When we speak of mortgages, it’s always about families with a stable income that will comfortably pay it off after a certain time. What is never spoken about are entrepreneurs and their housing plans; as we know, being self-employed means your salary can vary on a monthly basis, but being an employee on a payroll…
Away from the legal topics of real estate from a couple of weeks ago, we look at an issue that is much more local, our own region! It has long been a hot topic for tenants, whether university students or government employees, and anything in between. Even though salaries in Ottawa are generally good –…
This week presents a relatively new topic we have not really discussed before or educated you on – but important in the real estate industry and property ownership – some legal measures of real estate. Zoning by-laws are not the only source of…
It’s a weird ride so far for Canadian homebuyers. Outside investments, income that is not rising the way they wish, and the mortgage stress test all affecting their big plans for a home of their own. There are three things strongly in their minds when they think of investing in real estate: 1) The fear…
It’s been a long time since we deviated away from mortgages and real estate. After all, it’s the summer now and people’s minds can be elsewhere, and rightly so! We thought we’d use the week around mid July (aka midsummer) to talk about your overall health! Mental and physical health are always important, but summer…
Real estate agents and brokers typically do not focus much of their energy on marketing themselves, but in this day and age, it’s much easier to do so, and video is by far the most preferred type of online content. This is especially important for brokers who want to keep building a relationship with their…
Almost half a year has passed since the new mortgage rules that forced even homebuyers with a larger down payment to undergo a financial stress test have been rolled out. What has happened since then? Home sales have recorded double-digit drops in Toronto and other big markets. On a positive note, however, the pace at…
Carrying on from 2 weeks ago, as promised. Q: What kind of recurring costs can I expect? As you would guess, there are monthly fees to pay. These will include the maintenance of the building and common areas, and reserve fund contributions, which will cover any major repairs or upgrades. In the event of a…
This weeks’ blog is a Q&A we read about with real estate experts, who gave some advice on some important things to consider before signing a purchase contract for your new condo. Q: Who should I consult with when I want to purchase a condo? The CMHC suggests that prospective buyers consult with a real…
Most people experience a point in their lives when they need access to a large amount of cash, whether it be for a major purchase, home renovation, investment or an emergency. When you don’t have the funds on hand, you can always access the equity in your home through a cash-out mortgage refinance. As the value…
