Real Estate Blog

Debt-to-Income Ratio for Home BuyersThere are many things that a home buyer must take into consideration when they're trying to decide whether they're ready to buy a home, especially if it's a first home. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of those factors.

If you're thinking about buying a home sometime in the next several months, now is the time to find out what your debt-to-income ratio is, how it will impact your ability to buy a home, and what you can do to change your debt-to-income ratio (if it's too high). Understanding these matters can help you plan for the future, so you can position yourself to borrow money if you're planning to borrow a mortgage.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real

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Easy and Affordable Ways to Upgrade Home CabinetryThose not into that retro look but without a lot of money to spend on renovating an entire room may want to look into how small changes can improve the look of a space. When it comes to home cabinetry in high-traffic areas like the kitchen, it is relatively easy to make affordable upgrades to create a space that is more attractive and functional. Upgraded kitchens often help sell a home more quickly and for more money. Explore a few home cabinetry improvement projects today.

Homeowners Looking for ROI

Even though homeowners looking to get a high return on investment (ROI) often renovate their kitchens, average costs for a kitchen renovation can vary. The extent of the project, the quality of the materials, the size of the kitchen and when a home

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Building a Home AdditionInstead of buying a new home, many current homeowners consider adding an addition onto the existing home. There are a few factors to consider before constructing a home addition. In order to legally construct a home addition that meets specific needs, there are a few areas worth looking into, as not doing so may create safety hazards and make it harder to sell a home. Explore how to construct an addition that will meet necessary requirements and homeowner preferences.

Start a Wish List

Begin composing a list of all that is wanted, keeping in mind the problems to be solved or goals to be achieved. Some desires homeowners may have include increasing space in an area or having better space and access for entertaining. Ranking improvements in

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What to Do When You Can't Afford Home RepairsRegardless of the home's age or the quality of its craftsmanship, it will need repairs at some point. But not all homeowners take the same approach when it comes to repairs or maintenance. They may discount the importance of minor damage, or they may not have the money or the time to devote to it. When a homeowner can't keep to the ideal schedule, they can rely on remediation to reduce the consequences, whether it is a DIY project or one done by professionals. Here are a few tips to coming out ahead for homeowners to reduce the consequences.

Start Early

Remediation starts with understanding how a home operates on a daily basis. Homeowners don't have to take electrician or plumbing classes, but they should know the general configuration of their

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Should You Use a Professional Photographer When Selling Your HomeBefore listing luxury real estate for sale, many homeowners must decide whether they want to hire a professional photographer, take their own photographs or have their real estate agent take them. While getting professional photographs taken may seem like an extravagance, it's an extravagance that can pay off! Below are some of the many reasons that hiring a professional photographer might be a good idea for you.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Professional Photographers Know What Buyers Want

Many professional photographers know exactly what buyers want. This enables photographers to focus on these details when they're taking shots

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How to Measure the Value of Adding a DeckHome improvements can be a great way to improve enjoyment of the home and also increase its resale value. Installing a deck increases use of the outdoor space and provides a necessary update to the property. Homeowners who are looking to add to the functional living space of the home could save money by considering this minor property upgrade instead of building an addition to the house. Here's several ways people can evaluate the benefits of building a deck on their land.

Cost vs. Investment

When people think about the money they spend on a particular project, they may choose to consider the costs and the overall investment. Costs are important to prioritize, especially when homeowners have a limited budget available for upgrades. It might

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Can You Benefit from a Short Sale?Even with the best of intentions, some homeowners cannot continue to pay their mortgage. Even missing a single payment can initiate the foreclosure process with a lender. Foreclosure has serious consequences for a homeowner and can make it hard for an individual to finance a home in the future. Though many people may want to buy foreclosed properties, having a home foreclosed on is not always the best path. As an alternative, many choose to sell a home as a short sale.

Not everyone can go the route of a short sale, as a cooperating lender is involved in approving this option. However, short sales can benefit a homeowner and their lender. Understand more about the short sales process and how it works in Canada today.

For informational purposes

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Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Foreclosed Home in Alberta
Foreclosed homes can be attractive to some new Varsity home buyers but not to others. In Alberta, foreclosed homes go up for sale on a regular basis. Foreclosed homes can be a good deal for the right person. If you're a home buyer who is interested in purchasing a foreclosed property, it's important for you to understand what that means. It's also important for you to know what a foreclosed home is likely to be like.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a certified tax expert before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

How Foreclosure in Alberta Works

It's important to fully understand the foreclosure process. Foreclosure in Alberta begins when a homeowner misses a mortgage payment. The first missed payment is

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Choosing a Home Style? What You Need to KnowBuying a home involves making a lot of choices. For some people, choosing the architectural style is as difficult as choosing the location. There are many varied and interesting architectural styles. Knowing the difference between them can help home buyers choose the right home for them.

Victorian

The Victorian era lasted from the mid 1800's to the beginning of the 20th century. Victorian houses are noted as being multiple storey homes with a symmetrical form. They're known for their creative use of texture and colour on the home's exterior. Strangely shaped shingles and elaborate fretwork are common on these homes.

Victorian houses today can be expensive to maintain, as they come from an older time when insulation was less of a

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Why You Should Use a Drone For Home PhotographyIt’s no secret that when it comes to selling a home that the homeowner needs to ensure that every listing they post has high quality photos so buyers have an accurate representation of what they’re seeing. The classic way of doing this is just for the seller to take photos themselves or hire a professional photographer to do it for them. However, with improving technology comes a new way of taking photos: using drones. Here are some of the different ways drones can be used and why using them can be helpful when selling a home.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

1. Drones Are Affordable

Homeowners don’t have to purchase their own drone

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