Emily DeSantis has been an active part of the Niagara Real Estate community since 2015. Born and raised in St. Catharines, she resides in Port Dalhousie and juggles a few investment properties of her own. Emily has firsthand knowledge and experience with the growth and dynamics of the current housing market. She has helped many people around the Niagara Region with listings, first-time buying, downsizing and expanding investment portfolios. She is part of the 100% Club and worked as part of Niagara’s #1 Sales Team.

Emily’s passion for real estate and investment opportunity drives her to deliver a positive stress-free experience. Known for her determination and strong work ethic, Emily will help you reach your ultimate goal. Having Emily as your realtor gets you more than doing a private sale. She strives to ensure satisfaction and to make your sale or purchase go as smoothly as possible.

Emily loves the Niagara Region and she has seen how far it has come over the last decade. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, nature, wineries, markets and trails, she is excited by the tremendous amount of growth still to come. Niagara offers a relaxed alternative to the GTA hustle and bustle, with its small-town appeal and big city amenities.

An active member of the community, Emily participates in local charity events. She is well travelled and well versed in different cultures and lifestyles, having worked for WestJet Airlines for a decade. In her personal time, Emily enjoys cycling, soccer, yoga, kayaking and boxing, spending much of her time with family, friends and her dog.

RE/MAX Niagara

English

Beamsville

Burlington

Fort Erie

Grimsby

Niagara Falls

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Port Colborne/Wainfleet

St. Catharines

Stoney Creek

Thorold

Emily DeSantis

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Buyers

Downsizing

Investments

Residential

Sellers

MARKET UPDATE: JULY 2023

<p>Do It Yourself (DIY) projects can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to enhance your living space while tapping into your creativity. However, not all DIY projects are created equal. Some can bring great satisfaction and value, while others might lead to frustration and potential disasters. We explore both the fantastic projects, as well as projects to avoid doing yourself.</p><h3>Good Idea: Painting Walls and Furniture</h3><p>Painting is one of the most popular and rewarding DIY projects for a reason. It allows you to transform the look and feel of a room or furniture with relatively little cost and effort. Ensure you prepare the surfaces properly and invest in quality paint for a professional finish. The sense of accomplishment when you step back and admire your freshly painted walls or refinished furniture is priceless.</p><h3>Bad Idea: Structural Changes</h3><p>Any project involving structural changes, such as removing walls, should be left to professionals. Altering the structural integrity of your house without the necessary expertise can lead to severe consequences, compromising the safety of your home.</p><h3>Good Idea: Installing Backsplashes or Accent Walls</h3><p>Adding a backsplash in the kitchen or bathroom is a great DIY project that can elevate the aesthetics of the space and protect the walls from moisture and stains. Also adding accent walls to shared living spaces can add chic style and character to your home. With a wide range of materials, styles, and easy-to-apply adhesive materials available, you can customize the look to suit your taste without needing professional help.</p><h3>Bad Idea: Electrical Work</h3><p>Working with electrical systems is dangerous and should only be undertaken by licensed electricians. Incorrect wiring or electrical installations can cause fires, electrical shocks, or even be fatal. Always hire a professional for electrical projects.</p><h3>Good Idea: Building Custom Shelves or Bookcases</h3><p>Creating custom shelves or bookcases allows you to optimize storage and display space while adding a personal touch to your home. Using basic tools and materials, you can design and build shelves that fit your specific needs and match your interior decor.</p><h3>Bad Idea: Plumbing Repairs</h3><p>Plumbing repairs often seem simple but can quickly escalate into major problems if not done correctly. Water damage can be costly to repair, so it’s best to hire a licensed plumber for any plumbing-related issues.</p><h3>Good Idea: Upcycling Furniture</h3><p>Breathing new life into old or worn-out furniture is not only environmentally friendly but also a fun and creative DIY project. With a fresh coat of paint, new hardware, or reupholstering, you can give outdated pieces a modern and stylish makeover.</p><h3>Bad Idea: Roof Repairs</h3><p>Roofs are crucial to protecting your home from the elements. Climbing on the roof without proper safety gear and knowledge can result in accidents and leaks if not repaired correctly. Leave roof repairs to experienced professionals.</p><h3>Good Idea: Installing Smart Home Devices</h3><p>Adding smart home devices like programmable thermostats, smart lighting, or security cameras can enhance your home’s efficiency, security, and convenience. Many of these devices are designed for easy DIY installation, providing you with immediate benefits without the need for professional assistance.</p><h3>Bad Idea: Gas Appliance Installation</h3><p>Gas-related tasks, such as installing gas stoves or water heaters, require specialized expertise to avoid gas leaks and potential hazards. Always hire a licensed professional for any gas-related projects.</p><p>DIY projects around the house can be both rewarding and beneficial, but it’s essential to know your limits and understand when to call in the professionals. By choosing your DIY projects wisely, you can create a harmonious and inviting home while maintaining peace of mind. Happy DIY-ing!</p>

