Outgoing Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney confirmed the tone of Canada's interest rate policy. His end of February statement and March 6th BoC interest rate announcement reinforced the view that the Bank's key lending rater will remain at 1 per cent well into 2014. Good news for home owners and home buyers.
Posted by Amanda King
on March 18, 2013
Those pretty icicles hanging from your roof are caused by ice damming. A charming winter picture post-card they may make, but not such great news when it comes to the cause of those icicles.
Large amounts of snow on the roof and temperatures around the freezing mark are the perfect conditions for ice damming. If the air in the attic is above freezing, it warms the roof sheathing and melts the snow ...
Posted by Amanda King
on February 20, 2013
New home construction stats are down. While it doesn't seem like good news, fewer "starts" affect the supply & demand ratio - a good thing for the resale market.
According to CREA data released today - Nationally the Resale Market is trending quieter this season, more like a summer lull. BUT, no matter what the stats, it still comes down to the neighbourhood and even which side of the street. ...
Posted by Amanda King
on August 15, 2012
Pre-Qualified is only a guide.
Being Pre-Qualified for a mortgage means that a mortgage professional has taken a peek at what you earn, what you owe, and calculated a standard approach to affordability to arrive at an amount that tells you - how big a mortgage, or how many dollars you should be able to get from a Lender. Pre-Qualified is only a guideline
Pre-Approved gives you a comfort zone. ...
Posted by Amanda King
on March 8, 2012
Pay Down Your Mortgage Faster
With interest reates at an all-time low, many Canadians are taking advantage of the savings by refinancing their mortgages to consolidate debt, make home renovations, invest in real estate or other ventures, or moving up the property ladder.
The following are ways to take even further advantage of this excellent rate environment by paying down your mortgage faster ...
Posted by Amanda King
on January 31, 2012
As you know a Canadian winter can be a very bitter and long one! To be extra prepared this winter season, here are some helpful tips to keep your home at its best!
First - Get The Fireplace Ready
If you have not cleaned your chimney in a while, have it swept to remove soot and cresote.
Purchase firewood or logs and store them in a dry place, away from the exterior of your home. ...
Posted by Amanda King
on December 6, 2011
I just wanted to let you know how awesome Dave and I think you are! We knew that you were the only one to recommend to our friends. Thanks again for your hard work in finding them a place. You are truly one in a million!
- The Tennant's
Thank you so much for all your help and understanding in finding me a house!
- B. Ferguson
Two little words say it all ...
Posted by Amanda King
on November 25, 2011
The ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program Step-By-Step
If you're thinking about taking advantage of the government's extension of the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program, which runs until March 31st, 2012, there are a few steps to qualify for claiming reimbursements.
1) Registration: First, get a registration number from Natural Resources Canada
Click here to obtain registration number
2) ...
Posted by Amanda King
on November 11, 2011
All the time I hear, "We're waiting to sell the house in the Spring market". Typically people percieve the Spring market to be in April or May. In my experience though, if you wait until then, you've missed the market!
I find that by mid February the market is already in full swing. The inventory levels are usually lower, which means buyers have less to choose from, alot of time ...
Posted by Amanda King
on March 2, 2011
3 mortgage changes that are coming our way:
Reduce the maximum amortization period to 30 years from 35 years effective March 18 2011 for new government-backed insured mortgages with loan-to-value ratios of more than 80 per cent. This will significantly reduce the total interest payments Canadian families make on their mortgages, allow Canadian families to build up equity in their homes more ...
Posted by Amanda King
on January 26, 2011