Christina, Author at Lets Talk Real Estate Team

Christina, Author at Lets Talk Real Estate Team - Page 18 of 19

Let’s face it. Who enjoys paying rent for our kids? Every month you make a payment to a landlord you never see, and then poof, that money disappears and it’s gone forever.

So why not purchase and start putting those rent cheques down on the principal of a home? Sure, you’re still making that monthly payment, but it’s going towards a property that you own. Then, when your child is done University you can sell with 4+/- years appreciation in a market that has continued to grow.

Guelph is continually ranked as one of the best cities in Canada to invest in. With many self sustaining industries, Guelph’s ‘little bubble’ is showing no signs of slowing down. 2018 ranked by MoneySenseas one of the top 4 cities to invest in real estate in Canada.

So what are the pros and cons, you ask??

PROS:

When you’re dealing with students you can rent by the room, which increases your bottom line.There’s no need for expensive finishes like granite and hardwood; units need to be functional, clean, and well done, but high-end materials won’t give you a return on investment.An abundance of potential tenants. Your child is most likely going to have preferred roommates, but for whatever reason, if that doesn’t work out there is a deep well of potential tenants to choose from.In many cases you’re dealing with young people on their own for the first time, so you can usually ask that parents co-sign the lease. It makes the default rate very low.While there’s a high turnover rate, it’s a predictable rental cycle. Leases start and end at the same time every year, which means only having to deal with it once every 12 months

CONS:

You might only need to worry about renting once a year, but depending on how many rooms you have available, that still means a lot of applications and a lot of screening. Hopefully if you are renting to your child and his/her friends they can be screened and secured in advance!You have to keep in mind that your tenants are often leaving their parent’s house for the first time and may not know how to deal with simple issues around the house. This means that even small things like changing light bulbs or tripped breakers may result in a phone call or house visit. Teachable moments for your child perhaps!

Hope this brief overview of buying vs. renting gives you a better understanding of the pros and cons in the city of Guelph. If you have any questions and would like to talk further on this topic don’t hesitate to reach out.

Nick

Having a hard time keeping your home organized and clutter free? You aren’t the only one, I have struggled with this for years. I have finally found a routine that works for me.

Here are the helpful tricks that I follow to ensure my home is organized at all times:

Do a clutter check

Set a side an hour each week to go through your home to organize anything that is out of place. If you’re having a super busy week, or always seem to be busy, take 10-15 minutes every evening and give your home a quick once over to ensure everything is in place and organized.

Give everything a home

Designating a place for everything, including papers/ mail, T.V remotes, keys, wallets & chargers. Purchasing bins or decorative dishes to keep this items contained to one designated space.

Create space

Areas in the home such as the kitchen, living room and play rooms tend to be places where items from all over the home are left behind. Creating space or a drop area for these items such as a “drop” bin/container will help keep these areas organized. At the end of each day or week go through these drop bins from each room and put everything back in their place.

Every few months re-organize

Taking a couple hours every few months to sort through items in our bedrooms and living areas will help ensure these spaces stay organized and tidy. This is especially important if you have kids. Children tend to grow out of their clothing, toys and other items quickly. Removing these items from your home will help to keep it feeling more organized. I typically like to donate these unused items to friend and family who will love them the way we once did.

-Alli

Clutter free guelph homes homeowners Homes for rent spring cleaning

New home builders in Guelph are commonplace for most of its residents, but many are starting to notice an abundance of low and mid-rise condos popping up in the bustling south end of our city. The south end is an obvious choice for commuters because of its proximity to the 401. This means that both residential and retail builders are cashing in on the high population of people who do, and would love to, call the south end home.

For investors, the south end has been a popular choice because of the high appreciation rates over the past few years and the quicker turnaround when it comes time to sell. Finding an opportunity to invest has been challenging for some as the competition for a limited number of available units has been tough.

