What home features would you spend more money on?

When I was shopping for my home, property size, location and condition ranked among my top concerns. Proximity to transit was another big draw. But what other features are worth shelling out a bit more for?

According to a recent poll, Ontarians are willing to dig a little deeper into their wallets for homes that are energy efficient, environmentally friendly and will retain their value.

These features relate in some way to masonry — which can help regulate indoor temperatures, is long-lasting and can be manufactured locally with recyclable materials — which is not surprising, considering that the Leger Marketing survey was conducted on behalf of MasonryWorx, a provincial association of brick, bloc and stone manufacturers.

But the results are still interesting, because there are many other factors at play for homeowners evaluating the energy efficiency, value and green cred of a property — including things like location, insulation and heating, electrical and water systems.

Obviously the ability for the home to retain, or increase, its value is important to many homebuyers, but would you be willing to pay more for an energy efficient, green home?

While these two features were a nice bonus in my home hunt, they didn't rank high on my priority list. But, maybe that's because I'm with the majority of younger buyers — according to the survey results, about 41 per cent of buyers between the ages of 18 and 34 were willing to pay more for energy efficiency.

People aged 35 to 54 were the most likely to pay more for energy efficient homes, only slightly above the younger group with 42 per cent, and those over 55 were the least likely, at 34 per cent.

The survey also found regional differences, with homebuyers in southwestern Ontario most willing to pay more for energy efficiency, at 50 per cent, followed by those living in Northern Ontario, at 48 per cent.

What do you think? Where do energy efficiency, eco-friendliness and the ability to retain value rank on your list of priorities?

The pride of homeownership

I recently learned that buying a home is terrifying. And expensive. But that feeling when you first walk in the door of your new home, knowing that it really does belong to you, is truly incredible.

Mr. Speedy and I were so proud, and still are, to give our friends home tours, pointing out the things we love and those we want to change.

And, apparently, we're not the only first-time buyers who find a real emotional payoff in home ownership, according to a recent survey by Genworth Financial Canada.

Genworth's First-Time Homebuyer Monitor, released this week, found that 80 per cent of Torontonians said they feel the value of owning a home goes beyond the financial value. Nationally, among the 2,521 Canadians surveyed between April 24 and May 4, 84 per cent shared this view.

And 83 per cent of Torontonians surveyed agree that "Owning a home provides a greater sense of emotional well-being and security," compared to 84 per cent of Canadians.

Additionally, 77 per cent of Torontonians said they consider a house/condo they own more of a 'home' than a rental property, compared to 80 per cent nationally. An equal per cent of respondents said that owning a home made them feel more personally fulfilled.

The survey also found 81 per cent of Torontonians (compared to 85 per cent nationally) believe that even though home ownership may mean more work and effort, they'd rather own than rent.

There's also a sense of security that comes with home ownership, the survey found, with 85 per cent of Torontonians and 88 per cent of Canadians saying they would feel more financially secure owning their own home than renting.

"The survey results show Canadians have a deep emotional attachment to home ownership," said Peter Vukanovich, President of Genworth Financial Canada, in a release. "Most people closely associate financial security and emotional well being with home ownership. That's particularly true among first-time homebuyers."

Looking back on the home hunt

We're in our new home, and while we're still far from settled, the home hunt has come to a very satisfactory conclusion. We found a place we love in a nice neighbourhood and close to transit. What more could we really ask for?

Looking back, I'm glad we focused so heavily on preparation prior to looking for a home. Knowing how much we were able, and willing, to spend and what our priorities were made the search a lot simpler. We still saw some duds, but even they still met some of our criteria.

I've also been asked by a few people if I think I was treated differently because I was writing about the process. My answer: I certainly hope not. I was thrilled with all of the help I received, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone else, with the hopes that any friends I send their way would receive the same excellent service.

Before announcing my home ownership aspirations in my blog, for my own peace of mind, and to avoid people looking just for free publicity, I researched my realtor and mortgage broker before contacting them, and spoke to them about my needs prior to revealing that I would be documenting the process.

While I'm sure that it made them a little bit nervous to know they'd be appearing in my blog, I think they tried to move past it and treat me like a normal client.

And the nerves seem to come with the territory. I've more than once heard "Please, don't blog about this" from my family and friends, and anyone dealing with me during this process probably had similar moments of concern that some small embarrassing detail would show up in my blog.

