In a move to help BC citizens and residents buy their first home, the BC government announced today that it is launching a new program to augment down payments for first-time buyers. The B.C. Home Owner Mortgage and Equity Partnership program contributes to the amount first-time homebuyers have already saved for their down payment, providing […]
Accelerated Bi-Weekly vs Non
When signing your mortgage commitment letter you will have to choose your payment frequency. If your goal is to re-pay your mortgage as quickly as possible, then you need to understand how different payment options will affect your repayment schedule. So what are your options? In general, most lenders will offer the borrower the option […]
Tax Changes to The Principal Residence Exemption
Very good information from an accountant friend of mine Jimmy Le-Tang You may or may not have heard about recent tax changes regarding the principal residence exemption available on the sale of a taxpayer’s principal residence. The recent changes are significant and I would consider them to be a TAX TRAP because the new rules […]
Market Averages, Government Intervention and Reality
In the Vancouver market, we often hear about the benchmark price, the average price, and the median home price. Usually that of a specific neighbourhood or municipality. However, what buyers rarely hear is the average price of the bottom 80% of listings of the Greater Vancouver Area. Y’know, the properties that the overwhelming majority of […]
How to pay off debt faster – 25 secret tips
1. Make a double mortgage payment whenever you can. Doing this once a year can shave over 4 years off the mortgage! Sometimes you can skip a payment later on too…if you really, really need to. Try not to. If your payment is $2,000 a month, four years of no payments is $96,000!! 2. Increase […]