In all of my meetings and blog posts, I always emphasize creating a budget and sticking to it, even if it means waiting a little longer before you buy, or buying something smaller.
11/16/2014 02:39 EST
At the end of the day, would you rather pay $1,800 in rent or mortgage?
11/03/2014 05:11 EST
One effective way to offset the costs of a mortgage is to create a secondary suite or in-law suite and rent it to a tenant. If you're thinking of going this route, here's what to keep in mind.
10/15/2014 05:27 EDT
How might plummeting home values impact Canadians? It's not entirely clear and that's frustrating for mortgage brokers and real estate insiders alike.
09/22/2014 05:38 EDT
Buying a property does have some added costs that aren't associated with rentals. Before you get serious about buying, make sure you've considered and budgeted for the following.
09/04/2014 02:39 EDT
If you've been looking at B.C. real estate listings for any length of time, you've likely seen the phrase "remediated" at least once, especially if you're considering older construction.
08/26/2014 07:13 EDT
Paying off a mortgage is especially important for anyone with a higher interest rate, or those who really value mortgage freedom.
08/12/2014 03:17 EDT
Last December a new B.C. government directive went into effect, requiring condo buildings to prepare a depreciation report that gives prospective buyers details about expected long-term expenses or problems. Despite the new rule, only about one quarter of the stratas across the province have commissioned depreciation reports so far.
07/25/2014 08:18 EDT
In some areas of B.C., buyers have the option to purchase freehold or leasehold properties. Vancouver's West End has leasehold condos, for instance, while False Creek, Fairview Slopes, and Point Grey offer leasehold town homes and detached houses. You might also see listings for leasehold properties on Vancouver Island in James Bay and other areas. However, it's important to understand the financing implications of a leasehold property before making an offer.
07/09/2014 04:41 EDT
Mortgage brokers would be doing their clients a disservice if they simply offered low rates without clearly going through the details. Misguided borrowers sometimes choose a less advantageous product based on rate alone. This often leaves them restricted or stuck with a lender that doesn't truly value great customer service.
06/25/2014 05:21 EDT