Is It Time to Renovate or Sell Your Home?
Is it time to renovate or sell your home? Just like the TV show “Love It Or List It”, this is a real hard hitting question some home owners have to ask themselves when they are planning out their futures. I know I have thought the same thing… I bought the home I’m in back […]
Negotiating Conditions for an Agreement of Purchase and Sale to Buy Property
Drafting an agreement of purchase and sale to buy a property is one of the most important aspects of a REALTOR®’s role for you. In light of the intense seller’s market we were experiencing over the past couple of years, many house hunters found themselves in the precarious position of putting in offers with no […]
Preparing Properties for MLS Listings
Setting The Stage To Sell Your Home MLS listings are one of the primary sources buyers look for when they are on the hunt for a new home. From a seller’s perspective, if you’ve been thinking about selling your home then it’s important for you to understanding how to prepare your property for MLS listings. […]
Winter Home Safety Tips
Winter safety tips for homeowners are extremely important for us Canadians. While the sight of snow is a beautiful part of the season, it also exposes extra hazards for homeowners. Snow, ice and rain all pose concerns for both the interior and exterior of a home and require extra effort on behalf of the homeowner […]
Getting Started With Real Estate
Getting started with real estate is one of the best things you can do for your financial future. With the price of real estate skyrocketing over the past few years, even in spite of recent lulls, you may be wondering, how to get started with real estate. It’s no secret or surprise that the real […]
When Should You Sell Your Home?
Sell your home. It sounds so simple and easy, but it’s really not. If you’ve been wondering, “when you should sell your home?”, you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to talk about the process of selling your home along with other considerations to help you determine how to time this properly. First, I’d […]
How Long Will It Take To Sell Your Home In Today’s Market
How Long Does It Take to Sell Your Home in Today’s Ontario Market? In today’s Ontario real estate market, homeowners might wonder how long it takes to sell a home. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, many factors influence the timeline, from market conditions and location to how you price your home and prepare it […]
The Best Schools In Pickering
The Best Schools In Pickering – What Are They? Unlocking Excellence: The Best Schools in Pickering, Ontario Nestled within the Greater Toronto Area, Pickering, is not just a vibrant city with a growing real estate market; it’s also home to an array of exceptional educational institutions. From top-rated public schools to renowned private academies, Pickering […]
Durham Region Homes For Sale. What’s Popular?
The Most Coveted Homes For Sale In Durham Region: An Insider’s Take Durham region homes for sale. Has this been on your mind lately? This area is home to scenic waterfronts, vibrant communities, and an increasingly magnetic real estate market. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced real estate investor, you’ll find an intriguing […]
Durham Region Homes: Types & Styles
Durham Region Homes | A Kaleidoscope Of Types If you’ve been thinking about moving to east GTA, then it’s natural to wonder about what to expect from Durham Region homes, neighbourhoods and communities. As a licensed REALTOR® specializing in Pickering and surrounding areas, I know that this area is a treasure trove of real estate […]
Home Renovations That Will Increase Your Property Value
If you’ve been thinking about renovating your home, then you may also be wondering what are the home renovations that will increase your property value as well. You want to make sure that the money you spend will be a worthwhile investment in the end. Homeowners often consider renovating their homes to enhance both their […]
Curb Appeal Landscaping Ideas & More
Curb appeal landscaping refers to the attractiveness of a home’s exterior and its surroundings when viewed from the street. It’s an important aspect of any home, as it can affect the value and desirability of the property. Here are some of the most important aspects of curb appeal landscaping followed by several dozen other ideas […]
The John Papaloni Show and Real Estate Podcast
“Transforming Real Estate with Serena Holmes: From Transactional to Lifelong Experience!” Are you tired of the same old transactional approach to real estate? I had the pleasure of sitting down with John Papaloni to have a real talk about real estate. We discussed how I am trying to transform the industry with aunique and personalized […]
What Is The Process Of Selling A Home?
