Buying a home is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be costly. In addition to the purchase price of the property, buyers in Nova Scotia should be aware of the closing costs associated with the transaction. Closing costs are expenses incurred by the buyer in order to finalize the sale and transfer ownership of the property.

In Nova Scotia, the typical closing costs associated with a home purchase include:

1. Legal Fees and Disbursements: Legal fees are typically the largest closing cost associated with buying a home in Nova Scotia. The buyer will need to hire a lawyer or notary public to review the legal documents related to the sale and to handle the transfer of ownership. Legal fees typically range from $1000 to $1,500, depending on the complexity of the transaction.

2. Deed Transfer Tax: In Nova Scotia, buyers are required to pay a deed transfer tax on the purchase of a home. The tax is calculated based on the purchase price of the property and ranges from 1% to 1.5%. For example, if the purchase price of the home is $300,000, the property transfer tax would be $3,000 to $4,500.

3. Title Insurance: Title insurance is an optional closing cost that provides protection to the buyer in the event of any defects in the title or ownership of the property. The cost of title insurance in Nova Scotia ranges from $200 to $500.

4. Home Inspection: While not a mandatory closing cost, a home inspection is highly recommended for buyers in Nova Scotia. A home inspection can identify any issues with the property that may not be visible during a regular walk-through. The cost of a home inspection varies depending on the size and location of the property but typically ranges from $450 to $750.

5. Mortgage Insurance: If the buyer is putting less than 20% down on the purchase price of the home, they may be required to pay for mortgage insurance. The cost of mortgage insurance varies depending on the size of the down payment and the purchase price of the property.

In addition to these closing costs, buyers should also be aware of ongoing expenses such as property taxes, home insurance, and utilities. It is important to factor in these costs when determining the overall affordability of a home. Overall, closing costs can add up quickly, and it is important for buyers in Nova Scotia to budget accordingly. By understanding the typical closing costs associated with a home purchase, buyers can avoid any surprises and ensure a smooth transaction.

1. Halifax is reputed to have one of the highest number of bars per capita of any Canadian city! Which means we are FUN!

2. Halifax has a rich and varied history, from its role as a major port city in the days of British colonial rule, to its importance as a military and naval center in both world wars.

3. With its stunning harbor and coastal views, Halifax offers a picturesque and scenic living environment.

4. Friendly people: Haligonians are known for their friendly and welcoming nature, making it a great place to live and build relationships.

5. Halifax has a strong and growing economy with a diverse mix of industries, including finance, technology, and tourism.

6. With SIX universities located in the city, Halifax offers a great education system for students of all ages.

7. From taxis to buses, there is no shortage of ways to get around in Halifax. However, the Halifax  Ferry is certainly a unique way. This harbour ferry service has been connecting the city of Halifax to neighbouring Dartmouth for 269 years.

8. The Halifax Waterfront is a bustling hotspot in the city. With one of the world's longest urban boardwalks spanning the length of the waterfront for 4 kilometres (2.5 miles), from Pier 21 at the Halifax Seaport to Casino Nova Scotia, it is easy to spend a day exploring here.

9. Affordable housing: Compared to other cities in Canada, housing in Halifax is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for those looking for a good standard of living.

10. Natural beauty: With its proximity to nature reserves, parks, and hiking trails, Halifax offers easy access to some of Canada's most beautiful natural landscapes.

The residential property flipping rule announced in the federal budget 2022 to ensure profits from flipping properties are fully taxed, any person who sells a residential property they have held for less than 12 months would be fully taxed on their profits as business income. Exemptions will apply if the sale is for certain reasons, such as a death, disability, the birth of a child, a new job, or separation. The measure would apply in respect of residential properties sold on or after January 1, 2023.

Property flipping involves purchasing real estate with the intention of reselling the property in a short period of time to realize a profit. Profits from flipping properties are fully taxable as business income, meaning they are not eligible for the 50 percent capital gains inclusion rate or the Principal Residence Exemption.

The Government is concerned that certain individuals engaged in flipping residential real estate are not properly reporting their profits as business income. Instead, these individuals may be improperly reporting their profits as capital gains and, in some cases, claiming the Principal Residence Exemption.

For a complete federal budget, please visit: https://budget.gc.ca/2022/report-rapport/toc-tdm-en.html

There's a chance you may have noticed already, but let me make it official: I've made the move to Royal LePage Atlantic! Being part of the premiere brokerage in the HRM, with nearly 30% current market share, and part of a nation-wide network that is 100% CANADIAN OWNED, will allow me to better serve YOU, my amazing clients! My journey through Real Estate has been a long and winding one, but I'm finally here, and I couldn't be more thankful.

