to have a look at your mortgage interest rate.  We've been warned-interest rates will be going up.  What can you do about that?  

If you're a Buyer still searching for you new home, you can check with your bank or mortgage broker to find out how you can update your rate hold to secure the lowest rate for the longest period of time.  We know it takes a while to find a new home with the current low level of listings. Typically lenders hold rates for 60-90 days so find out how can you make the most of a rate hold.  

While you're speaking with your rep, you could also discuss fixed versus a variable mortgage.  What best suits your needs?  In today's Globe & Mail Business, Robert McLister wrote about the 2 mortgage products.

There are a lot of good reasons to go with a variable & the best one is that the variable wins over the next 5 years.

Always stay in touch with your mortgage rep.  They're busy so may not reach out to you, but most will be happy to discuss your needs, what you can expect in the next couple of months, & what can be done to secure the lowest possible rate.

Sellers often think of Spring & Fall markets as being the best time to sell their homes.  That used to be true!

Because there are now more factors driving real estate, the best time to sell is based on market conditions.  What are those?

Market conditions can be 1 or more of interest rates, supply vs demand, weather, school cutoff dates for registration, geographical location, & now of course, CoVid.

What seems to be universally true are a couple of these.  We don't have enough supply for the demand which has been the case for some time, interest rates will be going up sooner rather than later so the Buying dollar won't go as far, & CoVid has actually increased demand for homes now that we have to spend so much time in them.

All we know is what we know to be true now so interest rates haven't changed, there is huge demand for all types of homes, & listings are at an historic low.  Is there a better time to sell?

It's hard to avoid the subject of real estate, no matter where you live.  With so much information coming at you, it's overwhelming, especially if you've been away from it for a while or you're new to it..

Does it have to be?  Not really.

What's the trick?  A couple of helpful tools for Buyers & Sellers:

• Harder than it sounds but try to stay focussed.  It's NEED TO KNOW, not NICE TO KNOW. For example, if you're going to be listing your home, focus on the latest  news on your type of home & your neighbourhood, NOT others.
• establish a timeline-Buyers.  Have your agent walk you through the steps of Buying, starting from lender pre approval through making an offer to closing & possession.
• establish a timeline-Sellers.  You'll want to know the steps & timing from signing the listing contract through photography & floor plans to how showings & offers will be done.