by Karen Wotherspoon | Mar 17, 2023 | Blog, Homeownership, Mortgage
It’s no surprise that many Canadians are feeling the pinch of higher inflation, higher interest rates and higher home prices. But an overwhelming majority continue to believe real estate is a good long-term investment. The latest information from Mortgage...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Mar 3, 2023 | Blog, Homeownership, Mortgage
Are you worried about being turned down for a mortgage or not being able to renew with your existing lender? If so, you’re not alone. Mortgage qualification is more difficult right now due to higher interest rates and lower property values. Fortunately, mortgage...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Feb 17, 2023 | Announcements, Blog, Economy
In its very first summary of deliberations released this month, the Bank of Canada (BoC) pointed to a tight labour market, strong GDP growth and the risk of inflation getting stuck above 2% as the rationale for raising its key rate by a quarter of a percentage point...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Feb 3, 2023 | Blog, Finance, Homeownership
The federal government is providing a new tax credit to help make it easier for Canadians to care for adult relatives in their own homes. The multi-generational home renovation tax credit took effect January 1st for expenses related to building a secondary suite for a...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Jan 20, 2023 | Announcements, Homeownership, Mortgage
Canada’s banking regulator – The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) – announced three new regulatory proposals in January that could further limit mortgage lending pending a consultation period. OSFI’s three proposals are focused on debt...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Jan 6, 2023 | Announcements, Blog, Economy, Homeownership
Most regions of the country (60%) are expected to shift into balanced market territory in 2023 – a trend that’s already starting to materialize as a result of current economic conditions – after a seller’s market dominated for much of the pandemic, says RE/MAX...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Dec 2, 2022 | Blog, Finance
More than half of Canadians surveyed are concerned about their personal financial situation but they haven’t changed their subconscious spending habits, according to a new report – The Quiet Spend – by FP Canada. Most people are spending money subconsciously by...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Nov 18, 2022 | Blog, Homeownership
In a rising rate environment like we’re currently experiencing, chances are you’ve heard the word “trigger” a lot lately, especially if you’re in a variable-rate mortgage.What’s a Trigger Rate? A mortgage is made up of two components: 1) Interest; and 2) Principal....
by Karen Wotherspoon | Nov 4, 2022 | Blog, Homeownership, Mortgage
While first-time homebuyers are often required by their lender to pay property taxes as part of their mortgage payments, many people continue to pay them like this throughout their time as mortgage holders. Once you’re no longer required to pay taxes with your...
by Karen Wotherspoon | Oct 21, 2022 | Blog, Homeownership, Mortgage
Rent-to-own programs enable borrowers to build equity in a specific property as tenants with an option to buy the property within an established timeframe – typically between one and five years. As with any program, it’s important to understand how it works...