Oh, and stay tuned - more amazing news to come!

#royallepagecanada #royallepageatlantic #Sold #JustSold #HalifaxRealEstate #HalifaxRealtor #HomesInHalifax #HomesInHalifax #HouseAndHome #ExploreNovaScotia #halifaxnoisehomes
#hrmrealestate #halifaxnoiseathome #novascotiarealestate #eastcoastliving #halifaxhomes #halifaxrealestate #halifaxrealtor #halifaxnoise #haligonia #myhalifax
☎️(902) 452-9675
sandra@sellingmetro.com
or PM me.

I'll just come out and say it: The home inspection should be a total non-negotiable for buyers!
Why?  Because buyers need to know what they are buying. They need to know if any repairs are needed and roughly the costs of those repairs.

As the market tilts ever-so-slightly away from sellers this fall, I’ve got my fingers crossed that all this contingency waiving is largely a thing of the past.

Keep in mind that an inspection contingency comes with a deadline, so you need to be ready to make some quick decisions once you receive the inspection report.

When it comes to a less-than-stellar inspection, you have to weigh how much risk, investment, and seller negotiation you’re comfortable with for a house you love.

Have other questions about buying? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll reply ASAP. I look forward to connecting!

#firsttimebuyeradvice #halifaxrealtor #halifaxrealestate #novascotiarealtor #buyertips #realestateadvice #Halihomes #homesinhalifax #halifaxrealestateagent #movetonovascotia #hrmrealestate #yournexthouseisforsale

☎️(902) 452-9675
sandra@sellingmetro.com
or PM me.

So..this is your friendly reminder that staging doesn’t have to break the bank. 

6 tips for a DIY staging that will have buyers falling in love with your home:

1. Get rid of furniture, accessories, and knick-knacks that crowd floors and tabletops. Go for the vacation rental feel. Enough, but not too much. 
2. Clean, clean, clean. While not staging per se, you can’t get away from how critical cleaning is.
3. Replace family photos with neutral artwork to help buyers picture themselves in your home.
4. Swap everyday bath towels with crisp white ones to make your bathrooms brighter, cleaner, and spa-like. 
5. Organize closets. Sellers always open closets. Surprise them with neatly arranged storage that says, “there’s space for everything!”
6. Don’t overlook curb appeal. Spruce up the front door with a season wreath, lay fresh mulch, and add planters with potted seasonal flowers to the front step.

If you’re planning on selling and are in the market for a top agent to make it happen, I would love to help!

Chat Soon,

Sandra 

#halifaxrealtor #halifaxrealestate #novascotiarealtor #buyertips #sellertips #realestateadvice #Halihomes#domusrealty #homesinhalifax #halifaxrealestateagent #movetonovascotia #hrmrealestate #halifaxnoiseathome #Realestateadvice

Are you getting ready to buy your first home? Congrats! What a crazy and exciting time!

But here's the thing. Just like most things in life, if you’ve never done it before, it can be pretty overwhelming. The good news is I've guided countless homeowners through the process, and I'm convinced the key to kicking overwhelm to the curb is preparation, preparation, preparation!

In fact, time and time again, I've seen that the more prepared my clients are, the less stressful the process turns out to be. Want a home-buying journey like that? DM me - I'd love to talk!

In the meantime, here's a kickstart guide that will give you a few steps to think through as you move towards your very first home sweet home:

- Get your credit score ready. The higher your score, the better loan terms you’ll get.
- Estimate your price range by playing around with one of the zillion home affordability calculators online. 
- Narrow down your ideal location, but stay flexible and have several locations in mind.
- Save for your down payment. If you haven’t started, do it now!
- Get a mortgage pre-approval. This will give you hard numbers and help you stay ahead of the competition.
- Find the right agent. Ask around if you need to; it’s important to work with an experienced professional who you know has your best interest in mind.

Can I be real for a second? I’ve shown A LOT of homes, and can I just say that one of the BEST, BEST, BEST things you can do as a seller is oh-so-simply but incredibly underrated. It's this:

Clean. Yep. Clean. You'd be shocked at the number of homes I show that simply aren’t clean. So, if you’re getting your home ready for the market and stressing about showings, my biggest piece of advice is this: Do a top-to-bottom deep clean of your house before it hits the market. Even if you have to hire it out, do it. It's worth every penny!

After cleaning, here are a few other things to keep in mind as you prepare for a showing... 

