The skyrocketing price of houses has some people wondering: is there a way to own a home that is affordable? And the answer is yes. A tiny home can provide you with a permanent residence and give you more financial freedom. Just because a home is small does not mean it is uncomfortable. If you choose the right kind of tiny home, you can experience a life of freedom, flexibility and adventure.Tiny Homes on FoundationsTV shows like Tiny House Nation (Netflix) have made the idea of the tiny house on a foundation more popular in recent years. This is an excellent option if you have a piece of land and want to build a “normal” home that is just smaller. You would build your home on a concrete foundation, or if you think you might move it at some point, you could choose to construct it on pallets.Backyard tiny homes, laneway suites and “Granny pods” are a subset of foundational tiny homes that can be built on a property with a preexisting house. These dwellings may be rented to tenants or used as an Airbnb, and can potentially add value to your home. Granny pods are also a popular living option for seniors to live with their families while still retaining their independence.Tiny CabinsTiny cabins are an excellent option for a recreational property, whether owned or rented. They appeal to builders who want a large-scale DIY project that will last for many years. A-frame tiny homes are popular on the east coast, and the high ceiling creates a feeling of spaciousness despite the limited area. Arched cabins are similar but feature a more rounded design. You can even purchase a custom-built cabin on wheels.Tiny Homes on WheelsOne of the many appealing features of a tiny home is that they are portable, and a tiny home on wheels is the ultimate way to see the country while working remotely. A recent trend that is gaining traction is the conversion of old buses. Once the seats are out, you are left with a long home and a blank canvas that can accommodate many different designs. Once the bus is converted and retrofitted all you have to do is start the engine and hit the road!If you find that a bus might be too big or too expensive, a van can also work as a tiny home. It is a less spacious option, but it can be a very cozy place to live for a summer or even permanently with the right tools. Trailer HomesRVs, 5-wheelers, motorhomes – these are the original tiny homes. They were initially designed for vacationers but more recently they have become a comfortable option for those looking to live off the grid or in a smaller space. The significant benefit of a trailer home is that it requires no construction and can be easily picked up from a dealership and placed.Over the years, trailer homes have been built with more and better amenities, including entertainment systems, fireplaces and heated floors, so they really feel like you are living in a more traditional home. Make sure that you invest in a trailer home that’s suited for your local weather – many cannot be used during winter unless expressly made for all-season living.Unconventional Tiny HomesWith a little bit of imagination and a lot of work, you can make a tiny home out of pretty much any structure. Conventional tiny homes are more popular because they are easier; however, people have been known to convert structures like shipping containers or yurts into very comfortable living spaces. There are also more natural options for tiny homes, such as living underground or a Cob house made out of a durable mixture of clay, sand, and straw. If you live near the water, you could consider living on a houseboat. The choice is yours.There are many different types of tiny house options available, and all of them are very affordable and comfortable with the proper care. We can guarantee that a tiny house will appeal to your desire for simplicity and allow you to enjoy all the pleasures that life has to offer..fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}The post Types of Tiny Homes appeared first on RE/MAX Canada.

If you are in the process of putting up your house for sale, you may have thought about staging it to attract potential buyers. Staging a home involves creating spaces that are furnished just enough that potential buyers can envision themselves (and their stuff!) living there. Home staging can reduce the time a listing spends on the market, increase the number of potential buyers, and yield higher offers. So, how much does it cost to stage a home? Here’s an estimated breakdown.How Much Does it Cost to Stage a Home?Initial Walk-Through Consultation: $150-$600 – In the initial consultation, a professional home stager will walk through your house with you and offer ideas on how to use your existing interior décor to stage the space and highlight notable features.Initial Consultation and Organizing Existing Décor: $800 – For a bit extra, your hired professional stager will organize the existing décor in your home, advise what to put in storage, and make an action plan with you for the next steps. Initial Consultation, Organizing and Redesign: $1,500 –You can expect the home stager to give you a detailed plan that includes descriptions and images of the furniture arrangement plan once any rented furniture is delivered. They can also paint your kitchen cabinets to give them a fresher look.Colour Design Consultation Services: $300 – If your house requires painting, the consultation will include a colour plan.Furniture Arrangement: $250 per room – When your furniture rentals are delivered, a professional home stager will organize each room for you.Decluttering, Packing and Organizing: $650 – The home stager will help you declutter your belongings, pack them into storage, and reorganize anything that remains behind to help stage your home. This price does not include any packing materials.Monthly Décor and Furniture Rental: $500-$600 per room – You can rent just about anything to help stage different spaces in your home. In addition to furniture, you can rent lamps, mirrors, plants, and other decorative items. The price will vary depending on how much of your personal belongings can help stage the home, but you can expect to pay between $500 and $600 per room per month.Monthly Staging Fee: varies – Each professional home staging company will have slightly different prices and policies. Some staging professionals have a minimum time frame that you must agree to, so if your home sells in the first week, you are still bound to pay that contract until it is over.Where to Save Money on Staging CostsOnly stage the most important rooms. Every house will be different in terms of selling features, so