Blog
Statistics show that nearly 20% of all income earners in Canada are now self-employed (at least part-time). We often question why it is so difficult for this growing demographic to get a mortgage. Some of the issues include the fact that income for the self-employed is usually hard to prove. Many business-for-self owners are…
Details
According to many people, selling the house in the winter is a hassle. Some even say that it is the worst time of the year to sell a home. Given the severity of winter here in Ottawa, with snow storms and cold weather, it is definitely a challenge, but not for the determined ones! During…
Details
As magical and amazing Canadian winters are, they are also unbearably cold. A warm and a cozy abode is an essential in order to survive the fiery cold weather. Now that fall is officially here, and leaving already, it’s time to prepare your home for cold weather. People remember to bundle themselves up, but leave…
Details
Record Low Interest Rates, Record-High House Prices We now have mortgage trends that make it an ideal time to buy your dream home. We have reached ultra-low interest rates. It has never been easier or cheaper to pay off the interest rates on your mortgage. The five year fixed rate mortgage is tempting to first-time…
Details
Making the switch from home renter to home owner is a challenging shift for pretty much everyone. The hardest part by far is saving enough money for a down payment on your first home. If you are serious about this goal you will make it your number one priority in the upcoming few years to…
Details
What is Mortgage Renewal Time? Unless you can come up with the cash to pay off your remaining balance of your mortgage in your first term, it is time for a mortgage renewal. In simple terms, a mortgage renewal is the process of taking the outstanding balance of your mortgage and renewing it for another…
Details
Everyone’s dream is to one be the proud owner of a home, however, that dream can quickly turn sour if first time home buyers do not know what they are getting into. Buying a home takes time, patience and sometimes luck. Before going for it and signing off on all the paperwork, read up on…
Details
The Keret House In a four-foot-wide crack between two building in Warsaw, Poland, architect Jakub Szczesny has designed the world’s thinnest house. He build a series of vertical spaces into the void between two existing buildings that represent two historical epochs and made it a functional living space. There may be micro-apartments in San Francisco and…
Details
A major question that keeps resurfacing today is “Should I Rent or Buy?” The answer, however, is not as simple because it truly depends. Most people find this as a no-brainer and go with buying because real estate is a good investment that has potential for high return. Although we have record-low interest rates, high…
Details
According to Statistics Canada, one in eight households now live in a condo. Frosted glass barriers and concrete walls separate neighbours all living very close to each other, beside, across, below, and above from one another. When living so close, there are certain tips you need to know to enjoy your condo living and balcony to its full extent. Being situated…
Details