are some top tips that will help your home shine in time for the spring real estate market.

Freshen Up Your Outdoor Spaces

Getting your home ready to sell can be a great motivator to clean up your outdoor spaces from the long winter behind us — as if you need an excuse to get outside these days! Once you’ve cleared away last year’s ground cover of dead leaves and plant stalks, take a good look at your outdoor space’s design.

Ask yourself these questions to see what work needs to be done. Are there spaces in your flower beds that need new life? Should you add a birdfeeder for a splash of colour and non-screen-based entertainment? You might consider adding some exterior solar-powered lights for a welcoming look and planting some flowering annuals to add instant colour to the front walkway.

Clear Out Your Indoor Clutter

Decluttering your home can be a big, but rewarding project that is an essential step to preparing your home to sell. You may end up hosting a yard sale of your purged belongings or donating items in good shape to a local shelter. Besides opening up your home to more light and less dust, decluttering now will make your eventual move that much easier.

Get That Deep Clean Shine

Once you’ve decluttered, your home’s pre-listing deep clean will be a cinch. If you’re not up to the task, consider hiring a professional local cleaning service to save you time and effort. The tell-tale shine of a deep clean is an extremely effective way to make buyers desire your home.

Paint With Neutral Colours

Once your decluttering and cleaning are complete, it’s likely your walls and trim will need refreshing with some neutral-coloured paint. This task will make your home appear bigger and brighter and more of a blank canvas for other’s art and other decorative items. 

As you get close to your listing date, continue to carry out these tasks, so there’s no last-minute scramble. Once you decide to list your home, get in touch with a reputable real estate agent for some additional advice on making a first impression that lasts.

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Increase Your Home’s Value With These Three Renovations

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Are you thinking about selling your home? One of the best ways to heighten your home’s value and get more money upon sale is by renovating. While you can paint and add in new curtains, other more extensive renovations will be more strategic and offer long-term benefits.

Now, these renovations don’t need to be ultra-expensive, but they do require an investment. If you have some areas of your home that may be lacking in modernity or visibly in disrepair, spending the money to renovate will not only increase the value, but it will get your home sold quicker.

Outlined below are three renovations that will almost always make your home more valuable. If you speak to a realtor, they can outline some other options for increasing your home value, but these three tend to stand out when it comes to renovations.

Update Your Roof

If your roof is clearly not in good shape with shingles buckling and missing, you need to replace it. When investing in a new roof, several materials tend to be more attractive than others. You may want to get steel or new, more defensive shingles. In some cases, you may also want to consider adding solar panels onto your roof, as this will increase the value and make your home very desirable to younger buyers. While this can be considered a more expensive investment, you’re sure to make this money back upon the sale of your home.

Fix Up Outdoor Spaces

You can add more liveable space onto your property by fixing up any outdoor areas. If you have a deck with some rotted wood or a poor layout, you may find it beneficial to replace it with something more structurally sound and spacious. By replacing decks in the back of your home or your front porch and adding in other outdoor landscaped areas, there will be more reasons for potential buyers to get excited. If you want to show off these newly redone areas, make sure you list your home during the summer so potential buyers can appreciate the quality of work.

Remodel Outdated Bathrooms

Everyone is looking for new and modern bathrooms. People want somewhere they will enjoy spending time each morning and before they go to sleep. The bathroom plays a vital role in personal routine and tends to be one of the first things people look for when buying a new home. The best way to approach bathroom renovations to start with the most outdated first. In some cases, you may want to add another bathroom in the basement, as this is a quality that potential buyers often seek.

While considerable time and financial investments, renovations will boost your home’s value and get it sold in a quicker timeframe. If you aren’t looking to sell just yet, it is still an excellent tactic for building equity. Not to mention, you will probably enjoy living in a renovated more so in the time leading up to your departure. 

Make sure you call a Collingwood realtor once you decide to list. They may also recommend some other renovations so you can list your home for more. 

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Get Ready For Spring With Some Landscaping Ideas

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate / Collingwood things to do

Getting ready for spring is usually easier to talk about than doing it. While you can clean your house and get rid of old belongings, sometimes it helps to think about the exterior of your home.

Spring is a time when you can take control of your yard before things start to get out of hand. You can lay the foundation of a beautiful garden so that come summer, everything looks incredible.

Collingwood soil has long been coveted for its nutrient density and its ability to sustain all sorts of plant species. Despite this, many people don’t know how to get started on landscaping. If you want some tips for how to achieve a yard you’re proud of, there are three simple things to do that are not too cumbersome and don’t require you to hire a third-party contractor.

Get Rustic With Vintage Pieces

Adding rustic elements to your garden can create a whimsical feel. You may want to opt for a cast-iron weathervane or a driftwood fence. If you go to any antique store throughout the Callingwood area, you are bound to find a ton of different knickknacks and features that you can add to your garden.

Similarly, if you have things in your home that you’re thinking about selling, you could consider adding them to your garden. Of course, you don’t want to be putting rustic elements everywhere, but adding a few here and there is a great way to add personality to your home and make your house stand out in the neighborhood.

Use Lighting To Your Advantage

It’s common for someone to spend countless hours and a large amount of money on landscaping jobs only to forget to add lights. Lighting doesn’t need to be expensive, and it can transform your yard. When choosing lighting, you can opt for small solar-powered lights that line a cobblestone path, or you can put in spotlights that shine onto one specific part of your garden that you’re proud of.

