JJ & Ainsley Gordon, The Gordon Group

Are you thinking about buying a home and just don’t know where to start? Before you even begin looking at homes, consider how much you may need to save to make the process as smooth as possible for you, especially in the long run. While there are situations where you don’t need a large down payment for a home, having one can save you money down the road.  Saving for a down payment is slightly different than other large savings, like retirement. With those savings, you can set aside smaller amounts or invest the money. Because you will need your down payment sooner rather than later, those saving methods won’t be beneficial to you. Here are some steps to take to save up for your dream home! 1. Determine How Much You Need There is a general rule of thumb in real estate, the rule of 28, that says your maximum mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Sitting down with a mortgage lender will help you find out how much of a mortgage you qualify for ba...

Buying a home is exciting whether it’s your first home or your fifth. But while buying a home can be a real adventure, many owners put their home on the market while trying to find a new house. As a homeowner, you can try to sell while looking for something new, but it can get a little tricky. Read on for tips on how to make this process as smooth as possible. EVALUATE YOUR LOCAL MARKET It would seem like selling your home before putting an offer on a different one would be the best option when it comes to buying/selling, but it can really depend on the local real estate market. If you have the time, research the market in your city or desired area. This will let you know whether it’s a buyer or seller market. The type of real estate market in your locale can really dictate whether or not the process will be quick or drawn out. The general rule of thumb is to sell first in a buyer’s market, and buy first in a seller’s market; but this isn’t always the case since every ...

Taking the plunge and listing can be an exhilarating decision, but doing so without asking yourself some  important questions could leave you scrambling to figure out what you're going to do should your home be a highly sought-after property. If you're toying with the idea of listing, ask yourself the questions below before you make your final decision.    HOW MUCH IS MY HOME WORTH? Unless you consistently check real estate prices in your area or are comparing comparable homes in your neighborhood, it's likely you may not know the true value of your home. If you're thinking of selling, it's important to find out how much your home is worth. If you are dreaming of a new neighborhood, with the hopes that you'll make a good amount of money off your current residence, do your due diligence and ensure your home is worth what you think. The last thing you want is to find out your home is worth less than you thought and your dream neighborhoo...

If you’re looking to start a-new this coming year, why not have a checklist of things you can do for your home to give it a fresh start to 2019? There’s nothing better than a clean home, and it’s a great way to begin a brand new year. Start With The Little Things Many of us, whether we rent or own, tend to overlook the little things. But even the little things can make a huge impact on our homes. Add these to your home’s new year checklist: Check batteries on fire/smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. We hate hearing the chirp of a dying smoke detector in the middle of the night - be proactive and change out all the batteries now! Clean your clothes dryer. Vacuum out lint from the dryer vent. Too much lint can be a fire hazard if it’s accumulated over time. Also, if you have too much lint build up, your dryer may not even work at maximum power. Clean vents and registers. Things can get stuck in and even build up in your home’s vents and registers. Wipe...

"Landlords grow rich in their sleep without working, risking or economising." (John Stuart Mill) While you’re fussing over your bills, did you realize you’re making your landlord rich? Rentals are the most lucrative business to get into. It turns ordinary people into multi-millionaires. The next time you’re afraid of committing to a mortgage, keep in mind that you’ve already committed to paying off the mortgage of someone else - every single month you rent. The only time home buying doesn’t make sense is if you’re still living with your parents rent-free. Or you prefer to live out of an R.V. or tent. But if you prefer to live in a home, or a condo, it always makes the most sense to buy. Stop making your landlord rich and start building your own net worth. You can still enjoy owning a home - even if you don’t intend to stay in an area for long. You can always resell your home, most often for more money than you put in, or turn it into a lucrative side business by hiring...

Eliminating bad odors from your home is incredibly important before putting it on the market. Often times, the first thing buyers notice upon entering your home, is how it smells. If there is an odd odor, it will instantly put them off. No matter how beautifully staged and presented it is, strong odors or stale air can make your home unappealing to prospective buyers. Opening windows and exhaust fans will only go so far in removing foul odors, but won't generally eliminate it completely. To ensure you don't lose potential buyers, follow these odor eliminating tips to ensure your home smells and feels fresh and new. Don’t Use Artificial Freshening Sprays Don't make the mistake of spraying artificial room freshener sprays in hopes that it will remove the bad odor. Deodorizers will quickly fade, and only mask the smell, sometimes in an overwhelming way. If a buyer walks into your home, your air freshener can cause a reaction, like a runny nose or a headache, and will ma...