Is It Worth Buying a “Fixer-Upper” Home?

Is It Worth Buying a “Fixer-Upper” Home?

Q: I know fixer-uppers provide excellent value, but I’m worried I’ll be in indefinite renovation mode for years if I pay for one home improvement project at a time. Should I stick to a turnkey property? A: You’re right, fixer-uppers offer excellent value. (And no, you...
Introducing the 55 / 55 Financing Option

Introducing the 55 / 55 Financing Option

According to the 2016 Census, seniors now outnumber children for the first time in Canadian history. With an estimated 5.9 million Canadian seniors, the population is not only growing older but the pace of change is accelerating. This is all very positive news, but...
Are You Stressed by OSFI’s ‘Stress Test’ Yet?

Are You Stressed by OSFI’s ‘Stress Test’ Yet?

Effective January, 2018, the qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages, (20%+ down payment), will be the greater of the five-year benchmark rate published by the Bank of Canada, (4.89% today), or the contractual mortgage rate + 2%. In plain English, IF the 5 year...