New Regulations shouldn't be a mysteryLet us guide you in the right directionPosted: January 24, 2011 at 4:35 PM by Brian BeezleyNew home buyers have a sea of regulations, rules and guidelines to wade through on their way to purchasing their dream home. Those guidelines have just gotten an adjustment as Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has tightened up mortgage guidelines. While changes have been expected, many industry professionals are relieved that the changes are relatively minor.Which isn’t to say those changes aren’t important.A 5‰ minimum down payment is still required.There are ways to qualify for read more |
Business PlanningWith 2011 just around the corner, now may be the time to consider your marketing plans for next year.Posted: December 09, 2010 at 2:19 PM by Jonathan FeistThanksgiving has come and gone and, while there’s shopping to do and parties to attend; Christmas isn’t here yet, so you have a few weeks to really process what changes you’ll make or strategies you’ll keep for ’11. Now is also a great time to establish your marketing plans as we all know the holidays tend to slow down business. Think of this as a two week break to reflect over the past year and consider the future of your success. Whether it&rsquo read more |
Mortgage Brokers Can Save You Money Posted: November 18, 2010 at 4:29 PM by Jonathan Feist Choosing the right mortgage can be overwhelming. Although going to your bank might be the logical move, you don’t know if this will net you the best mortgage plan for your budget, lifestyle and prospects. And searching by yourself can give you the feeling that there is just too much to know. That’s why mortgage brokers seem to have become an increasingly popular channel for consumers to find the right mortgage for them. According to the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage read more |
Thinking of Flipping? Make sure you consider all the costs.Some things to keep in mind when flipping a house.Posted: October 08, 2010 at 9:23 AM by Jonathan Feist You may have read articles about flipping properties and thought it sounds like a good idea. But have you thought of how, exactly, you are going to make a profit off of it? Although some people who flip homes suggest it is a relatively easy and effective way to make money, the cost implications can be daunting. Before you think about flipping, consider all the potential expenses you can incur.Inspection FeeAny house that has been previously owned will need to be inspected. You wouldn&rsq read more |
How Effective Was the Home Renovation Tax Credit?Posted: September 15, 2010 at 3:55 PM by Jonathan Feist If you were planning on using the government’s Home Renovation Tax Credit, you’ve unfortunately missed your chance: the program ended at the beginning of February. However, now that is over, we are starting to get an idea of how it affected the real estate industry.A recent report released by the Toronto-Dominion Bank tries to do just that. It argues that the tax credit did encourage people to renovate, and helped boost the economy. Diana Petramala, the author of the report, estim read more |
