Real estate advertising would have you think that the story goes something like this: Homeowner gets a promotion, immediately wants a bigger and better house. Calls real estate broker who runs over that day, gives homeowner a price on the spot, contract pre-filled so homeowner just has to sign. Real estate broker whips out her […]
Pointe-Claire QC Real Estate Market Update: 2018 is Fast and Furious
Yesterday, I posted an article about the Kirkland real estate market here in Montreal’s West Island. Today, I’m taking a look at Pointe-Claire, and the results are pretty similar: there’s not much to choose from and, when there is something to look at, it’s sold before you know it. This real estate market is not […]
Kirkland’s Red-Hot Real Estate Market in 2018
If you’ve been home shopping in Kirkland, Quebec, one thing you know for sure is that there’s not much to choose from and, when there is something to look at, it’s sold before you know it. This real estate market is not for the faint of heart, and it’s not for slackers either. You need […]
Real Estate Negotiations: It’s Just Business…Or Is It?
Selling homes in Montreal’s West Island, I deal with all sorts of people — from varying backgrounds, with different priorities, and embracing a multitude of approaches to the process of buying or selling property. Sometimes the people that I deal with believe that a hard-nosed approach is going to get them farthest in a negotiation. […]
Dear 2017
Dear 2017, As we approach the end of the year, I’m a bit out of sorts. I am tired … and feeling more like lemon than lemonade. In short, I am not myself right now. And I really don’t want to enter a bright and shiny New Year in this way. And so I have […]
Clearing the Clouds: On Bookkeeping and Home Selling
“Your bookkeeping is a pleasure to work with; detailed and balanced.” Those very words were said to me today by my accountant. I KID YOU NOT. I nearly fell off my chair. I’ve run my business doing my own bookkeeping, recording everything and putting expenses into categories that made sense to me, but without any […]
Moving and Life-Preservers: When Downsizing is Right-Sizing
This post is ninth in the series on my family’s decision to downsize. Links to previous posts can be found at the end of this article. I want to say that once we had made the decision to downsize, chosen where we wanted to go, found the right home for us, figured out how to […]
You’d Better Take Care of That: On Corrections and Home Ownership
When I was a student finishing up my Master’s degree in criminology at the University of Ottawa, I was lucky enough to get a full-time job at the Correctional Service of Canada. I had previously put in many unpaid hours there as a student doing my practicum (a “stage” in Quebec speak). My boss at […]
We Have Too Much Crap: When Downsizing is Right-Sizing
This post is eighth in the series on my family’s decision to downsize. Links to previous posts can be found at the end of this article. So you’ve decided to downsize. Whether it’s for financial reasons, peace of mind, an ego check, simplifying your life, or moving to a neighbourhood that better suits you, sooner […]
Pick Your Poison and Buckle Up: When Downsizing is Right-Sizing
This post is seventh in the series on my family’s decision to downsize: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Links to previous posts can be found at the end of this article. What sounds worse to you: owning and paying for two homes at the same time, not knowing how long that will go […]
