While spring and fall get all the glory, summer can be a great time to list your home. Here’s why:

1. Less Competition = More Attention. As you know many Sellers aim to list in the Spring or wait until the Fall, which means fewer listings in the summer months. With less inventory on the market, your homes stands out more and can attract serious buyers who don’t have dozens of options to scroll through.

2. Buyers are Motivated. Buyers looking this time of year often have a deadline - whether it’s getting settled before a new school season, relocating for work or taking advantage of a vacation window to make their move. These aren’t just browsers, these are Buyers who are ready to act!

3. Your Home Shows Best in Summer. Longer days means brighter rooms, lush landscaping and outdoor spaces shine! Pools, decks, gardens, and curb appeal all make a strong emotional impression when people are imagining their next summer in a new space. 

4. More Flexibility for Showings. Schools out and people tend to have more flexibility from employers or take a lot of vacation time, making it easier for both Buyers and Sellers to accommodate showings or Open Houses 

5. Summer Moves are Just Easier. Picture yourself carrying boxes through blowing snow or carry that couch in on a nice summer day, which would you prefer? Summer is peak moving season for a reason - it’s just more pleasant - and Buyers know it! 

Thinking of Selling? Let’s chat and make a plan so your home hits the market while the summer momentum is still strong. Fall gets crowded—get ahead of the curve while the sun's still shining.

 Okay, so summer is finally here! Whether you’re planning to chill in the backyard, have friends over, or just want your place to feel a little more fresh and fun, this is the perfect time to give your home some love. Don’t worry, we’re not talking full-on renovations. These are easy, low-stress things that actually make a big difference.

 Here are 5 things you can do to get your home summer-ready:

 1. Make Sure Your A/C Doesn’t Quit on You

Nobody wants to be sweating inside when it’s 30°C out. Take five minutes to clean or replace your air filter (seriously, it's gross in there), and if your AC is acting weird, get someone to check it out now, before it totally dies mid-heatwave.

 2. Give the Front of Your House a New Look

Your house deserves a little summer makeover too. Try pressure-washing the walkway, throwing some flowers in pots, or painting your front door a new colour. It’s a super easy way to make your place look awesome from the outside.

 3. Cut the Grass (and Actually Keep Up With It)

Yeah, we all forget sometimes, but a freshly cut lawn instantly makes your home feel more put together. Trim the bushes, pull the weeds, and water early in the morning when it’s not scorching out.

 4. Make the Backyard Enjoyable

Whether it’s lights, a fire pit, or just dragging out some comfy chairs, turn your backyard into a spot you actually want to hang out in. Bonus points if you’ve got a speaker.

 5. Check the Roof & Gutters

It’s not the most fun job, but it’s worth it. Look for any loose shingles or clogged gutters, catching stuff early can save a ton of money later. You’ll thank yourself when that random summer thunderstorm rolls through.

 Getting your house summer-ready doesn’t have to be a huge project. These little things can make it way more comfortable, save you money, and just help you enjoy your space more. Whether you’re relaxing solo or inviting people over, your home will be good to go. 😎

 Need help with anything house-related? Hit us up, we're always around to help or answer questions!

 Have you been asking yourself, “What’s my home worth right now?”  you’re not alone. Whether you’re thinking of selling soon or just curious, understanding your property’s current value is a smart move. But how do real estate agents figure that number out? Let’s break it down.

 1. We Start With a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

A CMA looks at similar homes in your area that have recently sold, are currently listed, or were taken off the market. We compare your home to properties with similar size, layout, location, and features to get a sense of what buyers are willing to pay right now.

 2. Market Conditions Matter

The real estate market is always changing.

Are we in a buyer’s market? A seller’s market? Is inventory low? Are interest rates high? All of these factors influence pricing. For example, if homes in your neighbourhood are selling quickly and above asking, that tells us the demand is high and your home may be worth more than you think.

 3. We Adjust for Upgrades and Features

Not all homes are created equal.