While I do fear I sometimes make Mr. Speedy cringe, I strive to share only what's pertinent (or undeniably funny) and not unduly embarrass anyone, and I think that helps make everyone in my life — from my husband and friends to my realtor and handyman — a little more comfortable with the prospect.

And, as we wrap up, I certainly hope that my blog was helpful or entertaining for those who were following along! We're now ready, and thrilled, to be moving on to the next chapter: home ownership!

Catch up on the home hunt:

I'm moved

I have keys!

One week (+one day) til the move!

Packing, packing and more packing

Moving in a month

So we bought the house, now what?

More negotiations

Getting a home inspection

Making an offer

Home hunting makes me nauseous

How to know when the house is right?

Resources for first-time buyers

Our first showings

Crunching the numbers

Finding Mr. or Mrs. Right ... Realtor, that is

Home hunting: Exciting, terrifying, all-consuming

What do we want in a home?

Am I house crazy?

I'm moved!

Mr. Speedy and I, along with all our possessions, have landed safely in our new home!

As you can see from the photo of our living room, we're still far from set up. (Though, part of that is intentional, as our fabulous electricians started today, but more on them later!)

The move went as smoothly as these things ever go, and we managed to miss Saturday night's crazy thunderstorm!

We've made three trips to the thankfully close by Home Depot in two days, and were lucky enough to borrow an electric lawnmower on day two to tackle a depressingly long lawn.

We've changed the locks, and unpacked enough to sleep, eat and function somewhat. Our to-do list is still long, but we are truly thrilled to be in our new home!

Catch up on the home hunt:

I have keys!

One week (+one day) til the move!

Packing, packing and more packing

Moving in a month

So we bought the house, now what?

More negotiations

Getting a home inspection

Making an offer

Home hunting makes me nauseous

How to know when the house is right?

Resources for first-time buyers

Our first showings

Crunching the numbers

Finding Mr. or Mrs. Right ... Realtor, that is

Home hunting: Exciting, terrifying, all-consuming

What do we want in a home?

Am I house crazy?

Poll: Living near a former prison?

Inspired by the proposed "live-work-play" community near downtown Guelph (read more about it here), last week's poll asked whether living near a former prison would be a problem for you.

Roughly half, at 54 per cent, said they would live near a former jail (though some on Twitter noted a big difference between a "former" prison and a current one).

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) said they wouldn't live/buy in the neighbourhood near a former prison. Thirteen per cent said they "maybe" would do so, while the remaining 10 per cent said they didn't know.

This week's poll comes from our fabulous story on nightmare neighbours — how would you rate your relationship with the folks next door? Read the story, comment, and vote on the front page.

If you're looking for some more weekend reading, check out Colin and Justin's fab loft makeover, take the mortgage quiz, pick out a new outdoor rug or read up on these great fakes for ice, grass and plants. And, if you have weekend projects in mind, get inspired by Debbie Travis' bookshelf update and learn caulking secrets from Steve Maxwell.

I have keys!

Yesterday was closing day for Mr. Speedy and I, meaning cheques were exchanged, papers were filed and we received the keys to our new home!

Earlier this week, we visited our lawyer and signed another load of paperwork, getting all the documents in order to transfer the property into our name and proving we'd met all of the requirements for the mortgage.

And now the house is ours!

Tomorrow is moving day, which will, as always, be an adventure.

The boxes are (mostly) packed, the moving van has been rented, and friends have been volunteered/bribed into action.

While I certainly am not excited about the actual act of moving — the rushing, the packing, the cleaning, the lugging boxes and heavy furniture, then having to unpack everything you just handled — I am chomping at the bit to be in the new house!

Then Mr. Speedy and I will embark on a new adventure: getting to know, maintain and decorate our new home! And of course, I'll continue to share all the ups and downs.

Stay tuned for photos of the new digs next week, when hopefully we look at least a little bit settled!

(Shutterstock photo illustration)

Catch up on the home hunt:

One week (+one day) til the move!

Packing, packing and more packing

Moving in a month

So we bought the house, now what?

More negotiations

Getting a home inspection

Making an offer

Home hunting makes me nauseous

How to know when the house is right?

Resources for first-time buyers

Our first showings

Crunching the numbers

Finding Mr. or Mrs. Right ... Realtor, that is

Home hunting: Exciting, terrifying, all-consuming

What do we want in a home?

Am I house crazy?

One week (+one day) til the move!

And I'm still packing. And will likely still be packing right up until 9 a.m. next Saturday when Mr. Speedy arrives with our moving van.

