Over the course of the pandemic, homeowners have been re-evaluating what they need most out of their property. For some, this has meant packing up and downsizing to a smaller city or community for greater living space, privacy, and a more relaxed pace of life.

Both statistically and anecdotally, we’ve witnessed buyers moving to the suburbs and other rural areas over the past two years. Small towns like Squamish, Wasaga Beach, Kingston, and Collingwood have been home to some of Canada’s fastest growing populations lately, a trend largely attributed to residents moving from urban centres in search of more affordable housing, according to a report from RBC Economics.

Why have buyers been moving to smaller cities?

Right now, there are two main reasons buyers are flocking to smaller Canadian cities—affordability and lifestyle.

Colin Breadner, a REALTOR® with One Oak Group at eXp Realty in Prince George, British Columbia, explains over the past two years, he’s helped more people move from larger cities to Prince George than he has in the last 15 years. Many of these buyers are from British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, and several from Ontario. Most purchasers are in their late 20s and early 30s, said Breadner, and have been struggling to get ahead in the country’s more expensive markets. 

“Our cost of living is low enough that people who are starting off, if they come up here and work for a while, they can really get ahead,” Breadner said. “I know the people who have been moving up here are just basically priced out.”

For Ryan O’Donnell, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Park Place in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton market has been driven by out-of-province buyers since the pandemic began, a pattern that was present even leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. After years of outward population migration, the tides have started to turn as younger home buyers have returned to the Cape Breton area thanks to remote working and comparatively affordable real estate prices. Communities like Sydney offer everyday amenities, with the added benefit of a country lifestyle close to a downtown district.

“The pandemic really opened a lot of people’s eyes on what’s really important in life,” said O’Donnell. “Cape Breton, I think, offers a quieter, slower pace of life that is a little more laid back.” 

What are buyers looking for in smaller cities? 

Buyers who are flocking to Canada’s smaller cities are in search of all kinds of properties.

Dale Devereaux, a broker and co-owner with Century 21 Maximum in Red Deer, Alberta, explains many people are looking for more space.

“We’ve certainly seen a lot of people who have been working out of their homes and the home feels like an office,” said Devereaux. “I think you’ve seen some people take on some properties that are a little bit bigger, [and have] a little bit more room for the family so the office isn’t the living room.”

Compared to the rest of the country, Alberta’s real estate market experienced a downward trend during the first half of the pandemic, but has seen sales increase within the last year, explains Devereaux. Job opportunities and construction investments have piqued buyer interest, especially out-of-province buyers who are looking for income properties. In many cases, purchasers have relocated to Red Deer—conveniently located in between Edmonton and Calgary—to stretch their dollar and still be close to the bigger cities. 

Devereaux explains, “Maybe their kids have lived here for a few years, they’ve gotten a little bit older themselves, their homes have gotten to a price where they are now worth over $1 million. They can come here, buy a home for $400,000 or $500,000, put some money in their pockets and be close to their kids. That’s the biggest movement I saw last year.”

In Cape Breton, purchasers have been interested in all kinds of housing options, including farming, waterfront and income properties, said O’Donnell. Cape Breton University attracts a large international student population into Sydney, which has opened opportunities for those looking to purchase property. The rise of remote working, which has enabled some buyers to move around the country with ease, has also played a role in what purchasers are looking for in a home. 

“[If] they like the house and the property, they’re asking about the internet connection because they used to be based out of Toronto and they now have an opportunity to work the same job [from home]. I’ve seen a lot of people who are moving here for that reason,” said O’Donnell.

Is a smaller city or community the right fit for you?

If you’re looking to make the switch to smaller city living, there can be many upsides. 

In Prince George, Breadner explains the benefits are purely lifestyle oriented. For one, it’s typically a shorter commute to amenities and workplaces. In larger centres where rental costs are higher, saving for a downpayment can be much more difficult, but smaller communities can offer a lower barrier to entering homeownership.

“You can buy a newer home here for probably half or a quarter of a big city. You can jump on an airplane and be in Vancouver, Calgary, [or] Edmonton within an hour if you want to go to those areas. And, because we have such a lower cost of living, you can afford those things,” said Breadner.

Those who crave small-town living with urban conveniences may also find comfort in smaller cities. In addition to restaurants, businesses, and recreational opportunities like golf courses and lakes, Devereaux said Red Deer has a prominent volunteer community and a close-knit feel that people are drawn to.

