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While we know the most important thing we are dealing with right now is an unprecedented health crisis, we also know that it is a super stressful time for many people from a financial standpoint. 

We are happy to hear that both our Provincial & Federal governments have announced many measures to help everyone through this time, and those financial aid programs continue to be expanded as the need grows. 

So what can we do right now to be proactive? 


Check out all of the programs being offered to homeowners(including mortgage payment deferral), families & businesses to see what you can benefit from: 

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan:
https://bit.ly/3dcA92v


Sakatchewan's COVID-19 Suppport Plans


There are a number programs available through your lender to defer mortgage payments & we recommend you contact your lender or your mortage broker to discuss your options. 


Check out this informative Blog on the subject from our colleague, Candice Carr, mortage expert form TMG, including contact info for all of the major lenders.

Thinking of Deferring Your Mortgage Payment?


Also, here are some great tips on how we can take control from BNN Bloomberg’s Pattie Lovett-Reid: 

"On a personal level:
- Be razor-sharp on what your expenses are over a two, or maybe three-month period.
- Pull back on discretionary spending.
- Get clarity around your company's salary policy if you become ill and have to stay home.
- Interest rates have been lowered by the Bank of Canada, so get to know your numbers in terms of reduced mortgage payments, loan payments etc. Expect the banks to provide clarity on this in the coming days. You might consider asking for mortgage payment relief for a month to free up cash flow.
- If you are having trouble making ends meet, reach out to all your creditors and request temporary relief. You are not in this alone.
- Look to negotiate all contracts and possibly suspend contracts and memberships where you can"

Check out the entire article here:
"Amid a crisis, take control where you Can"
https://bit.ly/33rnp3C


We work with great mortgage brokers and we recommend you talk to a specialist to find out what options will work best for you right now, for both existing mortgages and also if you are considering a buying a home at this time.


Of course if you have questions about what's happpening with the Real Estate market in Regina, feel free to reach out to us....we're happy to help!



We will all get thought this together with a plan! 

~ Karin & Jen


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Mind Management may just be as important as hand washing right now as we are all just trying to find normal while self-isolating and working from home. Check out these tips to help you manage anxiety & to help promote postive metal health......we hope you find these tips helpful! 


  1. Protect your mind & your attitude by taking just 5 minutes in the morning and journalling…..we find that writing down even just 5 things that you are grateful for helps to start your day off right!  Now's the time to follow pages that provide positive thoughts and articles everyday ...we can't possibly get too much of that right now!  Check out one like Marc and Angel Hack Life for daily inspriration.


  1. Try to maintain normal sleep patterns and daily schedules as much as possible.  When we can maintain some of our regular habits, it’s helps us to feel as normal as possible. If you are having trouble sleeping there are a number Apps like "Calm" that be can be helpful. 


  1. Limit your exposure to news and social media if you find it all overwhelming….and who doesn’t honestly!  It’s good to be informed of course, but too much information can cause undue anxiety & fear. Consider turning off your notifications for the time being! 


  1. Make time for exercise of some kind every day…even if it’s just a walk around the block to get fresh air.  Most gyms are now providing online training so check with yours & there are loads of full length videos available on YouTube so you can work out at home.  Active by PopSugar Fitness has provided a free link to al of their workouts....from beginner to advanced, with or without equipment and all types and duration options!  


  1. Lighten up on what you watch….comedies and even mindless TV shows are ok right now to give your mind a break. There are so many steaming options available with loads of content & even some our old favourites on syndicated TV like Friends, Big Bang Theory & Rules of Engagement are on daily marathons right now! 


  1. Stay in touch with friends and family "virtually" or by phone just to check in ….both for them and you!  We may be self-isolating but we don’t have to feel isolated because we have the gift of technology that allows us to easily connect! 


If you need help, there are resources available, so please reach out! The Saskatchewan Health Care Administration has tools available for you to check out on their website.



Be kind to yourself…and others ….everyone deals with things differently!  And you know what, if you don’t feel like keeping up with some things right now it’s ok…we’re all in the same boat and we will all get through this together!  



We’re here, working at home for the time being, and we’re always available if you have questions about what’s happening in Regina's real estate market so feel free to connect with us ….we’re happy to hear from you!


