Page 10 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 156

10 Issue #156 January 2026 www.sportsenergynews.com

Neighbourly Advice From Our Local Professionals
om Our
Neighbourly
Local Pr
Advice Fr
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By Brian Johnston are still tripping up many purchasers. sharply once the paperwork began,
Mortgage Specialist Many Ontario buyers enter the housing according to the results of a survey
market feeling financially ready, but published by Toronto-based digital
Mortgage Terms and Closing Costs that confidence often unravels at closing real estate law platform, Ownright.
Leave Many Homebuyers Confused when mortgage terms, adjustments, and Nearly half (46%) said mortgage
unexpected costs surface. A full 97% terms were the most confusing part of
An Ownright survey of recent Ontario
of recent buyers felt at least somewhat closing, and 37% reported moderate
buyers shows that early financial
confidence fades at closing, where prepared at the time of purchase, yet to significant financial stress due to
many said their confidence dropped
unclear terms and unexpected costs Continued on page 12

the last 30-60 days for a more accurate have people that want to try a little higher
By Michael VanderMeer figure of what your home should sell for. price, and we will try, but if your price is too
Real Estate Agent
In some cases, there are not a lot of good high, you may end up taking less down the
Pricing Your Home For The Market comparables’ so we may have to go a little road than if you had priced it competitively
When evaluating your home to determine further back and then adjust for time. in the first place. Pricing your home
your value, our biggest tool is recent sales, When you are given a price, it is based properly will create more activity, lead to a
although we also look at current listings on recent sales. We adjust for different faster sale, and in most cases, more money.
that you will be competing against when factors such as size, location, outbuildings, In the end it is your decision on what price
you put your house on the market. condition, and extras. These adjustments to list at, but you should pay close attention
When comparing your home to other sales will give you an idea of what price you to the comparable sales, your competition,
we like to keep the comparables’ within should list your home at. Occasionally we and your Realtor’s advice.

Markets do not move in straight lines. decisions begin to creep in.
Max Ming P.Eng. CFP ®
Financial Planner Over long periods, returns tend to settle The goal of investing is not to chase
around historical norms, but the path to market highs or capture every strong year.
The Law of Averages: get there is uneven. Strong years are The focus should remain on earning the
Keeping Perspective After Good Years often followed by quieter stretches and, at returns a plan actually requires over time,
The past three years have been good ones times, sharp but temporary declines along while recognizing in advance that periods
for investors. Portfolios have recovered the way. This is not a flaw in the system. of volatility are part of the journey.
strongly since 2022, markets have It is how markets work.
reached new highs, and many financial As a new year begins, it’s worth keeping By setting realistic expectations and
plans appear comfortably on track. That’s one idea in mind: planning for more difficult stretches ahead
When markets reach new highs, it’s easy of time, investors are better positioned to
welcome news. But strong periods like this are also when to anchor expectations there and assume sit through them calmly when they arrive,
expectations tend to drift higher, often without people realizing those levels represent a new baseline. rather than reacting in the moment. That
it. When markets inevitably cool off or discipline is what keeps long-term plans
This is where long-term perspective matters. decline, that is often when emotional on track.

With our 2026 “Just Homes Listing Program”, Homeowners will never pay more than

3 3/4%+ HST commission which includes full weekly local newspaper

Owned and Operated by M. Jean Cameron Real Estate Limited advertising until sold, internet promotion and even an open house program when needed.
Serving the Community since 1959
The savings may not stop here. When we sell your home directly to a buyer
check us out on the web at: without another real estate brokerage involved in the sale, we further reduce our
www.soldsmart.ca
sandy@homesnet.ca commission to only 2% + HST
“Not intented to solicit properties already listed for sale”