Do you have a finished basement? A recently renovated kitchen? An extra bathroom? We make specific adjustments for things that add value and also consider any areas that might need work.

Even small details like a newer roof, updated windows, or professional landscaping can impact the final estimate.

 4. We Consider the Numbers, and the Story

Pricing isn’t just about math, it’s about knowing the story behind your home and how it fits into today’s market. That’s where local expertise comes in.

We combine data, current trends, and on-the-ground knowledge to give you a clear and realistic picture of your home’s market value.

Want to Know What Your Home is Worth?

If you're curious about what your property could sell for, let’s chat!

We’d be happy to help!

Rainy days are great for staying inside, wearing sweatpants, and pretending the outside world doesn’t exist. But they’re also kind of perfect for checking in on your home!

Here are 5 things you should do the next time it’s pouring outside:

1. Check for leaks around windows and doors
   If rain is sneaking in through the windows or doors, you’ll definitely notice it on a day like today. Touch around the edges, if anything feels damp or drafty, it might be time for a little weatherproofing. It’s not glamorous, but neither is a soggy living room.

2. Look at your gutters
   If your gutters are overflowing like a mini waterfall, they’re probably clogged. Water should go down and away from your house, not turn your walls into a splash zone. Either get up there safely (if you're into ladders and leaf gunk) or call someone who is.

3. Make sure your sump pump isn’t taking the day off
   Got a sump pump? Cool. Does it work? Even better. Pour a bucket of water in and see if it kicks on. If not, it’s time to get it checked before your basement turns into a swimming pool.

4. Walk around the outside and look for puddles
   If there’s a lake forming next to your house, that’s a red flag. Water pooling near your foundation can cause big problems later, like cracks or leaks. Try extending your downspouts or regrading the area so water flows away from your place.

5. Get your life together
   Rainy days = perfect excuse to stay in. But also… maybe clean that junk drawer? Organize your closet? You don’t have to do everything, but doing something feels kind of nice.

The Bottom Line:
Rainy days don’t have to be boring. They’re actually kind of useful when it comes to spotting stuff around the house that needs fixing.

With the election now behind us, and regardless of how you voted, one thing’s for sure — it’s behind us - for now. It’s time to look ahead and make sense of what this new political chapter could mean for the Canadian real estate market.

Mark Carney has stepped into the role of Prime Minister, leading a Liberal minority government. While Carney brings a fresh face and financial credentials to the table, it's important to remember that this is still a Liberal government — the same party that’s been steering the country for the past nine years. This can be seen as good, or bad, depending on who you talk with. 

That said, Carney’s leadership promises a more focused and, perhaps, more pragmatic approach to housing. His platform during the campaign put real estate and affordability issues front and centre, with some bold initiatives aimed at increasing supply and helping first-time buyers.

What’s on the Table?

At the top of the list is a proposed removal of GST on new homes under $1 million for first-time buyers — a move meant to lower the barrier to entry for those struggling to break into the market. The Liberals have also committed to doubling the pace of home construction, with a goal of building nearly 500,000 new units a year, and the creation of a new crown corporation, Build Canada Homes, to directly support affordable housing development.

These are ambitious promises, and on paper, they sound like steps in the right direction. More supply could ease pressure on prices, and incentives for first-time buyers are long overdue in many markets.

But let’s play devil’s advocate for a moment.

Big promises have been made before. We've heard talk of affordable housing, accelerated builds, and homebuyer support for years — often with limited follow-through. While Carney might bring new leadership style and financial discipline, the system he's working within hasn’t changed overnight. We’re still facing the same housing challenges in a country where most of the zoning and construction approvals happen at the municipal level.

Looking Ahead — Again

Given the minority government status, it’s also fair to expect more political turbulence in the near future. Once the NDP, and likely the Conservatives too, sort out their leadership and internal restructuring, there’s a strong chance we’ll be back at the polls, my guess, in about two years.

In the meantime, what does this mean for you as a homeowner, buyer, or investor?

