All Blog Entries by Justin Havre Real Estate Team

Buying a home that needs some work is a good way to save money, but it can also hide unexpected costs or complications. It's possible to get a wonderful home, or to go broke making unanticipated repairs. These tips can serve as basic guidelines to assess the potential value in a fixer-upper before buying it.

Consider the Neighbourhood

Keep in mind that one person’s version of paradise is another’s fixer-upper. The view depends entirely on the buyer, and the buyer’s view relies a lot on the neighbourhood. Take the time to look around the area and see how owners take care of their properties. If the neighbourhood is trending upscale with the most expensive upgrades in every aspect of the home, they will probably have to pay more to maintain

Winter weather can wreak havoc on a home. Preparation could make the difference between a comfortable season and a nightmare. These tips help homeowners know what they will need to do before it gets too cold.

Sprinklers and Irrigation

One of the simplest things that homeowners can do is to shut down any unnecessary systems that carry water. The irrigation system for the yard is a good example. Pipes left with water in them can freeze and burst if they are not properly drained. Once they are no longer needed for the fall, homeowners should shut off and drain pipes and hoses. Hoses need to be disconnected, emptied and put away.

Indoor Plumbing

Frozen pipes could be a source of significant hassle and damage for homeowners, if they

Before undertaking a decking installation, there are several things that homeowners need to be aware of to ensure that their deck is legal, stable, meets their specific needs and will be a worthwhile project that adds value and enjoyment to the home. Here are some home deck considerations and tips to keep in mind when considering installing a new patio or deck.

Investigate Local Building Codes and Permit Requirements

Each province or township in Canada has its own set of regulations and restrictions concerning building codes and the need to obtain construction permits. Homeowners or their construction contractor will need to look into any specific code requirements and restrictions prior to moving forward with a decking installation, as they

Buying a home for a family can be a challenge. To meet the needs of a growing, changing family, a home must be flexible in its layout, large enough for many generations, and safe for everyone from children to older adults. 

Home Amenities That Benefit Families With Children

Open Floor Plan

In a typical open floor plan, public spaces like the living room, dining room and kitchen are open and connected, with few or no walls in between. For parents of small children, there are many advantages to open floor plans. Adults at work in the kitchen can oversee children playing in the living room, dining room and beyond. In addition, open floor plans allow families to spend time together as they work on separate activities in separate spaces. For

Home technology is a modern amenity. Time, energy and labour-saving devices are becoming mainstream, in the office, at home and in the automobile. It's impossible to escape it—and why would anyone want to?

Smart technology has changed, and will continue to alter the way Canadians look at the world, and the way we live in our homes.

There is a difference between home automation and smart home features, however. In a sense, it is one of degree: Home automation is one aspect of smart home technology. It is the modern smart home that has become the model for the future. Smart home technology allows integration of a host of features from a single, centrally located wireless hub. It keeps the homeowner in control, whether from the next room or

Giving family members the ability to move throughout the home safely and enjoy every space to its fullest is important, and lighting is a key aspect of achieving these goals. Choosing the best lights and the strategic placement of each element helps set the comfort level and ambiance of your abode. Furthermore, energy-efficient lighting can dramatically reduce associated costs, especially when savvy owners follow this room-by-room lighting guide.

Illuminating Foyers and Hallways

You can often get by with minimal lighting in these areas when they aren't in use. Experts recommend recessed lighting or drop lamps with dimming features in high-ceiling foyers. Multi-option side lanterns with compact fluorescence lights amid dark hallways and stairwells

Selling a home in a rural area can be a challenge. Rural areas typically attract fewer potential buyers than urban or suburban homes, so finding the right buyer for your rural property may take finesse. With some planning and a little creative thinking, you can bring more people interested in buying a rural home and potentially speed up selling a home in the country.

Make Your Home Easy to Locate

Rural routes are not always well marked, and the streets are not always named. Buyers who cannot find your home may give up or get lost on the way to your property. Making it easier to find your home will remove some of the burdens from potential buyers.

• Mark Roads Clearly: Put up signs on roads that lack clear signage. Clear away any brush

When you walk into a person's home, you expect to see the young kids running through the house playing games. One spouse may be cooking the family dinner in the kitchen while the other is in the home office finishing up work before the weekend arrives. Yet family dynamics have changed over the past decade. It is no longer frowned upon to see the thirty-something young adult still living at home with their parents or find the aging parents living out their retirement years with their adult children, and when several generations live in one household like this, it is what is called multigenerational living.

Multigenerational homes have now become the norm.

Reasons for Multigenerational Households

There are several factors spurring the

Canadian homeowners need to be aware of the taxation rules and regulations that may apply upon when selling a second home. A Canadian resident may have to pay the IRS when owning a property in the US or be prepared for a capital gains tax for a vacation home in Canada. Get an idea of the tax obligations for Canadian residents and property owners looking to sell a vacation home.

Preparing in advance may reduce certain tax obligations. As Canadian and American tax law frequently changes, it is best to consult with a professional for the latest advice on selling and paying taxes on a vacation property. Learn more about the tax obligations when a Canadian homeowner chooses to move forward with selling a home.

Are You a Canadian Homeowner with

Finding the right house can really make a place feel like home, but it isn't just about the physical building itself. It's also about the location. Real estate agents talk about location all the time, and about how important it is for most people. There's a reason for that. Location matters.

Wondering how to find the right house to buy? To find the very best location (Langdon homes for sale, perhaps?) for your new home, ask yourself these questions.

1) Are Schools a Factor in Your Search?

Having children is a big responsibility, and sending them to good schools can help give them the right start in life. Choosing a location near a good school can be a great way to provide the best educational opportunities for your child. Carefully research