Some people also put the spotlight shining on their home, which can create a luxurious effect. If you have a small backyard patio and garden lights, it’s a great way to brighten up darker areas at night and create an inviting atmosphere where you can relax and look up at the stars.

Add Year-Round Greenery

When landscaping, you shouldn’t just think about perennial plants and greenery but also evergreen trees. You want plants that will keep their color all year round so that your yard doesn’t look completely dead when winter comes. When looking for this type of greenery, trees like cedar, pine, and juniper will be your best bet.

You can also walk around your neighbourhood and look for yards with shrubs and trees that have maintained their color throughout winter. You can then purchase these same plants to plant in the spring.

While winter still has a bit more life in it left to give, it doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about the spring. By getting your mind focused on your yard’s potential, you can keep the winter blues at bay and get excited about living in one of Ontario’s most remarkable areas.

 

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Key Things to Look for When You’re Visiting an Open House in Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Have you been spending your weekends visiting open houses? With modern staging and those delicious cookies they’ve left out for you to eat, it is easy to overlook some important details.  The open house is an opportunity for you to look beyond the touched up photos you’ve seen online. Here are a few key things that you should be looking for.

 

Inspect the Kitchen

 

You are likely going to be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Don’t be distracted by the flowers and staging items. Stand near the stove and sink; open and close some drawers and cupboards. Check for smooth movements and listen for squeaks. You also want to make sure that the layout works for the way you like to cook. Is there an adequate prep area? Is there enough lighting? Take note of the storage, is there enough space for all of your small appliances?  How long until the backsplash needs to be replaced? Or will the cabinets need to be touched up sooner rather than later? These are all questions that can be forgotten when speaking with the open house agent.

 

Check Bathrooms

 

Take some time to look beyond the beautiful finishes, or new renovation to look at the space. Do you require a double sink? Do you like to take baths? Even if there is a gorgeous shower, if you are a bath person or if you have kids, you are going to be looking at renovation in the future purchasing a home without a bathtub. Is there storage space for a linen closet, or to hide all the kids’ toys? Test the taps. Make sure the water pressure in the shower suits your needs. Flush the toilets. Plumbing issues can cost a lot of money, so you want to check those as soon as you can.

 

How do the Window coverings look?

 

Replacing all the window coverings in a home can really add up. Take the opportunity during the open house to make sure the current window coverings suit your needs. Do you prefer blackout blinds? Do they match your furniture? Do you have pets that will pull at the cord of the blinds? Spend some time opening and closing all of the shutters, curtains, and/or blinds. This will help determine if there are any that are damaged and need replacing.

Can you see the foundation?

 

Often overlooked during an open house visit, it is critical to inspect the foundation. Can you see it in the basement? If not, take a walk around the exterior of the home and look for any visible abnormalities. If the basement is not entirely finished and you are able to take a look, examine it for any cracks, smells, or white powder-like substances. If you do see white marks, this is a sign that water has seeped in at some point in time. You will definitely want to ask your real estate representative to look into it. Even if you will be performing a home inspection during your offer process, taking a good look at the foundation during your open house might help determine if you should put in an offer at all.

 

The Benefits of Buying Resale Instead of New Construction

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Are you in the market for a new home? Does the idea of buying a new construction home sound ideal? With construction costs on the rise and builders taking more control of the offer, it may not be the best decision. There are so many factors that affect new home construction that are not an issue when you purchase a resale home. Here are the benefits of purchasing a resale home.

Flexible Move-in Dates

 

If you want to move into your newly purchased home right away, buying resale is the right choice for you. Most resale home sellers are flexible with the closing date of the home. There can be exceptions or extenuating circumstance, but generally, you can negotiate a closing date that works for both parties. The closing date of a pre-construction home can be a year to 18 months away. A lot of new build projects take longer than expected. Builders have been known to push back the closing date, leaving purchasers to make alternative living arrangements.

 

Location, Location, Location

 

Typically, resale homes are in established neighbourhoods which provides buyers with easy access to things like transit, shopping, and entertainment. Infrastructure is normally already established as well. Schools in these neighbourhoods have ratings that you can count on, and places of worship have congregations if that is something of interest. Landscaping, and sometimes fencing, is already completed. This means no added expense is passed on to you, the buyer, for these items.  Most neighbourhoods that encompass resale homes are filled with history and charm. There are many cities in Canada that are currently taking initiatives to revamp and upgrade older communities.

No Mess, No Fuss.

 

More often than not, when you purchase a new construction home, you are getting just that: new and construction. Roadways and sidewalks might not be completed which means dirt and debris will be everywhere, including inside the house. As mentioned, resale homes built in established neighbourhoods have everything done, and therefore, the only thing you need to worry about tracking into the home is what mother nature brings you.

 

Mortgage and Taxes

 

Obtaining a mortgage on a resale home, even if you are upsizing, is pretty straightforward. The opposite is true of a new construction home. The mortgage for a new construction home is different. It is called a construction mortgage and is based on the contract you have with the developer or builder. The contents of that contract can affect the details of your mortgage or loan. So, you can see, the process is a little more complicated than purchasing a resale home. New home purchases are subject to HST upon closing. That can potentially be a heavy cash payment and has certain tax implications. Typically resale home purchases have taxes included in the purchase price.

 

The benefits of purchasing a resale home are evident. If you are a fan of traditional architecture or looking for a home oozing with character,  you are definitely going to want to spend your time looking at resale homes.