What is the First Time Homebuyer Incentive?

General Michele McGarvey 3 Apr

The first-time homebuyer incentive program is a shared-equity mortgage with the Canadian government that helps qualified first-time buyers reduce their monthly mortgage payments to better afford a home! The Incentive: This program allows you to obtain an incentive from the government to assist with your down payment, thereby lowering your overall mortgage amount and, in turn, […]

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What is an Uninsurable Mortgage?

General Michele McGarvey 27 Mar

When it comes to mortgages, insurance is necessary to protect the lender on these types of loans, which deal in large sums of money. There are three different tiers relating to insurance, which all have different minimum down payment amounts and varying premium insurance fees. Insured mortgages typically have a less than 20% down payment and are […]

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Why You Should Have a Power of Attorney

General Michele McGarvey 20 Mar

You work a lifetime building your nest egg, so the thought of losing financial control can be difficult at any point in life. However, having a trusted document like a power of attorney (POA) can bring you and your loved ones peace of mind. Contrary to what some believe, the reality is that your POA […]

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Selling Your Home in the Spring

General Michele McGarvey 13 Mar

Are you looking to sell your home? We have a few tips to help you make the most of the spring season! Hire an Experienced Realtor: Before preparing your home for the Spring market, you will want to hire an experienced realtor! A good realtor will serve as your guide through the entire sales process, helping […]

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Do you need title insurance for a new-build home?

General Michele McGarvey 6 Mar

The housing supply shortage is one of the top issues in Canada’s real estate market. To address it, cities like Calgary are seeing a massive boom in new-build housing. New construction offers many advantages, like more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. Their titles can also feel less risky to transfer. After all, if the land […]

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Mortgages and Corporations

General Michele McGarvey 27 Feb

If you are a self-employed client who owns your own business, you may have chosen to set that business up as a corporation. This means the business operates as essentially its own person. They have income through business revenue and expenses from marketing costs, materials, office space, etc. When it comes to getting a mortgage, […]

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How can homeowners protect themselves against title fraud?

General Michele McGarvey 13 Feb

With news stories surrounding title fraud breaking weekly, more homeowners are asking what they can do to protect their homes before they become the next headline. Daniela DeTommaso, President of FCT, addressed the issue in a recent interview on CBC’s Metro Morning with Ismaila Alfa. “We’re seeing a level of sophistication in these frauds we’ve never seen before,” Daniela […]

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4 Key Things to Know about a Second Mortgage

General Michele McGarvey 6 Feb

A second mortgage is a mortgage that is taken out against a property that already has a home loan (mortgage) on it. Generally, people take out second mortgages to satisfy short-term cash or liquidity requirements, have an investment opportunity or to pay off higher-interest debts (such as credit cards and student loans) that a second […]

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Recession Proofing Your Finances

General Michele McGarvey 30 Jan

The latest news has been focused on rising interest rates, surging inflation, and economic uncertainty with suggestions that the Canadian economy could be tripped into recession. With all this information circulating, now is a good time to discuss ways to adapt your finances and protect your future. Fortunately, there are a few key things you […]

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Recession Proofing Your Finances

General Michele McGarvey 30 Jan

The latest news has been focused on rising interest rates, surging inflation, and economic uncertainty with suggestions that the Canadian economy could be tripped into recession. With all this information circulating, now is a good time to discuss ways to adapt your finances and protect your future. Fortunately, there are a few key things you […]

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