We’ve said it a million times, but it bears repeating: Hamilton is a great place to put down roots. For many parents who decide to move to Hamilton or raise their kids here, it’s not just the great schools and tight-knit communities that make this city the ideal place to call home. It’s also the sheer number of all-ages activities available. To tell you the truth, we had trouble narrowing this list down to just a small handful of enjoyable things to do!

If you’re looking for family fun in Hamilton, here are five must-visit places in the area…

1) Explore Dundurn Castle

Dundurn Castle is one of Hamilton’s major attractions, but did you know that this 18,000-square-foot villa is as fun for school-age kids as it is for adults? Built for politician and businessman Sir Alan Napier Mcnabb, this grand living space was constructed between 1834 and 1835. Its Italiante architecture is a true marvel—as is the scenery on the grounds outside, which overlook Burlington Bay. So round up the family for a guided tour. You’ll enjoy taking a peek into Ontario’s history, and the kids, well…they’ll love wandering around a massive castle. Who says educational experiences can’t also be fun?

2) Cool down at Wild Waterworks

When the weather is warm, Wild Waterworks is the place to be. This ultra-fun, family-friendly attraction is a Confederation Park staple. If you’re spending a full day at the waterpark, you might want to start by renting a cabana. Complete with lounging chairs and tables, these spaces are perfect for decamping as a family before you start exploring. Next up, take the kids to check out the park’s many attractions, which include thrilling body slides, a lazy tube ride, and one of the largest wave pools in Canada. There’s even a “Little Squirts” area that features slides and fountains for the littlest members of your family.

3) Visit the Hamilton Children’s Museum

While there are plenty of fun things to do with older kids in the city, entertaining little ones can be a bit of a challenge. That’s why we’re so lucky to have an engaging space that even very young children can enjoy! Located in Gage Park, the Hamilton Children’s Museum is a historic home that’s been converted into a big play centre. You’ll find a craft room, tons of toys and dress-up items, play equipment, and much more. One of the most notable exhibit galleries is designed to mimic a large ship—the perfect environment for kids to exercise their imaginations. Put simply, the Hamilton Children’s Museum is a can’t-miss attraction if you have toddlers or younger kids!

4) Grab a bite at a kid-friendly eatery

We’ve written about Hamilton’s food scene before, and for good reason. But as excited as we are about the many creative eateries popping up around the city, not all of them are child-friendly. Luckily, foodies with kids have some very solid options. Chicago Style Pizza is one of our favourite local go-to’s for families who love Italian, while HAMBRGR serves up perfectly-crafted burgers that are a cut above the average. If you’re looking for a lot of different options, try Earth to Table Bread Bar. In addition to kiddie classics like mac n’ cheese, you’ll find gourmet salads, sandwiches, and sides. At both the James and Locke Street locations, there’s a little bit of something for everyone!

5) Spend a day at the park

One of the best things about Hamilton is its beautiful green spaces. Gage Park is one of our all-time favourites—and not just because it’s home to the Hamilton Children’s Museum. Here, you’ll find a fantastic playground, an over 180,000-square-foot greenhouse, and an abundance of nature paths to explore. Throughout the year, there’s also no shortage of family-friendly events to attend. Case in point: the Northern Heat Festival, which will be taking place on August 10th. Check out some top-notch live performances while enjoying an ice cream cone or funnel cake at this annual event! Other beloved Hamilton green spaces include Bayfront and Sealey Parks.

Interested in learning more about life in Hamilton, and maybe even seeing some of the beautiful homes on the market here? Get in touch—we’d love to show you what makes life in this city so great!

Whether it’s your first time renting or you’re moving to a different unit, there are many factors to consider when renting. While moving to a new home can be exciting, there are a few things you should do to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Justin Podmoroff, who works as a leasing specialist with Woolcott Real Estate, shares his top three tips below.

1) Consider your monthly costs 

You’ve put together your first month’s rent and you’re good to go, right? Wrong. Besides the monthly rent, there are a few other costs you’ll need to consider when renting. It’s important to know what to expect, because the expenses can come as a shock if you’re not prepared. Some of the things you’ll want to think about include furnishings and moving costs. Additionally, after you’ve moved in, there will be a number of ongoing costs to factor in—such as utilities (gas, hydro, water, phone, internet, and cable) along with tenant insurance. It’s a good idea to get a sense of how much initial and ongoing costs tend to total for the type of home you’re looking at in your area. This step is important because it can have a major impact on your initial monthly rental budget.

