Sam Marji's (southpeelhomes) Blog

Without good preparation, many buyers get sucked into the mistaken notion that if a lender pre-qualifies them for a mortgage this means that they have been pre-approved for a home loan. Unfortunately, there’s a world of difference between pre-Approved or pre-qualified. If you’ve ever been confuse...

The size of a down payment can vary. Depending on the type of mortgage, down payments generally range from 5% to 20% of the purchase price. To obtain a conventional mortgage, home buyers are required to put down at least 20% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is less) as a down p...

As a professional full time realtor, I have found that a high-end kitchen is one of the most sought after rooms in the traditional single family home. According to my clients, they would rather spend more money remodelling their kitchen than finishing a basement. The kitchen is no longer the plac...

Winter weather is just around the corner and this is the time of year to make sure your home is prepared for the cold months ahead. Follow my checklist to winter-proof your home and to save hundreds of dollars on energy costs, potentially thousands of dollars in preventable home repair fees and t...

SHOULD I RENT OR BUY?Renting is a huge business in the greater Toronto area. If you currently rent, you know that paying out those hundreds of dollars every month to line the pockets of your landlord is not a pleasant task. However, like most renters you probably feel stuck in a home that isn’t e...

A garage is a money-making addition, regardless of whether you live in the city or not. A garage in the city might bring even bigger profits. In urban locations where parking comes at a premium, having a garage adds value for resale and the extra storage carries a high price tag as well. If you o...

Renting is a huge business in the greater Toronto area. If you currently rent, you know that paying out those hundreds of dollars every month to line the pockets of your landlord is not a pleasant task. However, like most renters you probably feel stuck in a home that isn’t even yours simply beca...

Most homeowners, at some point or another, will have to face the question: to downsize or to stay in the family home? Whether you live on your own or simply sick of a lot of upkeep, downsizing can be a great option for homeowners who want a change. Here are questions you need to ask yourself to d...

Buying real estate with bad credit is not the end of the world, it just requires a carefully thought out plan by the investor and their mortgage agent. Here are some common investment strategies for those who have sufficient capital to make a down payment and/or service the mortgage payments, but...

Whether you are purchasing your home as an investment, a lifestyle upgrade or both, one of the most important decisions you will make is where you want to live. Your home’s location will help determine not only the future value of your investment, but also many aspects of your everyday life. This...