Tag: Purchasing a New Home

You finally bought your dream home! Hooray! Everything is all set and your new home is ready to move in to! Now comes packing and moving your things from your previous home to your new home.

Your new home is like a blank canvas – a fresh start for you to have everything organized and look exactly the way you were dreaming of. To make this possible, go through every room and decide what to keep and what to get rid of to avoid bringing unwanted things to your brand new home. Once you have everything set and know which items you will definitely bring, follow these tips to make your packing and moving less stressful. Remember, preparation is important!

1. Have all your materials/supplies ready
There is nothing more frustrating when you’re packing than stopping to run to the store to grab another box or tape. Your packing will be faster and more efficient once you have everything prepared. Some supplies you might need include bubble wrap, permanent markers, boxes, tapes and other specialty containers such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.
2. Do a change of address
To avoid the hassle of failing to receive important mail, go to the local post office and fill out an address form, or do it online. But in case there are stragglers, it’s wise to ask a close neighbour or your previous landlord to look out for mail after you’ve moved. At the same time, you should alert the following of your move: banks, your employer, credit card companies and utility companies.
3. Group items and separate valuables
Once you begin packing, pack the items you infrequently use such as the waffle iron or popcorn maker together. This way you don’t need to be stressed out if you can’t unpack them during your first week. Then, group all the items based on their location in the house. For example, all the kitchen utensils should be packed in one box and labelled. This way, when you start unpacking, it will be easier and more convenient. When labelling, make sure to clearly label each box with its contents and the room that it’s destined for. Then closer to your moving day, pack items for everyone in the family that will be immediately needed for the first couple of days such as clothes and toiletries. At the same time, make sure to pack your important documents and valuables separately from the rest of your things. If possible, it is best to personally bring these items to your new home to avoid losing them.
4. Appliances/Furniture
A few days before you move, make sure to defrost the freezer if you are planning to move it with you. Make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day. When moving appliances, big boxes and furniture, it is best to hire a moving company to do the heavy lifting for you. Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics to help you prepare.

Moving is never an easy process. It takes time, energy and patience. Ask other family members and your friends to help you in your packing and moving to make it a lot easier and fun. Congratulations on your new home!

You are about to make one of the biggest investments in your life – buying a home. The decision is not one to take lightly, as there are many factors making each home on the market unique from the next. A major choice is between building new and finding an existing home.
In one corner, a brand new home – built with the most up-to-date technology, backed by a warranty, and complete with that sought-after new home smell. On the other, an existing home – full of character, located in an established neighbourhood, and often with a more reasonable price tag than comparable new homes for sale. It boils down to personal preference, so take a look at a few pros and cons of the two opponents, and see which wins the battle for your heart.

Newly built home:
Pros:
1. New Home Warranty – At North Ridge, we provide our new homeowners with peace of mind knowing that their house is built by a trusted builder who is backed up by the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program. On top of that we provide our own Customer Care Warranty where we call our new homeowners every 30, 180 and 365 days after possession to make sure that everything is as good as they expected it to be, and if not, we will take a look at any issues.
2. Everything is brand new and more efficient– You don’t need to worry about replacing carpets, appliances, insulation or anything else! There is peace of mind knowing that there will not be any unforeseen costs associated with replacing or repairing anything in your home in the near future. With the construction industry constantly improving, new homes are more energy-efficient compared to homes before. Who doesn’t love a lower energy bill each month?
3. Choices, choices, choices! – With pre-sale homes, you have the freedom to make your home look exactly the way you want. You also have a wide range of selection on pre-built homes that speaks more to your expression of style and way of life. On top of that, you can enjoy the freedom of choosing your builder. The opportunity to investigate and carefully select the home builder you trust means you can have confidence in your decision.
Cons:
1. Unestablished neighbourhood – Most new houses are built in new neighbourhoods that are still construction areas. It can take several years for a neighbourhood to be completed, with all residences built, landscaping and parks completed, and amenities like schools and stores in place.
2. Incomplete – Many new homes have unfinished basements and, although some neighbourhoods require driveways and landscaping, not all do. Flowers and trees don’t grow overnight!
3. More expensive – As a general rule, a new home is more expensive than an existing home. The home building industry is constantly looking for improvements in the materials they use or the processes involved in building a home.

