Draginja - Draga Kapetanovic

07/09/2026

06/06/2026

Secondary suites have become the gold standard for house hacking in 2026 — and there’s a reason why. 🏠

The Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program, administered through CMHC, now offers homeowners up to $80,000 at a fixed 2% rate over 15 years to build or convert a secondary suite — double the program’s original limit. For buyers who need more, CMHC’s refinancing program allows access to up to 90% of your home’s post-renovation value.

Secondary suites include:
🔹 Basement apartments
🔹 Laneway houses
🔹 Garden suites

They’re increasingly legal, federally supported, and proven in the rental market. If affordability is your biggest barrier to homeownership, a property with secondary suite potential might be the solution.

[​http://draginjakapetanovic.ca/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/]

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05/04/2026

🏡 Would You Rather: Brand New Construction or Established Neighborhood Charm?
One of the biggest decisions homebuyers face is choosing between a newly built home and a property in an established neighborhood. Both have unique advantages!

✨ Brand New Construction:
• Builder warranties and modern systems
• Energy-efficient features and smart home technology
• Customization options during the build process
• Everything is brand new—no immediate repairs needed

🌳 Established Neighborhood:
• Mature trees and landscaping
• Homes with character and unique architectural details
• Proven community with established amenities
• Often closer to city centers and developed areas

Pro tip: Consider your lifestyle and long-term goals. New construction is ideal if you want move-in ready perfection and modern efficiency. Established neighborhoods are perfect if you value location, charm, and a sense of community history.

Let us know in the comments which you prefer and why!

04/14/2026

Multigenerational living has evolved from a fallback arrangement to a deliberate housing strategy for a growing number of families navigating affordability pressures, caregiving responsibilities, and the flexibility of remote work. NAR reports that 14% of recent buyers purchased multigenerational homes, driven not by crisis but by intentional planning.

What separates successful arrangements from strained ones? Upfront clarity on financial structure, property features that genuinely support both privacy and togetherness, and honest conversations about long-term expectations before anyone signs. For agents, lenders, and advisors, this is a segment worth understanding deeply, because the families getting this right are making decisions that shape housing, caregiving, and wealth-building for the next decade. What trends are you seeing in your market?

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! 🌷💛 I hope your day is filled with love, joy, and lots of sweet moments. Here’s to new beginnings and fresh starts—may this Easter bring you all the happiness you deserve! 🐣

03/14/2026

What are buyers really filtering for in 2026? 🤔
https://draginjakapetanovic.royallepage.ca/blog.php

It’s not just bedrooms and bathrooms anymore. Today’s buyer is thinking about what a home will cost them after they buy it.

🏠 Flexible layouts win. 86% of buyers say they help them see past square footage. Dedicated home offices, walk-in pantries, and multipurpose rooms now outweigh raw size.

🔧 Move-in ready is non-negotiable. Financially stretched buyers aren’t looking to absorb risk — they’re looking for reasons to walk away. Deferred maintenance doesn’t signal “potential.” It signals a price reduction.

⚡ Energy efficiency is a financial filter. Buyers are evaluating updated HVAC, new windows, and solar panels as cost-saving assets — not just nice-to-haves.

Nearly half of buyers say they won’t purchase a home that doesn’t feel right the moment they walk in. Understanding this mindset is the first step to positioning your listing correctly.

https://draginjakapetanovic.royallepage.ca/blog.php