Recently, a south end building that was originally geared toward rental suites changed direction and opened its building up to sell to private owners instead. The changes were quick, and it offered a new opportunity for Guelph investors to purchase new build units without waiting in lines or camping out. This situation doesn’t come along often so working with a realtor even when looking for new build opportunities can be the edge that you need in today’s competitive market.

Some units are still available in the Vantage building. You can download the floor plans

Some other new moves in the south end can be seen in the proposed changes for adding more height to the future condos in Guelph. Tricar, a builder that has already built an 18 storey building downtown, is looking to add the same higher density living to the south end of Guelph. You can read more about the proposed changes HERE.

Whether you are a fan of the growing Guelph Metropolis or not, the city seems to be changing at a fast pace to accommodate its expanding commuter appeal. The large addition of South end condos to Guelph will hopefully offer new opportunities for its current residents to enter into the housing market either as home buyers or new investors. It will also allow for a steady growth of new residents who wish to call our great city home.

What do you think of all the new additions to the south end of Guelph? Tell us some of your thoughts in the comments below!

Condo Boom Guelph condos guelph real estate Investment properties Guelph market report

Whether you’re brand new to home showings or an old pro, it can be easy to forget simple things when getting ready to have people walk through your space. First impressions are always important and with the number of buyers in our current market, you may be in for a large amount of traffic through your home. Here, we have compiled a handy checklist to help make sure you are fully prepared for every home showing.

1. Remove personal items and pictures from main areas (think refrigerator doors, fireplace mantel, etc.)

2. Make sure to do a thorough cleaning of your home. On the day of the showing remember to clear last minute messes like crumbs on the counter from breakfast, toothpaste remnants in the sink and half full garbage cans on display. Focus on cleaning areas that buyers may touch like banisters and door knobs.

3.Make sure your home smells clean. Make sure all pet toys, litter boxes and beds are put away, along with any dirty shoes or gym bags. Avoid strong smelling plug in air fresheners, but focus on fresh, relaxing smells like fresh flowers or brewing coffee.

4. Remove any decorative items that may block important features. Roll up old carpets that detract from nice hardwood floors, take down old shower curtains in small bathrooms etc.

5. Remove any items that impair traffic flow or make spaces seem cramped. Think about items like a coat rack that confines your entry way or tables or shelves that you have to shuffle by.

6. Arrange for animals to be locked away in a cage, separate room, or for them to be out of the house with you for showings.

7. Make sure all personal items and paperwork are filed away and out of buyers reach. Have all prescriptions, medications, credit card statements or other financial info under lock and key.

8. Have all blinds and window coverings open to let in natural light. If you can, leave the home lights on for the buyer’s arrival. This can be especially important if you use energy efficient light bulbs in darker rooms as they take time to achieve full brightness.

9. Make sure all beds are made and there are fresh towels in the bathrooms.

10. Have all kids toys in the home and the yard put away neatly.

11. Make sure all lawn or snow maintenance is done prior to arrival (i.e. grass cut, hedges trimmed, driveway shoveled and salted, etc.)

Tell us some of your thoughts in the comments below!

Guelph homes for sale Home sale prep selling staging staging your home

There are generally 3 camps when it comes to looking at homes with pools. You can have people who have had a pool in the past and can’t live without one, the undecided, and people who absolutely don’t want to deal with them. We have decided to list all the great things about pools to convert the undecided and maybe give the “absolutely not” club some new things to think about.

You’re the “go to” house.

The warmer weather is a perfect time for getting together with friends and family. When you’re the pool owner, it makes your home an obvious choice for having a great bbq or pool party. If you’re the hosting type then having a pool is just another outlet for people to enjoy when they come over!

It’s great exercise.

Having a pool offers a great way to burn some calories at home. There is the obvious way like swimming laps, but playing pool games with your kids can be just as effective without even knowing it!

You don’t have to do all the work.

With the invention of pool systems and robot cleaners, it has become way easier to maintain your water and pool area. If you want that personal touch, having a company come in to maintain your system is more affordable than ever.

Aesthetically they look great.

