January is the perfect time to do a review of your finances. It’s a good idea to devote some time this month to looking over previous expenses and earnings, both expected and unexpected, to determine how last year’s pattern may or may not shape this year’s.

That said, January is also prime time to get our financial house in order. Since your mortgage is likely your biggest and most long-term expenditure, let’s look at how we can support paying it down while covering all the other substantial expenses – retirement, vehicles, children’s education — that life throws our way.

Start with a budget

You need to take a long, hard look at your finances. You should know where most of your money, some of your money and a little of your money went last year. Do you know, for example, that 10 per cent of your net earnings went to local restaurants? Are you wasting money on gym memberships and other services that are rarely used? For one month, save every receipt received by you and those in your household. Include charges to credit cards and automatic withdrawals from bank accounts. What you’re spending your hard-earned cash on may surprise you at the end of 30 days.

Make a game plan and be specific

It’s important to specify what exactly you want to do with your household finances – save for retirement, save for the kids’ education, save for a vacation. We can all say let’s save more and spend less but without a specific and realistic amount to shoot for, you’re likely going to fall short. Can you afford to plunk down an extra $500 a month on your household debt? Is that realistic? There’s no point in earmarking numbers you can’t maintain. Perhaps $200 works better.

Consider automatic payments

So you want to save for a big European vacation three years from now? Set up a vacation fund and have your bank withdraw automatic payments each month. The same goes for a retirement fund or savings for your child’s post-secondary education.

Don’t spend, save instead

This is much more difficult than it sounds. Try to commit one day a month or week even when you don’t spend a dime. Bring your lunch to work, watch Netflix with the kids and cook dinner from what you find in the fridge and freezer. This could prove to be a fun and eye opening exercise for the whole family.

Look at your mortgage

Since this is your largest outlay, try paying it down quicker, if you can. Bi-weekly payments pay down your mortgage debt much faster than monthly payments. Another painless method is to round up your payments. So if you’re paying $667 every two weeks round up the payment to $700. You’re not likely to notice the extra $33 but your mortgage will. If you inherit or win money consider plunking it down on your mortgage. Use your raise at work or your annual tax refund to help pay down the principal of your mortgage. Most lending institutions allow you to make an extra mortgage payment per year that is applied directly to the principal. Even seemingly small amounts can add up to big savings.

Sources: www.ratesupermarket.ca, www.capitalmortgages.com, www.canadianliving.com

A new year always brings with it hope and promise for a bigger, brighter and better future. Given that level of optimism, it’s probably a good idea to have some kind of strategy in place to help you achieve your goals.

Here are a few suggestions to help you reach your 2019 real estate related resolutions:

Buyers 

Do you have any idea about your credit rating? How does it fare? You may want to inquire before you apply for a mortgage just to be on the safe side. Speaking of mortgages, get pre-approved for one before you go house hunting. This will indicate what price range you can afford based on a review of your finances. A pre-approval will also provide written confirmation of the lender’s interest rate for a certain period of time. This could come in quite handy especially with interest rates predicted to rise.

Know what you are getting into. The dream of home ownership is fabulous but sometimes consumers get caught up in the pretty little details and don’t factor in the hard reality. A home is probably the most expensive proposition you’ll make. Can you afford it? Is your down payment sizable enough? What is your household income? Is it expected to rise? What are your long-term income/revenue prospects? Do you have enough to cover closing costs, estimated in the range of 1.5 to four per cent of your purchase price?

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers a wealth of information and tools to help you figure out if home ownership is right for you. Visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca to learn more.

Sellers 

Find a reputable and qualified agent, not your cousin Jimmy. Remember you will be spending a fair bit of time in their company so it’s wise to select a realtor you like or, at least, can tolerate.

Get your financial house in order. Yes, you need to wrestle with your finances when selling as well. Will you have enough after selling to purchase another home? Or do you plan to invest your proceeds or perhaps start a new business with the money? Remember that there are costs you will incur as a seller – home repairs, legal and realtor fees, house inspections and appraisals.