“You can walk somewhere and you’ll run into five people and you can say ‘Hey, how are you doing today? How are your kids?’ We still have that feel to it even though we’re 100,000 people,” he said.

If you are considering buying in any of Canada’s smaller cities, consult the advice of a local REALTOR® for the best market insights.

A new year can mean new resolutions, and while a lot of people focus on things like getting healthier or learning a new skill, there’s another popular resolution to consider: a better cleaning routine! It can be hard to keep on top of household cleaning as it starts to pile up, but by following a checklist you can make sure your home stays spick and span all through the year. 

We spoke with Nina Duque and Hillary Tan-Ortiz of Overdue Solutions, a cleaning and organizing service operating in the Greater Toronto Area, to get their best cleaning tips. They also shared a pretty compelling reason as to why cleaning should happen more frequently.

“Peace of mind! We can’t stress enough that a decluttered house helps declutter your mind. Also, the longer the wait, the harder it is to clean—residue and dust build up is never fun,” said Hillary.

Here are some guidelines and helpful hints from Overdue Solutions to encourage your New Year’s resolution!

How often do you need to do a major house clean?

Not everyone has the time (or the patience) to do a major house clean on a weekly basis, and that’s OK. Thorough house cleans, which include purging unused items, can happen less frequently than other chores.

“For high traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, we recommend a deep clean at least every two weeks,” Duque explained. “For other spaces in the home, try to schedule a monthly clean-up that not only involves cleaning, but also purging items that don’t belong in each area. That stack of mail sitting by your front door? Sort it or shred it. The pile of shoes in your front foyer area or mudroom? Lay out the ones you use the most for easy access and put away the ones that aren’t in season. There’s always something that needs to be returned to its rightful place in the home—or needs to find its place!”

Where should you start when you’re doing household cleaning?

When it does come time to clean, looking at everything at once can be a bit overwhelming. Overdue Solutions suggests starting with a specific task first so you can get the lay of the land.

“We always recommend dusting a space first so you can get a better sense of how much needs to be cleaned on different surfaces,” Tan-Ortiz shared. “Dusting also allows any excess particles to fall to the ground for clean-up on the floor last. When in doubt, always approach a clean-up from ‘top to bottom.’ Start with higher surfaces first and do the floor last.”

This is their recommended order for completing your cleaning:

• Dusting
• Wiping surfaces
• Vacuuming
• Mopping (if necessary)

The duo also suggests breaking your cleaning into rooms versus tasks, which can help you feel more accomplished as you go along. 

“The best approach is to tackle one space at a time,” Duque explained. “By focusing on one room at a time, you’re allowing yourself to visually see your progress and walk away knowing an area is done. We find attempting to approach your cleaning by ‘task’ can sometimes lead to underestimating how large a task can be or how long it may take. For example, vacuuming a whole house takes time to apply carpet odour removal, change filters, and move around furniture which sometimes leads to other discoveries that sidetrack your vacuuming.”

What should be included on your weekly cleaning checklist for the new year?

Now that we know when to clean, it’s time to figure out what to clean! Overdue Solutions gave us their recommended cleaning checklist you should follow on a weekly basis:

• Disinfect and sanitize high traffic surface areas like kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, light switches, and door knobs.
• Check the refrigerator for any expired items.
• Empty all the garbage/recycle bins in the house.
• Find all the empty mugs/glasses around the house and wash the dishes.
• Sweep the floors.
• Vacuum the carpets.
• Clean the toilet bowl(s).
• Wipe down table surfaces (you never know what food/oil stains are lingering).
• Tidy the shoe area at your main entrance.
• Laundry (including towels/bed sheets).

Printing out this list—or writing it out every week as you get ready to start—is a good way to keep yourself accountable and tick things off as you go! Crossing things off a list is always satisfying, so why not use it to your advantage?

Feeling inspired? Take our 7-day cleaning challenge and see what a difference it can make. Download our printable checklist and give your home a deep clean. 

Sticking to a cleaning routine is a great New Year’s resolution to strive for! With these tips from Overdue Solutions, you’ll have everything you need to succeed—and to keep your house spick and span all year round. 

Flipping homes has been all the rage over the last few years. This is partly due to the popularity of television shows like “flip or flop”, that turn dilapidated properties into money-making showstoppers in record time. The reality is you don’t get to see the actual behind-the-scenes from start to finish. The process of finding a home, fixing it, and then selling is not as glamorous and easy as it looks on TV, especially if you’re a rookie. However, you can be successful if you work with the right REALTOR® and know what to look for.

