By: Thom Gallagher

Building a Legal Accessory Apartment in Your Home

Tags: requirements to build apartment, nanny suite, accessory apartment, basement income, Accessory unit, cost to build a basement apartment

With the prices of homes the way they are, its no wonder people are looking for ways to supplement their income by renting out unused space as Accessory Apartments (also known as second units, in-law suites, granny flats, basement apartments or nanny suites). As rents increase in the GTA and there is a push for more affordable housing options, a basement apartment can fetch as high as $2,500 per m...Read More

By: Thom Gallagher

Build vs. Buy - What's the Cost Difference?

Tags: cost to build a house, building a home, new house on vacant lot, home build costs

Given today’s rising house prices, several clients have considered buying a vacant lot to build their next house. From personal experience, building new or going through significant renovations is incredibly exciting, stressfull and rewarding. If you’re considering taking on such a project, here are a few things you should know: Buying a Building Lot: A standard urban residential l...Read More

By: Thom Gallagher

Do The Right Renovations To Your Home

Tags: renovations, payback on home reno ,what are best renos to improve home value, renovation ROI

If your home has become outdated, uncomfortable or too expensive to maintain, you may be thinking of renovating to get all the lifestyle enhancements you’re looking for. But, where do you start?   Of course, getting the right advice is an important step in making the best decision - you can always count on your financial planner, mortgage specialist or Realtor to help. Deciding what to ...Read More

By: Thom Gallagher

What Does It Really Cost to Buy A House?

Tags: what does it cost to buy a house, hidden costs in buying a home, house Buying expenses, closing costs

It is important to know exactly what costs on top of the purchase price you’ll be responsible for when purchasing a new home. Closing costs often come as a surprise to new home owners and can be quite considerable (between 1.5% and 2.5% of the purchase price), so it is important to budget for them in addition to your down payment, moving, and decorating costs. What are closing costs? Here is...Read More

By: Thom Gallagher

7 Low Cost Home Improvements To Make Your Home More Attractive To Buyers

Tags: selling a home, staging my home for sale, low cost improvements, sell my home for more, sell fast for as much as possible

If you’re thinking of selling your home this spring—or any time during the next twelve months—here are some fast, easy and affordable ways to attract more offers and get a higher price. Give your entrance a sense of occasion. Replace the standard knob on your front door with a substantial piece of hardware that lets visitors know this is a home of significance. Spruce up your ca...Read More

By: Thom Gallagher

Recruit Your Home Buying Team BEFORE You Start Looking For a Home

Tags: first time buyer, buying a home, looking for a house, home purchase resources, what do I need to buy a house

We all know that Real Estate is, most often, the largest investment one makes in a lifetime, so it makes perfect sense to approach it carefully, making informed decisions along the way. Assembling a team of professionals - your Home Buying Team - behind you is the best bet to ensure you have all the skills and experience that you need to reach your Real Estate goals with confidence. So, where do y...Read More

By: Thom Gallagher

Getting Your Home Ready To Sell

Tags: selling a house, homes for sale, prepare house to list, getting ready to sell on MLS, how to prepare your home for sale

So, you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and put your house up for sale. Well now the hard work begins - preparing your house for sale is a critical step to ensuring you get the highest price possible in the shortest period of time. But where do you start? Here are a few tips that will help to focus your time and energy. Curb Appeal – Many houses are overlooked by prospective buy...Read More