Mike Giesbrecht

  If it’s been a while since you last moved, you might be wondering how much you'll need to spend on your next home. That's an important question to answer, even if you're just at the "thinking about it" stage and haven't decided whether or not you'll look for a new property.  After all, knowing your budget might influence your decision.  How should you determine your budget?  The first s ...

  Imagine your coffee maker switching on by itself, staying on for hours, overheating and becoming a fire hazard. That's not science fiction. As more and more appliances incorporate WIFI, the opportunities for hackers to play havoc with your home gadgets increase.  How do you prevent that from happening? Here are some safety tips:  If your gadget uses a password to access the settings, c ...

  When you sell, you’ll probably want to get the best possible price for your property. Who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, there are many ways to inadvertently leave money on the table – sometimes thousands of dollars.  How do you avoid that possibility? Just remember the 4 P's:  Prep. Do everything you can to prepare your home so that it looks great to buyers. Clean, declutter, fix, make impr ...

  Is there an area you'd love to get into that's "hot"? In other words, an area where, as soon as a new home comes up for sale, buyers are clamouring to see it?  It can be intimidating to try to buy into a neighbourhood like that. On one hand, it's the type of area you'd love to call home. After all, there are good reasons why it's so popular! On the other hand, you might be discouraged by ...

It can be tough to make the decision to sell. In fact, for many homeowners, it's overwhelming. If you're considering making a move and struggling with the decision, here are five helpful questions to ask yourselves:        1. "What are our practical reasons for selling?"        This question refers to what you'll get by moving to a new home. The reasons could include a bigger backyard, sh ...

  If you're thinking about buying a new home, you may be considering purchasing in a new development.  How does that compare to purchasing a resale property? Buying a newly-built home has some advantages. Depending on the development, you may have leeway in the style of the home and the lot you choose. Also, when the home is built, you'll be moving into a place where everything is brand new ...

  Here's a surprising statistic. Less than 30% of window replacements are the result of the old windows being worn, broken or otherwise in need of replacement.  Clearly, there are other good reasons to consider new windows!  One of the most popular motivations is cosmetic. Brand new windows have a huge impact on the overall look of a home, both on the inside and the outside. New windows ca ...

  Do you have only a few weeks to search for your next dream home? Don't panic. There are things you can do to find the perfect (or, at least, almost perfect) property — without getting too stressed out!  Consider these tips:  Pre-arrange your mortgage. You want to be able to make a good offer on a home right away, without worrying about financing. So, talk to your mortgage advisor or le ...

  Imagine going to a restaurant with your family for dinner. You're planning on ordering a nice pasta and salad. Your heart is set on it. But, after you go to the trouble of driving there and getting a table, you discover that pasta is not on the menu.  That’s disappointing!  Of course, it’s only a meal. You can go somewhere else next time. But, what if the same scenario played out once yo ...

You've probably heard the expression, "The early-bird gets the worm." It refers, of course, to those who get in early and reap the rewards. For example, if you arrive early to a retail store for a big blowout sale, you're likely to get the deals before the inventory runs out. The stragglers who come later miss out.  Well, this same wisdom can be applied to selling your home. Starting the p ...