Blog
- Oct 11, 2016
Time for a Roof Checkup!
With winter just around the corner, now is the perfect time to inspect your roof to ensure that your home will be protected from the snow and rain that comes with it! Depending on the age of your roof, environmental factors and building materials, it’s a good idea to complete inspections twice a year, with the best seasons being spring and fall. While you can carry out a visual examination from ground, it’s always recommended to have a professional perform rooftop inspections.
Read More
- Aug 26, 2016
Follow these six tips to save money and time during the back to school season!
Follow these six tips to save money and time during the back to school season: 1. What do you already have? To avoid unnecessary shopping trips and expenses, take some time to go through your home to see if any of the stationary supplies that you already have, such as binders, calculators or art supplies, can be reused.
Read More
- Aug 04, 2016
Home Inspections
What are their purpose and why are they important? The purpose of a home inspection is to reveal any defects or flaws that a property has, so that potential buyers can make an informed decision and avoid costly surprises down the road. During an inspection, the inspector will investigate every room in the home to identify and assess possible underlying health and safety issues; they will look for structural issues, water damage, working appliances, insect or pest problems and even forecast potential future expenses.
Read More
- Jul 19, 2016
Standard Charge VS Collateral Charge Mortgages
When you need a loan to purchase a property, your bank or lender will require security for repayment in the form of a charge that is registered at your provincial land registry office. This process secures the residential mortgage loan to your property, and gives your lender certain rights as it relates to the terms of your agreement. There are two forms of charges: standard and collateral.
Read More
- Jun 30, 2016
The Prime Rate
In Canada, mortgages are directly impacted by the prime rate and mortgage regulations established by Government. In the last decade, a drastic drop in the prime rate, coupled with the introduction of new regulations, have enabled consumers to take on more manageable debt loads.
Read More
- Jun 16, 2016
Down Payments: 5% vs 20%
When purchasing a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is the size of your down payment. In Canada, the minimum amount required for any home purchase is 5% for an owner occupied home and 20% for a rental property. Owner occupied homes with 20% or greater down payment do not require mortgage loan insurance. Here are some key elements to consider when deciding between how much down payment is right for you.
Read More
- May 26, 2016
Thinking of Renting that Basement Suite? Tips for First-Time Landlords
Having a rental space in your home is a great mortgage helper as well as it also increases the value of your home. Many people are unaware of the challenges that are generated by having a rental suite in their home. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure you are equipped to handle your first tenant experience.
Read More
- Apr 22, 2016
CENTUM Canada founder accepts 2016 Canadian Franchise Association Hall of Fame Award
BC family owned and operated Charlwood Pacific Group (CPG), CENTUM Canada, master franchise holder of the CENTURY 21 brand in Canada and the Asia-Pacific regions, Real Property Management in Canada, and UNIGLOBE Travel International, has been awarded the Canadian Franchise Association’s (CFA) Hall of Fame Award for its innovative business practices that have driven franchisee success.
Read More
- Mar 07, 2016
The new down payment rule: what changed on February 15
On February 15, the Government of Canada effected a change to the rules for down payments. The change, which was officially announced on December 11, 2015, increases the minimum down payment for new insured mortgages from 5 per cent to 10 per cent, for the portion of the house price above $500,000.
Read More
- Jan 28, 2016
Our 2016 Pledge To You.
For most people, the purchase of a home is the single largest financial investment they will make. This means that the process can be very stressful without the right support. As a consumer, you have a lot of options when it comes to selecting the right team of real estate and mortgage professionals. Surrounding yourself with experts who understand the market and industry can make a huge difference in your journey to home ownership.
Read More