You don’t have to hire a decorator (or break the bank) to give a room a quick update with lots of impact. So whether you’re getting ready to sell, have just moved in or feel like a mini room makeover, these three tips will have you enjoying the room of your dreams in no time.  
Change Your Fabrics
Replace your curtains, re-cover your throw pillows or entire fabric sofa, buy a new rug, Any one of these easy fixes can make a big impact; but all three will completely change the entire room! And if it’s a bedroom you’re tired of, same rules apply: Replace the duvet cover, change or add the lighting and toss a few new pillows on the bed. 

Freshen Up With Paint
Whether you decide to do an entire room, or maybe an accent wall or two, a new coat of paint is probably the easiest way to change a room. From light and bright to dark and dramatic, paint can completely alter the mood. 

Re-Organize A Bookshelf
Bookshelves are amazing; not only do they keep your books organized, but they can also serve as great focal pieces. Try colour-coding your books or arranging them in stacks instead of side-by-side. Remove an entire row of books and replace them with framed family photos or bright accent pieces. Sometimes all a room needs is a shift in thinking about it. ?

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Purchasing a home can be a very exciting and stressful time. Buyers, particularly first time buyers, need to be aware that there are a host of costs associated with buying a home above and beyond than the actual purchase price. It helps to know what those costs are in advance rather than get an unexpected surprise when closing that can add to an already stressful experience.

Agent’s Commission

Your real estate agent receives a commission when you sell -- usually a percentage of the sale price -- as does the buyer’s agent. A typical total commission expense may be between 5 and 10% of the selling price, but rates are negotiable. Generally, this covers the commission for both the buyers' and sellers’ realtor, and the cost for both is paid by the seller.

Closing Costs

These costs generally refer to legal fees, property tax and utility adjustment costs.

Legal Fees

The monies used to pay your lawyer for the legal transactions associated with the purchase of your home. Such transactions include: reviewing the terms of the offer, conducting a title search on the property, preparing and signing a mortgage, registering a new title, conveyance, obtaining relevant documentation and determining appropriate adjustment costs.
There are many types of lawyers and it is prudent and in your best interest to hire a real estate lawyer or notary who specializes in home conveyance to handle your home/property purchase transaction.

Other Costs other than closing costs can include but are not limited to the following:
 
Appraisal Fees 

Often purchasers want to ensure they are paying a reasonable market price for the home they are purchasing. You may want to condition your offer subject to a satisfactory appraisal by certified appraiser.
 
Service Charges Fees and installation charges to hook up and maintain utilities such as electricity, gas, telephone and internet services (which you would also be familiar if you previously rented).

Moving Costs

Though it may sound obvious, purchasers sometimes do not consider moving expenses a cost of buying a home. Moving costs will depend and vary based on the distance of the move, the amount of furniture and goods to be transported and the time of year/month in which you are moving. Get several movers in to give you an estimate before choosing one. Friends rarely help friends move!  Also take into consideration the time and effort it takes to pack up your present home. Do you plan on hiring people to pack on your behalf? If not, you need to factor your time into the equation.

Appliances

Be careful in your deal that you check to see whether the appliances are included in the purchase agreement. If not, you will need to go out and buy them.

Landscaping, Fencing, Decks, Etc.

If purchasing a newly constructed home, keep in mind that there will likely be a need to landscape and fence the yard in the first year or two. If purchasing an older property, maintenance is something to factor into your equation.

Annual Maintenance

Homes, like other possessions, require care and maintenance to maintain their value. You need to plan for future painting, and replacement items like appliances and furnaces, depending on the age of the home you are buying.
Nothing can be more stressful than buying a home and trying to move when you are strapped for cash. Selling your home is also an expensive endeavour. You also need to take into consideration that you are also spending a good deal of your time in the process. The phrase "Time is money” certainly applies!  Remember, anything you pass off to someone else will cost you money; anything you don’t will cost you time. Speak to a RE/MAX agent to go over the entire home buying process and associated costs.

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If the economy has you longing for a dream summer vacation but you can’t imagine yourself paying for several nights at a hotel like you did last year, renting a house or apartment could be an attractive alternative.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 tips to turn you into a savvy vacation home renter

Seek expert help

An experienced professional will be your guide through the home rental process. They will ensure the legitimacy of a listing, assist or provide legal advice and guidance when negotiating the final contract if there is one.

Location
When you begin the search in your preferred destination, it is imperative to find out what sort of neighbourhood you have opted to rent in. Google Maps is a trusted source for photographic views of the property and its surroundings. It can reveal all kinds of interesting details and facts about the property that the listing agent or owner may not ordinarily disclose, like the all-night bar across the street or the beautiful park nearby.
Because you are living there for several weeks, proximity to everyday necessities is also noteworthy. Remember that properties in areas near tourist attractions are usually more crowded, expensive and run low on availability during peak seasons – summer.

Transportation
In line with location, it’s important to consider the transport situation of your proposed vacation home. A gorgeous apartment may be a long walk from the nearest bus, tram or train station. Once again, google maps is a powerful tool which can be used here or simply make adjustments to include the additional transportation fare.

Inspection
Have your agent shortlist a number of properties for you based on a comprehensive brief. Once you have the ideal list be sure to scrutinize the interiors. Study photos provided in each listing. Take time to read the list of amenities to see what is covered by your rent and what is not. Seemingly unimportant things like beddings, towels to crucial facilities like air-conditioning and water are sometimes not covered by rent and you wouldn’t want to be surprised by extra charges on arrival. Looking for details and must haves (having a checklist helps here) can save you disappointment on arrival. Don’t let window dressing seduce you into a holiday of begrudged extra charges for amenities you assumed would be provided.

Duration, Documentation & Contracts
When you pay, when you take up occupancy, initial deposits, safety deposits, who pays for repairs, sales clauses etc. are a few matters which could raise an eyebrow if something were to go wrong before during or after your stay. Be sure to seek professional and legal advice before signing a contract if necessary. Read all fine print and ask questions where things are not clear. Owners and agents have their ends covered, so should you!

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