Pools can add a great feeling of luxury and summertime feel to basic yards. They are also surrounded usually by a fantastic patio or deck!

It’s a great way to relax!

After a long day, you can always sit by the pool and unwind.

Tell us some of your thoughts in the comments below!

Buyers Tips guelph homes guelph real estate homes for sale Pool

Beginning the search for your first home can be a bit daunting. Where do you start? Who do you call? What comes first? These are some of the most common questions I get from people starting to think about entering the buyer’s market. Below we have put together some tips for how to tackle these questions and some helpful links to get you all the information you need to start.

Where do you start?

The best way to begin the process of buying a home is to determine what your budget is. Some helpful factors to take into consideration are how big, and where your down payment will be coming from. For first time home buyers, RRSPs can be used to help with up to $25,000.00 of your down payment on your first home. If your down payment is coming from your savings, you may want to be conscious of the percentage of a down payment that you have available and what that will mean for you long term. Here are some links to helpful tips on funding your down payment, the cost of CMHC insurance and other first time home buyer programs:

Down Payment Options

First Time Home Owner Programs

Once you understand your options for your down payment it’s time to get pre-approved. The most obvious place to get a pre-approval from is your everyday banking institution. Most people can qualify directly through the home branch of their bank, but there are benefits to shopping around. A mortgage broker has access to a large amount of different lenders on both the A and B side of lending and can help to do the comparing of rates and options for you. The best part? They cost you nothing to use and get paid directly by the lender. Once you’ve gone through the process of getting a full, committed pre-approval (not just pre-qualified) you will understand your budget requirements and can move onto the next step!

Your Needs and Wants

Buying your first home is an exciting time and most people have been dreaming about what their first homes will be like long before they even start looking. Now that you have your budget and finances organized, you can begin to make a list of your must haves. It’s important to remember that you are honest with yourself when making this list- there’s no time for second guessing in today’s market! Write the first draft of your list and then take a look at some of the listings in your area. You may be in for a rude awakening when you find that you can’t get everything on your list while staying in your budget.

Talk to a Realtor

In today’s market, the listing prices on homes and the amount that they actually end up selling for can be anywhere from $10,000 different to over $100,000 different. This is why it is important to find yourself a realtor who is in touch with the current market. They can help you get realistic about your needs and wants or talk to you about options you may not have considered. Once you’ve had a good honest talk with them, you can begin to receive emails with all the new listings in your preferred areas that fit within your desired budget. Then all you have to do is call up your agent to schedule a showing if one catches your eye.

In today’s competitive seller’s market, the buying process can be time consuming and frustrating. Be prepared to put in multiple offers on a home and have a few losses along the way. Being new to the game does come with an added perk of the land transfer tax rebate (you can find more information HERE), but the process of finding your home can test your patience. With how much Guelph has grown in the past few years and how popular it has become, it makes the market a fast-paced competitive place to be, but it also proves that buying here could be your best investment yet.

Tell us some of your thoughts in the comments below!

buying buying a home first time home buyers

In such a seller’s market, it can sometimes slip home owners minds’ to think about how to make their home more appealing to today’s buyer. Most homes in the Guelph area are ending up in bidding wars anyways, right? You would be surprised how much more people are willing to open their pocket books when you do a little bit of work to get your home ready for showings. Here are some easy tips for ways to set your home apart and get people insisting on having it.

1. Improve Your Landscaping

Trim up your gardens, walkways and lawn. In the winter, make sure all your driveways and walkways are shoveled and salted. Any wandering weeds or messy driveways may distract buyers from truly looking at the potential of your yard or the front of your home.

2. Clean the Outside

The curb appeal of your home is very important. You want buyers to have a great impression of your home before they even step inside. They also want to feel confident in how well you have taken care of your home while you’ve been there. Cleaning out your gutters, washing windows and screens can make a big difference. Another handy product to use are home washing systems that attach to your hose and clean off any old dirt and grime on your siding or brick.

