31 Oct

Enjoying a Debt-Free Holiday

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

The holidays are coming up! As much as these celebrations bring us joy and harmony, they can also bring us stress. This is particularly true when it comes to your finances! However, don’t lose hope that this will be another draining year on your pocketbook. In fact, with a little planning, there are a few ways […]

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31 Oct

Winterizing Your Home

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

With the changing of the seasons, it can be a good time to take stock of your home and ensure you are ready for the colder weather. To help you feel more comfortable, save on bills and prevent future repair costs, there are some simple things you can do to prepare for the coming season. […]

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31 Oct

Don’t Be House Poor

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Having the biggest and best home on the block sounds great – but not if it is at the expense of your life and monthly finances! Be smart about your budget and avoid buying a home at the very top of your pre-approval value, which might lead to cash flow issues and being “house poor” […]

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3 Oct

Go Green! In Your Kitchen?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

When it comes to making your home more eco-friendly, the best place to start is the kitchen! With all of the hustle and bustle that goes on in this space (as well as the multitude of appliances), this is the ideal area to transform first for maximum effect. Invest in Long-Lasting Cookware: Switch your Teflon […]

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3 Oct

Job Loss and Your Mortgage Application

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

When it comes to your mortgage application, there are a few things that you should avoid doing while you’re waiting for approval – such as making large purchases (i.e. a new car), applying for new credit, pulling additional credit reports, etc. Another issue that can come up is the loss of your job… What you […]

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3 Oct

Don’t Get Spooked! First-Time Homebuyer Tips

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Whether you’re currently in the process of looking for your first home, or have just started to think about it, I have some first-time homebuyer tips to help make your journey as easy as possible! Some of these you may already know about, and some you might not, but they are sure to make your […]

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9 Sep

Fall Home Prep!

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

With Fall just around the corner, here are some of my favourite (and helpful!) home prep tips to help you be ready for the upcoming season. Following these tips will ensure everything continues running well into the colder months! Inspect Your Gutters: This time of year it is important to clean and inspect your gutters […]

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9 Sep

Back-to-School Credit Clean-Up!

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

It’s time to go back to school… for your finances! The fall is the perfect time for a credit clean-up so that you are ready for the holiday spending season – and anything else the year can throw at you! When it comes to cleaning up credit, there is no better time than now to […]

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9 Sep

Understanding Mortgage Trigger Points

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

As we move into the Fall market, there are some important things you should be aware of. While inflation has now likely peaked, we will still be dealing with the repercussions from these heightened levels for a while before things balance out. As inflation is corrected, we are also seeing home prices moving back to […]

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2 Aug

Beat the Heat and Save!

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Summer is finally here so be sure to enjoy it! To help you beat the heat AND save money while you do, here are some tips: Use Portable and Ceiling Fans: Instead of cranking the A/C (and your electricity bill) consider cooling down with portable and ceiling fans. They can help ease the stress on your unit […]

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