BuyingHomeownership January 20, 2023

Townhouses: Pros and Cons

 

The choice between a townhouse or a detached home can be confusing. Here are a few pros and cons of purchasing a townhouse and if it’s the right choice for you!

What is a Townhouse?

A townhouse is when one or more walls are shared with your neighbour but are independently owned dwellings. The units are well known for ease of living, featuring shared outside maintenance costs such as lawn care and snow removal.

What’s Better: Buying a Townhouse or a Detached Home?

Compared to detached homes, townhouses can offer a more modern look for a better price, and outside maintenance costs are pooled together with other residents, keeping the homes well maintained. Townhouses are typically built in higher-density populations, making them closer to more valuable amenities.

Whereas, in a single-family home, all the maintenance falls on the owner—which can be daunting. The detached house’s location has more impact on the cost, even if it is an older home that needs many renovations.

It is up to you which option you choose and what is best for you and your family. Ensure you also review the rules and regulations of the townhouse complex/corporation. You might discover extra condo fees, a cap on the number of inhabitants in one townhouse or pet restrictions.

How Are Townhouses Set up?

A townhouse can come in three set-ups. 

1) A land trustee: only land around the unit is common ground with other owners in the complex. The owner is responsible for the unit.

2) Independent ownership: there are commonly shared property elements between the owners, like walls and backyards.

Or

3) Registered condominium corporation: The property and the building are shared responsibilities of every owner and usually come with extra condo fees. 

What Features Should You Look for in a Townhouse?

The biggest perk of purchasing a townhouse is “maintenance-free living.” Ask about the townhouse agreement and any rules and regulations that it has to make sure it fits your needs as a buyer. Also, consider if the townhouse is within your budget and in your desired neighbourhood. Even if the townhouse is a brand new build, always consider getting a home inspector to verify it’s safe to purchase.

Is Buying a Townhouse a Good Investment?

Commonly, yes! Buying a townhouse is a good investment based on resale value. They hold up better value than their apartment condo counterparts. They could also be rented out reasonably quickly for extra income, with no yard maintenance required on your part. Real estate is a considerable investment, and hiring an experienced agent is essential in purchasing a property.

Tips for Purchasing a Townhouse.

Here are a few additional tips that don’t fit in with the above categories:

  • Look at many options of townhouses in the areas you desire. Ask your real estate professional about the differences between the ones you view and if a townhouse or detached home is right for you and your lifestyle.
  • If you are buying into a condo corporation, ensure that the reserve fund is sufficient for long-term planning. Ask for a copy of the most recent meeting minutes to gain insight into the current property maintenance, plus any additional information.

Should I Buy a Townhouse?

It depends! Buying any property is a lifelong investment, so choosing the right one can be difficult. Weigh the pros and cons of each unit you see and decide if it’s the right choice for you! Work with a trusted real estate agent to provide you with personalized advice.

 

Buying December 9, 2022

5 Ways to Save for Your Down Payment

 

Suppose you are looking to purchase a home soon and need to save up for a downpayment. Here are a few helpful ways to get started and set some goals to make it happen.

How Much Will You Need For A Down Payment?

The short answer is it depends.

There is a minimum contribution of a 5% down payment to purchase a home in Canada if it’s your primary residence.

The exact amount will depend on the listing price. Be aware that this will be one of many upfront home-purchasing expenses. There is also approximately 1.5% more needed to cover closing costs and legal fees.

The higher the cost of the home, the more of a down payment you will need. For example, on an $800,000 home, you will need 6.5% of the purchase price or $52,000 down. If you are looking for a home over $1,000,000, a minimum of 20% down is required, or $200,000.

Purchasing a home that is $999,999 vs. a $1,000,000 home, the difference is significant due to the down payment required by lenders. Speak to an experienced local REALTOR® to find out more.

Ways to Save For A Down Payment

Saving for a down payment might seem incredibly hard, but following these steps could alleviate some of the mystery.