3.Make repairs

Remember how we want potential buyers to feel confident in you as a previous owner? Having wiggling door handles or toilets, broken trim or cracked tiles all add up in a buyer’s mind as things to be done once they move in. Having a home that seems turn-key and ready to go will be sure to bump those offers up!

4. Make the Front Door Inviting

First impressions are important. Buyers will spend a minute or two waiting at your front door for their realtor to open a lock box to get entry to your home. You want your front door to make buyers excited to get inside and not starting to look for flaws as soon as they step in.

5. Eliminate Bad Odors

Having a scented candle or a lingering smell of fresh baking for a showing or an open house are great ways to make buyers feel right at home when they walk in. Another thing to remember is that not everyone is a cat or dog lover (crazy, right?!) and they don’t want to smell your dog’s bed or cat’s litter box at any point during their visit.

6. Remove Clutter and Depersonalize

Everyone has clutter, but clutter stops buyers from being able to see the bare bones of your home. When your house is free of clutter and only has the necessary basics or well-staged rooms, it gives buyers great ideas on how they can make your home their own. You also don’t want your personal tastes to clash with someone else’s so take down anything that you think may rub strangers the wrong way. Also, remember not to just shove all your belongings in closets or crawl spaces- buyer’s tend to look into the storage spaces of your home to see where they will have room for all their stuff!

7. Make Every Surface Shine

It goes almost without saying, but a clean home sells better than a dirty one. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies of your home to give it a spotless shine and feel. This can sometimes be difficult with pets and hectic schedules so don’t be afraid to hire in some help with clean up- it will more than pay off when the offers come in.

8. Take the Colour Down a Notch

Your kids may love their fluorescent pink bedroom, but buyers who don’t have kids, or have kids with different tastes, may be turned off by the extreme colour choices. You want buyers to spend time in every room imagining what they could do with it, not reaching for their sunglasses. Same goes for your mustard yellow rec room or burnt orange kitchen- keep the colours neutral and complementing.

Tell us some of your thoughts in the comments below!

getting home ready to sell guelph listing listing your home selling

Nick is in the process of finishing the renovations on his 107 year old home near the downtown core. We decided to get some details on his home and what he loves about the area he is in.

What made you choose the area you live in?

When we were looking for a home we knew we wanted to be walking distance to downtown to enjoy the restaurants, shopping etc. We were looking in St. George’s Park, Old University, Exhibition Park and the Ward. When we found our home, just off Arthur St, we fell in love with the proximity to trails, downtown and the neighbourhood.

Were you looking for a “project home”?

Every home that we have lived in we have done minor renovations to, but knowing this time around we were looking for an older home, we knew there would be potentially more work to be done. When we found our home it was in the right location and had a lot of potential, so we then decided to take on the “project home.”

What are some of your favourite places to go downtown and why?

For restaurants, we love Buon Gusto- always great service and of course delicious food. For a casual drink and dinner, The Albion has always been a favourite of mine. On a Saturday or Sunday I enjoy hitting up Red Brick cafe and popping into the bookshelf. Finally, I have to mention Acqua salon- great service no matter what you are in for- and quality work!

What are some of your favourite changes to your home?

Hands down our kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home and is where we spend most of our time entertaining and cooking, of course. Making it open concept and less separated from the dining room made a huge difference in the layout of the home and allowed for more conversation and interaction in the kitchen. We added all new custom cabinets, backslash, appliances etc. It really gave a modern feel to the 1910 home.

If you could change anything about your home or neighbourhood what would it be?

The one thing we miss that we had at our last home was a garage. It is difficult to find a home downtown with a full garage let alone a driveway! We are lucky enough to have parking for three but I miss my “man cave.”

What made you decide on adding chickens to your family?

A few of our neighbours have backyard chickens. One weekend we looked after our neighbour’s chickens and we realized how fun it was and how great it was having fresh eggs everyday! So my wife and I built a small coop in the backyard and we couldn’t be happier!

Is your neighbourhood “dog friendly”?