For now, nothing changes overnight. Markets may remain cautious until policies turn into action. But if the new government follows through on its commitments, we could see meaningful steps toward addressing supply shortages and housing affordability. I expect we will start hearing announcements on policies shortly, and the waiver of GST on homes under $1,000,000 will likely be a quick and easy first step.  Whether these policies translate into actual affordability or just slightly less competition remains to be seen.

Final Thoughts

The Canadian real estate market is a long game. Governments come and go, policies shift, and yet people still need places to live. The best strategy? Stay informed, and understand that while politics influence the market, they don’t define it entirely.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this unfolds — and as always, we’re here to help you navigate whatever comes next.

Spring is finally here, and you know what that means… it’s almost pool season! ☀️ Before you dive in (literally), it’s important to open your pool the right way. Whether you’re planning pool parties or just looking forward to some lazy weekends floating around, here’s your step-by-step guide to getting your pool ready without the stress.

Say Goodbye to the Pool Cover 

Start by removing your pool cover, but don’t just toss it aside like that winter jacket you’re tired of. Clean it off, let it dry, and store it somewhere safe. A little effort now means an easier opening next year!

 Check Your Pool Equipment 

Before you hit any "on" buttons, double-check your pump, filter, and heater. Look for any signs of damage or leaks. Trust us, it’s better to fix small problems now than deal with a swamp later.

 Give Your Pool a Good Clean 

Even if it looks kinda clear, your pool probably needs a solid clean. Skim out leaves and debris, brush down the walls, and vacuum the bottom.

 Fill 'Er Up 

If the water level dropped over the winter, top it up before running your equipment. You can’t have cannonballs without enough water, right?

 Test and Balance Your Water 

This part’s not just for the chemists out there. Testing your pool water and adjusting the pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels keeps everything safe and makes sure you’re not swimming in a giant science experiment.

 Shock It Like You Mean It

Give your pool a good shock treatment to kill off any lingering winter germs. It's basically a pool’s version of a really strong coffee to wake it up for the season.

 Safety First!

Before you grab the floaties, check that all fences, gates, and ladders are secure. A few quick safety checks now can save a whole lot of headaches later.

 Ready, Set, Swim!

Opening your pool might seem like a lot, but taking the time to do it right means more splashing and less stressing all summer long. If you’re thinking of buying a home with a pool (or maybe upgrading your backyard oasis), reach out to our team, we’d love to help you make a splash this year! 🌊🏡.

Many of our clients ask why we choose to be part of REMAX Twin City Realty Inc. instead of operating as our own brokerage. The answer is simple: being part of a large, well-established brokerage allows us to focus on what truly matters—delivering the best possible service to our clients.

By working within REMAX Twin City, we gain access to a powerful network of top-performing agents, increasing exposure for our listings and giving our buyers an edge in competitive markets. The brokerage also provides industry-leading training, cutting-edge technology, and marketing resources that help us stay ahead of trends and serve our clients at the highest level. Plus, having a dedicated administrative and compliance team ensures our transactions run smoothly, allowing us to focus on negotiating, marketing, and making the buying or selling process as stress-free as possible.

At the end of the day, being part of a globally recognized brand with a strong local presence gives our clients more confidence, more connections, and more results—without compromising the personal, hands-on service that makes our small team unique.

Spring is finally here, which means open house season is officially on. The weather’s warmer, everything looks better with a little sunshine, and more buyers are out and about looking for their dream home. If you're thinking about selling, hosting an open house can really help your place stand out, but only if it’s done right. Here are some easy ways to make your open house a total hit:

1. Make That Curb Appeal Pop

Before anyone steps inside, they’re already judging the outside, so make it count. Sweep the porch, trim the bushes, and maybe throw out a cute planter or two. A tidy lawn and clean walkway can go a long way.

2. Keep It Clean (and Chill on the Personal Stuff)

Buyers need to picture their lives in the space, not yours. So clean up any clutter, hide family photos, and keep things super simple. Think cozy and inviting, not messy or crowded.

