When moving into a new home, people tend to devote their full attention to designing a space that fits their needs and preferences. However, things are a bit different when moving out of one since relocation and home-selling already require a vast amount of energy, time, and money. Although home staging can seem like a needless waste of resources, it can bring a significant return on investment in today's competitive real estate market. Therefore, if maximizing profit when selling your property is the goal, you might want to know about these benefits of professional home staging services.   Professional home staging services help speed up the sale When trying to sell a home within a [...]

You may have put a lot of time and effort into renovating your property to make it irresistible to a new buyer. But in the rush to conclude the transaction, it is essential to not overlook an important detail: the certificate of location. An up-to-date document helps protect you against potentially costly mistakes. What does a certificate of location include?  The certificate of location is one of the most important legal documents in any real estate transaction, whether it involves a commercial or residential building, house, duplex or condo. This report, prepared by a land surveyor accredited by the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec, outlines how a property is situated and its current state, which [...]

Katia Samson Real Estate Group is very proud to announce its new partnership with the RE/MAX L’ESPACE agency, located in the heart of Montréal. “We will continue to provide the same ultra-personalized service to our clients, which we are known for, while being affiliated with the RE/MAX Group,” says Katia Samson, President and Founder of Katia Samson Real Estate Group. RE/MAX is the most important local and worldwide real estate banner, and the one with the largest number of international transactions. In Quebec, most property sales are completed with RE/MAX, which boasts an impressive market share and a very large group of real estate brokers. In addition, in the Greater Montreal area transactions with RE/MAX [...]

Home staging has become a must for residential sellers! The practice of decluttering and creating a soothing and clean décor for the property you want to put on the market “makes it easier for prospective buyers to visualize it as their future home. Staged homes usually sell faster and for more money than those that are unstaged,” according to Katia Samson, Founder of Katia Samson Real Estate Group, and a broker since 1996. Since launching her own real estate boutique agency in 2019, Katia has brought on board a diverse group of brokers, each with their own style and specialty. One of these is Katsiaryna Shumskaya, who studied interior design and now provides home staging services [...]

Since March 2020, when the World Health Organization announced we were all in the midst of a global pandemic, the housing market in Montreal has also clearly been affected by shutdowns and new social distancing rules. While real estate changes do seem to be stabilizing, how will this be impacting your next sale or purchase of a property? Here is some information you might be hearing about:      1. Property Prices Continue to Rise The math is pretty straightforward here: when there are less goods on the market that people want, prices go up. Simple, right? After restrictions on real estate were lifted in May, we saw a dramatic spike in sales in the [...]

If you’re looking to sell your property faster, and at a better price, the first thing to do is to find a reputable real estate broker. But before you sign on the dotted line, here are some questions you should ask. Just to make sure you are working with the real estate professional who will best represent your interests! 1. What are your credentials? As you start thinking about selling your home, you should be working with a real estate broker who is accredited by the APCIQ (Quebec Association of Real Estate Brokers) and the OACIQ (the Authority of the Real Estate Brokerage in Quebec). This means the person is fully vetted by the industry, [...]

What’s happening in the real estate market in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest, after the lockdown due to Covid-19? Is it a sellers’ market, a buyers’ market, or is it more of a balanced market? Many future buyers and sellers are asking themselves these very questions, since we’ve all experienced radical changes in our daily lives. First of all, here are brief descriptions of the three types of real estate markets to consider according to Katia Samson, who heads the boutique agency Katia Samson Real Estate Group, and who has seen firsthand the evolution of the Sud-Ouest, St-Henri and Griffintown neighbourhoods over the last 15 years, because she lives and works in the area. The Three Types of [...]

You’ve heard it before: First impressions make a lasting impression!  So, before you place a ‘for sale’ sign on the front lawn of your house or contemplate listing your condo online, take the time to play your cards right by following these simple steps to maximise the resale value of your property and sell it more quickly. Here are some great tips successful real estate brokers, like Katia Samson and her team, usually share with their clients in order to help their property gain maximum visibility on Centris, and get the offers to start coming in! 1- Start by Decluttering  Like Marie Kondo, home organisation expert and best-selling author, says: “If it doesn’t spark joy, [...]

To feel good and re-energized, a good workout session is essential. Every day! And what better way than to take part in a virtual fitness session with these amazing coaches that will help you stay on track and motivated, even from home. Best of all, they’re all FREE! Here are a few of my favourite fitness accounts on Instagram. Most are based in Montreal. Victoria Park High intensity workouts packed with motivational tips for full body toning and shaping. Join in at 9:30 am on weekdays. Pump Fitness Mtl Val Desjardins is a highly stimulating personal trainer who thrives on emotion, intensity and energy to get things done. Jennifer Pregnolato Jennifer is the creator of [...]

In this era of self-isolation and working from home, it’s more important than ever to be good to yourself and indulge in feel-good little rituals that make the stress melt away, while we find our way into the ‘new normal’. Here are a few of my favourite things that I want to share with you around the Centre-Sud, St-Henri and Griffintown. I hope they bring joy into your life and make your days easier. Restaurant take-out and delivery Tasty pizzas made in a wood-burning oven, salads and antipastis. Online delivery and take-out available Wednesday to Sunday. Geppetto Pizza Who doesn’t love tacos?! The awesome, original Grumman 78 now offers them for take-out, plus croquetas and [...]