Is Kingston, Ontario Still Worth It for Real Estate Investors?

  A ground-level view on cost of living, buying power, and whether it makes sense anymore Let me be straight with you: I’m having a hard time making the numbers work in Ontario right now. And I’m not sure anyone is being honest enough about it. I work in real estate. I’ve seen how things get built, priced, and sold. So when I look at the cost of living in Kingston - and Ontario broadly - and then compare it to what you’re actually getting for your money, something doesn’t add up. This isn’t doom and gloom. It’s just an honest look at what the market is actually doing and what it means if you’re thinking about buying investment property here. The Cost of Living Reality Check Kingston used to be one of those “hidden gem” cities. Smaller than Toronto, cheaper than Ottawa, decent rental market because of Queen’s University and RMC. That story made sense five years ago. Today? Not so much. AVG. HOME PRICE $600K+ Kingston, 2024–25 AVG. RENT (2BR) $2,100+ Per month GROCERY COST HIGH vs. c...

SiZe - Does it matter?

Ah, the age-old question. Does size matter? Any house can feel like home if you put the right time, care, and people into it. Homes come in all shapes and sizes, allowing us to have some options when looking into a house to make our home. Is it better to have a larger home or a smaller home? When looking into buying a new home, many people think they should aim to get the largest house they can afford (sometimes not afford). But square feet per dollar is not always the best measurement of a house’s worth. Let me show you some of the perks of owning a smaller home and of course some of the cons. 

Pro: 


  • Lower bills. Just think of all the space you won’t be heating in the winter and cooling in the summer! In a smaller home, you’ll notice lower utility bills all around. Another expense that will likely decrease is the amount you spend on furniture for your home. you will have to buy less of it.


  • You’re less likely to hoard a bunch of stuff you don’t need. If you’re limited on space, you’ll learn to use less. And usually buy better quality of the things you do need. So you can stop carting around all those useless items that you have lugged around for the past years like that guitar you were always going to learn how to play.


  • Cleaning and maintenance. Less space means fewer square feet to mop, dust, and fix. It is also much easier to keep tidy, no more finding cups and plates hidden in rooms you never knew you had (thanks kids for the science experiments).


  • Your home will be cozy and comforting. Small homes can be charming, cozy, and entirely complete.

Con: 


  • Rooms can become puzzles. Speaking of furniture, if you are bringing large pieces with you from a more spacious previous home, you could have a hard time fitting it all in. 


  • Things clutter easily. Though you will be less likely to hoard in a smaller home, you will still have to be conscious of the items you do have in your space. Especially for those who have children and/or spouses (because obviously, you are not to blame).


  • It’s tough to host gatherings. Your house might not be the most comfortable place to host the entire extended family for Thanksgiving. However with some families that could also be a pro.


No matter what home you buy, as a realtor I always try to guide my clients into the right home, not the biggest, not the smallest. But the one that will work best for them and the families growing needs.




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