C21 Life Hacks - buyers

They're Coming: Higher Interest Rates

We saw with the global pandemic a major drop in interest rates for homes (this wasn't limited to houses, but for the sake of this topic, we'll limit it to houses). The cost of borrowing money was lower than it had ever been before because of the unprecedented situation. Among the negative crap storm of the world being affected by COVID-19, low interest rates were a positive ray of sunshine. Buyers were able to take advantage of this side effect, which made affording a home easier than it had ever been before.

Now, as the world adapts to live despite this virus, the economy is adapting to be able to recover. This means that interest rates will be on the rise, affecting all types of borrowing. We are already seeing banks here rise their rates, though in…

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Downsizing: More Common Than You Think

When you think of downsizing, you think of empty nesters or retirees, right? Well, it's actually becoming more common to downsize for other reasons. Small families, couples and singles of all ages downsize in order to enjoy life, reduce expenses and help provide opportunities for their children. It's all about their needs and life situations that lead them to make such a decision. Here are the main reasons why more people are looking at downsizing before becoming empty nesters and retirees:

1) Reducing the Cost of Living

Reducing cost is the number one way to save money, whether you're a business or an individual. In recent years, people have opted to ditch landlines in favour of their cellphones. They've cancelled their Satellite…

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Can I Buy A Home Without A Realtor?

This is a topic we get sad about - but it gets asked frequently, so we better answer it! The short answer, regrettably, is yes. You can buy a home without a Realtor. However, the real question to ask is "What should I consider if I decide to buy without a Realtor?" This is where you'll get your proper answer. It's possible to buy a home without a Realtor, but is that wise? Here's what you'll have to consider if you go solo:

There's Quite a Bit of Paperwork Involved

Purchasing a home requires a lot of documentation. There's inspection reports, purchase offers, disclosures, bank statements, lender documentation, approvals, estimates, closing costs, taxes, insurance, mortgage docs, appraisals....and even more! Are you able to understand…

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4 Insurance Tips for New Homeowners

If you've come here, you're either a new homeowner, or you're looking at buying your first home. May we be the first to say Congratulations! This is a huge step, and we hope our advice can help take the fear away from this large transaction. One of the most important responsibilities when becoming the owner of a home is making sure it's protected (financially speaking). A home insurance policy not only protects the structure, but the contents within should anything horrible happen. The following four tips will help you find the right plan to fit your needs, as well as ensure all of your belongings are protected. Once you go ahead with the policy, you'll be able to sleep safe and sound in your new space.

1) Shop Around

Insurance…

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Future Proof Your Bathroom Reno

When it comes to the home, most people want to stay in it for as long as possible. Trouble arises when their home doesn't age as well as they do. Take the bathroom, for example. A study released by the CDC in 2020 showed that falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over the age of 65, with 3 million ER visits per year. 79% of those falls take place in the bathroom. Despite these numbers, many homeowners resist changes that would make the room safer for fear that it would look too clinical or remind them of a hospital. Even those selling their home resist these kinds of changes for fear of affecting their ROI. 

But now, that's changing. The things designed to make the bathroom safer, like large showers, higher toilets, grab bars, improved…

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Make Your Home Work Smarter, Not Harder

Today, our homes are capable of performing tasks automatically. These intelligent features remind us of cartoons like The Jetsons, or sci-fi shows like Star Trek. What once was imagined is now reality! Automated home features make life easier for us, and some can even help to increase your ROI if you plan to sell. Let's go over some specific smart tools, shall we?

Smart Doorbells

Smart doorbells are becoming a must-have for every household! With online purchases at an all time high, so too is package theft. These doorbells will alert you to the presence of thieves, or to the presence of your delivery person, all in real time! A video feed streamed to your mobile phone allows you to see who's at the door, allowing you to decide how to…

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Quick Common Law Tips

Are you and your partner making the big move together? Here are some quick tips for unmarried couples who will be purchasing a home together!

1) Saskatchewan Definition

Regarding property in Saskatchewan, couples are considered official spouses when they have lived together in the same dwelling for two years, plus one day. This means that the person's name on the title of the property up until the two year (and one day) point is the only person who has any claim to said property. After that point, the two spouses have an equal claim - 50/50.

2) Mortgage Application

As with any person going to purchase a home, you go to a mortgage broker or your bank to get pre-approved for a mortgage. One person applies for this mortgage.…

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Real Vs. Personal Property

When dealing with property from a legal point of view, you may come across two terms: real property and personal property. What do these mean exactly? Let's talk about each in more detail:

Real Property

Real property refers to land, anything built on that land, growing on that land, and/or anything existing under the face of that land. Basically, real property refers to anything that is immovable. Examples:

• Barns
• Garages
• Crops
• Mineral Rights
• Sheds
• Buildings
• Fences
• Roads
• Landscaping
• Ponds
• Pools

Personal Property

Personal property refers to tangible (physical) and intangible (non-physical) items not permanently affixed to the land. Basically, personal property refers to anything that is …

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Things To Know Before Buying An Historic Home

What says home sweet home better than a house with history? Historic homes appeal to so many people - from preserving architectural designs to showing off unique character touches. Yorkton's South Central, Central and Northern neighbourhoods feature some excellent historic homes. This includes wealthy professionals' homes from the late 1800's and houses built by the Doukhobor settlers! These homes still stand today, reminding us of the people who came before us, who started their new families in a new territory, and who built their families with the future in mind. With all of these things in mind, it's not hard to see why you might find yourself hunting for one of these homes! As with all things in this life, buying a home comes with drawbacks - a…

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5 Front Door Decor Ideas For Halloween

Looking for stylish ways to show your appreciation during this spooky season? Keep it locked here to find out 5 easy and inexpensive ways to transform your front door! 

1) Bloody Numbers

What's more off-putting than a haunted house? A house that seems normal at first glance. With this one detail, you can effectively give your guests and/or trick-or-treaters that uneasy feeling when they come up to your front door! All it takes is your hot glue gun. If you don't have red glue sticks, melt in bits of red crayon and mix thoroughly. Squirt the red glue onto the edges of your house numbers, blowing on it to accelerate the cooling process. What you're left with is dripping, oozing, bloody numbers. If you're having fun, try doing the same…

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