If you enjoy the occasional bizarre language and statements in the current presidential campaign, try this one – “the most neglected part of homeownership is the gutters. It’s personal for me”. The “me” is Democratic vice-presidential pick Tim Walz, who reckons he has had some bad gutter experiences. “You get your basement wet. You get…
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Switching your loan to another provider is never a simple task, but it will become easier thanks to a prospective policy change promised by our banking regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). It has announced it will drop the requirement for a stress test when homeowners renew their mortgage as they…
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Does your home make you happy? It’s a simple yet incisive question aimed at revealing whether you truly enjoy your sanctuary. If you quietly confess that, actually, you don’t love your house or apartment, then ask why not. What’s the problem? How can you change your mood towards your home? Ambivalence or disappointment are emotions…
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With the days warming and summer approaching, it’s understandable if you think it’s a great time to repaint the exterior of your home. Surely, summer is the best time of year to break-out the brushes because there’s less threat of the rain and damp that would compromise the drying of the paint? Admittedly, one downside…
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Does your home make you happy? It’s a simple yet incisive question aimed at revealing whether you truly enjoy your sanctuary. If you quietly confess that, actually, you don’t love your house or apartment, then ask why not. What’s the problem? How can you change your mood towards your home? Ambivalence or disappointment are emotions…
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Parents are being called the “Sandwich Generation”, caught between helping their own children as well as their mothers and fathers, a consequence of living longer. The days when parents’ greatest concern was paying for the kids’ college education have now morphed into helping them onto the property ownership ladder. It’s amazing to think that almost…
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It’s the calm before the storm – two interest rate cuts are now complete but the housing market remains stubbornly poised for growth as buyers and owners wait to see the impact. Home sales fell 0.7% in July, compared with the June numbers, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). June had recorded a…
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Fixer-upper homes can be tempting for buyers daunted by current property prices. Significant value can be achieved by renovating these types of properties and then flipping them to an eager market. There was good news for renovators this month with a new report showing that construction costs and materials are starting to level out after…
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If the increase in the cost of living is stretching your finances thin, you may have considered renting a spare room to earn some extra cash. It’s also a favourite strategy for first-time buyers looking to ease their mortgage obligations with a little extra cash. While it can be a great way to earn income,…
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Predictions of a high-risk fire season for this summer have come from the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness. Areas that continue to suffer from drought, such as northwestern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia and southern Northwest Territories, are considered especially at risk. From this month until the end of summer, the Federal Government has warned of “a…
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