take some time to identify which areas should be highlighted and others that can remain empty. Usually, the staged rooms include the living room, kitchen, dining room, and primary bedroom, and the rooms most often left alone are the basements, attics, and spare bedrooms. However, if you see potential in a room or space that should be highlighted, consult with your staging professional on the best course of action.Try to use your existing furniture and accessories as much as possible. You will want to declutter and remove any excess belongings, but you can use some of your current furniture and décor to stage your home. However, make sure not to use personal items like family portraits and knick-knacks. With a bit of rearranging and freshening, you can make your home look welcoming to potential buyers.Limit your rentals. If you must rent furniture and décor, try limiting it as much as possible. Invest in renting a few key pieces instead of many. For example, instead of a complete dining room set, you can opt for a small table with just a couple of chairs or one sofa instead of an entire living room set.Consider virtual staging. Many homebuyers shop online nowadays, so virtual staging is a cost-effective way to stage your home without renting any furniture. If your house is empty, a professional virtual stager can insert digital images of furniture and décor into your home for buyers to see online. However, the house will remain empty when anyone tours it in person.It can be costly to stage your home, depending on how many rooms are staged and how much needs to be rented, but it is absolutely worth the price. Talk to your real estate agent today for advice on home improvement and ideas for staging your home.Still Have Questions?Buying or selling real estate can be confusing, and there’s likely a lot you don’t know about the process. RE/MAX Canada hit the streets in a new video series to find out just how much (or how little!) the average person knows about the housing market, and to provide some answers in the process..Still have questions? Your best bet is to connect with a RE/MAX agent. Click HERE to find one near you..fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}The post How Much Does It Cost to Stage a Home? appeared first on RE/MAX Canada.

We have all heard stories of neighbours fighting over a property line that is not clearly defined. A land survey takes the guesswork out of property boundaries by mapping all boundary lines and structures on your property. While we only think about land surveys in relation to conflict, they are also useful when purchasing a new home. A land survey provides an accurate picture of your property so that you know exactly what you are getting into in buying it. Let’s take a closer look at what a land survey entails, how it works, and why it is useful.What is a Land Survey?A land survey is a map showing your property’s area and the legal boundaries. It also indicates any buildings and other structures on the property and any roads that touch the property line. It shows GPS coordinates for all corners and measurements for the lengths in between.An important thing to note is that a land survey only represents the property at a specific point in time. If new buildings or structures are added, an older land survey could be inaccurate and must be used with caution.A land survey is important to understand the geographic boundaries of your property and provides you with a legal document showing who owns what portion of land. This can prevent conflicts between neighbours since you can prove the ownership of the land.When to Get a Land SurveyThere are several times when getting a land survey can be beneficial. If it has been several years since your land was last surveyed, it may reference structures that are no longer on the property, or lack structures that have been recently added. In general, you should think about getting a land survey if you find yourself in one of three scenarios:You are buying a home. If you are purchasing a property, getting a land survey of your new property will help you understand the property you are buying and prevent any mistakes in the buying process. You should also get a land survey done if there has been any subdivision of property since the last time a survey was done.You are financing a property. Your mortgage lender may require a land survey as part of the mortgage application process. This ensures that the property with its structures is accurately represented in the paperwork and that there will be no issues with reselling the property if the mortgage goes into default.You are doing construction on your property. If you own your property and want to do a major construction project, such as building a fence, then a land survey will help you avoid any problem with the construction, such as accidentally building onto your neighbour’s property.How a Land Surveyor Evaluates Your PropertyA land survey will cost between $1,000 and $1,500, depending on the size of your property and the type of survey being done. For a property dispute, it could cost double if you need a certified copy of your land survey. When the land surveyor comes to your property, they will follow a few steps:Review ownership history. The land surveyor will examine your property’s legal descriptions and history and review local databases to analyze the history of the deed and title to your property. This ensures there are no discrepancies about who owns the land.Measure all boundary lines and structures on the property. All measurements are taken using equipment like GPS units, digital angular measuring instruments (DAMI), and laser levels and tapes that will give exact measurements.Create an ownership map. After taking measurements, a map showing the property’s legal boundaries will be created. All measurements will be displayed on the map, and the finished product will include a description of the land, all property structures, and the locations of neighbouring properties.In Canada, each province has an association for land surveyors, all overseen by the Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors (CBEPS). If you need to hire a land surveyor near you, you can find certified land surveyors by going through the website of the land surveyors association in your province. This ensures that the land surveyor you hire is certified and licensed to work in your province, and you will receive a high-quality map of your property..fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}The post Pinpointing Your Property Boundaries with a Land Survey appeared first on RE/MAX Canada.