Establish a Savings Goal

Before you start saving, it is essential to know what price range of home you are shopping for and the down payment that is required to do so. Knowing when you want to buy and the percentage you plan to put down upfront will significantly change the plan of putting money away. After figuring out these things, you can decide how much you will need to put away each month to reach your goal by a specific date.

Cut Back on Expenses

The easiest way to start saving is to look at your day-to-day expenses—and see what you can cut out and still live comfortably. Review your last three months of spending. You will often be surprised by how much money you have spent on unnecessary things, like eating out, coffee and subscriptions, to name a few. A coffee here or there might not seem like a big deal, but small purchases add up quickly.

Automate Your Savings

Once you have decided on a set amount of money to save every month, set up a recurring transfer of that amount from your checking account to a high-interest savings account every time you get paid. The savings account should be left alone until needed, so make sure you can live off the amount left per paycheck.

Plan to Save Your Windfalls

Plan to save any extra money you get throughout the year, whether a work bonus or income tax return. Instead of spending the extra cash frivolously, add it to your savings account immediately! It will help boost your savings account to reach that down payment goal faster. 

Borrow from Your RRSP

If you have RRSPs, the federal government will let you borrow money from it if you are a first-time home buyer with no penalties when you withdraw. However, you must pay the amount borrowed back within 15 years, and the maximum withdrawal is up to $35,000. 

 

This short list includes a few hints and tricks to get you started saving for a house. There are other ways to acquire extra money, such as an extra side hustle or if you are lucky enough to receive a monetary gift from a close family member.

If you have your down payment ready, contact your Local REALTOR® today!

 

Lifestyle December 2, 2022

9 Tips to Keep Houseplants in Winter

 

Plants are excellent stress relief, and the leafy greenery will brighten anyone’s mood. Winter is a time for staying inside, being cozy and hibernating. Plants also enjoy hibernating and resting in these months. Here are a few tips to take care of house plants over winter to not shock their system.

 

Cut Back on Watering

 

Consider watering less frequently depending on your home’s climate and sunlight conditions. However, plants might need the same amount of water if your plants are near heating vents or your home is warmer in winter than summer. 

Instead of following a weekly watering schedule, poke the first inch of soil with your finger to check if it is dry or wet, and then proceed with watering. Always plan to under water plants even in winter. You can’t take back water once it is soaked in.

 

Pay Attention to Sunlight

 

The seasons change, as does the amount of sunlight plants receive. Think about moving plants to different locations in your home for the best dose of sunlight. If that is impossible, get a grow light from your local garden store! Also, make sure plants on window sills aren’t getting cold drafts. Consider moving them to a different location if they are. To ensure plants grow evenly, quarter-turn them once weekly for a well-balanced plant. I admit I never do that, and my plants are growing lopsided.

 

Don’t Worry About a Few Dropped Leaves

 

Winter often brings about cold drafts, and turning the furnace on can change your home’s conditions. Sometimes, the more demanding plants will drop leaves—try not to worry about it too much, as new leaves will grow in their place or above it! Leaves falling just means a plant is preparing for lower light levels.

 

Avoid Temperature Extremes

 

Average household temperatures are usually perfect for most plants. Outside air from doors opening and closing can affect plants, so ensure your plants are far away from doors. Also, keep plants away from heating vents and radiators. Sudden changes in heat can negatively affect them too.

 

Cut Back on Fertilizer

 

Fertilizing is still great to use in winter. Instead of using it weekly, switch to bi-weekly or even monthly. Another great alternative to fertilizer is Marphyl organic fertilizer. It’s more about providing nutrients to the soil and less about enhancing plant growth. You may stop fertilizing altogether if you think your plants aren’t getting as much sun.