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF DIY

<p>You’re ready to buy a house (or at least start thinking about it). The housing market can be an intimidating place for first-time homebuyers. But it doesn’t have to be! Here’s 10 of your most common questions answered!</p><p><br></p><h4>1) Who Qualifies As A First-Time Home Buyer In Ontario?</h4><p>You are considered a first-time home buyer if, in the four-year period, you did not occupy a home that you or your current spouse or common-law partner owned.</p><p><br></p><h4>2) How Much Do First-Time Home Buyers Have To Put Down In Ontario?</h4><p>When you purchase a home, you are expected to put down a down payment while your mortgage will cover the rest. The amount you are expected to put down depends on the price of the home you purchase:</p><p>$500,000 or less = 5% of the purchase price</p><p>$500,000 to $999,999 = 5% of the first $500,000 of the purchase price, then 10% for the portion of the purchase price above $500,000</p><p>$1 million or more = 20% of the purchase price</p><p><br></p><h4>3) What Benefits Do First-Time Home Buyers Get In Ontario?</h4><p>When buying your first home, there are more costs involved than you may expect.</p><p>Thankfully, first-time home buyers in Ontario have exclusive access to programs to help offset some of the costs. From Rebates to Tax Credits, there are a variety of initiatives available to support prospective home buyers on their journey to homeownership.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://sellsniagara.com/first-time-buyer/">Download Our First-Time Buyers Benefit Guide</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://sellsniagara.com/first-time-buyer/"><img src="https://sellsniagara.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/first-time-buyer-guide-banner-1024x512.jpg"></a></p><h4><br></h4><h4>4) What Do Banks Look For When Buying A House?</h4><p>Lenders assess income, current debts, and credit history to determine the borrower’s creditworthiness. A mortgage affordability estimate uses an estimate of other debt payments as a percentage of gross monthly income and of the down payment as a percentage of the purchase price.</p><p><br></p><h4>5) What Is The #1 Feature To Consider When Buying A Home?</h4><p>The location. Location is the one thing about a house you can never change no matter how much money you spend, so it’s absolutely critical that you confirm any property you buy is in a convenient spot. Remember, this is your first home, and most likely not your forever home. You may not get the double-car garage and sprawling greenspace with a pool in the first home you purchase, but getting your foot in the market is the first step towards the home of your dreams.</p><p><br></p><h4>6) How Long Does It Take To Find A Home?</h4><p>Once your financing is in place pre-approved for a mortgage you are satisfied with, the hunt can begin. The amount of time it takes to find your home can vary depending on market conditions and your personal needs. Typically, a home can be found in 30-45 days, but sometimes longer if inventory is low.</p><p>In a buyer’s market, however, things can move very quickly. Lots of homes available mean you can see more quicker. One busy weekend and you could be a homeowner by Monday!</p><p><br></p><h4>7) How Much Are Closing Costs in Ontario?</h4><p>Home closing costs typically amount to anywhere from 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price. Closing Costs Include: Home Inspection, Appraisal Fees, Lawyer Fees, Moving Costs and Condo Status Certificate Fees</p><p>Remember there are benefits and credits available to First-Time buyers that could assist in these costs.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://sellsniagara.com/first-time-buyer/">Download Our First-Time Buyers Benefit Guide</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://sellsniagara.com/first-time-buyer/"><img src="https://sellsniagara.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/first-time-buyer-guide-banner-1024x512.jpg"></a></p><h4><br></h4><h4>8) What Are The Ongoing Costs Of Owning A Home?</h4><p>If you’re used to renting, many of the ongoing costs of homeownership might be new to you.</p><p>When you’re thinking about purchasing a home, try to estimate the ongoing costs like:</p><p>In addition to one-time setup costs, you’ll have to pay monthly utilities; electricity, gas, water, internet, and so on. Many of these costs are much higher than what you’d be used to paying as a renter.</p><p>Property taxes vary widely depending on where you live and the valuation of your home, but generally will be thousands of dollars rather than hundreds. You can usually find the property tax history of a home you’re looking at either directly in the listing, or by asking your REALTOR® to find out.</p><p>Maintenance and repair. You should budget between one to four percent of your home’s value for annual maintenance. It’s a wide range, but you can use the age of your home as a guide for which end of the scale you’ll be on.</p><p>Home insurance. If you had tenant insurance, you may be used to certain premiums, but insuring a whole house costs more. You can get a home insurance quote for your new house to give you an idea of the cost.</p><p><br></p><h4>9) Are There Any Problems With The House? Have There Been Problems In The Past?</h4><p>This is a big one. Sellers are required to disclose any KNOWN defects in the home that they’re aware of, but that protection isn’t perfect. Sometimes issues can exists without the seller even knowing (example, foundation cracks behind finished walls may not be easily seen).</p><p>Having your potential home inspected is extremely important, especially as a first-time buyer. It’s not a mandatory condition, but it’s encouraged for piece of mind and confidence with your purchase.</p><p>Professional home inspectors look for both visible and invisible issues throughout the house. Visible issues include problems like discoloration, mold, rotted wood, or cracks. Invisible issues like indoor air quality and radon gas leakage into the basement can only be detected with specialized equipment.</p><p><br></p><h4>10) How Much Do I Have To Pay a REALTOR® as a Homebuyer?</h4><p>Nothing!</p><p>In most cases, you do not have to pay your REALTOR® anything to help you purchase a home. Instead, the sellers typically pay their REALTOR® a fee, and then that listing agent pays the buyer’s REALTOR® for bringing the buyer and facilitating the transaction.</p><p>What’s important here is making sure you work with a REALTOR® that you trust for the biggest purchase of your life. Niagara has over 1500 licensed REALTORS® to choose from. It helps to ask friends and family members for referrals or advice, but also do your own due diligence and find the REALTOR® that shares your vision and values. For example, check out the <a href="https://sellsniagara.com/meet-the-team/">members of the Portfolio Realty Group</a>!</p>

