Home Ownership & Renting

Useful guidance at all stages of the renting process Renting For Canadians For Dummies helps soon-to-be renters feel confident navigating the multi-step renting process. Inside, you'll learn how to find a place that works for your needs and budget, get your security deposit back when you move out, and everything in between. In straightforward language, this book helps you feel prepared for any surprises that might crop up during the renting process. Real-life scenarios and realistic advice make this an essential resource that you can turn to time and again for reliable, comprehensive renting advice. Find safe, legitimate rental property listings, and avoid overpriced rentals and scams Get Canada-specific information for dealing with application criteria, negotiating a lease, securing tenancy insurance, and advocating for yourself Learn what makes condo living different for tenants—and sometimes better! Discover creative ideas for sprucing up your new space, without knocking down any walls Anyone in Canada who needs a refresher on the complex renting process can find the information they need in this book.

Untangle the renting process and find your perfect place Renting For Dummies explains everything you, as a renter, need to know. Search for the ideal home, put in your application, and get yourself moved in. You’ll learn how to effectively hunt for rentals, figure out what you can afford, and how to find the neighborhood that’s best for you. Want to find a roommate? Need help with your application? Not sure whether your lease allows you to keep your beloved pet goldfish? This Dummies guide has you covered, with all the renting advice, and none of the confusing babble. Streamline the renting process with tips on finding good rentals Read real-life scenarios to help you navigate roommates, pets, applications, and beyond Ask the right questions and negotiate a lease that’s fair to everyone Get tips for maintaining your place, setting up utilities, and handling repairsIf you want to get up to speed on today’s rental landscape, Renting For Dummies is the jargon-free resource for you.

Organize, declutter, donate—downsize and simplify your life Downsizing For Dummies provides you with strategies to downsize your life by moving to a smaller home, decluttering, simplifying your budget, and saving more money. You’ll find tips to help decrease your cost of living, lower your home maintenance costs, protect and leverage your assets, and decide whether downsizing is right for you and your family. After downsizing your life, you’ll save time on household chores and gain the freedom and flexibility that come with having fewer possessions. What will you do with all the time you save? Downsizing For Dummies will help you understand the benefits of living simply! Discover ways to declutter and simplify every corner of your life Weight the pros and cons of moving to a smaller home Save time and money by cutting down on your chores and home maintenance Experience a reduced stress level when you create space at home and work This book is for anyone who is ready to live clutter-free and to downsize. It’s the perfect Dummies guide for homeowners looking to save money, plus real estate brokers who are working with clients who are downsizing, and designers and builders of new homes who want to stay on top of the downsizing trend.

You deserve a home that meets your specific needs and desires!  If you find yourself dreaming of the perfect patio, the ideal kitchen, and inviting rooms where you love to spend time, it might just be time to start building! With Building Your Custom Home For Dummies, you won’t have to feel intimidated as you plan, finance, and oversee construction on your new oasis. You’ll learn what it takes to build a custom home, including which pros to call and when. This updated edition also covers the latest in real estate and home construction trends, including smart homes, green building, and banking options.  It's more important than ever to live in a home that’s truly how you want it, truly your own. Now is the perfect time to get started—if you’re still in the dreaming stage, this book will help you identify your style and articulate your vision. If you’re further along in the process, you’ll benefit from checklists and pointers on reviewing architects’ plans, evaluating contractor bids, flipping the home you build, and more.  The latest guidance on building a beautiful home on any budget  New ideas for high-tech homes with low carbon footprints  Step-by-step instructions for securing financing, hiring architects, and finding reliable contractors  Advice on how to invest your home-building budget wisely and plan for the future  Building Your Custom Home For Dummies takes you from finding the perfect homesite through laying the foundation to framing and finishing—in the friendly Dummies style you can trust. 

Make your next house sale or purchase a homerun with the latest edition of this celebrated Canadian guide In the Fifth Edition of Buying and Selling a Home For Canadians For Dummies, best-selling authors and real estate experts Douglas Gray and Peter Mitham unpack the good, the bad, and the "I can't believe I didn't think of that" of buying or selling a home in Canada. Buyers will discover the answers to the questions that have kept them up at night, from whether they need an agent to what they should look for in a new home. Sellers will find out how to price their home for maximum value, the real costs associated with real estate sales, and how to list their place. Real estate doesn't have to be intimidating. Gray and Mitham show you how to navigate a home sale or purchase with skill and confidence and have fun doing it. You'll: Identify unique, regional issues you should consider whether you're buying a condo in Toronto or a two-bedroom in Yellowknife Discover how to maximize your home's asking price by presenting it in its best light Learn the tricks of the trade when it comes to finding hidden gems and diamonds in the rough in a seller's market Perfect for first-time home buyers and sellers as well as people who've been around the block a few times, Buying and Selling a Home For Canadians For Dummies is the ultimate guide for Canucks who are looking for expert help throughout this seriously important and exciting process.

Your turn-key guide to crucial information about buying a new home before you take the plunge Home Buying Kit For Dummies, 7th Edition simplifies and explains the home-buying process to new home buyers everywhere. Authors Eric Tyson, MBA and Ray Brown inform and educate readers in the simple, straightforward and incisive style the For Dummies series is known for across the world. This book covers all the topics necessary to tackle the purchase of a home with confidence, including: Complete coverage of new US tax rules and strategies What's happening with home financing given the high home prices and fluctuating economies found in many markets How to compare renting and buying in light of new rules regarding mortgage interest and property tax write-offs Updated coverage of internet resources and how to best utilize them as a buyer The 7th Edition of Home Buying Kit For Dummies offers brand new content of particular interest to millennial homebuyers, as well as freshly updated online companion content.

Sell your house in any market Whether you're selling your home yourself or using a realtor, this helpful guide offers all the information you need to make an otherwise-stressful undertaking go smoothly. In Selling Your House For Dummies, you'll find plain-English, easy-to-follow information on the latest mortgage application and approval processes, the hottest websites used in the house-selling process, and revised tax laws that affect the housing and real estate markets. From the author team behind America's #1 bestselling real estate book, Home Buying Kit For Dummies, this book offers Eric Tyson and Ray Brown's time-tested advice, recommendations, and strategies for selling your house given current market conditions. From staging your home to utilizing technology to sell your house directly to home buyers, this trusted resource is packed with tips and ideas to make your home the most appealing house on the block. Prepare your property for the best offer Stage and market your house successfully Negotiate and successfully close the sale Make sense of contracts and forms used in the house-selling process Get the tried-and-true advice that will help you sell your property!

Whether you're buying a second home or looking to invest, the smart money is heading to Eastern Europe. Plan every aspect of your property investment with this expert guide that walks you step-by-step through the property market in 14 countries and helps you weigh up the rewards and the risks of choosing one location over another.