The work. Know that there will be a lot of it. From keeping your house tidy and clean at all hours to getting rid of or reducing clutter, overstuffed closets, sheds and garages, junk drawers, unpleasant smells, unsightly decorating – and on and on. Remember the key is to pare down so store or pack away rarely used small appliances, jewelry, toiletries, out-of-season clothing, reading material, unused toys, artwork and photographs.

If you want your home to present well you will need to give it a serious once over and fix and replace outdated, broken and shabby items. Ask friends or your realtor for help with this as an extra set of eyes will identify problems that you don’t readily recognize.

Sources: www.nexthome.ca

Saving up for a down payment on your first home can seem like a goliath task these days. With the average house price in the GTA fluttering around $700,000, the notion of making a dent in your savings on a down payment may seem daunting, if not insurmountable.

If you’ve already been saving your nickels for retirement, there is some help to be had thanks to a federal government program known as the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP). The HBP lets first-time home buyers withdraw up to $25,000 from an RRSP to put toward the down payment on a house. Since a couple can each withdraw funds they can pool their assets and withdraw as much as $50,000. How that benefits first-time home buyers is that the funds withdrawn from the RRSP are not immediately taxed as long as you meet the deadline to return the funds within a specified time.

Do you qualify?

You do if you or your partner did not own a home that was your principal residence in the four calendar years prior to purchasing a house with an HBP.

Pay back

It’s an unfortunate reality but under this Canada Revenue Agency program, the RRSP funds have to be paid back within 15 years. The good news is that you don’t have to start paying back your RRSP until the second calendar year after the withdrawal. So if you used the HBP in 2018, you have until 2020 to start paying back your RRSP.

No tax benefit

Because you are paying back what you originally contributed to an RRSP, there is no tax relief as you would have experienced the first time around.

Expectations

You are expected to make payments every year under the HBP and the repayment expectations are far from onerous. Annual repayments are 1/15 th of the withdrawal total so if you borrowed $15,000, your annual repayment would be $1,000 per year for 15 years.

If, for some reason, you can’t meet the yearly repayment or can only manage a part of it, then the payment or the part that you couldn’t pay is added to your taxable income.

The HBP has been in place since 1992 and though some critics say it should be scrapped because people need to save for retirement, others say its absence would harm the housing market.

You know the old saying that if something seems too good to be true it probably is? Well, the same principle kind of applies when it comes to condo fees.

There are no quick fixes or mystical remedies that will magically help you reduce your condo fees. That said, there are measures you can take that may help in the medium and long run. Your persistence and stick-to-itiveness will be put to the test and may eventually pay off. But know this: while you can put certain measures in place that may relieve the burden of mounting condo fees, the chances of reducing or rolling them back is pretty much slim to none.

So what is a condo owner to do? Here are a few suggestions:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Get involved

To ensure reasonable condo fees, you may want to have a say in how your condo is operating. Do you prefer the notion of building a reserve fund for those emergency repairs that are sure to one day happen? Or are you more comfortable keeping fees lower and only raising them under duress? By joining the condo board and attending meetings you will learn why your condo fees are what they are. Only once you see where your fees are going can you actually make some headway about changing direction. Do you think your condo corporation is being over charged for certain services? Being a member of the condo board means your voice will be heard.

Do your homework

It’s easy to get sucked in by the dulcet tones of salespeople who flaunt fabulous party rooms, fun-filled hot tubs and a fitness centre? But know that these amenities come at a cost. According to the National Bank, the average condo fee in the GTA averages 65 cents a square foot. On a 600 square foot condo that would be $390 per month and for a 1,000 square foot unit, your condo fee would hit $650.

It’s also a good idea to investigate condo fee increases at other buildings by the same developer. Fees undoubtedly vary based on the building’s location, amenities, age and the size of the units so comparisons are sometimes difficult to ascertain. By scrutinizing the developer’s history you will determine if the builder has earned a positive or negative reputation when it comes to managing condo fees and the like.

