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First-time homebuyer mistakes
May 19, 2012 / 5:00 am
Photo: Contributed Are you gearing up to buy your first place? Arm yourself with these tips to get the most out of your purchase and avoid making 10 of the most costly mistakes that could put a hold on that sold sign. 1. Not Knowing What...
Pay off your mortgage faster
Apr 21, 2012 / 5:00 am
Most homeowners would love nothing more than not to have to put that mortgage cheque in the mail every month. Trying to pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule is not something to be undertaken lightly. You must make sure you are financially secure, with no other significant debt, and have money...
Understanding mortgage options
Apr 7, 2012 / 5:00 am
Congratulations! You’ve decided to begin your search for a new home, or perhaps you’ve already found the home of your dreams and are ready to make an offer. It’s now time to consider your mortgage options. But with so many different choices available, how can you select the...
Tips for buying a home
Mar 24, 2012 / 5:00 am
You are about to invest in your most valuable asset. Below are our top 8 recommendations to make you more confident as you start your home buying journey. 1. Your Credit Rating Getting your finances in order is probably the most important step you should take. You must know exactly...
Debt reduction tips to boomers
Mar 10, 2012 / 5:00 am
As "Boomers" get closer to retirement age, many are still loaded down by debt. This is an issue because their income will be greatly reduced during retirement and paying down debt will be increasingly more difficult. The best idea is to clear the debt first. The experts from Desjardins...
Shopping for a mortgage?
Feb 25, 2012 / 5:00 am
Like anything else, before you get a mortgage you should "shop around". A Mortgage Broker is a great option to help you when purchasing a property. They can arrange mortgages through Banks, Credit Unions and have access to products that are not available through...
Where are interest rates headed?
Jan 28, 2012 / 5:00 am
The answer to that question, depends on where you look. Most experts look at the economic indicators to give them some direction. The data tells them, we are far from a recovery. Canada is still facing job losses and a sluggish economy. In the past, before...
Start 2012 on the right foot
Jan 14, 2012 / 5:00 am
Photo: (Flickr user, memoryfreak) Feeling a little remorseful over your Christmas spending? Even though you might want to bury those credit card receipts and never look at them again, take a deep breath and add them up. Being honest about what you spend on credit makes the...
Keep resolutions on track
Dec 31, 2011 / 5:00 am
Photo: Contributed January is a popular time of year to set resolutions for physical fitness, personal finance or new career directions. But with the declaration of failed resolutions in February becoming as much of a ritual as the resolutions themselves, it’s...
Tips to get approved for mortgage
Dec 17, 2011 / 5:00 am
If your home ownership fantasies have been rudely awakened by loan officers denying your application, it’s time to take control of your situation and learn what you can do to turn that rejection into an approval. What are your options? Everyone’s financial situation is unique....
What are home buyers looking for?
Nov 19, 2011 / 5:00 am
Apart from a gorgeous place on a great street, here is what’s getting the attention from potential buyers these days. 1. Energy efficiency features – With fossil fuel prices headed skyward, buyers now want homes that will save them money on energy bills every day. Think beyond...
Latest mortgage news
Nov 5, 2011 / 5:00 am
Laurie Baird, Mortgage Broker with Verico Complete Mortgage Services talks about the latest mortgage news. Bank of Canada maintains rates - should you take a fixed or variable rate mortgage?
Keep your haunted home safe
Oct 22, 2011 / 5:00 am
Photo: Contributed - (Flickr user, leshoward) Eerie sounds, spooky lights and jack-o'-lanterns aglow—extra efforts at Halloween will keep visitors coming back for both tricks and treats. However, to keep the fun going, it's important to plan your home's...
Financial implications of living longer
Oct 8, 2011 / 5:00 am
It's a fact that Canadians are living longer today than ever before and while this is great because we'll have more time to spend with loved ones—it's a bit alarming from a finance and savings perspective. Data suggests that retirement years have stretched from 13 to 20...
Retirement priorities
Sep 24, 2011 / 5:00 am
Golf, travel and relaxation may all be part of your retirement plans—but mortgage payments probably aren't. With a mortgage to pay down and retirement to save for, many boomers are faced with a decision about where they should direct their funds. Does it make more sense for baby...
Save on Fall Home Improvements
Sep 10, 2011 / 5:00 am
The Government of Canada has renewed the ecoEnergy Retrofit—Homes Program from June 6, 2011 until March 31, 2012. What does this mean? Homeowners tackling renovations may be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 when incorporating more energy-efficient solutions. Not sure where...
Be mortgage-free faster
Aug 27, 2011 / 5:00 am
Think your house is comfortable now? Imagine walking through the door knowing that you never need to make a mortgage payment again. In addition to the satisfaction of being mortgage free, paying off your mortgage faster can save you money by reducing the interest you pay. Here are a...
Shop around before renewal!
Aug 13, 2011 / 5:00 am
While most Canadians spend a lot of time researching mortgages before their initial purchase, the same is generally not the case when looking at the mortgage renewal letter. Omitting proper consideration at the time of renewal costs Canadians thousands of extra dollars every year. It is...
Concerns for homebuyers & sellers
Jul 30, 2011 / 5:00 am
A friend, who is a home inspector shared these tips with me: When buying or selling a home, people are often surprised to find how appropriate that old maxim, “the more things change, the more they remain the same” can be. That's because no matter the age, style, size or...
Supersize your mortgage payments
Jul 3, 2011 / 5:00 am
According to a recent RBC Home Ownership survey, 65 percent of Canadian homeowners are worried about mortgage rate increases and 56 per cent admit that their mortgage is higher than they expected. Flexible payment options can help take some of the guesswork out of interest...
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