Go Canadian Newsletter April 2023

Plus, my FREE REPORT & resource of the month...

Ultimate Home Buyer Success Kit

Purchasing a home takes time and involves a lot of steps. Since it’s such a huge investment, it’s actually a good thing that buying takes a while. This gives you the opportunity to thoroughly consider all of your choices and make careful decisions.

On average, it can take 4 to 5 months to buy a home, but some variables can lengthen the process significantly. Here’s what’s involved:

• Saving a down payment: This step isn’t included in the 4 to 5 months because it can take years. In an ideal world, you’d save a 20% down payment so you avoid mortgage default insurance (e.g. CMHC). If you’re a first time buyer, you should save at least 5-10%. Only you know how long that will take.

• Getting pre-approved for financing: This takes just few days, but it can save huge time and frustration later on by ensuring you know exactly what you can afford in advance.

• Shopping for a home: Takes 2 to 3 months and includes finding an experienced Realtor who can help you set realistic criteria, provide essential advice and take care of all the details.

• Making an offer and negotiating the best deal: This should only take a few days. One variable here is that you or the seller may request an extended closing period to facilitate the completion of another real estate transaction. If so, this could add another month or more to the process.

• Getting a home inspection: It takes a few days to schedule and complete the inspection. This helps ensure the home is in good condition, and if not, it allows you to negotiate with the seller for repairs.

• Finalizing financing: This can take 1 to 2 months and includes the appraisal, lender review of your financial documents, verifying title, etc.

• Getting home insurance: Plan on spending a few days getting your new home insured.

• Closing: It only takes a few hours to sign all the papers and take possession of the keys to your new home!

1. Use a Realtor who specializes in local waterfront properties. Only an experienced local expert knows which properties are the gems and which are the duds.

2. Buy for the property, not the house. Houses can be renovated, but a bad beach with no privacy and poor access is forever.

3. Keep your lifestyle in mind. If you love lying on the beach, don’t buy a rocky shore. If you love deep sea fishing, don’t buy far from a marina.

4. Get pre-approved. Waterfront properties are more expensive, so you’ll probably need a larger mortgage.

5. Look for a house that can withstand wind and water.

6. Look into insurance. Waterfront homes may carry risks that make insurance expensive or difficult to get.

7. Familiarize yourself with local regulations. For instance, some areas don’t allow docks or seawalls.

8. Talk to neighbors, they can tell you all about the neighborhood and possibly provide insight into the property you’re looking at.

9. Consider utilities. Some rural waterfront properties may lack electricity, drinking water, sewer hookup, internet, etc.

10. Find out if there’s a homeowners association. If so, there may be rules around upkeep and restrictions on some activities.

Today, it’s not uncommon to struggle with the cost of living, but the good news is that there are many easy ways to reduce spending. Here are some proven suggestions:

1. Cut energy consumption. Turn off lights when not in a room, switch to LED bulbs, install a programmable thermostat, wash laundry in cold water, etc.

2. Plan meals in advance. This helps avoid last minute fast food purchases, and it helps repurpose leftovers as lunches.

3. Try not to allocate too much to housing. If you’re spending more than 25% of your take-home pay on housing, you’re house poor. Try to find a cheaper home.

4. Choose reusable. We waste money and resources on single-use items. Stop using single-use water bottles, paper towels, sandwich bags, etc.

5. Avoid expensive brand names. When brand names cost more for the same quality, switch to generic groceries, cleaning supplies, medications, etc.

6. DIY. Instead of buying expensive products, make things yourself, including soaps, laundry detergent, household cleaners, face scrubs, etc.

7. Use less water. Save money on water bills by taking quicker showers, only running the dishwasher when it’s full, shutting off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth, etc.

8. Consider refinancing your mortgage into a shorter amortization. You’ll probably pay higher monthly payments, but over time you’ll save thousands. As your local mortgage specialists, we can see if this is a good option for you.

HOLISTIC HEALTH TIP OF THE MONTH

7 REASONS RASPBERRIES ARE A POWER FOOD

Raspberries are delicious, and guess what? They’re also highly nutritious, whether you buy them fresh in season or frozen. Remember frozen berries are packaged at their peak of ripeness and freshness, so they taste better and have more nutrients than out-of-season berries that endure long distance travel.

Here’s why Raspberries are a Powerfood:

1. Rich in vitamins and minerals. 100grams contain 23 milligrams of vitamin C, which promotes immunity, skin health and fat-burning. Raspberries also contain manganese, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, potassium, and vitamins K, E and B.

2. Low in sugar. At just 2.7 grams per 100-gram serving, Raspberries are one of the lowest-sugar fruits. 

3. Rich in antioxidants. Eating Raspberries can reduce cell damage and inflammation as we age.

4. Contain cancer-fighting chemicals. The ellagitannins and anthocyanins in raspberries may reduce reproduction of cancer cells.

5. High in fiber. 100 grams of Raspberries provide a third of our minimum daily fiber requirement. Fiber helps with weight control by making us feel full and supports digestive health.

6. Help manage blood sugar. In people at risk of diabetes, eating Raspberries can reduce the amount of insulin needed to manage blood sugar levels.

7. Enhance brain function. The flavonoids in Raspberries help improve coordination, memory and mood. And Raspberries’ antioxidants help reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Add Raspberries to breakfast cereals, salads, smoothies and sauces for a delicious way to improve your health!

As always, before making major changes to your diet, consult with a health professional.

What do people around the world celebrate on April 22nd?

a) Green Day

b) Earth Day

c) Peace Day

d) Buy Nothing Day

Answer to Last Month's Quiz

March is when tulips often start emerging. This beautiful spring bulb originated as a wildflower in:

a) Central Asia

b) Netherlands

c) New Zealand

d) Central America

ANSWER: a) Central Asia

Congratulations to Nano Needles of Stratford, Ontario for winning last month’s quiz contest! You have won a FREE KEG DINNER for four. Enjoy!

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To submit your answer to this month's trivia contest, type your name along with your trivia answer and the current month below.

Winners are announced on our Social Media Platforms. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see this month's winners or claim your prize.... It just might be you!

Buying a home is a major investment no matter how you look at it. For many home buyers it’s a lot more expensive than it should be because they fall prey to common and costly mistakes, which results in them either paying too much for the home they want, or losing their dream home altogether. Unfortunate, but true.

As your Mortgage advisor, I’ve prepared an informative home buyer resource entitled, “The Ultimate Home Buyer Success Kit"  --an absolute must for any prudent home buyer. 

Here’s just a portion of what you’ll get in your kit:
• Free Guide: 15 Home Buyer Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• How to Find Your Dream Home Checklist
• $200 Closing Costs Coupon
• Rolodex of Our First Class Service Providers for All Your Home Buying Needs and much, much more!

As you can see, we have a growing selection of FREE REPORTS that are jam-packed with valuable tips and proven strategies to help you, your friends and family avoid costly financial pitfalls. If you’d like us to rush you one or more of these free reports, please click the link below.

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Do you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about buying, selling or refinancing your home? Here are 3 FREE REPORTS that are GUARANTEED to help you make an informed decision on buying, selling or investing in Real Estate.

We are changing the way Canadians get mortgages, and we want to help you too! Click the button below to get started on the path to homeownership!

(519) 755-2446

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