Brush up on your 3 Ps

The flipping process can be tedious, so you’ll need a lot of “patience, perseverance, and problem-solving skills,” noted Khan. Try to hone these traits even before you begin to look for a home, so you’re prepared to handle potential roadblocks.

“Flipping is a business transaction and you are the business owner who manages everything,” said Khan. “You need certain soft skills and the ability to make smart decisions quickly to be successful. Also, don’t fear too much and don’t overthink either.”

Research the market

It’s crucial you have some real estate knowledge and understand the market where you want to buy. This means narrowing down your search area to focus your research. Dig into market history, uncover buyer and neighbourhood trends and make sure to ask yourself these questions: What are the average sale prices? Are new developments cropping up? How long does it take for homes to sell on average?  

Khan emphasized how important it is to “study the history of the market and look at current trends and predictions for the future.” Ultimately, using a REALTOR® to help you through the process is your best bet, as they’ll be able to give you insights and trends for a certain area using their market expertise, professional experience and access to data and tools.

Be strategic about the neighbourhood

You can fix many things about a home, but you can’t change its location. According to Khan, “location determines your market value before anything else.” If you don’t pick a good community, you could end up with a property that generates no return on investment. You should generally avoid areas on the extreme ends of the low and high scale.

Look for property in a growing neighbourhood with lots of appeal and potential to scale. For first-time flippers, don’t seek out property far from where you currently reside. You’ll want easy access to the home, so you know exactly what it looks like before, during, and after the flip.

Seek out expert opinions

Flipping a home isn’t a solo task. Work with a REALTOR® to help with your market research, property search, and purchase strategy. They can also help you understand property laws and regulations—for example, obtaining a zoning permit—and what you’ll need to do before starting actual work on the home. From electricians, plumbers, roofers to HVAC professionals, REALTORS® are also an excellent resource for finding trusted professionals in your local neighbourhood.   

Before making an offer, you should also have the property inspected for potential issues not visible to the naked or experienced eye. This includes mould, roof problems, and foundation cracks. 

Contractors, such as plumbers and electricians, will be able to provide you with a proper assessment of the home and give you price and timeline estimates. According to Khan, these experts will also help you avoid making mistakes that could void your insurance.

Pick renovations that increase value

Not all fixes and updates add value to your property. Prioritize refurbishing the exterior, bathrooms, and kitchen.

“Kitchens tend to be a deal-breaker for a lot of buyers,” said Khan. “A home can have the best flooring in the world, but if the kitchen is slightly outdated, say by 10 years or more, it can bring the whole value down.”

It’s not always about the big details either. The small upgrades matter a lot, too. Keep in mind buyers nowadays are attracted to modern aesthetics with luxurious must-have features (think stone countertops, white cabinets, open concept rooms, double sinks, rainfall showerheads, a theatre room, etc.). This trend has become even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People couldn’t go anywhere for nearly two years, so they brought luxury to their homes. This same luxury is what they expect to see when they’re buying property,” added Khan.

Flipping a home is no small feat, but it can become a lot harder when you pick a property not primed to sell. To make sure you’re finding a good home to flip, be sure to seek out expert opinions, including those of a REALTOR®, before purchasing!

What to Look For When Choosing a Mortgage Lender

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or a seasoned property owner, shopping around for a mortgage lender can feel daunting.

With multiple companies, interest rates, and options to look over, finding the best lender for your specific needs can appear overwhelming. However, mortgage brokers and specialists have the tools and knowledge at their fingertips to help borrowers make informed decisions about their home financing.

To tell us more about what to look for when choosing a mortgage lender, we recruited the advice of Carrie Cardinal from Realtyone Real Estate Services Inc. and Ryan Mollberg with M Realty, both of whom are Saskatchewan-based mortgage brokers and REALTORS®. 

Types of mortgage lenders and how a broker can help

Mortgage lenders in Canada can be organized into three main categories:

• A lenders encompass traditional lenders such as banks and credit unions suited for borrowers with good credit scores and steady incomes.
• B lenders offer a lower barrier for borrowers who may not qualify through an A lender due to lacklustre credit history or unpredictable income.
• Private lenders fall outside of the regulated sector and tend to have lower qualification rates compared to A and B lenders. 

Mollberg explains while banks and other major financial institutions are considered to be A lenders, monoline lenders also fall under this category. Unlike banks who offer multiple services like credit cards, investments and bank accounts, monoline lenders specialize primarily in mortgage loans.