2) Remember: your deposit is due within 24 hours

Once your monthly budget is worked out, it’s time to view some potential new homes! Before you get started, ensure that you have the necessary funds on hand so you can secure your dream pad right away. Typically, landlords request first and last month’s rent as a deposit, and this needs to be submitted within 24 hours of an accepted offer to lease. Don’t worry – this deposit can only be used for last month’s rent (requesting damage deposits is illegal for landlords in Ontario).

3) Fill out the proper paperwork 

When it comes to renting a house or apartment, many people are unaware of the supporting documents they’ll need. A landlord typically likes to review the following: a detailed credit report, a reference letter from your current landlord, a letter of employment, and two recent paystubs. All of these items will help the landlord determine if you’re a good potential tenant. Your Realtor will put these documents together as part of an offer to lease package for the landlord to consider. Upon an accepted offer, you and the landlord will complete the mandatory Ontario Residential Tenancy Agreement forms to ensure that you’re both protected.

If you’re interested in renting, call Woolcott Real Estate at 905 332 9223 today! We have an in-house leasing team with specialized knowledge in the rental market—and they’re here to protect your interests.

There’s no doubt that purchasing a home can be complicated. And for many buyers, applying for a mortgage is one of the most confusing steps. It’s not just the logistics of getting a loan that can be tricky—it’s also figuring out where to go when you need one. While banks are often considered the obvious go-to, mortgage brokers are becoming more popular by the day. The truth is that both options can come with benefits and drawbacks, and the one that’s right for you will depend on your home-buying needs, goals and preferences.

If you’re ready for a mortgage and can’t decide between a bank or a broker, consider these major pros and cons…

Brokers: the pros

Now more than ever before, home buyers are turning to mortgage brokers when they need financing. There are a few reasons why you might want to follow their lead.

Access to more financial products

If you go to your bank for a mortgage, they’ll only offer you their own financial products and services. Not so when it comes to brokers, who can present you with many different options from various lending institutions. The advantages can range from lower interest rates to better terms and conditions.

Less leg work for you

If you work with a broker, they’ll shop around, find the best deals out there, and present them to you. In other words, you won’t have to spend your time and effort scouring the marketplace—and you can avoid a whole lot of stress.

They specialize in mortgages

Brokers are completely focused on mortgages, which are their sole area of expertise. As a result, they devote a lot of their time to maintaining ongoing relationships with lenders—including some you may not find on your own. Brokers also know who you shouldn’t work with (due to hidden fees and other often-overlooked issues).

Brokers: the cons

While there are a whole lot of potential benefits associated with going the broker route, there are also some reasons why you might choose to work with your bank instead.

A broker doesn’t know you

You have a preexisting relationship with your bank, and they know your financial situation inside and out. In contrast, a broker may not have the same in-depth understanding of how different mortgage options will impact your debts, your investments, and your future plans.

They may be less stable

There’s a certain amount of peace of mind associated with choosing one of the big banks. They’re established and efficient, which can mean less risk on your end. Having said that, it would be a mistake to assume that working with a broker is hazardous. To reduce any potential risk, do your homework and ask the right questions.

Banks: the pros

Though many home buyers have begun turning to brokers for their mortgages, many remain loyal to their banks. Here’s why you might consider doing the same.

Your existing relationship

Put simply, you know your bank. Thanks to firsthand experience, you’re already familiar with how they do business. That level of trust can translate into fewer questions and less confusion on your end, which will likely mean a smoother process and less stress overall.

They can provide the big picture

Your financial history can be very helpful when it comes time to apply for a mortgage. Your bank knows your account balances, your credit card payments, and more. Armed with this information, they’re in a good position to provide you with efficient service—and help you achieve your short and long-term goals.

A sense of security

The big banks offer a great deal of stability, and they have well-established processes in place. Many borrowers just won’t get the same feeling of security from working with a broker as they will from a major financial institution.

Banks: the cons

There are a few potential cons associated with getting a mortgage from your bank. Here’s the biggest.

Access to fewer products

Of course, the biggest potential downside of working with a bank is the fact that they’ll only present you with their own products. When you have fewer options, you might not wind up with the best deal available. The good news is, you may be able to negotiate with your bank for a lower rate than they offer right off the bat—and your pre-existing relationship could go a long way if you do.

At first glance, obtaining a mortgage can look pretty complex. So it’s no surprise that many first-timers get tripped up when it comes time to start the process. The good news is, you have a choice. With a bit of consideration and some advice from a real estate agent who knows the local lending landscape, you can find the solution that will work for you.

