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Ten Things Buyers Really Want in Their Next Home By Trusted Regina

24. Oct 2022 Ashlyn Regina Real Estate, TRUSTED TIPS


The Top 10 Things Buyers Really Want in Their Next Home


There is likely no bigger purchase than a home. There are some things on almost every homebuyer’s list when it comes to looking for their perfect property whether they’re buying for the first time, upgrading or downsizing.

These 10 things seem to be really important to most:


1. Separate Laundry Room.

Most homebuyers want a designated space to do laundry. Having enough storage space for laundry items, as well as being able to fold clothes, is a must. Buyers see it as a huge plus. Most people prefer this space to be close to the master bedroom or at least on the main floor.

2. High Efficiency.

Even when buying an older home, homebuyers look for efficiency in appliances and windows. More people are mindful of their utility bills and look to things to cut those costs.

3. A Patio Or Deck. 

Outdoor living is embraced by most homeowners. 87% of house hunters look for a home with a patio where they can entertain family and friends in the warmer months.

4. A Large Garage.

For more than just the vehicles. A spacious garage can also double as a great storage space. A garage also provides easy accessibility to stored items unlike an attic or shed.

5. Exterior lighting.

Most people take great pride in the time and money they’ve invested in landscaping and would like to highlight that even at night. Next to a patio, exterior lighting is the most desired outdoor feature. That includes spotlight, walkway and pendant lights.

6. A Modern Kitchen and Bathroom.

Most people’s savings will be going toward a down payment, so getting a kitchen and bathroom they won’t have to change is high on the priority list. An eat-in, open-concept kitchen is what most people strive for. These are really attractive to young families with children.

7. Hardwood Floors.

Hardwood floors are cleaner and easier to maintain. Good flooring can last a lifetime if maintained well.

8. Walk-in Closet in the Master.

These types of closets are quickly gaining in popularity among first-time homebuyers. Such closets rank in the top five on the home want list.

9. Walk-in Pantry.

A full-sized pantry used to be a staple in every home in the early 20th century. They went out of favour, but are making a strong comeback. According to statistics, it’s the most wanted kitchen feature among buyers these days.

10. A Separate Dining Room.

Like the walk-in pantry, the formal dining room is back on the want list. A separate dining room is among the top 10 essentials for first- and second-time homebuyers.


Trusted Regina Shares 3 Things to Learn From An Open House

24. Oct 2022 Ashlyn Regina Real Estate, TRUSTED TIPS


3 Things to Learn From an Open House


Are you a professed open house snooper? Do you love popping into open houses even if you’re not looking to sell or buy? While touring an open house is an important step for most buyers, there’s still a lot you can learn even if you’re not presently in the market. For example:


Get staging or design inspiration. 

Most open houses are professionally staged, so checking one out, especially if it’s similar in size or style to your own, can be a great way to get a sense of how different colours and furniture styles look. When it comes time to stage your own for sale, you might have some great ideas.


Get to know your price point. 

Taking a look through different open houses that are either similar to your own, or in a price point you plan to buy in, can give you a reality check. If you keep seeing homes in your price range that just don’t fit the bill, it might be time to increase your budget or be prepared to compromise. The same goes for your current home. If you see similar spaces that sell for a lot less, you might want to rethink your sales strategy.


Learn what doesn’t work. 

Open houses can also be a great chance to see some seriously misguided renovations or decor choices. Did someone take down a wall and lose a valuable potential home office? Undertake a bathroom renovation that just didn’t make sense? Learning what doesn’t work in a similar home, or what features you absolutely couldn’t compromise on can be valuable, too.

Most listing agents know that a certain number of open house visitors are there out of curiosity, not because they’re in the market, so don’t be shy! There’s still a lot you can learn from browsing open houses whether you’re looking to buy immediately or not.



Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer Robert MacKay Shares That The Bank Of Canada has lowered the mortgage stress tests rate

22. Jul 2019 bonnied Regina Lawyers, Regina Legal & Professional Services, Regina Mortgages, Regina Real Estate, TRUSTED TIPS

MacKay & McLean provides the professional services of a large Regina law firm, with the intimate attention of a small firm. The legal process can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. MacKay & McLean is with you every step of the way.

MacKay &  McLean are TRUSTED REGINA LAWYERS

When looking to buy, sell, or refinance a property, you need to hire somebody who is not a stranger to addressing the real estate needs of individuals and families. 

Bank of Canada lowers qualifying rate used in mortgage stress tests

The Canadian Press - Jul 19, 2019

With files from BNN Bloomberg


According the Canadian Press  and other sources The Bank of Canada has lowered the rate used by mortgage stress tests to determine whether would-be homeowners can qualify, marking the first drop in three years.

The central bank's five-year benchmark qualifying rate is now 5.19 per cent, down from 5.34 per cent.

It's the first decrease in the five-year fixed mortgage rate since September 2016, when it dropped from 4.74 per cent to 4.64 per cent, and increased steadily since.

