18 Oct

So, you need a tenant.

General

Posted by: Deb White

If you have a basement suite or rental property and you are currently looking for a tenant, there are some things to know! Whether this is your first tenant or you have other rental properties, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specifics to ensure a harmonious tenancy. As always, your responsibility […]

Read More
10 Oct

6 Things for Co-Signers to Consider.

General

Posted by: Deb White

Are you thinking about co-signing on a loan? If you’re looking to help out a family member or loved one, this is a great way to do that as a co-signer can help overcome stress testing and borrowing limits. However, it is important to be aware of the implications when co-signing on any loan. Credit […]

Read More
3 Oct

Fall Market Update.

General

Posted by: Deb White

As you may have heard, The Bank of Canada opted to maintain its policy rate at 5% as of September. The recent rate hikes over the spring and summer have slowed the housing and mortgage markets as potential buyers were unsurprisingly spooked by the rise in mortgage rates. More recently, fixed-rate loans have become more […]

Read More
25 Sep

Avoiding a Fall Financial Storm!.

General

Posted by: Deb White

A July 7 report from Statistics Canada on the financial state of Canadians says that, “Middle-income earners were affected most by inflationary pressures over the last year, as they spent an average of $1,306 more than they earned in income in the first quarter of 2023, while they had positive net saving of $521 in […]

Read More
18 Sep

Countertop Materials for Your Kitchen.

General

Posted by: Deb White

They say the kitchen is the heart of every home, and what better way to treat this important space than by ensuring you have all the right materials? When it comes to your kitchen, there are a variety of options for cupboards, appliances, and countertops. What you may not realize, is how much you actually […]

Read More
11 Sep

The True Cost of Downsizing.

General

Posted by: Deb White

Many Canadians consider downsizing during their retirement years. Once their children have left the nest, the choice seems obvious: relocate to a smaller residence or a more affordable town and capitalize on the price difference. For many retirees, the funds from the sale of their home can significantly impact their overall lifestyle and financial well-being. […]

Read More
5 Sep

Converting Your Basement to an Income Suite.

General

Posted by: Deb White

With the current interest rates and economic scenarios, many Canadians may be looking for ways to bring in some extra cash. One option for this is to put your home equity to work and consider renovating your basement into a legal income suite! You can do this by using a secured credit line (home equity […]

Read More
28 Aug

How to Talk to Your Kids about Finances.

General

Posted by: Deb White

Financial independence is a critical skill for future success that your children will not learn anywhere else. Not only does financial literacy help your children have more success in life, but it allows them to move out sooner and it avoids delaying your retirement with additional expenses to support them. So, how do you teach […]

Read More
21 Aug

Choosing Your Ideal Payment Frequency.

General

Posted by: Deb White

Your payment schedule is the frequency that you make mortgage payments and ranges from monthly to bi-monthly, bi-weekly, accelerated bi-weekly or even weekly payments. Below is a quick overview of what each of these payment frequencies mean: Monthly Payments: A monthly payment is simply a single large payment, paid once per month; this is the […]

Read More
14 Aug

It’s Time to Crush Your Credit Card Blues.

General

Posted by: Deb White

Although credit cards interest rates have not been affected by the recent surge in the prime lending rate, the fact remains that credit card debt is usually the most expensive debt you can have. The average is around 20% and even the so-called ‘low interest’ cards carry a rate in excess of 10%. Expediting the […]

Read More