Are you ready to buy your dream home? We have the knowledge and experience to act as your guides at every step. Get in touch—we’d love to help!

If you’ve just started your home search, there’s a good chance you’ve been hearing some unfamiliar real estate terminology. One of the terms that sometimes causes confusion for buyers is “bully offer.” While it may not sound very nice, making this type of bid could help you get the home of your dreams in a competitive situation. On the flip side, bully offers don’t always make sense—and they’ve even generated some recent controversy in Ontario.

Wondering what a bully offer is, whether you should make one, and what all the fuss is about? Here’s everything home buyers need to know…

What is a bully offer?

A “bully offer” is simply a bid that’s made on a home before the date specified in the listing. If a seller states that they won’t be accepting any offers before July 9th and you make one on the 8th, that would fit the criteria. If you decide to go this route, your bid should be tempting enough to make the seller believe they’ll be missing out if they reject it.

Of course, we’ve found that many buyers are curious about the name. Why is it called a “bully offer?” The idea is that by submitting your bid before the date the seller has set, you’re pressuring (or “bullying”) them into selling you their home.

The truth is, the homeowner is always in the driver’s seat. Ultimately, they have the right to accept your bid, or to wait until their offer date to consider others that might come in. For this reason, some people don’t like the term “bully offer,” and they may say “pre-emptive offer” instead.

The pros and cons of making one

Wondering about the benefits of making a bully offer? It’s simple. If your bid is attractive enough, the seller might accept it. As a buyer, you’ll secure the home of your dreams—while avoiding the hassles and headaches that usually come along with a bidding war.

Needless to say, there are also some potential cons. The biggest is that you could wind up overpaying. The truth is, your ideal living space may not drum up much interest from other buyers. It happens sometimes. If you bid high only to learn that the property you’re purchasing hasn’t received any other offers, it may leave you wishing that you’d waited for offer night.

It’s also possible that the seller will stick to their guns, refusing to look at your offer before the date they’ve specified. But they’ll probably still consider it when that day arrives, which means you won’t be any worse off for trying.

When should you consider it?

A bully offer can help you achieve your home-buying goals, but only under the right circumstances. Because they usually involve significant amounts of money (enough to entice a seller who’s planning to wait), you should ensure that making this type of bid is worth it.

Let’s say you’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with a property. If you know you’ll be heartbroken if you don’t get to call it home, making a highly-attractive bully offer could be your smartest course of action. The same is true if you’ve lost out to other buyers in the past. If this sounds familiar, you probably know exactly what you want this time around. A bully offer may make a lot of sense if you’re truly determined.

Another time you might want to make a pre-emptive offer is when the listing price for a great property is really low. Your agent can help you determine the true worth of a home. If it’s undervalued, making a bully offer that’s significantly higher than what the seller is asking for could result in a solid return on your investment. But you should also be aware that some sellers price low in order to attract a lot of interest. When this is the case, they may want to wait and see how many appealing offers they can get.

The bottom line

While a bully offers can be helpful, you should know that not everyone is fond of them. Some buyers (and their agents) believe they provide an unfair advantage to the people who make them. More importantly, there are sellers who will reject them outright. That said, in some situations, the pros of making a preemptive bid far outweigh the cons.

Your agent can help you weigh all of the factors at play—and decide whether making a bully offer is right for you. If you do make one, they’ll ensure it’s as attractive as possible (which means finding the right dollar amount and cutting down on or removing the conditions you include).

Put simply, don’t fear the bully offer! It’s one of many potential buying strategies, and exploring it with an experienced professional can sometimes pay off big time.

Are you ready to find the home of your dreams? We have the local market knowledge and experience to help. Contact us to discuss your needs today.

Buying your first home can be daunting. First-time buyers are immersed in a world filled with a whole new language and it can be difficult to determine where to begin.

Peter Woolcott, a buyer agent with Re/Max Escarpment Woolcott Realty Inc., has worked with a number of first time of buyers and has an extensive list of tips for first-time buyers looking to get into the real estate market.

Make a list of priorities

“One of the first things I tell first-time homebuyers is to sit down and really think about what they want to buy,” says Woolcott. “It’s not just features of the home, but also the neighbourhood, distance to work, proximity to restaurants and shops and more.”

Woolcott recommends creating a list and separating it into wants and needs, as this will keep priorities top-of-mind when it comes to actually viewing homes.

Ask questions

“Buying your first home will often be filled with lots of questions,” says Woolcott. “Don’t be afraid to ask your agent what a certain term means, or how the process works.”