Email: info@w2realtyteam.com



~  Karin & Jen


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If you are thinking of buying a home for the first time or if you have been out of the market for awhile, there are a lot of things to consider before you start home shopping!

Here is our list of to-do’s to get the process started:


Get pre-approved and decide on budget!

Book an appointment with your lender or mortgage broker to discuss your plans before you even start seriously viewing properties. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a house only to find out that it doesn’t fit your budget. 

Knowing the price point of properties you are pre-approved for helps us to narrow the search so we are showing you homes that will fall into the right range. 

Your lender will need your employment/salary info and the full picture of your financial situation so they can best advise you as far as price range. Having all of the paper work done in advance will save you time & make the final approval process run more smoothly when it comes time for an offer.  They will also guide you as far as the amount of your down payment and what is required for your mortgage. 




Know the Costs Involved

There is more to consider than just the purchase price of a home. You need to factor in property taxes, utilities, and condo fees where applicable. Your monthly costs are important to know to determine not just how much you can afford, meaning your pre-approved budget, but how much you are comfortable allocating to home expenses. 

There are also costs that go along with making the purchase including your home inspections, legal fees, and land titles transfer fees and the deposit portion of your down payment.  With the possible exception of property taxes depending on how you pay those, these expenses are all out of pocket, meaning you have to have the cash accessible as they can’t be rolled into your mortgage. 

There are a number of great apps that can help you calculate those expenses so you have an idea of the numbers in advance. 




Create your “wants & needs” list

Make a list of what things you want in your next home and what areas appeal to you. Do you love entertaining and the space must have a gourmet kitchen & open concept living spaces?  Do you have school age children and the school district is of the utmost importance?  Do you have pets and a fenced yard or access to park space/walking paths is a must? Is it number of bedrooms/bathrooms that are most important….or a master bedroom with separate ensuite bath perhaps?  Do you want to be able to walk or bike to work so proximity is a priority?  Whatever the things are that matter to you most are the starting point for the house hunting process and that all helps us to choose the best possibilities to begin with. Your time is valuable so we ant to be sure that we are choosing the best houses to fit your wants and needs. Of course some compromise is inevitable but we want to help you find the home that checks off the most boxes!


Why Hire a Realtor®? 

Because we understand the local market and have the tools and knowledge to guide you through the process, from the first home viewing to the day you take possession of your new home. We negotiate with the sellers agent on your behalf and liaison with your lender, lawyer, home inspectors, appraisers etc and make your home purchase as seamless as possible for you. Simply put we are your advocate!


If you are ready to start looking for your first home, your dream home or even just looking to make a change we are here to help you make the right move.

If you have questions about anything real estate, whether it’s buying, selling or looking to build a new home we have answers!


Happy Home Shopping! 


Karin & Jen

Your Proven Regina Real Estate Team





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Hawkstone Village is a 2 storey townhouse condominium complex  located in Regina's NW development, Hawkstone, close to schools, shopping and services. Hawkstone Village, is a partnership project with Varsity & Gilroy Homes and has the benefit of a builder/developer team with over 30 years’ experience in custom home building in Regina. They have a solid reputation for the quality of their product, and it shows in this project!  We, the W2 Team, are happy to represent this project.



The 1023 sq ft 2 storey townhouses, with undeveloped basement space, are now starting at $240,000 (including GST). You can customize your own unit with a choice of preset colour combination & upgrade options based on your personal taste and budget, and If you require a quick possession we have designed some great units that are move-in ready!


You can check out the available move-in ready listings linked below:

Our Hawkstone Village Listings


The 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath units have great standard finishes including carpet & linoleum (upgrade options for laminate & tile), shaker style cabinets in 3 colours, 2 choices of lighting packages, blinds package included,a $3200 appliance credit so ou can choose your own, as well as upgrade options for central air conditioning & granite countertops.


One electrified parking stall is included with the option to purchase a 2nd stall.




The Hawkstone Village show suite is located at 3469 Elgaard Drive, facing Rochdale Boulevard, weekends 1-5PM or you can call to schedule an appointment for viewing!  


