Dan DaCosta Real Estate Group

As the holidays approach, most people shift into shopping, decorating, and family-gathering mode — but here’s a little real estate secret: the weeks leading up to Christmas can be one of the best times of the year to buy a home. If you're looking for value, motivation, and less competition, December might be your moment. Here’s why: 1. Less Buyer Competition Most buyers hit pause during the holiday season, which means fewer offers, less pressure, and more negotiating power for you. Homes that would usually have multiple offers in spring might only have yours in December. 2. Motivated Sellers Anyone listing their home in December typically needs to sell — whether it’s a job relocation, a closing deadline, or simply wanting the property off their books before year-end. That motivation can translate into better pricing, flexible terms, and faster negotiations. 3. Potential Year-End Deals Some sellers are more open to price adjustments, repairs, or inclusions (like appliances...

Every year, on November 11, something rare happens. The world goes quiet. Cars pause. Conversations stop. Children in school gyms lower their voices. Veterans straighten their medals. And at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we observe two minutes of silence. This is Remembrance Day. It isn’t a festival, a sale, or a long weekend. It is a Canadian tradition rooted in respect—for the soldiers who served, the ones who never came home, and the families who carried the weight of war long after the headlines faded. Why November 11? On November 11, 1918, the First World War finally ended. A conflict that reshaped the world, scarred nations, and cost millions of lives came to a close. The date became a symbol: peace hard-won and never forgotten. The Poppy: A Small Flower with a Tremendous Story The red poppy worn on jackets and coats is more than decoration. During the First World War, the soil of Flanders Fields was torn apart by artillery. Yet, through shattered g...

Every real estate agent has a story that still makes the hair on the back of their neck stand up. This one takes place right here in Kingston , in a quiet neighborhood not far from the waterfront — where a “simple” showing turned into something straight out of a ghost story. It was late October, just before dusk, when I met a young couple to tour an older limestone home on lets call it “ABC Street”. The property looked great on paper — classic 1800s charm, original trim, tall windows, and that historic Kingston character buyers love. But as soon as we stepped inside, something felt… off. The air was cold — colder than outside — and had that stillness you only feel in vacant homes. We made it through the main floor fine, admiring the antique details and slightly creaky floors. But then we reached the basement. The lights down there didn’t work. No big deal — old wiring, I thought. I pulled out my phone flashlight, and we started down the stairs. The moment my foot hit the concrete, my f...

Fall in Kingston is gorgeous — red maples, pumpkin spice everything, and that brief sweet spot before winter arrives and reminds us why snow tires are a thing. But before you curl up with a butter tart and Netflix, it’s time to get your house ready for the season. Here’s how to do it without feeling like you signed up for a second job. 1. Check Your Heating System (Because January is Not the Time for Surprises) Nothing says “romance” like a furnace tune-up. Book a professional inspection now so you’re not shivering under three blankets in February, Googling “DIY furnace repair” at 2 a.m. Pro tip: if you have a fireplace or wood stove, make sure your chimney is clean — squirrels don’t count as insulation. 2. Seal Up Drafts (Your Hydro Bill Will Thank You) Downtown Kingston is full of beautiful old limestone homes… and beautiful old drafts. Walk around with a candle or an incense stick — if the flame flickers or the smoke dances, that’s a draft. A little weather stripping now means fewer...