Extremely! We are huge dog lovers and we’re so excited to have neighbours that are as well. All the dogs on the street play together and run around, which is so nice for them to socialize. We are also walking distance to multiple parks and the river, which is great in the summer. The parks nearby are Joseph Wolfond Park, Goldie Mill, and walking trails all the way to Riverside Park.

How has your neighbourhood changed since you have moved in?

We have noticed most of our neighbours have been in the area a long time and are now building out or up rather than moving on. People love the area, as do we, so we are seeing more and more people making additions to have their houses fit growing families.

buying guelph living in guelph nick fitzgibbon selling

Kortright West is an area of Guelph comprised of everything East of the Hanlon (HWY 6 N) until Gordon Street and South of Stone Road until the most southern section of Edinburgh Rd. S (Carrington Place).

Market Statistics of Kortright West for 2015.

This area is popular pick for families, students and commuters as it offers its residents a great selection of recreational activities and amenities. Here’s a list of some of the top draws to the area:

~ Campus Estates Plaza ~Tim Hortons ~Manhattans

~ Kortright Market Square ~ Staples ~Stigmata Tattoo Shop

~ Movati Gym ~ LCBO ~ Shoppers Drug Mart

~Golden Basil ~ East Side Marios ~ Quiznos

~ Café Insomnia & Trattoria ~ Squirell Tooth Alices Bar & Grill

~ The Fat Duck Gastro Pub ~ Wendy’s

~Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre

~ 4 Schools (2 Public, 1 Catholic, 1 Montessori)

~ John Gamble Park (off leash dog park) ~Hanlon Creek Trail

~ Hanlon Creek Park Splash Pad ~ 10 Community Parks

Photo courtesy of http://www.guelphkidsguide.ca/blog-single/Guelph-Splash-Pads-and-Wading-Pools

With Kortright West offering such great amenities and being within a short bus ride or drive to the University, it acts as a prime location for investors looking for student rentals. We have a listing at 54 Steffler Drive that is currently being rented to students. Below we have run the numbers on this particular property to show the potential cash flow on an investment in this area:

The numbers here represent the current rental situation on the home. It’s important to remember that with an additional investment to modify or upgrade the home, the rent rates have the ability to increase and this chart does not take into account the appreciation on the home. The average appreciation on homes in the south end of Guelph (including Kortright West) is 29% from December 2015 to December, 2016.

You can take a closer look at the listing HERE

Tell us some of your thoughts in the comments below!

buying kortright selling south end of guelph

With Christmas only 11 days away, the time for decorating, planning get-togethers and shopping is slowly starting to creep up on all of us. Some of us really enjoy the bustle and excitement of decorating and organizing family time. However, unless you’re one of the lucky ones that get your shopping done throughout the year, that last minute gift shopping can cause even the most sane person to become a little crazy. What to do you get your Mom? Brother? Or your crazy Uncle John?? Buying for people who seem to give no hints on what their heart desires can be tough, so I’ve come up with a list of ideas that are sure to please all or some of the people on your list. The best thing? They’re all companies local to Guelph! Take a look…

Aqua Salon: I’m sure everyone knows someone who is always running around looking after everybody else. What better gift to give than a day of pampering from a locally run salon here in Guelph. With 2 locations to choose from, you can pick from hair, make-up and spa packages for both men and women. Nothing says “you’re appreciated” like allowing someone who is usually busy running off their feet, some time to stop and think about themselves.

DS Woodworks: A great part about the holidays is being able to transform your home into a cozy getaway from the blistering cold outdoors. Nothing says warmth to me like a nice piece of wood furniture to bring that natural, cottage-like feel into your home. DS Woodworks specializes in handmade solid-wood furniture and has a range of ideas to choose from or can discuss a custom order for whatever you’re looking for.

The Albion Hotel: This restaurant and bar needs no introduction to Guelph locals. As one of our oldest buildings in Guelph, it is a wonderful place to get out onto the town to share a lovely meal or night of dancing with a loved one, family and/or friends. Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things, but experiences, and the Albion never disappoints for a great experience downtown.