 Reserve fund

You need to find out about the health of the reserve fund of the condo you’re interested in. Is there a good chunk of savings for major work or an emergency repair or has the well run dry? Find out what major work has taken place and what is slated to take place in the future. A well-run condo corporation should be able to provide this information.

Sources: www.torontostar.com, www.ideas.nationalbank.ca

There is so much to learn about buying a home, and let’s face it, dry and boring finances can easily be cast aside as you explore the features of HVAC systems, paint chip shades and new schools for the kids.

But the type of mortgage you choose is an important step forward in how to properly finance your future. Let’s take a look at the difference between a closed and open mortgage.

Closed

These types of mortgages are appealing because the interest rate is always lower than an open mortgage. They also offer longer terms as well. If you’re looking to save money on your monthly loan payments this may be your best bet. Usually, those who select a closed mortgage are homeowners whose income is relatively set. Borrowers who pick this type do not plan on paying off their mortgage in the short term.

This is not the type of mortgage you would take if you were expecting a big inheritance or other significant increase in your income. The reason for this is because you will face a penalty if you try to pay off a portion of or your entire mortgage. And the penalties can be high. If you can, you’re best to wait until the renewal term of your mortgage comes due before making any changes.

To be fair, most lending institutions are not as severe as they once were when it comes to paying off or paying down your mortgage. Most permit some kind of allowance that lets you pay off a certain portion or percentage of your mortgage without penalty.

Open 

This type of mortgage offers a higher interest rate and shorter borrowing terms but it has a kind of flexibility that is important to some borrowers. The beauty of this kind of mortgage centres on the fact that it lets the borrower pay back the mortgage or part of it without penalty. An open mortgage is perfect for those who plan to sell their house or who are soon anticipating a significant infusion of money and planning to pay down their mortgage debt with it.

These mortgage rates tend to be variable, which is another benefit. You can move into another mortgage product at any time if you decide a variable open mortgage is not suitable for you.

Sources: www.creditfinanceplus.com, www.youngandthrifty.ca, www.lowestrates.ca

November may seem like a kind of nothing month when it comes to tending to your lawn, gardens and flower beds. It’s time to hunker down for a frosty Canadian winter so why not put off worrying about the great outdoors until the arrival of warmer temperatures next spring?

That simply won’t work. Even though the signs of winter are everywhere there are a few finishing touches we need to tend to in order to keep our properties if not looking great, at least presentable.

Lawns

They take up our biggest outdoor space and also a lot of time, money and effort to maintain. Don’t neglect them now. It’s a good idea to fertilize your lawn in November. Try an organic fertilizer or consider making your own. Using synthetic fertilizers has detrimental effects on our environment, causing the depletion of soil nutrients, air pollution and chemical run-off.

You’ll need to cut your grass one last time this month before the snow flies. Clip at its normal height but be sure to remove all grass clippings with a rake or use a mulching mower. It’s also okay to rake the clippings onto flower beds.

If you’re feeling super handy-dandy you may want to service your lawn mower by cleaning, sharpening and oiling its blades. While you’re at it, change the oil and empty the machine of all gas before storing it away.

Protection

Wind, sun and cold can wreak havoc on certain evergreens and new plants. Wrap them in burlap to protect them from the elements. Also consider wrapping screening around the trunks of fruit trees to protect them from small animals. Most rose bushes require mulch so be sure to cover them with a good layer of leaves or other mulch product.

Fallen leaves

You’ll save money if you use your leaves as mulch for your flower beds or as material with which to build your compost.

Water

Don’t forget to give your evergreens a good strong soaking before winter snowfalls. According to Mark Cullen, wet roots mean evergreens will winter better. It’s not a bad idea to continue watering trees and shrubs until it freezes also. And remember to turn off your outdoor water faucets and drain and store your garden hoses.

Dream

As you put the final touches on your lawn and garden for the year, think about your likes and dislikes. Begin formulating a plan for next spring. What will you move? What will you get rid of? And, most notably, what would like to add?

Sources: www.greenhome.com, www.torontostar.com,

October signals thoughts of pumpkin pie, family get togethers at Thanksgiving and jaunty drives to take in nature’s beautiful fall colours.