“Banks have a bank status,” explained Mollberg. “They’ll do primarily A-business, but then what makes mortgage brokers as successful as we are is options other than banks, and there are these lenders we call monoline lenders, meaning they just do one thing and that’s mortgages.”

When looking for recommendations on A, B, or private lenders, Mollberg and Cardinal point to mortgage brokers as a good starting point. With access to dozens of mortgage lenders, brokers can help borrowers compare and one-stop shop for the best mortgage free of charge. Cardinal explains mortgage shoppers can also compare terms and interest rates between lenders easily online. 

“That’s where, [for] a lot of the research, people can do a lot of online, but in my opinion, finding someone who has unbiased advice to a certain lender is where you’re going to get as much information as possible,” she said.

What questions to ask your mortgage specialist or lender

During those first few conversations with your mortgage broker or bank, you’ll want to ask questions about your payments, property taxes, and mortgage portability options.

The early stages of finding a mortgage involves figuring out how much you can realistically afford with REALTOR.ca’s mortgage calculators, a pre-approval process, which assesses your credit history, employment, and down payment to determine how big of a mortgage loan you qualify for. Mollberg explains each lender is different and will have its own set of mortgage policies, but a broker can help borrowers understand these guidelines and determine which lender will suit their individual circumstances.

“This is again another challenge, and this is where having a mortgage broker is good because they can help navigate those waters and say ‘Okay, well, you’re buying in small-town Saskatchewan, you’re self-employed, your down payment is coming from your parents, and you’ve only been at your job for nine months. What lender will do that for you?’” said Mollberg.

“That’s what a mortgage broker does. They’ll help sift that out for you and figure out where to place the mortgage,” he added.

During those initial meetings with your mortgage broker, Mollberg said it’s important to ask what lenders they may have in mind for you. This also includes asking your broker the differences between bank and monoline lenders. For example, prepayment privileges—an additional sum you can make on top of your regular mortgage payments—are often one of the biggest differences between the two.

Cardinal explains borrowers may also want to ask about extra payments on your mortgage and how many you’re entitled to per year, the mortgage renewal process, and if your lender allows property taxes to be collected with your mortgage. Portability is another crucial factor to talk about when discussing mortgages, Cardinal said, as you’ll want to know if it’s possible to transport your mortgage in the event that you need to move houses. 

You’ll also want to confirm the cost of any penalties for paying out your mortgage early, which may impact the length of the mortgage term—the period and interest rate.

“If you have to pay it out early for whatever circumstance, what are you going to be looking at as far as a penalty?” said Cardinal.

“Because the interest rate differential penalties right now are really, really high, it’s important you know what you’re getting into and not over commit on a term. I often say to my clients, ‘Rather than committing for five years, if you’re unsure, maybe just doing two or three years may be better for you,’” she added.

When it comes to lenders, consider more than just your rate

It’s easy to just think about numbers when shopping for a mortgage lender, but customer service and communication are essential to consider too.

“Customer service is key,” said Cardinal. “When you have a problem, you want to be able to reach someone and get the problem resolved.”

Mollberg explains it’s important for lenders to have a good online customer portal. This is where clients can make payments, gather mortgage statements, and get other detailed information. Cardinal said a borrower should find a representative easy to access. A common frustration among her clients is calling an 800-number and not being able to get to the person they need.

When it comes to buying and selling real estate, REALTORS® and mortgage brokers often work alongside one another to get borrowers into the home they want. 

“As a REALTOR®, setting up with a good mortgage lender is key because having a fully qualified buyer is the way we’re able to make dreams come true,” said Cardinal. “At the end of the day, if somebody isn’t qualified, they cannot sell a house, they cannot buy a house, and that ends up being a really difficult process.”

If you’re looking for recommendations on a mortgage specialist or are new to the home buying process, consult the help of a local REALTOR® for guidance at every step of the way.

Current Kitchen Cabinet Trends Stealing the Show

When you pause to admire a beautiful kitchen, where do your eyes go first? The sparkling countertops? The shiny appliances? The geometric tile floor? You can be honest—your attention probably isn’t captured by the cabinets. 

They take up the most space, yet kitchen cabinets seem to go largely unnoticed when you’re appreciating a well-designed kitchen. If you’re looking to breathe some fresh life into your space while on a budget, or are planning your next big renovation project, don’t overlook them! Especially not when these current kitchen cabinet trends are sure to impress your guests and turn the kitchen into your favourite room in the house (if it’s not already).