3. Let There Be Light

Bright homes feel way more open and welcoming. Pull back the curtains, turn on the lights, and let that natural light do its thing. It makes every room look better, trust me.

4. Set the Mood

A little background music, a subtle candle, and maybe some fresh flowers can totally elevate the experience. You want people to walk in and feel like they could live there. Keep the scents light and the music lowkey.

Your open house is your home’s moment to shine. A little extra effort can seriously help buyers remember it in a good way. And hey, if you’re not sure how to pull it all together, I’ve got you. Reach out and we’ll walk you through it step-by-step.

In speaking with one of our trusted mortgage brokers, they’ve said one of the biggest worries people have when buying a home is the appraisal coming in low. Thinking about it, we agree - this is a part of the process you as a consumer have no control over. 

One note I want you to remember though... It's rare for an appraisal to come in lower on a purchase! 

As one appraiser once said to me: "The best way to tell what a property is worth is by what it just sold for in the open market". Honestly, I rarely actually see an appraisal these days on a MLS purchase (most just auto-appraise), and when I do they almost always come it at sale price.

Clients with less than 20% down:

• I almost never see an appraisal needed for these clients, unless the property is in poor shape, purchased privately, or under power of sale. 

• The main reason we rarely see appraisals needed is that there are so many comparable sales in this price range, and the mortgage insurers (CMHC, etc...) are responsible for determining the property value. Their automated Valuation model (AVM) algorithm is super generous, so this rarely happens.

• For context, I can't think of a deal I have done in the last year for an insured purchase where the purchase price was not supported... not a single one!

Clients with 20% down:

• If they're looking under a million, again we see very few appraisals needed as long as the property is urban, not a rental, in poor shape, purchases privately, or power of sale. There's usually enough comparables in the market that either the lender's AVM or the appraisal supports the purchase price.

• If they're looking over a million (or more rural) and just have the 20% down, this is where there's a bit more risk at play simply because there are less supporting comparables, and the higher the price point, the more subjective the property evaluation becomes.

• Again... I can't think of my last deal where a purchase price under a million wasn't supported by either an AVM or an appraisal (knock on wood!).

Clients with a massive down payment (think over 35%):

• These are the easy files - almost no risk unless there's something wrong with the property itself.

• If a client is buying a $900k home with $300k down and the appraisal comes in at $880,000, in the lender's eyes it's simply a $880,000 purchase with $280,000 down, and the client is kicking in the $20,000 difference. Easy!

Hopefully this can help relive some stress you have when thinking about mortgages. If you need any additional help we love working with Jim! https://jimstefflermortgages.com/

Okay real talk, spring is finally here, and it’s time to shake off those winter blues and give your house a little refresh. Whether you're living at home, renting your first place, or just helping your family tidy up, here’s a simple way to get your space feeling clean, bright, and ready for the season.

1.Clear the Clutter

You know all that stuff that’s just been sitting around since, like, November? Yeah... time to go through it. Put away the winter coats, throw out old junk you don’t need, and maybe even donate some stuff. Less clutter = less stress.

2. Give It a Good Clean

Time to blast your favourite playlist and do a solid clean. Dust off those corners, wipe down windows so the sunlight actually comes through, vacuum like you mean it, and maybe even tackle the scary spot under your bed 👀.

3. Check your Air Conditioning

If your place has AC or vents, change the filters and clean around them. You’ll thank yourself later when the weather heats up and your place isn’t a stuffy nightmare. Bonus: it helps with allergies too.

4. Tidy Up Outside

Winter can be rough on your house. If you’ve got a driveway, roof, or even just a little patio, take a walk around and see if anything’s cracked, broken, or just straight-up messy. Cleaning the outside makes the whole place feel better.

5. Double Check Safety Equipment

Quick reminder to test your smoke alarms, check batteries, and make sure your place is safe. Super easy, super important.