Existing homes:
Pros:
1. “Move-in” ready home – When you buy an existing home, you typically don’t have to worry about buying the extras, such as blinds for the window, a security system, or a landscaped back yard. Also, buyers who are willing to purchase a fixer-upper in a well-established neighbourhood have the opportunity to make improvements to their homes and increase the value of their property. This can be considered a great way to get returns out of the investment made in a home, a fun project, or both!
2. Layouts – Many new homes are built with an open concept, but with existing homes, there is a wide range of layouts. If you like the formal living and dining rooms, an existing home will likely satisfy you. If you like open concepts, never fear, there will surely be an existing open concept home on the market!
3. Character and Neighbourhood – You can find pre-existing homes from just about any decade in the past century – so there are a variety of styles from several eras to choose from located in established neighbourhoods. It has the potential to be full of history, quirks, and personality, that new homes have not yet acquired.
Cons:
1. “What-if” Factor – What the house has been through in the past will likely be a mystery. Whether it was a past hail storm weakening the roof or a previous owner who did not properly maintain the appliances, there is always a chance that previous events that you do not know about have damaged the house, which can result in unexpected costs.
2. Leftovers – Some appliances or furniture that comes with the house may have been left behind for a reason – it is not in good condition. This leaves you having to clean up someone else’s mess.
3. Compromise – When buying a home, you may need to make compromises in regards to the features you want. Because you did not design the house yourself it is not likely to be the perfect house for you, and making it so may require costly renovations.

At the end of the day, buying a new home and building a new home both have their pluses and minuses. However, if you’ve done your research and planned carefully, the end result is sure to be rewarding no matter which option you choose. To buy a new build or an existing home: you decide!

At North Ridge, we are proud to offer functional layouts; premium features and finishes; a strong commitment to quality and unwavering dedication to genuine customer service. After all, we are dedicated to not just build quality homes but also to build quality relationships with our homeowners.

1. Function
Whether you’re looking for a bi-level, bungalow or a two-storey, our single-family selection offers a number of different layout designs to meet the needs of varying lifestyles and budgets. Even if this includes more bedrooms, bigger living space or a separate legal basement suite, we have the perfect home for you and your family.

2. Design
From gorgeous lighting to durable flooring to garages that can actually fit your truck, function and style are noticeable throughout your brand-new North Ridge home.

3. Quality
From the moment you choose your home to the moment you get your keys and even after you’ve moved in, we work hard to ensure that we’re meeting your needs.

We are a member of the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program, which offers up to ten years of warranty on the structural integrity of your North Ridge home. In addition, we offer our own Customer Care Warranty Program – your assurance that your North Ridge home is constructed to the highest building standards of the industry and has passed our rigorous Quality Assurance inspection of over 300 items.

The North Ridge Customer Care Warranty Program provides workmanship and material protection on your new home by providing three scheduled comprehensive service calls at 30, 180 and 365 days.

We understand that building a new home comes with many exciting challenges and a certain level of stress. We pride ourselves on guiding our customers through the entire process and beyond to ensure your peace of mind. When you’re ready to start your new home search, we’ll be here for you. Visit one of our show homes today.

When it comes to buying new builds, the first thing you need to think about is when you want to move in. At North Ridge Development, we have two options for newly built homes, quick possession homes and developing homes.

Quick possession homes are move-in ready, they’re entirely built and just waiting for a family to move in and fill the rooms with love and laughter. If you have a short timeline, you may not be able to wait for a developing home which means that your options will be fewer, but you won’t have to wait very long.

Developing homes are in progress, whether that be in the planning stage or actual building process. The timelines with developing homes are usually quite a bit longer than with quick possession homes because they are not yet move-in ready. If you are willing to wait or if you have a longer timeline, developing homes allow you to be more involved in the development of your home.

So, when you’re looking at purchasing a new home, think about your expected move-in date and once you’ve determined how long you need you can narrow down the type of home you can/want to purchase. From there, you choose between our move-in ready or homes in progress and begin the journey of finding your dream home in Saskatoon, Martensville, Warman or Dalmeny.