The latest tips and tricks from Gillette and Associates on how to prepare your home and self while listing your home on Vancouver Island!

Category: Buying

Understanding Exceptions and Reservations on Title

Have you ever been reading through your Nanaimo title search for a property you’re interested in purchasing and wondered what the section entitled Exceptions and Reservations – Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company means? Well we actually see this on title for most of the homes in Nanaimo so here’s an explanation for you.

Joy of Downsizing

Downsizing a home can seem very overwhelming but there also can be a certain joy in scaling back and decluttering one’s life. Going through the process can actually be very satisfying. Think of it as a walk through history, a wonderful opportunity to be generous and a chance to discover less is more! The joy of downsizing can be a very rewarding new chapter in your life to do the things you really want to do without the commitment a house and yard can bring. 

REAL 3D VIRTUAL HOME TOURS

We are taking the in-home tour to the next level! You can explore our homes from anywhere in the world with our Real 3D tour that offers realistic details and the experience of our homes without ever setting foot inside our properties.

6 Things to Consider When Downsizing

The kids have moved out and retirement may be on the horizon, so the idea of simplifying your life and minimizing your living space is only natural. Things like lower maintenance costs, less space to keep clean and financial freedom may have their advantages, but be sure to thoroughly examine what downsizing might look like before deciding if it’s the right decision for you.

Real Estate “Titles” Explained

When lawyers and other real estate professionals talk about “title,” they are referring to who has legal ownership and the right to use a piece of property. Although the idea of legal title can be applied to anything, people most often use it in reference to real estate and automobiles, because those are substantial purchases which can have complicated ownership arrangements.

A New Set of Rules For Canadian Mortgages

The new mortgage rules announced by the Federal Government on October 3, 2016 caught the entire industry by surprise and it’s something we are watching, as to if or when it effects our local market. Our view is that the new rules will make it more difficult and more costly for many Canadians to obtain a mortgage.