 

Keep an Eye Out for Pests

 

Pests will start to spring up in winter, and most enjoy warm, dry soil conditions. Check plants’ leaves, and underneath the leaves every time you water for signs of pests. Some common pests are gnats, scales, and spider mites. Gnats are easy to get rid of with high-quality cinnamon sprinkled on top of the soil. Scale is more challenging to get rid of, and you will want to alcohol swab each brown spot to remove them. The best defence against spider mites is to buy predatory spical mites, microscopic bugs that eat the spider mites and will not harm your plants. Insecticides can also treat pests, but from experience, using them multiple times can damage the plant.

 

Up the Humidity

 

Most house plants are of the tropical variety, and the tropics often have high humidity. Consider purchasing a humidifier for the colder months to offset the dryness of your home. Not only will you breathe better, but your plants will too! The second way to keep the humidity up is to cluster plants together. The third way is to put water-filled pebble trays under your plants that require it and/or mist your plants. Before misting them, research to see if they do well with wet leaves. For example, philodendrons, some hoya and calathea (prayer plants) don’t mind if their leaves are wet.

 

Dust Your Plants

 

The leaves on a plant use the sun for photosynthesis and air circulation. If the leaves are coated in dust and debris, it makes the plant work a lot harder to live. Use a dry microfiber cloth to dust them gently, top and bottom. A wet cloth works too, but it might re-attract dust. 

 

Resist the Urge to Re-Pot

 

In winter, plants go dormant and rest. It is best not to disturb them by re-potting them. The shock of re-potting can lead to stunted growth or loss of foliage—wait to re-pot during growth spurts like in spring and summer.

 

I hope you found these few tips helpful to keep your plants healthy and happy over winter. When in doubt, under water, fertilize less and ensure your plants get as much sun as possible, naturally or through a grow light.

Are you looking for a home this winter? Contact your local REALTOR® today!

Lifestyle November 18, 2022

How to Build the Perfect Snowman

Making a snow person was my favourite pastime when I was a kid. I used to create families of snow people, including pets, and a home for them to live in. There is a bit of science behind the snow consistency and the success rate of building the perfect snowman.

 

The Right Snow

Proper snow consistency is key to making a snowman. Look for dense, wet snow that falls or is already on the ground on a warmer day. Stay away from cold days or blizzards like snow falls for snow person building—nobody wants to be out there anyways.

Location, Location, Location

Make sure you find a perfect location for your snowman to show it off. When I was a kid, I used to build my snow person in front of our living room window, so I could gaze upon it and say hello! The best spot to build a snowman for longevity is in a shaded part of your yard and/or in the center area where you roll your snowballs.

Best Structure

Build your snow person like a “pyramid” with a large ball at the bottom. Medium-sized for the tummy and a smaller one for the head! The smaller the snowman, the more structure it will have. As you increase the size, it becomes less stable. Once in a while I would make a 6ft snowman with the help of my dad or grandpa to add the finishing touches.

Rolling it Up

Start by making a larger-than-average snow ball (you know, the kind you throw at someone)…then start rolling it around in the snow and watch it magically become larger. Roll it around until you can’t physically push it anymore or until you are happy with the size. Once the main snowball is ready, pack snow around the base to make it extra secure to the ground. 

Flatten Each Ball

While rolling each ball, make sure you stop from time to time to pack it down and ensure it’s a solid ball. Remember to do this for building the actual snow person—pat down a flat area between each ball to strengthen the structure.

The Perfect Accessories

My mom always had an old box of too-small hats and gloves for us to use for our snow person. That way, if they blew away or someone needed it, we wouldn’t be sad to let them go. We also had a gravel driveway that provided many rocks for the snowman’s eyes, nose, and buttons—and a garden for a carrot for the nose. Deer would often come into the yard and eat the nose! 

If you are going for a certain aesthetic, try matching the snow person to the scheme of your home or outside decor. Try an ugly sweater on it or an old jacket for an extra bit of whimsy. Don’t forget to add branches for the arms!


Building a snow person or a snow family is a lot of fun for the whole family or alone. Plus, being outside is a great way to boost your mood and get active.

Contact your Local REALTOR® today to find the perfect home and yard to build a snow person in.