Buying a home is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be costly. In addition to the purchase price of the property, buyers in Nova Scotia should be aware of the closing costs associated with the transaction. Closing costs are expenses incurred by the buyer in order to finalize the sale and transfer ownership of the property.

In Nova Scotia, the typical closing costs associated with a home purchase include:

1. Legal Fees and Disbursements: Legal fees are typically the largest closing cost associated with buying a home in Nova Scotia. The buyer will need to hire a lawyer or notary public to review the legal documents related to the sale and to handle the transfer of ownership. Legal fees typically range from $1000 to $1,500, depending on the complexity of the transaction.

2. Deed Transfer Tax: In Nova Scotia, buyers are required to pay a deed transfer tax on the purchase of a home. The tax is calculated based on the purchase price of the property and ranges from 1% to 1.5%. For example, if the purchase price of the home is $300,000, the property transfer tax would be $3,000 to $4,500.

3. Title Insurance: Title insurance is an optional closing cost that provides protection to the buyer in the event of any defects in the title or ownership of the property. The cost of title insurance in Nova Scotia ranges from $200 to $500.

4. Home Inspection: While not a mandatory closing cost, a home inspection is highly recommended for buyers in Nova Scotia. A home inspection can identify any issues with the property that may not be visible during a regular walk-through. The cost of a home inspection varies depending on the size and location of the property but typically ranges from $450 to $750.

5. Mortgage Insurance: If the buyer is putting less than 20% down on the purchase price of the home, they may be required to pay for mortgage insurance. The cost of mortgage insurance varies depending on the size of the down payment and the purchase price of the property.

In addition to these closing costs, buyers should also be aware of ongoing expenses such as property taxes, home insurance, and utilities. It is important to factor in these costs when determining the overall affordability of a home. Overall, closing costs can add up quickly, and it is important for buyers in Nova Scotia to budget accordingly. By understanding the typical closing costs associated with a home purchase, buyers can avoid any surprises and ensure a smooth transaction.

1. Halifax is reputed to have one of the highest number of bars per capita of any Canadian city! Which means we are FUN!

2. Halifax has a rich and varied history, from its role as a major port city in the days of British colonial rule, to its importance as a military and naval center in both world wars.

3. With its stunning harbor and coastal views, Halifax offers a picturesque and scenic living environment.

4. Friendly people: Haligonians are known for their friendly and welcoming nature, making it a great place to live and build relationships.

5. Halifax has a strong and growing economy with a diverse mix of industries, including finance, technology, and tourism.

6. With SIX universities located in the city, Halifax offers a great education system for students of all ages.

7. From taxis to buses, there is no shortage of ways to get around in Halifax. However, the Halifax  Ferry is certainly a unique way. This harbour ferry service has been connecting the city of Halifax to neighbouring Dartmouth for 269 years.

8. The Halifax Waterfront is a bustling hotspot in the city. With one of the world's longest urban boardwalks spanning the length of the waterfront for 4 kilometres (2.5 miles), from Pier 21 at the Halifax Seaport to Casino Nova Scotia, it is easy to spend a day exploring here.

9. Affordable housing: Compared to other cities in Canada, housing in Halifax is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for those looking for a good standard of living.

10. Natural beauty: With its proximity to nature reserves, parks, and hiking trails, Halifax offers easy access to some of Canada's most beautiful natural landscapes.

The residential property flipping rule announced in the federal budget 2022 to ensure profits from flipping properties are fully taxed, any person who sells a residential property they have held for less than 12 months would be fully taxed on their profits as business income. Exemptions will apply if the sale is for certain reasons, such as a death, disability, the birth of a child, a new job, or separation. The measure would apply in respect of residential properties sold on or after January 1, 2023.

Property flipping involves purchasing real estate with the intention of reselling the property in a short period of time to realize a profit. Profits from flipping properties are fully taxable as business income, meaning they are not eligible for the 50 percent capital gains inclusion rate or the Principal Residence Exemption.

The Government is concerned that certain individuals engaged in flipping residential real estate are not properly reporting their profits as business income. Instead, these individuals may be improperly reporting their profits as capital gains and, in some cases, claiming the Principal Residence Exemption.

For a complete federal budget, please visit: https://budget.gc.ca/2022/report-rapport/toc-tdm-en.html

There's a chance you may have noticed already, but let me make it official: I've made the move to Royal LePage Atlantic! Being part of the premiere brokerage in the HRM, with nearly 30% current market share, and part of a nation-wide network that is 100% CANADIAN OWNED, will allow me to better serve YOU, my amazing clients! My journey through Real Estate has been a long and winding one, but I'm finally here, and I couldn't be more thankful.

