Working from home is a concept that is likely here to stay. At least to some extent! Businesses have worked hard to figure out, plan and develop solutions for continued efficiency in this ever-changing post-pandemic world. In Waterloo Region, employers are actively keeping up with the flexibility many employees have found a welcome change due to the pandemic and "trying out" working from home. At REMAX and throughout the real estate industry, we see people trying to keep up with the surge of escalating housing prices, shortages of supply/demand and the growing interest in home buyers to have a suitable and functional workspace in their homes.

There has always been a lot of talk about the differences between a buyer’s market and a seller’s market. But probably never as much as in the last two years! Real estate markets are cyclical, but that doesn’t mean they always go in the same direction! Instead, they spin and stagnate at times. Understanding the real estate market is addictive but confusing. Sometimes expert predictions are wrong, and surprise turns in the cycle occur. It is not a perfect situation for buyers in a buyer-friendly market, but it sure is a drastic improvement from the unfriendly buyer’s market we have seen for the last while. However, our best advice in a shifting market becoming more attainable for buyers is to act fast. Read why a buyer-friendly market is a great time to buy.

Don’t you just love the feeling of springtime in the air? We can’t wait to spend more time outdoors and are keen to cultivate the dead lawn and prepare it for the beauty it will be bringing to extend our living space and quality of life. We embrace the hard work. But let’s face it. The mud is real.

The springtime is a popular time people consider selling their home. Our REMAX realtor office phones are buzzing as March approaches, and we understand why. The springtime seems like a practical time to sell, given the summer is an opportune time to move. If you are trying to stage and prepare your house for selling, keeping the springtime mud, muck and debris from coming indoors can be daunting and potentially stressful.

You can’t just hold tight and wait for the spring showers to end, and the May flowers appear to go outside!

You and your family can enjoy spring without dreading the “March mud madness” stress while you are selling your house with these tips. You really can enjoy early spring days while selling without stress!

When you are house hunting, the idea of starting from scratch to get the home of your dreams is a tempting option. We don’t know about you, but you are not alone if you have dreamed of finding a beautiful plot of land somewhere and building this charming new home that is all yours… your touches, your ideas, your choices.

If you decide to enter the world of construction for your next home, we recommend these tips to ensure you are protected and save yourself some stress in the process as well as after you move in.

The Real Estate Market is a marketplace where there are dealings and competition. It changes with economic, political and societal impacts. When it is a Seller’s Market, sellers are getting some very strategic advice on how to get the most money for their investment and how to navigate things like pricing advice, bidding wars and multiple offers.

Buyers Beware! You are in a tough place that can be discouraging and exhausting. It can take a toll on you physically, emotionally and mentally. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Read the FAQ’s we get from buyer’s to help you navigate this Seller’s market!

The Real Estate Market is just that. A marketplace is an arena of competitive or commercial dealings, and it changes with economic, political and societal impacts.

We have heard the term Seller’s Market over the last while now, and it is not looking like it is going away anytime soon. If you are thinking about selling your home, a seller’s market is a fabulous time to do it, but it can also be nerve-wracking and confusing as to the best strategy to navigate the process and get you the best money for your investment. Read the answers to the most common questions we get about a Seller’s Market.

The last couple of years have been nothing short of unprecedented. So much so that we are pretty tired of the word! With the continuation of low-interest rates and escalating home market value, the costs of both renting and buying seem to be daunting and overwhelming. Decisions about whether to rent or buy in a growing community like the Waterloo Region are based on what is suitable for you, financially and emotionally. Factors that impact Renting or buying are far more than the financial means or goal to purchase.

Choosing a Realtor is a big decision! Very big!

After all, they are the person or team who will help you and support your goals regarding the most significant investment of your life. Selling or buying a house can be a pretty stressful experience if you don’t have a realtor to help you navigate the process. But how do you choose the right realtor for you? There are many great realtors and brokerages out there, but you do really need to “click” with your choice. We understand that there is no magic formula or checklist for finding the perfect agent for you, but we believe finding a realtor is worth investing time and thought into. Read our top five tips for choosing a realtor right for you!

With the summer coming to a close, holidays and cottage time winding down, it is back to school and work. Although the ramped-up routines and our quest for September stability are beginning to appear a little more normal, real estate paints a different picture. Busier than ever, families are thinking about how to create successful learning spaces for homework and study.

After a global pandemic that has kept us indoors and staying at home, several common patterns have emerged:

People have been fixing up, renovating or redesigning their spaces.

People have chosen to move, sell or buy to fulfill their dreams and vision for home living.

Ahhhhh, summer outdoor living! We love it, don’t we?

Whether we are at the cottage, home or sharing gatherings with others, we love to spend time outdoors. Finally, the big spring projects, seasonal maintenance and upkeep are finished. Now is the time to enjoy the fruit of our efforts!

Spending time at home is becoming all too familiar. The home renovation businesses have indeed been thriving throughout the pandemic. Whatever the reason, real estate pricing and home projects are at an all-time high. With the summer months upon us, many people want to tackle a new project in their outdoor space or yard.

Curb appeal is a real thing! I don't know about you, but as thrilled as we are to see spring arrive, the work seems a little endless to clean it up from the long winter! Curb appeal means the impression of the attractiveness of an exterior property and its surroundings when viewed from the street.

It is so easy for the garage to be the dumping ground for everything we don’t commonly use, the things we use outdoors, and the clutter we don’t quite know what to do with.

Homeowner’s insurance is not a luxury or optional component of buying a home.

It is non-negotiable.

It is necessary.

The kitchen always seems to be the heart of the home. It's often the centre of activity and where everyone wants to be. Often, when we socialize, we hope people will trickle into other living areas of our home with more seating or ambiance.

It's that time of year again! New Year. New Mindset. New Goals.

And this year, we are reflecting in a new way. Debating and deciding the essentials for this year has become a common term. And if there is any year that is deserving of our careful reflection, it is 2020.

When the weather starts getting chilly, that signals the imminent arrival of the holiday season. It’s that time of the year when friends and family gather and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

This year has been anything short of normal. Festivities indoors during the holiday season for 2020 may be minimal and scarce.

Your summer flowers are done or looking tired. Your fall mums and Halloween decor is past and needs changing.

COVID19 has undoubtedly changed our world, and in the housing market, we are noticing more people acutely more interested in looking inwards to where they live than ever before. Preparation is key to a seamless transition from renting to homeownership.

It is back to school time, and this year is far from the normal of years past. After months of 2020 working at home, many people are realizing that they will be working from home for the long haul.

Summer is what we wait for all year. I love all the seasons, but summer is the season of savour. Here are my top 3 ways to freshen up your home and still taken in the warmth of summer.

After months of staying pretty close to home, you may be feeling that you have exhausted ways to make home special at all - so how could a staycation be special?

With all of our stay home time, you may be wondering what is next. Maybe you are soul searching about your life. Perhaps you realize more about what matters to you.

The number of memes, cartoons and quotes circulating on social media about the frenzy of cleaning out, purging hard and decluttering while we stay home may be starting to get old.

If you have been feeling cooped up indoors as I have these past few months, you are not alone. Given the crisis of recent times urging us to stay home and create social distancing, along with the winter conditions that can keep us inside, it is prudent to continue to implement all health and safety precautions even when starting to get outdoors!

House hunting is a big decision for anyone but becomes further complex the more family members that are involved, particularly children. Helping your child with a significant life event like moving to a new home can be smooth when you know when and how to involve your kids in the home search.