Posts

Showing posts from July, 2025

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...

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Fixer-Upper

Image
Buying a fixer-upper can be a smart way to get into a desirable neighborhood or build equity fast — but it’s not always as simple as TV makes it look. Before you grab your hammer and vision board, here are five key things to consider if you're thinking about buying a property that needs some work. 1. Condition of the Property Fixer-uppers come in all shapes and sizes — from simple cosmetic updates to full gut jobs. Knowing what you’re walking into is crucial. You’ll need to either have (or hire) skills in project management, budgeting, and construction to tackle the renovation successfully. If you’re not hands-on, make sure you have a team you trust — and a realistic sense of how much time and effort is involved. 2. Renovation Costs & Budget One of the most common mistakes buyers make is underestimating renovation costs. Before you even make an offer, get rough estimates on major upgrades — kitchen, bath, roof, electrical, etc. And always build in a 15–20% contingency for unexp...