05th July 2009
Many young people when they decide to move up from their starter home make many costly mistakes; often in the mistaken belief they can get more for their home. This may be true in part, but what you are unlikely to do is increase the value of your home b...
05th July 2009
I was sitting in the driveway the other day sipping a coffee in the shade from the morning sun when Bob-o the neighbourhood landscaper wandered over. Now like most of the Old Farts he has his quirks, just a few more than most of us. Mags calls him a koo...
05th July 2009
A friend of mine who emerged from the financial industry as a recovering banker once noted that many Canadians are two or three paycheques from being homeless. There is a lot of wisdom in those words.
Canadians are more in debt than ever; debt th...
05th July 2009
When buying a home, first time buyers often overlook the importance of this in their excitement. It can be a financially fatal error. Everyone has heard of the home that becomes a "money pit" and most probably know of someone who found themselves in s...
05th July 2009
To most new home-buyers there is an almost overwhelming amount of insecurity. What kind of house? How big? What about furnishings and appliances? Decorating? The decisions can seem endless and one of the first and probably the scariest is the mortgag...
05th July 2009
Insurance is a fact of life. There are many different forms of insurance and not all are created equal nor are they applied universally when a claim is made. In recent years, this last fact has become something of an issue with homeowners who are trying...
05th July 2009
So now you have jumped through all the hoops, moved in and had the pizza party to celebrate your first home purchase. Times are good and everyone is happy. You are confident you will make your payments and obligations and still have enough money for a "...
05th July 2009
It always starts as an idea; "Let's buy a house." There are many reasons for this; maybe it is because the family is young and the parents want a stable life close to schools. Perhaps it is for an appreciating investment, or simply they are tired of a...
05th July 2009
This can be a daunting and often overwhelming process but properly prepared and educated, a lot of the common problems can be avoided. Usually these problems are due to poor financial preparation, not directing builders although they too can create heada...
05th July 2009
It seems that the hot button argument over an "Automotive Sector Bailout" (http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/11/14/clement-autos.html) is catching a lot of ideological flack these days. The real problem with this argument is that it is one of ideolog...
05th July 2009
It was inevitable that as the economy began to slow the first place it is usually seen is in the manufacturing sector. Usually the last place for the ice to build up is in the housing sector. This is exactly what has happened (http://www.cbc.ca/money/st...
05th July 2009
It is interesting that the federal government is involving itself in private sector business today. Past governments have steadfastly refused to do so on the behalf of the consumer. But these are different times and different measures are called for. R...
05th July 2009
Recent interviews with Canada's Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty as well as the Prime Minister, have revealed a small but very significant change in the language being used when describing Canada's economy and outlook. Gone from the rhetoric are the words ...
05th July 2009
The first time home buyer is often overwhelmed with details; real estate, lawyers, bankers, and then there are always the “friends†with their sage advice. The reality of the situation is that no one can advise you on your best way to proceed...
05th July 2009
One of the great indicators of an economy and its general health is housing. Now that doesn't just zero in on housing starts but has to be considered on a much larger scale. Housing starts are a great symptom or indicator, but they are only part of the ...
