As you navigate through the process of applying for a mortgage, you are going to encounter a multitude of steps, paperwork, and challenges along the way. Just when it seems like everything finally makes sense, boom – you come across a hidden charge, surprise component,...
It’s a trend that’s becoming concerningly popular: Many homeowners are now opting to re-borrow all or part of what they have already paid off on their home mortgages in order to finance lifestyle purchases. While some people are extremely vigilant in managing the implications involved...
When you are preparing to purchase a new home, you will be introduced to plenty of new jargon related to your mortgage. Purchase Plus Improvement is one of the important ones - because understanding this term could end up saving you lots of money in...
Congratulations! You’ve decided to take the plunge into homeownership and purchase your first home. Now, you have all the excitement of house-hunting and finding your perfect home to look forward to! However, there are some bumps you may encounter along the way if you aren’t...
Your relationship with your mortgage broker does not just cover the purchasing of your first home. If you have a good relationship with your mortgage broker, it should exist for the entirety of your adult home-buying life. Purchasing a home can be an overwhelming and...
There are a lots of different factors to consider when purchasing your first home, such as which neighbourhood to buy in, what type of home you can afford, and securing the right type of financing. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement...
The beginning of every new year presents a blank page -- a fresh start which offers you the chance to begin the year on the best foot. If you hope to become more financially savvy in 2019, then take a look at these top financial...
It’s that time of year again! The holiday season is upon us. No doubt you have a long list of gifts to buy for all the important people in your life. If some of those people are new homeowners, they will likely be looking forward...
Every year, winter seems to last longer and longer in Ottawa, so the best thing you can do is make the most of it! There is lots of outdoor fun to be had in Ottawa during the winter months, whether you want to get active,...
Searching for a home can be an exciting but overwhelming task. To make things go as smoothly as possible when hunting for your dream home, consider getting pre-approved for a mortgage first. Mortgage pre-approval can save you time and hassle when you finally find the...
Ottawa is truly beautiful in the fall. The leaves on the trees turn from green to breathtaking shades of russet, ochre and crimson, while the crisp fall air provides a refreshing change from the humidity of summer. Fall is a time of transition, and this...
Last week a series of tornadoes touched down in the Ottawa/Gatineau region leaving destruction in their wake. Many residents suffered days without power, while others were left completely without shelter as the tornadoes caused irreparable damage to their homes. Our thoughts go out to those...
There are a number of energy-saving methods and behaviours that can easily be implemented within your home environment. The benefits of these are twofold: they will save you money on utilities and will help to protect the environment. Whatever drives your decision to start reducing...
Are you a newcomer to Ottawa? Welcome! We love this city, and are pretty certain you will love it too. Whether you enjoy adventuring outdoors or prefer to stay within city limits, Ottawa has something fun to offer everyone. If you haven’t visited our fair...
This month we're continuing our exciting new online series in order to help you get to know our team of brokers! By hearing stories from our brokers in their own words, we hope to give you an insight into the real people behind our dedicated...
Whether they have just moved into a new property and it requires some TLC or you they are looking to make some updates to their current family home, the majority of homeowners will usually undertake some kind of renovation on their property while they live...
You can easily find gorgeous home décor and useful storage solutions (i.e., storage bins), but it’s harder to find a combination of the two. Areas where home organization solutions are needed are often areas that will also be on full display to guests so, ideally,...
If you own a home in Canada, are currently house-hunting, or are looking to buy sometime in the near future, you’ve no doubt been following the news closely for the past few months. As soon as word hit that the Office of the Superintendent of...
Finding and purchasing your first home can be both thrilling and frightening all at once—thrilling because you’re taking a major step toward independence, and frightening because of the added responsibility that step means. Buying a home is easily one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll...
Heating a house during cold weather can be expensive. When you want to save money on the utility bills and enjoy a cozy, warm house, you may wonder what steps you can take now to prepare for the season. These low cost ways to prepare...
Re-locating might be one of the hardest things to do. Finding a great place to buy a home and live can be a difficult decision. Several factors must be put into consideration before one can buy a home in a new town. You will require...
Any type of house design purchased for residential purposes needs that personal touch that gives it a one in a kind look. Townhouses, condos or detached units can be enhanced through inner creativity and expression. Looks can be transformed through adopting classic styles, transforming small...