Thinking About Moving Soon? Spring’s actually a super popular time to buy or sell a home. So if you (or someone you may know) are thinking about moving, now’s a great time to start planning. And if you want help with that, I know a few people 😉

*Last Updated April 1st 2025

As we approach the 2025 federal election, housing affordability and supply remain key issues for Canadians. With demand outpacing supply in many markets, homebuyers, sellers, and investors are looking to political leaders for solutions. Each major party has put forward policies aimed at addressing housing challenges, and as a real estate professional, I want to break them down in a straightforward, unbiased way.

Liberal Party of Canada

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Liberals' Canada’s Housing Action Plan focuses on increasing supply and affordability by:

• Doubling home construction with 500,000 homes a year. Using the model similar to that after WWII with affordable, modular and efficient homes. 

• Cutting red tape to speed up home construction and repurposing federal lands for housing. (New Policy)

• Developing a Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights to increase transparency in the purchasing process. (New Policy)

• Removing the GST from new rental housing projects to encourage development. (Continued Policy)

• Supporting first-time homebuyers with a Tax-Free First-Home Savings Account and a doubled First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit. (Continued Policy)

• Introducing a two-year ban on foreign home purchases and an anti-flipping tax on properties sold within 12 months. (Continued Policy)

• [Source: Liberal Party of Canada](https://liberal.ca)

Conservative Party of Canada

Led by Pierre Poilievre, the Conservatives emphasize increasing housing supply through:

• Incentivizing municipalities to boost homebuilding by 15% annually or risk losing federal funding.

• Selling 15% of federal buildings to be repurposed as housing.

• Eliminating the GST on new homes priced under $1 million.

• Introducing longer mortgage terms (seven to ten years) and reviewing mortgage stress tests to ease affordability.

• Maintaining a two-year foreign buyer ban.

• [Source: Conservative Party of Canada](https://conservative.ca)

New Democratic Party (NDP)

Under Jagmeet Singh, the NDP’s approach centers on affordability and renter protections, including:

• Implementing a 20% tax on home sales to non-Canadian citizens and non-permanent residents to curb speculation.

• Doubling the Home Buyers’ Tax Credit to help with closing costs.

• Reintroducing 30-year mortgage terms for CMHC-insured entry-level homes to lower monthly payments.

• Waiving the federal GST/HST on new affordable rental units.

• Building 500,000 affordable housing units over ten years, with half completed within five years.

• [Source: New Democratic Party of Canada](https://ndp.ca)

Green Party of Canada

Under co-leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, the Greens propose structural changes to prioritize affordable and sustainable housing by:

• Refocusing CMHC on affordable, non-market, and cooperative housing solutions.

• Restoring tax incentives for purpose-built rental housing and encouraging community land trusts.

• Launching a Canada Co-op Housing Strategy with CMHC.

• Increasing funding for new builds and rental assistance.

• Creating a dedicated Minister of Housing to tailor national strategies to local needs.

• [Source: Green Party of Canada](https://greenparty.ca)

What This Means for Homebuyers and Sellers

Regardless of the election outcome, housing policy will continue to evolve. Buyers may see shifts in affordability programs, incentives, and mortgage regulations, while sellers should stay informed about market trends driven by new supply and demand policies. Investors should pay close attention to tax changes and foreign ownership rules.

As always, real estate is local, and national policies often play out differently across provinces and cities. If you have questions about how these potential changes could impact you, feel free to reach out!

Get out and vote!

ReMax just revealed their brand-new logo for 2025 at their R4 convention in Las Vegas! The update is all about making Our branding more modern and digital-friendly, so it looks better online and on social media.

The new logo has been getting mixed reactions online. Some people really like the new design, while others are giving it quite a bit of slack. Many fans of the old logo feel that it had a more timeless appeal, while supporters of the change appreciate the modern and sleek approach.

The new design is meant to keep ReMax up-to-date in the new digital world. You’ll start seeing the new logo everywhere, on signs, marketing materials, and all over the internet.

So, what do you think? Do you like the new ReMax look, or do you prefer the old one? Drop your thoughts in the comments!