Jill Craig

Canadian consumer insolvencies fell last year to the lowest level in 20 years, as government support measures and creditor deferral programs allowed borrowers to keep making monthly payments. Looking for help reducing your debt? Let’s chat.

Rather than fill a dumpster with the extra tiles, flooring, off-cuts of wood, wallpaper and other items from your leftover home improvement materials or demolition pile, why not make something fabulous for your home? Not only can you repurpose many of the things you’ve pulled apart such as old kitchen cabinets or hardware but you can also put extra bricks or drywall to great use. Here are some creative ways to give those odds and ends new life.

Cold January temperatures couldn't cool down Ottawa's real estate market, as luxury home sales helped drive up home prices in the capital. The Ottawa Real Estate Board says there was a 24% increase in residential properties sold in January, while prices jumped 31% compared to January 2020. Thinking of buying? Let’s talk about your mortgage options.

Kitchens aren’t just for cooking and eating. In many homes, they’re also a homework zone, a home office, board game central and more. And when you spend that much time in a space, it can start to feel a little stale. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to give your kitchen a little facelift. Consider these 10 economical upgrades.

With interest rates at rock bottom and home prices skyrocketing, reverse mortgages are becoming a more common solution for seniors to unlock home equity without having to make regular payments something required by all other loans. While reverse mortgages have been growing in popularity for years, HomeEquity Bank saw a 14% increase in reverse mortgages during the last quarter of 2020. Are you considering a reverse mortgage? Let’s talk.

Happy New Year! May your 2021 be happy, healthy and prosperous!

What does 2021 have in store for real estate? One factor that continues to promote a shift in where people choose to buy is the emerging remote workplace. No longer having to commute has opened up new possibilities for Canadians and has resulted in many people trading in smaller spaces in urban markets for larger ones in suburban or rural communities. Thinking of buying? Let’s chat.

As we approach the New Year with months of a global pandemic behind us (and hopefully few awaiting us), real estate experts share their home trend predictions for 2021.

Merry Christmas With Love & Virtual Hugs from our home to yours

Amid the pandemic, younger couples are making little communities for themselves farther outside of the city than they had ever imagined, such as North Gower and Carleton Place, placing more emphasis on space and cost of living. Thinking of buying? Let’s chat about your options.

May the magic of the holiday season fill your heart with joy. Happy Holidays from my family to yours.

A large majority 79% of respondents to the 2020 Scotiabank Money Readiness Poll said they’re being more cautious with their spending, while 25% say they’ve been able to save more because of reduced discretionary spending on eating out (75%), entertainment (81%), clothing and apparel (58%), and commuting costs (41%). Among those who reported being able to save more, 61% said they’re setting it aside for an emergency, 34% said they’re topping up investments, 29% are using it to pay down debt and 26% are saving for a big purchase.

What’s a bully offer? Here’s what you need to know if you’re buying a home. Have homebuying or financing questions? I’m here to help!

Thinking of selling your home? Check out these 10 things to consider before listing your property for sale.

Lest we forget. Thank you to all the brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our rights and freedom.

Technology has made buying a home much easier than could have been imagined before the pandemic began. Live stream open houses have never been more popular in the real estate world. Since the feature was made available on REALTOR.ca in April, there have been more than 24,800 live stream open houses conducted by more than 2,600 real estate professionals across Canada. Thinking of buying? Let’s talk about your options.

Almost a third of Ottawa’s population is made up of baby boomers. If you’re between 56 and 74, you’re part of that cohort and wielding an economic influence, yet again this time in Ottawa’s real estate market. With one of the highest baby boomer rates per capita in the country, the baby boomers transitioning into their retirement years will impact Ottawa's real estate market more than most cities. That means, if you’re approaching retirement age, you may want to start planning earlier than you think with record-low inventory, it can take much longer to find a home suitable for your evolving needs.