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5 Tips to Help You Prepare Your Home for Fall

1. Declutter, Clean, and Prepare Your Space

Start by giving your home a deep clean to create a fresh environment for the cooler months. Dust surfaces, vacuum all rugs and carpets, mop the floors, and clean the windows. This is also an excellent time to declutter your living areas, putting away any summer-specific items. Organize your belongings thoughtfully, packing away seasonal items so they’ll be ready for use when needed.

Don’t forget to check your gutters. Clear them of leaves, twigs, and debris to prevent clogs that can lead to water damage. If your roof is accessible, use a leaf blower to clear off the debris. While you’re at it, take a look for any necessary repairs to keep your home secure from potential storms or heavy winds.

2. Make Your Home Weather-Resistant

With cooler days on the horizon, you’ll want to ensure your home is well-insulated. Examine windows and doors for any gaps or cracks where air could escape. Apply caulking or install weatherstripping to seal those areas. You can also use door draft stoppers to help retain heat and block cold air from seeping in.

3. Tune Up Your Heating System

Before the cold sets in, ensure your heating system is ready to perform. Schedule an inspection with a professional to check your furnace or heating unit. This will help guarantee that everything is working efficiently, reducing the chances of unexpected breakdowns in the middle of winter. Also, make sure to clean or change your air filters regularly. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to maintain comfortable temperatures while saving energy.

4. Add Cozy Touches to Your Decor

Fall is the perfect season to refresh your home’s interior by incorporating warm, cozy accents. Swap out light summer fabrics for heavier blankets, pillows, and throws in autumnal hues like burnt orange, deep red, or mustard. Introduce fall-themed decor—such as pumpkins, wreaths, and candles—to create a welcoming seasonal atmosphere.

For an extra cozy feel, consider adding fall fragrances throughout your home. Diffusers with essential oils, scented candles, or simmer pots with cinnamon, vanilla, or pine will fill your space with the comforting scents of the season.

5. Prep Your Outdoor Spaces

Don’t forget about your outdoor areas as fall approaches. Trim back any overgrown plants, rake up fallen leaves, and either store or cover outdoor furniture. If you enjoy gardening, now’s a good time to plant fall-blooming flowers or vegetables. Be sure to clean and put away your gardening tools to protect them from the elements.

By following these steps, your home will be well-prepared to embrace the fall season with ease.

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News for First Time Home Buyers

This past week, the federal government announced changes that will help some buyers enter the Real Estate Market. If you are a first-time home buyer or if you are considering purchasing a brand new build, these changes are for you.

Here are our major takeaways from the announcement

  • 30-Year Amortizations: The expansion to 30-year amortizations can lower monthly payments, making homeownership more accessible. These are now available to all first-time buyers and anyone purchasing new builds.

  • Higher Insured Mortgage Cap: The increase to $1.5 million allows buyers in high-priced markets to access insured mortgages with lower down payments. So in otherwords you can now purchase a more expensive home with a lower down payment.

It is always important to analyze your personal situation and your Real Estate Goals before knowing if any of these changes will even make a difference for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind when thinking of buying Real Estate.

  1. Market Conditions:

    • Interest Rates: Consider current interest rates. Lower rates can make borrowing cheaper, but if rates are high, it might offset the benefits of the longer amortization period.

    • Housing Prices: Evaluate if home prices are trending up or down. In a hot market, prices increase faster than the benefits from these changes.

  2. Personal Financial Situation:

    • Affordability: Assess your own financial situation, including your ability to handle mortgage payments, property taxes, and maintenance costs.

      • The recent changes to the mortgage market can create favourable conditions for buyers, but whether it’s a good time to buy depends on several factors:

    • Long-Term Plans: Think about how long you plan to stay in the home and whether the longer amortization aligns with your financial goals.

Overall, if these changes align with your financial situation and the local housing market conditions are favourable, it could be a good time to buy. However, it’s always wise to consult with a financial advisor or mortgage professional to ensure it’s the right move for you.

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I have sold a property at 801 20 Tandridge CRES in Toronto

I have sold a property at 801 20 Tandridge CRES in Toronto on Sep 12, 2024. See details here

Welcome To Unit 801 at 20 Tandridge Cresc. This 1399 Sqft Townhouse Is Waiting for You to Make it Your Dream Home. Maintained Home that Offers 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Bathrooms, 1 Built-in Garage Space and 1 Parking Space, Ensuite Laundry, and a Great Backyard Overlooking Summerlea Park. With good assigned and local public schools very close to this home with 4 parks and a long list of recreation facilities within a 20-minute walk from this address. Public transit is at this home's doorstep for easy travel around the city.

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Bank of Canada Announcement

On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Bank of Canada announced its third consecutive rate reduction, reducing the key interest rate to 4.25%. It's the third cut since June and the first time the central bank has posted three consecutive reductions since the 2009 global financial crisis.

The rate reduction comes shortly after the recent inflation announcement which gave some hope that our economy is improving. The Bank of Canada governor also mentioned that if the economy continued to improve, we might continue to see some more rate cuts. Their next announcement will be October 23, 2024.

Overall, I strongly believe the rate reduction is good for everyone. There is also a lot of talk about rates coming even lower in 2025, which may be possible. I believe a healthy interest rate is somewhere between 3-4%.

Now, what does this mean for you? Well, it really depends on what kind of situation you're in. I always strongly recommend people to speak to a professional whenever they are thinking about their financial situation, whether it be investing in Real Estate or other investments. Dont be distracted by the media and by what everyone around you is doing... Remember, not long ago, interest rates were almost Free, and they were telling us to take the free money, and many people got hurt.

Always analyze your personal situation. Sometimes, getting your foot in the door is better than waiting around for the perfect time or perfect interest rate. There also tends to be more activity as interest rates drop, which normally leads to price increases in the Real Estate Market.

Either way, at Unna Real Estate Group we're always available to chat with you about interest rates, Real Estate market or answer any other questions you might have. Feel free to reach out to us anytime.

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