Uncategorized • December 23, 2021

Holiday Activity Sheet

by Kya Seguin

Kids home from school this week and looking for things to do?

Get out the crayons and download / print this holiday colouring & activity sheet! 🖍

(Right click, “save image as” then print from your computer, or right click, “open image in new tab” to print directly from there)

Home Decor • December 22, 2021

Freshen Up Your Fireplace

by Kya Seguin

If you’ve been thinking that your fireplace could use a facelift, there’s no time like the present. Here are a few suggestions on how to give your fireplace a makeover before the coldest days of the year set in, so you can enjoy the new look all winter long.

1. Paint it

Nothing transforms a space more quickly and easily than paint, and that applies to fireplaces too. If you have outdated red brick on your fireplace, a few coats of white, black, or grey paint can transform it. You can knock this project out in an afternoon. First use a wire brush to clean the brick, then apply an oil-based primer, then apply the paint colour of your choice. Done!

2. Whitewash it

A subtler touch than paint, whitewashing can lighten up a dark fireplace and brighten up a room in the process. With whitewashing, you’ll skip priming the brick surface and simply apply a mixture of white paint diluted with water. Just make sure to test the mixture in an inconspicuous location on your fireplace before painting the entire surface.

3. Consider a stone veneer

With manufactured cast stone masonry blocks, you don’t need to be a stone mason to get an incredible look for your fireplace. Cast stone blocks are manufactured in a variety of shapes and styles that mimic natural types of stone. The product looks like real rock but it easier to cut with a saw at home and is designed to bond to a surface with mortar. While not exactly an afternoon project, adding a stone veneer to your fireplace can be tackled and completed in a weekend’s time.

4. Add a floating mantel

Create a decorative focal point for your fireplace by adding a mantel. Options here are endless: use a solid wood beam for a cottage feel, match existing furniture with a manufactured shelf, or double up with an upper and lower deck. A floating mantel can be installed in an afternoon; just make sure to use proper anchors in whatever surface you’re attaching to.

November 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 31% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.38 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 12 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end and Central area of Peterborough are selling the most – each with 22 sales last month

– Interest rates are starting to go up, it’s a good time to talk to a mortgage broker and lock in a rate now

Take a look at the market snapshot for November 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.

📷 Little Lake cover photo credit: Emma Scott Designs

Housing Trends & Tips • Housing Trends & Tips • Housing Trends & Tips • Housing Trends & Tips • Housing Trends & Tips • December 10, 2021

5 reasons why most home buyers work with a real estate professional

by Kya Seguin

5 reasons why most home buyers work with a real estate professional

1. To save time, money and energy.

2. To avoid overpaying for a home.

3. To ensure your best interests are represented.

4. To negotiate the best price and terms on your behalf.

5. To have a stress-free, joyful home buying experience.

Most buyers today work with a real estate agent rather than go at it alone for many reasons. A great real estate professional will provide you with key market insights, sound advice and save you endless hours of time and money — all while helping you reduce the stress of a large purchase so you can truly enjoy the experience of buying your dream home.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to book a buyer consult today.

November 24, 2021

October 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 35% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.5 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 15 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 29 sales last month

– Interest rates are starting to go up, it’s a good time to talk to a mortgage broker and lock in a rate now

Take a look at the market snapshot for October 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.

November 10, 2021

What Not To Do

by Kya Seguin

You’re shopping for houses and you’ve got your mortgage pre-approval lined up. Great! Keep in mind that there are a few things you should NOT do:

– Don’t make a major purchase. This will change your credit score and can possibly disqualify you from a mortgage.

– Don’t change jobs unless it’s absolutely necessary. A consistent work history is crucial to lenders.

– Don’t ignore lender requirements. Be absolutely clear on what the lender requires from you throughout the process and be sure to follow up on these items.

– Don’t go at it alone. Give me a call today so I can help you navigate the process and help you find the home of your dreams.

October 19, 2021

September 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 29% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.8 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 23 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 29 sales last month

– Record-low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, low inventory and relocations made possible by remote work have all contributed to strong sales and price appreciation

What’s interesting about the supply and demand issue we’re facing is that a lot of the “supply” in Peterborough is above the average sale price, but the “demand” is for lower…

Take a look at the local stats for September 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.

October 6, 2021

Where Your Municipal Tax Dollars Go

by Kya Seguin

Have you ever wondered where the money goes every year when you pay your property taxes?

To get a breakdown of exactly where YOUR tax money is going, you can head over to the City of Peterborough website to their property tax calculator, input your address and check it out: https://www.peterborough.ca/Modules/Tax/PropertyTax.aspx

The website will show you the assessed value of your property. This value is usually lower than the actual market value of your property (keep in mind, you want this value to be lower, because then your taxes are lower).

In this example, I am using a recently sold property in the City of Peterborough that sold for the average sale price ($610,000), based on year-to-date sales in the city so far in 2021. The assessed value for this property is $270,000 and the total taxes are $3,910.26 for 2021.

Out of this amount, $413.10 is going towards Education. You can have a look at the breakdown below to see how the remaining municipal tax dollars are distributed (based on this example).

If you have any questions, please reach out any time! 🤓

Home Maintenance • Housing Trends & Tips • September 27, 2021

Considering a Fixer-Upper? What You Need to Know

by Kya Seguin

Fixer-uppers are tempting prospects. Such properties let you buy into a desirable neighbourhood at far below typical market value. That’s because you’re not buying a typical house.

With fixer-uppers, you must think carefully. Ask yourself: Will this house be worth the work I put in? To find your answer, follow these three steps.

1. Add up the costs: First, consider everything that needs to be done in the home. Always assume more work rather than less. Add up all costs for materials and labor. If you plan on doing some of the work yourself, factor in your own labor costs as well. Hiring a home inspector helps a lot during this step. Their expertise can ensure you’re not missing any costs hidden behind the walls or under the roof.

2. Calculate the final value: Regardless of whether you plan to sell the house or live in it, you need to estimate what the finished value will be. Search for comparable listings, or “comps,” that have sold in the area to get a rough idea of what to expect. I can help with this step and run a search on your behalf.

3. Find the difference: Finally, subtract the total estimated costs from the estimated final value. Subtract an extra 5-10% for unforeseen issues. The number you get should be the absolute upper limit of what you offer. Anything more, and a great deal can easily turn into a money pit.

If that final number looks good to you, then that fixer-upper may be just what you’ve been looking for. Time to secure a renovation loan!

Peterborough Real Estate Stats • September 21, 2021

August 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 29% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.5 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 16 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 43 sales last month

– Record-low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, low inventory and relocations made possible by remote work have all contributed to strong sales and price appreciation

Take a look at the local stats for August 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.