Blog - November, 2022

Managing Home Insurance

Home insurance seems to be getting costlier every year, with basic premiums continuing to rise as more homes are exposed to added risks attributed to extreme weather events, accidents, vandalism, and outright theft. 

This leaves homeowners in a difficult situation, but there are things that can be done to help ease rising costs. First, examine your current policy and talk to your agent/broker about your coverage and premiums. You might, for example, agree to increase your deductible to decrease premiums. Meanwhile, you may also be eligible for discounts, based on client profiles such as bundled policies (e.g., auto & home), claims history, and payment punctuality.

Other discounts may be available based on steps taken to protect your home from…

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Where Would You Go if YOU WON $5,000 ?

We would love for you to take part in this...

Imagine starting your NEW YEAR with a BIG WIN!! We'd be ecstatic to see YOU and YOUR FAMILY WIN $5,000!!

The MaxWell Dream Vacation Sweepstakes is back again this year and is a fun, exciting, no-obligation online sweepstakes. No purchase is required, and the odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. It only takes a minute of your time to enter!

To enter you must:

1) Copy and paste the link:  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXIueh3ejlkPE_HxkNnoJ38ee6_WMUZbZKYwKB0ysUqPQWIQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.2021186258=__other_option__&entry.2021186258.other_option_response=Paul+Lamba

 2) VERY IMPORTANT: Submit the form below before the deadline of DECEMBER 31, 2022 

…

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Buying a Home Out-of-Town

Have you ever considered selling your home and moving out-of-town? One concern that might be holding you back is the uncertainty involved in finding a home in an unfamiliar place. What are the best neighbourhoods? What are homes selling for in that area? What is it like to live there?

There are many ways to find out.

If possible, spend a day in the area. Walk some of the neighbourhoods. Visit schools and parks. Check out the local shopping and other amenities.

Talk to someone who lives there. This will give you firsthand insights into the area. You can facilitate this through a Facebook post where you ask to chat with a local resident.

View current listings in the area online. Most listings include helpful data on safety, demographics and…

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“Non-Market” Reasons Why it Might Be the Ideal Time to Sell

When considering whether or not to sell their home, many people think about market conditions. They consider whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market. They look at trends. They try to time the sale to get the best price for their property.

While market conditions certainly can play a role in deciding whether you should sell now rather than later, many other factors can influence that decision too.

For example, you might have outgrown your home and need more space. Perhaps you need an extra bedroom or a larger kitchen. If you wait until market conditions are perfect, you may languish for months — or even years — in a home that’s too small for you.

The same can be said for downsizing.

Another “non-market” reason you might want to sell your…

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5 Easy-to-Forget Things to Do

When you have a buyer coming to view your property, you want to make the best impression possible. So, you do the usual things. You clean, tidy and declutter. However, some details are easy to forget.

For example:

1) Is there a mat by the front door for shoes, umbrellas, etc.?

2) Did you air out the home as much as possible to get rid of any lingering odours from a pet, recent cooking, etc.?

3) Did you empty trash bins?

4) Is the buyer (or his or her agent) aware of any doors that may have special locking mechanisms? If not, leave a note with instructions. For example, “To open the patio door, pull up the deadbolt lock at the bottom.”

5) Are there any kids’ toys on the floor that might accidentally get damaged or be a tripping…

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Kitchen Improvements for Under $100

Is it really possible to improve your kitchen’s look for about the cost of a takeout gourmet dinner with the family?

Obviously, you’re not going to be able to do anything major, such as replace the cabinets within that budget. But there are many surprisingly low-budget ways to spruce up the kitchen. Here are a few ideas:

1) Do you have old cabinets? You’d be surprised by how much newer they can look simply by replacing the knobs and/or handles. Pick a colour that blends, rather than contrasts, with the cabinets.

2) Does your sink have a few stains? That’s not unusual! There are special cleaning products available to get out the toughest stains without damaging or scratching the sink’s finish.

3) Lighting can have an enormous impact on the…

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