How to Prepare for an Open House in the Winter

Let’s face it—Durham Region winters can be rough. Between temperatures in the double-digit negatives and snow storms that cause traffic headaches, many of us feel like winter is best when we’re inside the house. 

Of course, as the new year rolls around, we also might find ourselves in the process of selling our home, in order to move in by the springtime. What do you do when you have to have an open house in the winter? Here are our tips and tricks for Durham Region winter open houses. 

High Traffic Means Many Messes

When hosting an open house, it is expected that you’ll have a number of people walking through your front door. And, additionally, you’ll have people likely in every room of your house, exploring. 

Even if there isn’t any…

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Fire Safety Tips For Your Durham Region Home

The Dan Plowman real estate team wishes all of Durham Region a very happy 2023!

The start of a new year means new goals for a better you. While we don’t always stick to our New Year’s resolutions, we do (usually!) focus on something we’d like to improve on over the course of the year. But what about your home? 

This January, don’t forget fire safety! This is an often overlooked aspect when it comes to your property—and it’s incredibly important. Here are our fire safety tips to help you and your Durham Region family safe in 2023. 

The Right Equipment

Safety begins with having the right tools. 

Every home should have working smoke detectors, placed in every bedroom, in every hallway right outside a bedroom, and on every level. It is…

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New Years Resolutions For The Home

You know what they say: New year, new you! While your personal goals might include going to the gym more often, eating healthier, or taking more time for yourself and your hobbies, there’s another part of your life you should be thinking about: your home!

What exactly does a new year’s resolution for your home entail? Well, think of it like this: have you ever put off something you needed to do because you didn’t have enough time? This is the part where you finally tackle things around the house that need to be done… and we’re here to remind you of them!

Say Goodbye To Clutter

The first step this year, and perhaps the most daunting task on this list, is to clean up the clutter around your home. For some, this may be a quick thing to check off…

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Early Predictions for the 2023 Ontario Real Estate Market

Ontario’s real estate market has historically been very strong, with housing prices increasing steadily over the years. As likely an echo of the pandemic, 2022 saw the market reach new heights, in favour of sellers. However, early predictions for the year ahead see different trends—and that could be great news for potential buyers. 

Housing Prices: The Drop

Although it is still quite early, Durham Region housing prices are expected to drop. Coming off another great increase last year, this is great news for buyers—especially young people trying to purchase their first home. 

But how much are prices expected to go down? If you’re expecting a large decrease, well unfortunately things don’t seem to be there just yet! While 2022 saw average home…

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How to Protect Your Durham Region Home While on Vacation

Ah—the sun, the sand, and the surf; All what Durham Region is best known for! Sort of. As beautiful as this area is, sometimes you do need a short—or long—vacation.

But have you made all the necessary preparations? Before you get away from it all on a Parisian holiday or tropical beach escape, there are a few things you’ll want to do around your house to get ready. Here are some of our most valuable tips when it comes to protecting your home while on vacation.

Triple Check Your Windows And Doors

Those who live in Oshawa or the Durham Region know that the weather is finicky here. Snow, rain, hail, or extreme wind can all come at a moment’s notice. 

Before you leave for your vacation, you’ll want to ensure that your windows and doors are…

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Winter Events In The Durham Region

The weather is getting chilly here in the Durham Region. All of a sudden, it seems like the sun sets too early and the days seem to fly by! Plus, there’s always that holiday gift rush. So it’s no wonder that many people like to stay in and enjoy some time with their friends and family.

However, for those who want to get out and about (perhaps those who really love the wintertime!), there are an abundance of events for all ages, and at all price points, here in the Durham Region. Here’s our list for some of the must-try winter events—for those who like to put relaxing in front of the fire on hold for a bit!

WILD Winter Festival Of Lights

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Concession Road 10, Clarington

Okay, maybe the cold is a little too much…

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5 Luxury Kitchen Must-Haves

The kitchen: often called the heart of the home! It’s where you gather, you share, and you create. Durham Region residents know that a great kitchen really makes a difference.

And, when it comes to your kitchen, there are a few things that you can do to take it from a regular kitchen… to the luxury dream kitchen your friends and family will be jealous of! Or, well, they might just want to come over to your home a lot. Here are our top five luxury kitchen must-haves!

Top-Of-The-Line Appliances

One of the most expensive must-haves is one that will also make the biggest difference. When you’re considering updating your kitchen or purchasing a new home, you’ll want to consider the appliances in your space.

Luxury appliance brands, such as…

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Don't Get Caught Off Guard With Closing Costs

One of the biggest mistakes that first-time home buyers make is failing to budget for closing costs. In fact, even experienced home buyers can overlook expenses related to the sale of a home that go above and beyond the purchase price. Both buyers and sellers are required to pay closing costs, so it is important to know what to expect before entering into a home sale.

What Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are upfront expenses that you must pay when finalizing a home purchase. They typically cover legal and administrative costs and are separate from your down payment and mortgage fees. 

Closing costs in Canada can be anywhere from 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price of the home. So if your new home costs $400,000, the closing costs could be…

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What's Going On With Interest Rates?!?

What's Going On With Interest Rates: A Video Explanation

Mortgage Broker Miriam Gobran from The Lending Suite and our Realtor, Brooke Lynn Napier talk about interest rates, what that means for the current Real Estate market, and what that may mean for home buyer and sellers. 

Although interest rates are on the rise, the prices of homes are steadily declining. This makes it a great time for home buyers to lock in their mortgage and purchase their dream home, before prices and interest rates rise even further. Our experienced Realtors and in-house mortgage brokers are readily available and easily accessible to discuss your Real Estate needs, and provide further insight into what your mortgage may look like. 

Need help? Feel free to reach out…

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Community Spotlight: Courtice

The small Durham Region community of Courtice is located in between Oshawa and Bowmanville, and, like the latter, is part of the Clarington municipality. 

Courtice is known for its quaint, suburban atmosphere. This community is composed of both residential areas and untouched farmland, specifically in the southern and eastern regions. A large part of the appeal of Courtice, Ontario is its safety and livability, all while being located roughly seven kilometers outside of downtown Oshawa—the largest municipality in the Durham Region.

It’s urban meets rural, and Courtice is a great alternative to life in the bigger cities in the area. Families in particular like this community for the large, beautiful homes, quiet streets, and high number of…

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