10 BIGGEST QUESTIONS FROM FIRST-TIME BUYERS ANSWERED!

<p>Emily is a strategic, resilient and very successful real estate agent. She is absolutely one of the best out there, and if you are looking to buy and/or sell, Emily is the agent that you want to work with. We've purchased and sold several properties with Emily over the last 3 years and I can't recommend her services enough.</p>

<p>We have such a great experience with Emily and her team. They had my condo listed and sold in one week over asking. I would highly recommend Emily and her team to anyone who wants to buy or sell in the area. Thank you again for making this experience so easy :)</p>

<p>If you want your home sold you can count on Emily Desantis.</p><p>She is professional , hard working and gets the job done.</p><p>We enjoyed her personality, energy and thoughtfulness</p><p>during the process.</p><p>A big Thank You to Emily and Team.</p><p>It was a pleasure working with you all!</p>

<p>Emily is the most patient and professional realtor I have ever met. She takes the time to listen to her clients needs and offers solutions to fit their needs. I am already looking forward to having her sell my next home.</p>

<p>Emily is an outstanding, courteous and professional agent.  Her dedication, tireless efforts, positive impactful energy and communication/negotiation skills are a rare find these days. Emily has a vast knowledge base of the area and we have appreciated her insights, recommendations and expertise.  Thank you Emily for all your hard work recently!!</p>

<p>Emily has been wonderful! She is very professional and knowledgeable. She helped me sell my condo in just a week! Emily made my experience pain free as I was selling a home from across the province.</p><p>Thank you Emily!!</p>

<p>Emily is a total professional. She was able to sell our house in just a few says and above asking. Her strategy was solid and really paid off!</p>

<p>Emily is an exceptional real estate agent with extensive industry knowledge. She went above and beyond with the listing, was extremely professional and prompt to respond to messages and took care of all the details for the sale. It was a pleasure working with her and I look forward to finding my next home with her as my agent!</p>

<p>Not only is Emily a woman of integrity she's also a smart, sharp and hard-working agent. As you get to know her these attributes really stand out. I fully trusted her opinion and much needed guidance while buying my first house. She had my best interests in mind every step of the way.</p><p><br></p><p>She sold my condo under some tight deadlines and found me an amazing house I love! After my deal closed she was still there for me (couple things I needed help with) even though it brought her no benefit. That's when you can tell someones true character. I appreciate everything you did for me Emily and look forward to working together again! </p>

<p>Working with Emily was such a pleasure. As first-time home buyers, she helped us through every step of the process. She really understood what we were looking for and we did end up finding our dream place. She always acted super quick on our behalf to make sure we'd have the opportunity to check out listings that interested us. We had complete confidence in her skills. Though we plan on being in our new home for a long time, we would certainly work with Emily again and would recommend her to anyone looking at real estate in the Niagara area.</p>