The newly rich: How your world changes when downsizing creates a windfall

You may never have imagined yourself sitting on a financial windfall and wondering what to do with it but many older Canadians who have lived through the housing market’s finest hours are facing just that. If the investment in your family home has paid off handsomely over your lifetime, there might come a time to […]

Does it make more financial sense to own a condo or rent an apartment? – Ask a Vancouver Mortgage Broker

DAN BARNABIC Contributed to The Globe and Mail From The Condo Bible for Canadians, Everything you must know before and after buying a Condo, by Dan S. Barnabic. Copyright © 2013 by Dan S. Barnabic. Reprinted with permission of Neon Publishing Corp. Investing vs. Renting: “In Principal”For many people, it is more advantageous to own rather […]

The cost of buying a home: It’s not just the mortgage, silly! – Ask a Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Associated costs include down payment, closing costs, moving costs and new appliances. By: Kristin Kent Special to the Star,  Adam Frank and his girlfriend MaryAnne, both 29, knew they wouldn’t become homeowners overnight. The two were realistic and grounded in their approach. They had conversations. They researched. They crunched numbers. Infographic: It’s your money (a practical guide) – […]

Closing Costs on your Vancouver Real Estate Financing

Closing Costs on your Vancouver Real Estate Financing Buying a home and setting up the real estate financing is expensive and time consuming. However, many people who are first time home buyers may not be fully aware or properly budgeting for the closing costs which can leave you scrambling if you’re not aware of them. […]

Itemizing Up-Front Closing Costs

When you buy a new home, lenders like to see proof that you can cover the closing costs. To satisfy this condition you typically have to demonstrate your ability to pay an additional 1.5% of the purchase price at closing, on top of your down payment. But not everyone knows what closing costs entail. TD recently […]