By Julie Fortier, Financial Post August 18, 2010 Be the first to post a comment After raising interest rates twice this summer from record-low levels, CIBC's chief economist says weakness in the U.S. economy may force the Bank of Canada to put future hikes on hold after September. After raising interest rates twice this summer [...]
While mortgage brokers have long advocated the notion of paying off one's mortgage, this age of low interest rates has created yet another advantage to the concept. In a recent article in the Toronto Star, Moshe Milevsky, a professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, argues that in today's volatile stock market, money is [...]
Posted Aug 12, 2010 By Robert Pugh EMC Business - Selecting a real estate representative to assist in the largest financial transaction a person will likely ever make is a critical part of the home selling process. In a challenging economic environment where competition among real estate companies is on the rise, choosing the agent [...]
Garry Marr, Financial Post · Tuesday, Jul. 27, 2010 Not that there are a lot of people buying houses these days, but the answer to the age-old question of whether to go long or short on your mortgage is unclear yet again. The Bank of Canada’s second quarter-of-a-point rate increase in the past two months [...]
1 Go green, underfoot. If you’re thinking of installing a hardwood floor, consider reclaimed materials or look for new wood products that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada. You also use more readily renewable materials such as cork, bamboo, or carpets made from natural fibres. 2 Lower your water flow. Target your [...]
1 Conduct an energy audit. If you’re serious about improving your home’s efficiency, start with an energy audit by an NRCancertified energy advisor — you can search for an advisor in your area at www.nrcan.gc.ca. You’ll get a list of recommended upgrades to help you plan, and you may qualify to receive up to $5,000 [...]
1 Determine how much you can afford.Get pre-approved. Based on your down payment, income, existing debt, regular expenditures, and other key financial information, we can help you determine how much you can afford to pay every month and the price range that works within your budget. 2 Team up with a real estate agent. Finding [...]
1 Homeownership on your terms. With the right preparation and resources, you can buy a home that best suits your lifestyle. Mortgage insurance provides you with innovative options to help get you into homeownership. 2 Be eligible for a better interest rate. Mortgage insurance provides a lender with the flexibility to offer you the same [...]
1 Land transfer tax. When a home changes hands, many provinces and a few municipalities charge a property transfer tax or title transfer fee. Rates are usually on a scale of 0.5% to 2% of the home’s value and can add thousands to your purchase price. First-time homebuyers qualify for rebates or exemptions in some [...]
1 Get independent advice on your financial options. As independent mortgage brokers and mortgage agents, we’re not tied to any one lender or range of products. Our goal is to help you successfully finance your home or property. We’ll start by getting to know you and your home ownership goals. We’ll make a recommendation, drawing [...]