Step By Step Process of Selling a Home The process of selling a home can be an overwhelming process to say the least, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation and guidance, the process of selling your home can be smooth and stress-free. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare […]
Best Neighbourhoods in Durham Region
Wondering what the best neighbourhoods in Durham Region are? Here are some great insights for you! Durham Region, located in Ontario, Canada, is known for its picturesque landscapes. It also has diverse communities, and excellent quality of life. With a population of over 700,000 people, Durham Region is comprised of several towns and cities. Each […]
How To Buy An Investment Property
How to buy an investment property is a question that many people may wonder about when considering how to grow their wealth and personal net worth. Of course, one option on how to buy an investment property starts with your own money. That may be fine for the first property or two, but the reality […]
The Best Time To Sell Your House
Best time to sell your house? This could be something you’ve been wondering and if the seasons affect your ability to attract the right buyer(s). This said, if you guessed spring as the best time to sell your house, then you’d be right! It’s typically considered the best time to sell your house for several […]
500 DOORS REAL ESTATE PODCAST
I had the pleasure of sitting down with REALTOR® Kim Hayden to discuss my transformation and journey from business owner to full-time real estate investor and REALTOR® with eXp Realty. Prior to becoming a REALTOR®, we discuss how I ran my own multi-award winning brand experience agency called Tigris Events for close to 18 years. […]
Protecting Your Home From The Elements
Protecting your home from the elements has always been important, but with escalating energy costs, it’s more important now that it’s ever been. With this said, I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw an extremely sharp increase in my home heating bill after January 1st. In fact, it went up from $220 in […]
Tax Flipping Houses
Tax on flipping houses isn’t necessarily applicable ONLY on a house you’ve flipped, it could also apply to a primary residence you’ve bought if you sell it in under a year. Have you ever wondered about what the tax flipping houses will be? If this is an area of real estate investing that you’re interested […]
Sell Your House By Refreshing A Stale Listing
If you want to sell your house, you need to keep in mind that the market has shifted considerably from this time last year to now. Although the total number of sales per month have been nearly cut in half, it’s important to know that the average sales price has only changed by less than […]
Understanding the Land Development Process
Understanding the land development process. Are you interested in taking a more active role with your real estate investment strategy with a focus on land development but need to understand more about the process? Well, you’re in luck! I’m here to share with you a course dedicated to helping you understanding all of the in’s […]
Buying A Home Over The Holidays
Buying a home over the holidays. The countdown to Christmas and other celebrations in full swing, but if you’re faced with with a situation where you need to move, i’m here to share why buying a home over the holidays may actually not be such a bad idea. (In fact, it’s a pretty good one!!) […]
How to Start Investing in Multi-family Properties
How to invest in multi-family properties. If you’ve been investing in single family rental properties or short-term rentals, you may be interested in laddering up your investments. Or, perhaps you’d like to put money you have saved in other investments to use in fresh, new ways. If investing in multi-family properties is something you’ve been […]
Benefits of First Time Home Buyer Program
A first time home buyer program can be extremely helpful for new home buyers. Have you been renting your home but wondering about some of the benefits of first time home buyer programs so you can try to get into the market? Before you buy a home, it’s important to consider how this investment will […]
Best Selling Features of a Home
Best selling features of a home! If you’ve been thinking about selling your property, you could be wondering what the best selling features of a home are, from a buyer’s perspective. Although opinions about what the best selling features of a home are may vary widely, it’s better not to assume so instead, let’s take […]
The True Value of Home Ownership Today
Why Homeownership is so Important The value of home ownership is unquestionably one of the greatest tools you can leverage to find financial freedom in your life. This said, the real estate market is on just about everyone’s mind these days. That’s because the unsustainable market of the past two years is behind us, and […]
If You’re Thinking of Selling Your House This Fall, Hire a Pro
Selling your House with a Licensed Professional Selling your house is an extremely delicate process and not something you want to trust to anyone out of the ordinary. Today’s market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional. Not only will a trusted real estate advisor […]
How To Prep Your House for Sale
Prep Your House For Sale With These Great Tips Getting organized to prep your house for sale in today’s housing market is quite different than the market we were in at the same time last year. If you’re thinking about selling your house, that may leave you wondering what you need to do differently as a […]
Cost of Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Go Down
Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Go Down May Hurt More Than Help Waiting for mortgage rates to go down before buying a new home? Mortgage rates have increased significantly in recent weeks. And that may mean you have questions about what this means for you if you’re planning to buy a home. Here’s some information that can […]
How to Babyproof a Home
How to babyproof a home when you have a little one on the way. If this is something you’ve been trying to figure out, I’m here to help! Could there be any question more important when you’re all set to welcome a little one into your family or recently did already? September was Baby Safety […]
How to Prepare for a Move
How to prepare for a move. It sounds so simple, but there are a lot of moving parts (pun intended!). As exciting as a move can be, it goes without saying that most moves can also come with some mixed emotions. You may feel excited, nervous and anxious, all at the same time. For most […]
Tips for Selling your House in a Down Market
Tips for selling your house in a down market. If you’re looking to sell your house or rental property sometime soon, you could be asking yourself what you should be or could be doing. Make no mistake – selling a home during a slower real estate cycle can pose some challenges. In times such as […]
How to Budget to Buy a Home
How to budget to buy a home. A home is one of the largest purchases you’ll likely ever make. Learn how to budget for a house, hidden home ownership expenses to watch out for and tips to help you reach your goal. 1. Establish Your Starting Point How much do you expect to pay for […]
What Questions to Ask Realtors
What Questions to Ask Realtors. If you’ve been thinking of buying or selling a home, then you’ve also probably been wondering what questions to ask realtors when you meet with them. Although many realtors will come prepared with a pre-listing presentation, no one realtor is the same and each one has their own style as […]
Which Real Estate Investment Is Best?