Oh, and stay tuned - more amazing news to come!

#royallepagecanada #royallepageatlantic #Sold #JustSold #HalifaxRealEstate #HalifaxRealtor #HomesInHalifax #HomesInHalifax #HouseAndHome #ExploreNovaScotia #halifaxnoisehomes
#hrmrealestate #halifaxnoiseathome #novascotiarealestate #eastcoastliving #halifaxhomes #halifaxrealestate #halifaxrealtor #halifaxnoise #haligonia #myhalifax
☎️(902) 452-9675
sandra@sellingmetro.com
or PM me.

I'll just come out and say it: The home inspection should be a total non-negotiable for buyers!
Why?  Because buyers need to know what they are buying. They need to know if any repairs are needed and roughly the costs of those repairs.

As the market tilts ever-so-slightly away from sellers this fall, I’ve got my fingers crossed that all this contingency waiving is largely a thing of the past.

Keep in mind that an inspection contingency comes with a deadline, so you need to be ready to make some quick decisions once you receive the inspection report.

When it comes to a less-than-stellar inspection, you have to weigh how much risk, investment, and seller negotiation you’re comfortable with for a house you love.

Have other questions about buying? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll reply ASAP. I look forward to connecting!

#firsttimebuyeradvice #halifaxrealtor #halifaxrealestate #novascotiarealtor #buyertips #realestateadvice #Halihomes #homesinhalifax #halifaxrealestateagent #movetonovascotia #hrmrealestate #yournexthouseisforsale

☎️(902) 452-9675
sandra@sellingmetro.com
or PM me.

So..this is your friendly reminder that staging doesn’t have to break the bank. 

6 tips for a DIY staging that will have buyers falling in love with your home:

1. Get rid of furniture, accessories, and knick-knacks that crowd floors and tabletops. Go for the vacation rental feel. Enough, but not too much. 
2. Clean, clean, clean. While not staging per se, you can’t get away from how critical cleaning is.
3. Replace family photos with neutral artwork to help buyers picture themselves in your home.
4. Swap everyday bath towels with crisp white ones to make your bathrooms brighter, cleaner, and spa-like. 
5. Organize closets. Sellers always open closets. Surprise them with neatly arranged storage that says, “there’s space for everything!”
6. Don’t overlook curb appeal. Spruce up the front door with a season wreath, lay fresh mulch, and add planters with potted seasonal flowers to the front step.

If you’re planning on selling and are in the market for a top agent to make it happen, I would love to help!

Chat Soon,

Sandra 

#halifaxrealtor #halifaxrealestate #novascotiarealtor #buyertips #sellertips #realestateadvice #Halihomes#domusrealty #homesinhalifax #halifaxrealestateagent #movetonovascotia #hrmrealestate #halifaxnoiseathome #Realestateadvice

Are you getting ready to buy your first home? Congrats! What a crazy and exciting time!

But here's the thing. Just like most things in life, if you’ve never done it before, it can be pretty overwhelming. The good news is I've guided countless homeowners through the process, and I'm convinced the key to kicking overwhelm to the curb is preparation, preparation, preparation!

In fact, time and time again, I've seen that the more prepared my clients are, the less stressful the process turns out to be. Want a home-buying journey like that? DM me - I'd love to talk!

In the meantime, here's a kickstart guide that will give you a few steps to think through as you move towards your very first home sweet home:

- Get your credit score ready. The higher your score, the better loan terms you’ll get.
- Estimate your price range by playing around with one of the zillion home affordability calculators online. 
- Narrow down your ideal location, but stay flexible and have several locations in mind.
- Save for your down payment. If you haven’t started, do it now!
- Get a mortgage pre-approval. This will give you hard numbers and help you stay ahead of the competition.
- Find the right agent. Ask around if you need to; it’s important to work with an experienced professional who you know has your best interest in mind.

Can I be real for a second? I’ve shown A LOT of homes, and can I just say that one of the BEST, BEST, BEST things you can do as a seller is oh-so-simply but incredibly underrated. It's this:

Clean. Yep. Clean. You'd be shocked at the number of homes I show that simply aren’t clean. So, if you’re getting your home ready for the market and stressing about showings, my biggest piece of advice is this: Do a top-to-bottom deep clean of your house before it hits the market. Even if you have to hire it out, do it. It's worth every penny!

After cleaning, here are a few other things to keep in mind as you prepare for a showing...