For more information contact us at:

info@W2realtyteam.com


Follow us on Facebook:

Hawkstone Village Townhouses


You can also check out more details & the unit floorplan at:

HawkstoneVillage.com



Happy home shopping!

Karin & Jen


Your Proven Regina Real Estate Team



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There are a lot of moving parts in the purchase of a home and assembling a good team that you are happy working with is really important!  Of course finding an agent to work with to help you find that home is the first thing you may think about but the “team” also consists of a Mortgage Broker, Home inspector and a real estate Lawyer.  We can help guide you through that process and refer you to great qualified people in those industries as well, and we will talk about that in Part II of this blog. 


So first, choosing your real estate agent!  The whole point of working with a real estate agent is to have a knowledgeable professional represent your interests throughout the home-buying process, from identifying possible homes to closing the deal. So you want to find an agent who has your priorities and best interests at heart.




What things should you consider when you are choosing your agent? 

  • Compatibility: Is the agent someone you would enjoy working with? You’re not looking for a new best friend, but you’ll spend a lot of time with your agent as you view homes, discuss strategy, fill out paperwork, and the myriad of other activities involved in finding & buying the right …or “right for now” home.
  • Understanding: It’s important that your agent “gets” what you’re looking for in a home. Otherwise, you’ll both waste your time looking at properties that aren’t a good fit for you…that being said it usually takes looking at a few homes to narrow down your preferences and really get a feel for what you are liking…or not!
  • Availability: Look for an agent who’ll work with your schedule. You don’t want to find yourself missing opportunities because you can never find a common time to meet. That is one of the benefits we offer as a team….sometimes you get both of us but if one isn’t available the other one is.  We like to say you get 2 for 1 when you choose the W2 team!
  • Trustworthiness: Your agent has what we call a “fiduciary duty” to you; that means your relationship is based on trust and confidence. You need to work with someone you trust to deal with you fairly, to keep your confidential information….well confidential. And to represent you with both honesty and integrity...that should go without saying.

We would also add to this list that you should feel that your agent will work well in communicating with both the seller of a property when required and the seller’s agent through the process of negotiating a purchase on your behalf.  Having good communication skills and a positive working relationship with all parties involved will be helpful in producing a good end result! 


We thoroughly enjoy the process of working with our clients to find the perfect home and we want them to know that we are there to help no matter how long it takes or how many houses we need to see until we find the right one.   That’s what you need to feel when you choose your agent!


If you are starting the process of looking for a home or condo in the Regina area, and have questions, whether it is new or resale, we are here to help you make the right move.


Happy House Hunting!

Karin & Jen

 

Your Proven Regina Real Estate Team




 

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What is Warehouse style really all about?  From rustic to refined, it's all about your personality!


Our W2 Team was "born" in the Warehouse District as we were developing raw undeveloped space into condos of our own so we know this from the inside out & have an affinity for the style aesthetic. 



Baring it all in design takes some courage, and modern industrial interior design is about exposing all that lies beneath to achieve the raw, edgy style that is the hallmark of the warehouse loft! 


What normally we would take great pains to hide, the industrial warehouse loft style boldly puts on display.

You have to have some vision to see what that space can be!



Structural elements, like beams, ventilation systems & exposed brick, are turned into design features, achieving a look that seems unfinished, yet cohesive and chic.


Modern industrial /warehouse design offers you a unique opportunity to juxtapose the raw with the refined, the sleek and modern with the vintage, rustic and classic.



That is what you will see in all of the unique Warehouse District properties in YQR and it’s exactly why we love the district so much! There are no two spaces the same as each as has been individually designed and is a true reflection of personal style. 


The area has developed in the past 2 decades from a quirky, basically unknown neighbourhood to a bustling trendy hub of residences & new thriving businesses....shops & services, restaurants, brewpubs, coffee shops, numerous fitness centres, and now even a local grocer....all much needed & especially appreciated by the residents of the area!

Click the link below to check out all of the great shops & services in the District.


So what’s it like to live in Regina’s Warehouse District….do you have questions about  loft living?  


Just ask….we have personal experience and are to happy to share it!



Happy Home Shopping!


~ Karin & Jen



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