Which real estate investment is best? Getting into real estate isn’t necessarily as easy as it used to be, at least not here in Ontario. If you’re struggling saving up a down payment for your first home, you could also be thinking that there is no way you’ll ever be able to invest in real […]
Buy a Home or Rent and Invest
Buy a home or rent and invest? If you’ve been thinking about getting into the real estate market, this could be a question that’s been on your mind. The answer to the question at hand is primarily dependent on your personal circumstances. More often than not, the decision to move can be based on a […]
A Job as a Realtor & Event Planner Aren’t So Different
A job as a REALTOR® and an event planner are really not as different as you’d think they are. Although I obtained my real estate license in the middle of 2021, I didn’t really start working until January of 2022 for various reasons. Now that I have six months under my belt, I thought I’d […]
Options for Student Housing in Toronto
Student housing in Toronto is a pretty big part of a niche market. As you may have seen, I recently represented the buyers of a residential condo on a university campus just outside the GTA. I thought I’d share a blog post about some of the experiences related to the transaction while I was supporting […]
Shifting from a Sellers Market to a Buyers Market
A balanced, or dare I say buyers market, is officially upon us. The real estate market in the GTA exploded over the past two years. With the uptick of people working from home, this ability to work remotely created wider opportunities for home buyer’s to decide where they wanted to live. Since there was no longer […]
First Time Home Buyers Guide
Buying a home for the first time can be exciting, nerve-racking, and overwhelming all at the same time! That is why I wanted to share a “First Time Home Buyer Guide” on my blog to help anyone who is new to real estate through the process. Before you begin saving, one very important question you […]
Are Housing Prices Going to Drop in Ontario
Mississauga Real Estate Listing
Mississauga real estate listing that will blow your mind! Look no further than 4320 Shelby Crescent, a stunning home situated in the highly desirable area of Rathwood in Mississauga. When you walk into this Mississauga real estate listing, you’ll be blown away by the beautiful renovations, modern finishings and warm ambience. This gem of a […]
Why Use a REALTOR®?
Why use a REALTOR®? If you’re thinking of making a move this year, you may also be wondering, “why use a REALTOR® when you’re buying or selling my home?”. Let’s first look at the buyer side of things. It’s common knowledge that most (but not all) homes for sale will be posted on the internet […]
Pre-construction Condos & Homes | Pro’s & Con’s
Pre-construction condos and homes can not only be a great way to plan for your future, they also present opportunities to earn passive income. From an investment perspective, whether you’re considering this as an end user or to earn extra money, pre-construction condos and homes can offer a lot of advantages over residential resale. This […]
Reasons To Refinance Your Mortgage
Mortgage rates have been sitting at record lows for the past several years and while there is the chance they may continue to creep back up in the spring, you may still want to refinance your mortgage. Why you would want to do so may range from lowering your monthly payments to pulling out equity […]
Marketing Your Home To Sell with a Backyard Makeover
Marketing your home to sell can vary a bit from season to season. If you’re planning to sell during the winter, which tends to be an off-peak time to sell, you don’t have to worry about too much more than clearing and salting the driveaway and walkways for prospective buyers. If you’re marketing your home […]
Home Staging in Toronto | Staged to Sell
Home staging in Toronto – or any city that matter – can offer you tremendous value when you’re trying to sell your home. In today’s market, there is less of a concern about the ability to sell a home so much as attracting the right buyers to sell your home for as much as possible. […]
Real Estate Negotiating To Buy Below List Price
Real estate negotiating. This has to be one of THE most important roles of a REALTOR®, wouldn’t you agree? When you first read the title of this blog, I’m sure you thought – “Buy a property below list price! Is that even possible these days?” While it may not be as common as it used […]
Buy Real Estate By Strengthening Your Offer
Buy real estate now or in the coming months? The market is red hot in the seller’s favour due to a record breaking shortage of supply. If you want to achieve your goals of home ownership, you need to get ahead of the pack. In today’s market, multiple offers are no longer a rarity; they […]
New REALTOR® 2022 | Serena Holmes
New REALTOR® 2022. Has a nice ring to it if you ask me! There are tens of thousands of REALTOR®’s here in Ontario, with more and more becoming licensed every day. This said, just because there are a lot of them doesn’t mean that all of them are active. Some people choose to get their […]
Home Selling Tips
For plenty of other great tips, make sure we’re connected on social and you’ve subscribed to my YouTube channel. You can also find out what your home is worth.
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Winter home maintenance. For those of us who live in Canada, we know that winter home maintenance is an extremely important part of being a home owner. After all, you want to protect your investment and take any of the necessary precautions we can ahead of time, so we can stay warm and save money. […]
Selling in a Hot Housing Market
Thinking about selling, let’s talk! For more about my services and what you can expect from me if we work together, click here. In the meantime, find out what your home is worth.
Important Tips for Home Buyers
Tips for home buyers – there are so many of them! If you’re looking to buy a home in the near future, then here are a dozen top tips any new home buyers need to read in advance! Tips for Home Buyers | On Home Finance and Budgeting – Your home loan could fall through […]
Real Estate Market Update | October 2021
For market reports in various Toronto and East GTA municipalities, click here. And if you’ve got questions, please touch base.