                Image via Rachel Claire from Pexels

Neutral no more

Trade in your bright whites and soft greys for bold and bright, or dark and dramatic. Current cabinet trends are asking homeowners to take a bit of a risk with colour. Bright cabinetry in varying shades of primary colours are sure to provide some cheer and turn your space into a fun, creative place to gather and enjoy good food. But if you’re going for a modern, sleek feel, then black or dark blue kitchen cabinets are the best choice. Blue is fast becoming the new neutral and, when paired with gold hardware, provides a clean, sophisticated look. The two-tone or colour blocking kitchen cabinet trend is perfect if you can’t decide between the two aforementioned looks. Pairing a bright or lighter colour on the top cabinets with a darker grey, black or blue on the bottom adds a dynamic element to the kitchen and keeps the eye roving.

             Image via Houzlook from Pexels

Understated shapes

Clean and simple are two words you could use to describe the current trend in cabinet shapes. Flat front, a European style of cabinet, provides a uniform, unbroken silhouette throughout the kitchen or, if you want, just a tad more detail. The shaker style—or square paneled cabinet—still provides a simple canvas to try out your bright colours or your neutral blue.  If you’re really looking to shake things up, you could try no cabinets at all. Open shelving along the top might require a more aesthetic display of your plates and glasses, but they can turn your kitchen from a place of food prep and dirty dishes into an art gallery with plenty of breathing space.

Welcoming back wood

Driven by Scandinavian design and the resurgence of vintage, wood made a comeback in 2021 for kitchen cabinets. Whether it’s reclaimed, alternative wood types like bamboo (which people love for its sustainability and low environmental impact) or warm-toned oak, natural finishes and light colours are taking over. 

                    Image via Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

Different is good

As vintage and eclectic interior design become more popular, mixing and matching hardware in the kitchen is one of the top trends. Choosing a different metal or finish from the rest of your appliances will provide a bit of shine to your cabinets, break up monotony, and make your kitchen uniquely yours.

                      Image via ready made from Pexels

Make these kitchen cabinet trends your own

You can jump on these kitchen trends without investing too much time or money. The quickest and least-involved way would be replacing your hardware with fresh knobs and handles in a metal that’s entirely different from the rest of your appliances.  If you’re willing to put in a bit more time and effort but still stay within a tight budget, try painting either your upper or lower cabinets to add the two-tone flair that’s so popular this year.  Or, if you really want to switch things up, try removing a few doors from your upper cabinets for a partially open shelf look or add some removable wallpaper to the backs of the cabinets to make your upper cabinets pop.  Finally, for a low-effort but striking effect, add under-cabinet lighting using LED strips for additional shine and functionality.  We don’t often think of our cabinets when looking at design trends, but they’re a great way to add personality and uniqueness to your space!

Hi and welcome to my website!

I would like to start by introducing myself. My name is Robin Tobias and I am currently a real estate agent with Royal LePage Northern Lights in Cold Lake, AB, and previously with Royal LePage benchmark in Calgary, AB. We are an RCMP family and relocated to Cold Lake in April of 2020 and love it here! We spend most of our time on the amazing Kinosoo beach, fishing on the lake, or camping in the area.

I have quite a bit of experience both as an agent and a client. I have purchased and sold many of my own personal homes with and without federal relocation. I have sold and purchased in buyers and seller’s markets. I have spent hours on the phone with relocation getting details of the process for our own transfer. I have been on house hunting trips with kids. I understand the stress of dealing with showings, packing, moving and looking for your next home. All of this has given me a unique client perspective of the process that most agents won’t have. Being part of the DND family comes with great pride and I am always there to help other DND members transferring in or out of Cold Lake.

Whether you are purchasing or selling a home, when you choose me as your agent you will be treated with a truly client based service. Working for a client is more than just a pay check to me. Yes, this is how I make a living, but it is also my passion which is why all of my services, including documents and presentations, are delivered with a high level of professionalism that haven’t been seen outside of the big cities.

My website has all the houses for sale in Cold Lake and is very easy to navigate and don’t forget to order your free buyer’s and seller’s guide.

Below is a link to my Facebook page and my Instagram account. Please feel free to follow, like or share it with anyone you might know that is interested or looking for a real estate agent with exceptional service!

Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/robintobiasrealestate

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/robintobias_real_estate/

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you soon!

Robin Tobias.