Competition in the cottage market remains very high, often pushing buyers to compromise more than they would like and giving them little time to educate themselves on the property and surrounding community. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of a purchase and this often leads to buyers downplaying their must-haves or overlooking them altogether.

According to a panel of more than 275 Royal LePage recreational property experts from across Canada, the most overlooked important priority is cell phone reception and internet speed (33.1%), followed by understanding that owning a cottage on the water does not always mean owning the waterfront (15.7%) and knowing which water source is used in the area such as lake water or well water (12.9%).

To make it easier for first-time homebuyers to get into the market, the federal government unveiled an incentive where the government contributes to the purchase of the home through a shared mortgage. This allows a potential homeowner to access 5% or 10% depending on whether your home is being purchased as resale or a new build. Not only will this allow you to boost your down payment, it means lower monthly carrying costs. 

What is a shared mortgage? By participating in the incentive, you are sharing your mortgage with the government. That means the government also shares the risk. For example, if you access 5% of the purchase price of a home through the incentive and the home’s value is $500,000, the government’s 5% share is worth $25,000. If the

If you are looking to open up a small space to give it a feel that is bigger than it’s footprint, these tested tips are for you. They work in any room and within any budget.

• Use light colours on the walls to create a sense of openness and space. White is an excellent choice but you won’t sacrifice much of the illusion by selecting a light colour, if that is your preference. Conversely, dark or heavily saturated colours close in a room, giving it a smaller, cozy feel.Create the illusion of more space with a mirror or two. Adding a large mirror, whether it is floor to ceiling or a framed piece over a couch or table, is highly effective.
• Swap out curtains for hidden blinds and say good-bye to your rug. Elements that break up the space will make

Widespread pandemic restrictions over the last year have forced many of us to re-think how, and where, we exercise. If you think your home is too small for a gym, think again! There are solutions to creatively set up a home gym even in a smaller space, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money. We can help! 

Here are a few tips to help you create the perfect home gym with all the essentials, even when space is limited:

• You don’t need a lot of equipment to break a sweat! A few simple (and easy to transport) items like a yoga mat, swiss ball, equalizer bar, jump rope and some resistance bands will do the trick. Plus, there are plenty of workout videos and online classes that will get your heart rate up using only bodyweight. 
• Less is more…

Rahul Bagga graduated with a Business Management Diploma in 2013 from Humber College in Toronto.  His favourite subjects since High School, Economics and Mathematics, were put to good use in gaining his degree.

Being in the real estate business background back home, Rahul decided to take a chance and start exploring more about the Real Estate industry in Canada.  Licencing was the first step and he became a fully licensed industry professional in 2019.  Since then his goals have been clear:  work for your client’s best interest, and focus is the key to success.  So clear, in fact, that he was able to achieve the President’s Gold Award for 2020.

Choosing a Real Estate career was his best decision and he loves to be a part of it.  Away from work,

The warm glow of an outdoor fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere and can give off enough heat to take the bite out of cool evening air. Today, there is so much variety that it’s easy to find the right one to complete your backyard. However, before making any purchases you should check to see what outdoor fireplaces are allowed in your municipality. For example, in Toronto, there are strict rules on the type of fireplace and the fuel it uses. You should also contact your home insurance company to see if there are other factors for you to take into consideration. When undertaking any construction project where you will disturb the ground, we recommend reaching out to your utilities company to find out if or where any buried lines may be located.

Canadians can earn up to $5,000 in federal grants for making their homes more energy efficient, through the Canada Greener Homes Grants program. The Trudeau government recently announced its $2.6 billion plan, which offers Canadians a rebate on energy-saving renovations to their primary residences, in an effort to curb the country’s carbon emissions. The program also offers homeowners up to $600 for home energy evaluations.

Qualifying projects include:

• Improving insulation;
• Installing solar panels;
• Installing energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment;
• Replacing windows and doors with energy-efficient models.

Homeowners looking to take advantage of the grant program must register online and book a pre-retrofit evaluation. A

The Acevedo Team ~ John has lived in Alberta for over 20 years with the past 11 in Spruce Grove, which he loves and has immersed himself in the Parkland area. This is shown by Coaching and Managing Soccer and Football Teams, President and Dancer with Parkland Ukrainian Dancers Society, running for Alderman and Leadership roles at Spruce Grove Alliance Church.

John has over 20 years of professional sales and marketing experience, which is great for his Real Estate career.  His dedication to customer service has given John a reputation for excellence: his clients come first. John also prides himself in being easy to get a hold of. Proof is the BlackBerry that has been attached to his hip for years. John is never too busy to receive your calls,