Three Suggestions for Investing in Real Estate

When market uncertainty hits, many people try to find a way to safeguard their investments. One of the most attractive ways to do this is by putting money into real estate. Real estate, after all, is more substantial than stocks and bonds – you can touch real estate, and see it. On the other hand, [...]

Don’t Use Your Mortgage to Top Up RRSPs

The RRSP deadline is on Monday, and so you are probably thinking about the best way to top up your contributions. With the recession ravaging finances, and the debt hangover from the holidays likely still dogging you, you might be tempted to borrow money for your RRSPs. Some people take out a line of credit [...]

What You Need to Know about the HST

For those people in Ontario who are thinking about buying or selling property this year, the expected arrival of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on July 1, 2010 has caused some concern. How will the HST affect your real estate transactions? And are there any positive sides to this legislation?

What is it?
First, a primer: the [...]

The Optimal Down Payment Amount

When you are deciding to buy your first home, one of the questions that often comes up is: how much should I pay for my down payment?
The short answer is: as much as possible.
We’ve all seen the havoc that some of the no-down payment mortgages in the U.S. have caused. Since buyers of these mortgages [...]

Fixed Rate or Variable: Which is Better?

When it is time to renew a mortgage, you are often faced with a difficult problem: should you go for a fixed rate or variable rate mortgage?
There are benefits to both. However, historically it has been the variable rate mortgages that have the edge: in the last 30 years, variable rate mortgages have outperformed fixed [...]

The First Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit: What You Should Know

You are likely starting to get your taxes sorted for 2009. If you bought a home for the first time in 2009, you are eligible for the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit. But before you add it to your tax returns, make sure you know all of the details about what it entails.
In 2009, the [...]

Mortgage Brokers Can Potentially Save You Money

Choosing the right mortgage can feel 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 [...]