According to Woolcott, some buyers refer to Google to answer their questions, but that only ends up with them being more confused. He says answering questions is one of the primary responsibilities of a buyer agent.

Get pre-approved

When getting started in the home-buying process, one of the early steps a first-time buyer should take is to get pre-approval.

“Pre-approval makes the whole home-buying process less stressful,” says Woolcott. “If you know how much you can afford from the outset, you’ll save time by only looking at homes within your price range, and once you find the perfect home, you’ll be able to put in an offer right away.”

Work with a dedicated buyer’s agent

There are agents who work with only listings, those who work with both buyers and sellers, and those who work only buyers.

There are many advantages of working with a dedicated buyer’s agent. A successful buyer agent is in dozens of homes each week and thus, knows the values of homes and is also well-versed in knowing what issues to look for in homes that can save buyers money in the long and short term.

Choose an experienced agent

Since buying a home is uncharted territory for first-time buyers, the importance of working with an experienced buyer agent who has a strong track record can’t be stressed enough.

Ask prospective agents about the number of transactions they’ve done, if they’ve worked with first-time buyers and if they’ve done transactions in the local market.

If you are a first-time home buyer and want to know more about the home-buying process, click here to schedule a free, no-obligation appointment with one of the team’s top buyer agents.

Hamilton is known for many things. Its growing music and arts and scene. Its mix of big-city convenience and small-town charm. And, of course, the naturally beautiful landscapes that surround it. But there’s one major perk of living here that many outsiders aren’t aware of—the incredible restaurants. A complete tour of our city’s eateries would include everything from sophisticated French cuisine to inventive fusion dishes to perfectly-grilled burgers.

If you decide to explore the culinary delights of Hamilton, here are five hotspots you simply can’t miss…

1) Lo Presti’s at Maxwell

If you’re an Italian food fan, you’ll love the timeless menu at Lo Presti’s at Maxwell. Traditional seafood, meat and pasta dishes are all cooked to perfection here, and the wine list complements the menu extraordinarily well. If you need a recommendation for the right glass of vino, don’t worry. Your knowledgeable server can provide one. When it comes to the atmosphere, this downtown gem is elegant—almost like an upscale supper club. This environment makes Lo Presti’s the ideal option for your next special occasion, whether it’s a graduation dinner or a big date.

2) Born and Raised

It’s the James Street North eatery that everybody’s been talking about. In this case, the hype is warranted. The menu at Born and Raised features both flavourful small plates and crowd-pleasing main dishes—like wood-fired pizzas and savoury pastas. There’s a bit of something for everyone here, though slightly adventurous eaters will be especially appreciative of combinations like pork cheek, pineapple, and pickled habaneros. Oh, and did we mention the cocktails? If you fancy a drink before your meal, you’ll find plenty of options that are almost as exciting as the food!

3) Mattson & Co

If you’re looking for a lively dining experience, check out Mattson & Co. This Locke Street eatery turns into a musical hotspot on weekends, when talented jazz performers take the stage. Trust us, it’s a lot of fun. That said, no matter when you go, you’ll enjoy some seriously delicious bistro-inspired fare. From eggs benedict to mussels and frites, every dish you try will leave you wanting more. You’ll even find a selection of vegan options. The best part? Mattson & Co focuses on using locally-sourced ingredients, making the fare it serves up some of the freshest in Hamilton.

4) Mezcal Tacos and Tequila

Looking for a Mexican restaurant that never disappoints? We know there are a lot of chefs doing creative things with tacos, but the way they’re crafted at Mezcal takes things to a whole new level. Herbs, spices, heat, salt, savouriness—every component of the dishes at this James Street restaurant balances out the others perfectly. Another part of what makes the tacos here so special is the seasonal, Ontario-grown produce. Add some high-quality tequila (this place only serves the good stuff), and you have a truly inspired dinner.

5) HAMBRGR

There may have been a time when the words “handcrafted” and “burger” didn’t go well together. That time has passed. While the food at HAMBRGR is far from pretentious, the chefs here do take constructing their signature dish pretty seriously. The highest-quality patties are combined with a variety of incredible toppings (think crispy onions, smoked mozzarella, and smashed avocado), and the results are delicious. Believe it or not, the vegetarian options are just as good! If you dine in, you’ll also appreciate the rustic decor—which includes exposed brick and chalkboard walls.

Interested in learning more about life in Hamilton, and maybe even seeing some of the beautiful homes on the market here? Get in touch—we’d love to show you what makes life in this city so great!