Ignite Health and Fitness: Health and fitness training and classes have been all the rage this year. This new gym in the heart of Guelph specializes in training classes and bootcamps for those who find the average gym daunting on their own or wish to train in a more social atmosphere. With a very in-depth website and scheduling system, this gym makes it very easy to schedule in workouts that fit your busy life. If you have someone in your life who is excited to try the gym or is scared to make the commitment themselves, then a gifted membership, or even a promise to partner in the offered free trial, could go a long way to being a gift that keeps on giving!

Taste deTours: I’ve already had the pleasure of taking part in the awesome “To the Core” tour (you can find my blog post here) so I can speak from experience that this is a great gift idea. If you have family or friends coming in from out of town and want to show them around some of Guelph’s greatest spots and learn some of our great history than this is a fantastic way to do it. Or, if you just want to have a nice day out exploring some fantastic food and places you’ve never been in town, then one of the prepared tours or creating your own customs tour could be a great day to remember!

Kennedy Park: Kennedy Park is a clothing lover’s paradise settled in the heart of Downtown at the Quebec Street Mall. With local and international clothing lines galore, there is something for every style. Don’t have an eye for fashion? Let the team in the store help you pick something out or make it easy on yourself with a gift card so your loved one can explore the store themselves!

Candies of Merritt: Some of my clients may recognize the goods from this quaint chocolate and gift store as they have been behind some of our gift baskets this year. Specializing in hand made chocolates, this is a no brainer gift if you have a sweets lover in your life. They also have a selection of pre-made gift baskets and are happy to put together a custom order as well.

Susan Bentley RMT: We are all guilty of just dealing with those little aches and pains that pop up every now and again. Especially with the impending snowfall and ice, a little slip on the front step could cause a tweak or strain that most of us will just walk off. Susan is a registered massage therapist located in the west end of Guelph and offers a way for us to get some help with easing any tightness or ongoing problems. Offering a pre-paid massage therapy session could be the start to getting one of your loved ones to stop ignoring those pesky pains and take the time to look after themselves. Plus, who doesn’t love a massage?

Summerlee Photography: Christmas is a time for sharing with family and friends and nothing captures the Holiday memories quite like a good ol’ fashioned family photo. Summerlee Photography offers individual and family photo packages and is a great idea for anyone looking to get a photo for their yearly Christmas cards, or just as a memento for another great year gone by.

Thatcher Farms: One of my personal favourite parts of the Holidays are the dinners. Whether your family does the classic turkey or ham, nothing beats home raised, local meats from just around the corner. Thatcher Farms also offers custom orders if you have a special recipe in mind and offers a bakery section as well for the dessert lovers and the vegetarians as well!

Scratch and Sniff Canine Services: Everyone loves their canine companions, but sometimes the holidays can shake up your dog’s usual routine with all the new visitor’s and the extra time away from home. If you’re worried about how your dog is going to handle meeting others or being home alone while you’re out, Scratch and Sniff offers in home private sessions to help you with keeping your dog on track. Also, if a new family puppy is on your list of gifts this year, they also offer puppy socialization and training classes so you can give your new addition a great start to being a well rounded dog.

Wendy the Cleaner: Whether you’re having a group over for a big holiday feast or you are the one running around to join others’, everyone could use a little help keeping things clean and organized for the Holidays. Wendy offers, flexible and affordable cleaning services whether you need them for your own holiday party, or if you would like to offer a clean house as a gift to someone who could use a break. Give her a call for more information: (519) 994-2286

christmas guelph local stores shop local

Author: Christina

Renting Vs. Owning Your Student Rental

Stay Organized & Clutter Free

The South End Condo Boom

Home Showing Checklist

The Pros of Buying a House With a Pool

Tips for First Time Home Buyers

8 Quick Tips For Getting Your Home Ready To Market

Q&A with Nick: Life in the General Hospital Area

Let’s Talk: Investing in Kortright West

Local Christmas Gift Ideas

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