Rob McLister, founder of mortgage comparison website RateSpy.com, says the dip will increase the buying power for mortgage borrowers by allowing them to afford up to 1.4 per cent more home.

For example, someone putting a 20-per-cent down payment on a home who makes $50,000 per year can now afford $4,000 more home, according to calculations by Ratespy.com.




The Bank of Canada's five-year benchmark rate is calculated using the posted rates at the Big Six Banks.

Home sales softened last year after the federal government introduced new stress test rules for uninsured mortgages, or those with a down payment of more than 20 per cent, and mortgage rates inched higher.

As of Jan. 1, 2018, to qualify for an uninsured mortgage, borrowers needed to prove they could still make payments at a qualifying rate of the greater of two percentage points higher than the contractual mortgage rate or the central bank's five-year benchmark rate.

An existing stress test already stipulated that homebuyers with less than a 20-per-cent down payment seeking an insured mortgage must qualify at the central bank's benchmark five-year mortgage rate.

The federal financial regulator has said that the new, stricter regulations aimed to tighten mortgage lending and take some of the risk out of the market.

Meanwhile, home sales have improved in recent months as mortgage rates have moved lower.

But on Thursday, the Ontario Real Estate Association called for less stringent mortgage rules, saying that policy changes are needed to counter a downward trend in home ownership.

OREA's chief executive Tim Hudak said in a letter to federal policy-makers that Ottawa should consider restoring 30-year insured mortgages, ease up on the interest rate stress test and eliminate the test altogether for those renewing their mortgage with a different lender.

Borrowers looking to renew their mortgages are subject to stress tests if they switch to a new lender, but not if they stick with their current one.

In a May letter to policy-makers, the chief executive of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation defended the stricter lending rules, arguing that "the stress test is doing what it is supposed to do."


For more questions and help with any legal property issues consult with our Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer Robert MacKay


Here is a list of more consumer tips by Robert MacKay 



Robert MacKay's team provides professional, personalized service and with their assistance, you can rest assured that your real estate transactions will be handled with the utmost consideration and care.

They  provide a full range of legal services including:

  • Real Estate & Mortgages
  • Wills & Estates
  • Family Law & Divorce
  • Commercial & Corporate Law
  • Litigation & Personal Injury

ROBERT Mackay is your TRUSTED REGINA REAL ESTATE LAWYER!



Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer Robert MacKay asks: Do you know what kind of mortgage you have?

7. Jan 2019 bonnied Regina Lawyers, Regina Legal & Professional Services, Regina Mortgages, TRUSTED TIPS

MacKay & McLean provides the professional services of a large Regina law firm, with the intimate attention of a small firm. The legal process can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. MacKay & McLean is with you every step of the way.

MacKay &  McLean are TRUSTED REGINA LAWYERS

When looking to buy, sell, or refinance a property, you need to hire somebody who is not a stranger to addressing the real estate needs of individuals and families. 

What an exciting time – the old house is sold, the new one is ready, and all that’s left is the move…..oh wait – not quite yet! There is all that legal “stuff” to deal with now….signatures….titles to be given…and pages and pages of documents that need to be signed before the key is in your hand!!! And to top it all off – who really knows a good real estate lawyer?

Do you know what kind of mortgage you have?

Hardly anyone pays attention to what type of mortgage they have. 


Sure, they know whether they have a fixed rate, a variable rate or an adjustable rate but few are aware that their mortgage will have a particular legal standing or why it is important.

When a market goes up, it's all roses and sunshine, at least if you already own your own home. Trying to buy in such a market can be a scary proposition. When the market goes down, well, that's scary too but for different reasons. 

Buying a house to find out it might be worthless in a year's time is not a fun proposition. However, we all still need a place to live and the markets will do what it will do.

In the event the downturn is significant or if you know what hits the proverbial fan, all of a sudden that legal distinction can be very important. 

Purchase Money Mortgage

For if you have what is known colloquially as a "purchase money mortgage", money borrowed to buy the property, then the bank's recourse is limited to the seizure and sale of the property.

So, if it sold for $1.00 but you still owed $1,000,000, well, the bank will be hoping its mortgage was insured, as they are not unable to chase you for any deficiencies under the mortgage.

This is an important consideration in a lot of foreclosures, as a lot of people have refinanced their property to consolidate debt or finance renovations. Luckily, the portion of the mortgage that related to the property's purchase is still protected.


Once you have committed to either buying or selling your property, simply tell your realtor and lender, as applicable, that Robert MacKay will be representing you and to forward the appropriate instructions to MacKay & McLean, attention "Robert MacKay". 

Robert MacKay's team provides professional, personalized service and with their assistance, you can rest assured that your real estate transactions will be handled with the utmost consideration and care.

They  provide a full range of legal services including:

  • Real Estate & Mortgages
  • Wills & Estates
  • Family Law & Divorce
  • Commercial & Corporate Law
  • Litigation & Personal Injury

ROBERT Mackay is your TRUSTED REGINA REAL ESTATE LAWYER!


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