We take possession officially next Thursday (less than a week away!!), but, we decided not to move on closing day, because there's no guarantee as to what time of day we'll get the keys — just sometime that day. And, having crammed a move into mere hours on a weeknight once before, we swore never to do so again!

Friday was an option, of course, but a move is much simpler with a handful of friends and a case of beer. And, we weren't thrilled at the idea of missing work. So, instead, we'll head over to the new house on Friday night, do some cleaning and finish preparing for the move on both ends, then get an early start on Saturday morning!

As you can see in this photo, we're still plugging away. The next week will be about finishing paperwork and adding to this tower of boxes, then, once we're moved, we'll be focusing on rewiring the house, unpacking and decorating!

Wish me luck!

Catch up on the home hunt:

Packing, packing and more packing

Moving in a month

So we bought the house, now what?

More negotiations

Getting a home inspection

Making an offer

Home hunting makes me nauseous

How to know when the house is right?

Resources for first-time buyers

Our first showings

Crunching the numbers

Finding Mr. or Mrs. Right ... Realtor, that is

Home hunting: Exciting, terrifying, all-consuming

What do we want in a home?

Am I house crazy?

A website where commissions are negotiable?

When Mr. Speedy and I recently bought our home, we found our agent the good old fashioned way — by asking our friends and family, doing online research and asking questions on Twitter.

But a new service offers an environment where you can invite realtors to vie for your business, with the aim of cutting costs for both sides.

Agent Invitation allows buyers and sellers to anonymously request proposals from up to three realtors (with a $99 charge for sending the invite, which the company says shows agents that you're a serious prospective client). The site also offers details on client satisfaction and the agent's experience and qualifications.

The real estate agents then reply with the services they would provide, why they think they would be the best choice, and the commission they'd be willing to offer, hopefully at a reduced price.

Agents, in turn, are supposed to benefit from the service — and be able to afford cutting their commissions — because clients come to them, reducing referral fees and marketing expenses.

“This eliminates part of an agent’s costs because clients approach agents — it goes right to their email inbox for free — and that savings can be passed to the consumer,” says founder Don Stewart in a release.

What do you think? Would you try this service?

Poll results: Is the market bouncing back?

There's been a lot of positive real estate news lately, with the return of multiple offers and cautious predictions that the worst may now be behind us. The spring weather, boosted by low interest rates and strong first-time buyer activity, seems to be restoring at least some strength to Toronto's home and condo market.

But the results of last week's poll aren't quite so optimistic. The majority of Yourhomers, 55 per cent, said they don't think we're on our way back to a seller's market.

About 22 per cent said they thought the market was starting to bounce back, while 18 per cent said the market may be getting stronger. The remaining four per cent said they didn't know.

In this week's poll, we're looking to our gardens. The long weekend is traditionally a time to plant, but with the recent spotty weather, do you think it's too soon to start puttering in the yard? Vote on the front page.

And, if you're looking for some DIY long weekend inspiration, we've got it in spades. Steve Maxwell shares his tricks for repairing your cottage plumbing, Colin and Justin create a living room that's a vision in grey, and Vicky Sanderson rounds up the latest and greatest grills for your next backyard BBQ.

As an extra treat, we've also got a stunning slideshow of McLean House, where 47 designers donated their skills, times and materials to create a gorgeous space.

Poll results: Bringing baby to the condo?

While more condo developments are offering larger units and other child-friendly perks to try to attract families, only about a third (29 per cent) of Yourhome voters in last week's poll say they'd raise their kids in a condo.

More than half, at 54 per cent, said they wouldn't move baby into a highrise unit, while 13 per cent were on the fence. The remaining four per cent said they didn't know.

There are many perks to a highrise lifestyle, including the ability to be closer to green space, parks and other kid-friendly amenities (sometimes even in the same building) than you may otherwise be able to afford and a low-maintenance lifestyle that means less time doing yardwork and more time playing with the kids. But, it's also quite different from the homes with fences and yards where many of us grew up!

For this week's poll, we're looking at the recent positive news in the market. Multiple offers, competition and sales over asking seem to be coming back (check out What they Got for some recent transactions) after a slow winter, begging the question: Are we returning to a seller's market? Weigh in on the front page, and check back next week for the results.

For some weekend inspiration, check out Colin and Justin's retro-inspired living room transformation, Debbie Travis' blue boy's bedroom and Vicky's tips for choosing drapes!