Real Estate Articles
Your Home, Your Life!
A New Beginning Through a Living Inheritance
In the quaint town of Cobourg, Ontario, nestled between rolling hills and sparkling waters, lived Tom and Elaine, a couple well into their retirement years. Their life was peaceful, filled with garden walks and afternoon tea sessions, but their hearts often wandered...
Re-Zoning to Create Affordable, Safer Neighbourhoods ?
While Canadians support increased high-density housing, many neighborhoods have opposed rezoning for multifamily structures.
Natural Disasters, Inflation, and Housing Affordability
Canada is no stranger to natural disasters. From wildfires in British Columbia to severe floods in Ontario and Quebec, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and costly. Beyond their immediate devastation, these disasters also have long-term economic...
The Importance of Private Sector Involvement in Affordable Housing
affordable housing, private sector involvement, Canada housing shortage, economic viability of affordable housing, increasing housing supply
Investing in Real Estate and Infrastructure
Discover the benefits of investing in real estate and infrastructure, where long-term cash flows and natural dividend growth create lucrative opportunities. Explore tax advantages, essential services, and real-world examples in this comprehensive blog.
Toronto Real Estate: Dominance of Investors and Its Implications
Explore the challenges faced by real estate investors in Toronto and how it impacts tenants and the rental market. Discover how rising mortgage rates and investor-owned properties are reshaping the real estate landscape.
The Real Story Behind Inground Pools
Welcome to the spring real estate market. As the temperature warms and leaves return to the branches of trees, homes for sale with inground pools return to the market as a point of appeal to would-be buyers. As a professional home inspector and mortgage agent in the Greater Toronto Area, I’ve had countless conversations with buyers and sellers alike about the appeal—and the reality—of owning an inground pool. Pools can be a luxurious, lifestyle-enhancing feature, especially in the spring and summer months when outdoor living is at its peak. But like all major home features, pools come with both benefits and responsibilities.
Understanding Course of Construction Insurance
Building a new home, undertaking a major renovation, or adding a legal secondary suite can be one of the most exciting — and financially rewarding — projects you ever take on. But before the first shovel hits the ground, it’s critical to understand one of the most important protections you’ll need along the way: Course of Construction Insurance.
Australia’s Warning to Canada
Discover the challenges faced in Australia’s housing market, from soaring prices to limited supply. Explore the impact on buyers, sellers, and construction firms, and the need for affordable solutions.
What is Title Fraud
Did you know title fraud costs Canadians tens of millions of dollars every year? It's a serious issue in Canada where someone changes property records without permission. This can lead to big problems for homeowners, affecting their rights and money. It's important...
Canadian Real Estate Lacks Capital
As the real estate landscape in Canada encounters challenges related to capital scarcity and financing, industry players are navigating an uncertain terrain in 2024. Scarcity of Capital and Cautionary Approach With the increasing scarcity and cost of capital,...
Housing: A Business or a Right?
For much of the past century, the dream of owning a home has been a cornerstone of Canadian life — a promise of stability, security, and prosperity. But today, for many Canadians, that dream feels more out of reach than ever before. What happened? How did we go from a nation of builders and homeowners to a country where homes are increasingly treated not as places to live, but as financial assets?
Introducing Accurity Canada: Your Trusted Appraiser
Whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, or investing, choosing the right appraiser can make a critical difference in the smoothness and success of your transaction. Let me share why Accurity Canada stands apart and why I confidently recommend them to my valued clients.
Private Mortgages Help Self-Employed / On Commission
Mark is a self-employed contractor in Vancouver who earns $150,000 per year, but his reported taxable income is only $50,000 due to business write-offs and tax deductions. His wife, Sarah, is a real estate agent who earns commission-based income that fluctuates from...
Canada Continues to Misjudge Population Growth
Canada is growing—faster than most experts predicted, and certainly faster than many housing policymakers have planned for. As a professional mortgage agent, I’ve seen firsthand how rapid demographic changes can ripple through local housing markets, pushing demand up...
Understanding Ontario’s Non-Resident Sales Tax
Ontario’s housing market has long been a focal point of global investment, with foreign buyers drawn to its economic stability and strong property appreciation. However, this influx of external capital has fueled concerns about affordability, pricing out many local...
Featured Publications
Articles
- Extended Amortizations and Hypothetical Calculations
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Minimum Qualifying Rate for Uninsured Mortgages
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Guideline on Existing Consumer Mortgage Loans in Exceptional Circumstances Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Book: “The Program”
- Part 1 – Building Your Down Payment
- Part 2 – Mortgage Payoff Strategies
- Part 3 – Building Wealth Through Real Estate