If you are someone who is considering entering the housing market this summer, there are a few things you should keep in mind:   Determine Your Budget: Download my app from Google Play or the Apple iStore to help you calculate mortgage payments, affordability, the income required to qualify, and even estimate your closing costs! It also allows […]

My back hurts… but I just love gardening. I am one to always stop and smell the lilacs, and crouch to take in as much of that sweet lily-of-the-valley scent as I can. I find it a little hard to make time for tending my own garden (is there a metaphor there?) but I really […]

From Sherry Cooper… Inflation unexpectedly rose in May, disappointing the Bank of Canada as it deliberates the possibility of another rate cut next month. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9% in May from a year ago, up from a 2.7% reading in April. This increase primarily reflects higher prices for services and, to a […]

Canadian inflation has fallen considerably for the past four months. Excluding shelter, inflation is a mere 1.6%.   While the job market was relatively strong in April, the unemployment rate continues to rise. Job growth, though strong, is not keeping up with the surge in working-age immigrants. GDP growth was likely about 2.3% in the […]

Before banks or lending institutions can consider loaning money for a property, they need to know the current market value of that property. The job of an appraiser is to check the general condition of your home and determine a comparable market value based on other homes in your area. This is required for any […]

Not all insurance products are created equal. It is important to understand all the different insurance products to ensure you have proper coverage. Below are the main insurance product options you will encounter with homeownership, and what they mean: Default Insurance: This insurance is mandatory for homes where the buyer puts less than 20% down. […]

With Fall just around the corner, here are some of my favourite (and helpful!) home prep tips to help you be ready for the upcoming season. Following these tips will ensure everything continues running well into the colder months! Inspect Your Gutters: This time of year it is important to clean and inspect your gutters […]

As a casual fan of semantics and etymology and I wanted to share a little background for the word and use of “Mortgage”. I remember that during my initial mortgage licensing course, I found it interesting that mortgages were a way for regular folk (serfs, plebes, proles if you like) to obtain property for themselves […]

“I think my credit should be good” “Actually, you have no credit.” “But I paid off all my cards and closed them.” “Uhuh.” – Actual conversation had by 80% of mortgage agents. I’m trying not to start this with “you gotta have money to make money” but the urge is too strong. It’s true though […]