Kingston Real Estate Blog Day by day news and updates on what's going on in the Kingston Real Estate Market, the Municipality of Kingston and the surrounding townships, Green initiatives, the Interior Decorating and Home Improvement world, real estate law, and plenty of real estate tips, facts, and articles to keep you informed. |
Ask An Expert A growing list of what the community is asking about and the expert answers all in one place. This is going to start off slow but will add up quickly once the questions come in. It's going to be the best FAQ for the Kingston Real Estate market available. Keep the questions coming because real estate can be quite confusing! |
Kingston Real Estate NewsletterOnce a month I put out a newsletter for the Kingston Real Estate market and I personally write it with up to date market news (both local and abroad), new real estate law information, useful buyer and seller articles, the latest news in green living and home improvement, some recent questions and answers, and I usually throw in some great offers as well. I keep it short because I |
Buyer Tips
There are many many tips and ideas on how to buy your dream home and how to have the process go as smoothly as possible. I'm going to be adding tips, ideas, and articles regularly to bring that information to your fingertips.
Finding the right home for you
When you dream of your dream home, what do you see? Each of us has a vision of what it will be, but getting as close to that vision as possible is a practical, step-by-step process that begins with finding a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is your best ally throughout the home buying process. He or she can provide expert advice and help you determine how much you can afford, what kind of home you can buy in that price range, and where it may be located.
You've no doubt heard the phrase: location, location, location. That's because it's the most important factor in making any real estate purchase. To find the right location you must think of where you want to live both in broader terms and in more detail. First of all what type of area do you want to live in?
Urban: Urban communities offer the broadest range of housing types, but generally at higher prices than similar-sized homes in non-urban locations.
Suburban: The suburbs are typically made up of newer neighbourhoods, schools and shopping centres. Prices may or may not be lower than those of the central city, but you often get more square footage, larger rooms and bigger lots.
Smaller towns and cities: A slower-paced lifestyle and lower taxes and housing prices are often big draws to Ontario's smaller communities. There are fewer types of homes available and the number for sale could be limited.
Rural: A stream flowing over a few acres sounds appealing and your housing budget will often buy you more in a rural setting than any alternative above.
Features
Once you've considered the broader location options above, it's time to think about the features you need and want in a home. Prepare a shopping list. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? One or two-car garage? Large backyard or small? List the features you are looking for as needs or wants.
Comparing homes and locations
Now you want to match the type of home you'd like with the location. Start reading the real estate ads in local newspapers and REALTOR®-produced publications. These ads will give you an idea of the communities that best match your criteria for home and location. Drive through the communities that are likely candidates.
Check out the types of homes available, how well the neighbourhoods are maintained, the availability of schools and shopping, recreational and religious facilities. Be aware of drawbacks: highway noise, train tracks, airports and large industrial centres. Drive through the neighbourhoods at different times of the day.
Attend open houses in the areas you are exploring. You'll begin to understand which best suit your needs and which are in your price range.
Open houses also provide an excellent chance to meet the REALTORS® hosting the events. Chances are that you'll select a REALTOR® from among those you meet at these open houses.
You'll find the services of a REALTOR® invaluable in helping you locate the home that's right for you.
The Kingston Real Estate Centre website was built and is maintained with the goal of providing simply the best in information and interaction for Kingston Real Estate. Filled with as much information as I can add, it is the one-stop website of choice to learn about real estate, Kingston, and more. I will be continually adding to the website to create a library of sorts of information, tools, and advice. This website is meant to be interactive. As I'm always adding information I expect people to come back again and again to get answers for different things. I'm hoping that in providing interactive mediums in which you can get your questions answered whether via the Forum or the Ask An Expert area, you will find this website does have all the information you'll need. If there's ever something missing that you'd like to see please don't hesitate to let me know!