Buying a condo in London, Ontario is an exciting step—whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizer, or investor. But beyond your down payment, there’s another critical piece of the puzzle: closing costs. These are often overlooked, yet they can significantly impact your budget if you’re not prepared. In this guide, we’ll ...

If you’re planning to buy a home, understanding closing costs in Ontario is essential. Many buyers focus on saving for a down payment—but closing costs can add thousands of dollars to your total upfront expenses. In this guide, we’ll break down the typical closing costs in Ontario, how much you should budget, and what first-time home ...

How the Bank of Canada Measures Inflation The Bank of Canada sets monetary policy by targeting inflation. First introduced in 1991, the inflation-control target is set jointly by the Bank of Canada and the Federal Government and reviewed every five years. In 2016, they agreed that the inflation target will continue to be the 2 per cent mid-point of ...

Title InsuranceWhen Title insurance was first introduced in Canada it seemed to cover a property from “sidewalk to fence.” It’s still an important consideration, but before you purchase, compare policies to find out what’s covered and be aware of possible exclusions, which may include:- Known title defects (that were revealed befo ...

Home Inspection Strategies A home inspection is a fairly comprehensive diagnostic overview of a home, and the inspector’s findings will provide a list of issues that may need immediate attention or can be addressed down the road. Get a qualified home inspector Ask for their certifications, experience and how long they’ve been inspectin ...

10 Things to Review as You Compare HomesMoving ahead with home buying plans? A first step is to make a list of lifestyle questions to help narrow down your “must-haves,” as well as consider trade-offs that fit within financial parameters?1)            Do you have a preference for housing ...

Home Selling Strategies When you’re ready to sell, there are a few easy ways to freshen-up your place to make it more attractive to buyers. 1. Paint – A freshly painted home gives your place a well-looked after feeling. Keep the colour palette neutral – warm white. Unusual colour choices, even if they’re currently poplular, ma ...

Identity Theft InsuranceStill a relatively new product and marketed as protection against the fraud of Identity Theft, it often won’t replace stolen money or cover improper bills. You may have seen some of the television ads which focus on helping to “re-establish credit,” this is different than covering an actual loss.Some policies are ...

Home Inspection Checklist The inside-outside visual inspection will detail many areas of the home – for buyers the checklist will outline what needs to be done and when. For  sellers - some key points that will want to addressed before anyone shows up with a clipboard. Exterior Foundation: Are there cracks? Does the grade around the fou ...

Buying? You’ll Want a SurveySome Mortgage Lenders accept either Title Insurance or a Property Survey to secure mortgage financing. Both are important. Title Insurance may not protect a buyer against problems that may have been revealed by and up-to-date survey of the property. An up-to-date survey is a graphical representation of the size of the pr ...

10 Tips for Home Buyers 1. Write out the wish list Determine needs and wants. Create a list of features you could do without, and ones that area absolute must-haves. Consider lifestyle as well. Do you like being close to downtown, or would you prefer living outside the city? Do you like the prospect of maintaining a garden? Where do you want your chil ...