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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The tragic Auckland floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, and the recent surge in construction costs have thrown a harsh spotlight on the need for home insurance. Being underinsured can leave deep financial scars. More than 20,000 claims related to the Auckland floods have been made, and more are expected. It’s New Zealand’s largest climate-related insurance event, according…
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Persistently high inflation is taking its toll on homeowners as the Reserve Bank of Australia continues to push the cash rate higher with the promise of more rises. Some 35% of housing debt is locked into fixed-term loans, according to the RBA’s Financial Stability Review. Two-thirds of those fixed-rate deals expire this year. Being squeezed…
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Higher tariffs for household gas, plus publicity highlighting how methane emissions from gas cooktops risk your health and contribute to global warming, have many owners considering switching to induction cooking. Gas cooktops are being targeted by organisations such as the Global Cooksafe Coalition. Its goal is to stop gas cooking because of the methane issue.…
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