But as realists, we all know those leaves eventually make their way to the ground for homeowners to rake, bag and grumble about. Did you know there is a lot more to autumn leaves than meets the eye? Let’s look at a few ways we can treat our foliage more kindly than bagging it up for the curbside. And just maybe, we can spare the environment in addition to our backs.

Compost

Leaves are our friend, especially when making rich organic fertilizer for your flower beds and gardens. Once you’ve raked up the leaves, you can shred them into smaller bits so use your lawn mower to do so. Though shredding is not absolutely mandatory, it will quicken the composting process. Add the carbon-rich leaves to materials that are rich in nitrogen such as grass clippings, coffee grounds or fruit and veggie scraps. The balance between carbon and nitrogen is key here. Mix well and be sure to turn over your compost pile every few days so can ensure a good breakdown. The compost should be ready in about two months, when it’s dark brown and earthy smelling.

Mulch

Believe it or not but leaves make for a great ingredient in mulch. Again, you’ll need to shred the leaves. Add grass clippings and wood chips. Use the mulch to top your flower beds and gardens.  As mulch decomposes, you will need to eventually make more with which to replace it.

Insulate

Consider trying leaves as insulation for tender or new plants in need of protection from the ravages of winter. So the leaves don’t blow away, you’ll need to circle the plant with some kind of wire fencing that creates a protective framework. Fill it with leaves.

Leave ‘em

Yes, you can do this. But again you’re best to run your lawn mower over them as you don’t want a blanket of leaves that will smother your lawn. You may have to do this a few times. Leaving leaves on your lawn is good because it feeds your grass.

Make leaf mold

This all-leaf compost is a soil conditioner that is high in minerals and loved by gardeners. Gather leaves into plastic bags or wire bins and makes sure to keep them moist, which allows the fungus to grow.

Preserve them

Remember grade school art projects? Exactly. Leaves are a thing of beauty all by themselves. You can dry them and press them between the pages of a book. Glue them onto paper or try topping a leaf with tracing paper and then lightly pencil over top to create an imprint.

Jump in

If the mood hits you can always pile them up high and dive in. Kids and grandkids welcome.

Sources: www.ksenvironmental.com.au, www.thespruce.com,

Do headaches and hassles come with owning student rental units? Of course, but there are also plenty of opportunities that might just make investing in student housing worthwhile.

Let’s look at some facts. The number of domestic and foreign students drawn to Canadian universities and colleges is not going away. In fact, it’s growing.  In 2017, Canadian universities were home to more than 1.7 million students. About 370,000 international students attended universities and colleges in 2017. And they all need a place to live.

Industry insiders have long been aware of the investment opportunity in student housing. They say the Baby Boom Echo, which is essentially a second explosion of babies born thanks to the original boomer demographic, has grown up and is looking to further their education, thus making student housing a solid niche for investors.

You’ve likely at least heard of friends of friends who decided to purchase a house, townhouse or condo for their post-secondary-bound son or daughter. While that may sound a bit extravagant to some, it’s actually a clever way to invest your money. Living expenses add up quickly, whether they are on campus residences or co-op living arrangements in off-campus housing. Residence fees can range from $7,000 to as high as $15,000 or $20,000 per year. Living off campus is likely cheaper. But why not invest your money in a rental property? Your son or daughter can keep an eye on the day-to-day operations of the unit, especially if you live far away.

You can rent a 3-bedroom Toronto condo for $3,400 to $4,500 per month. While that is a lot of money to hand over each and every month, the hit is softened as it is divided among three tenants who share the condo’s common living space, which includes the kitchen, bathrooms, living room and balcony.

Another advantage to investing in student housing has to do with late or absent rent payments. When a single tenant is late paying his or her rent, the financial setback can be quite a blow for the landlord, who typically needs prompt payments in an effort to pay mortgage fees, condo fees and other bills. Withstanding the loss of rent money from one student renter is easier to swallow as the remaining renters help ease the shortfall with their rent payments.

So there are certain benefits to investing in student housing and the biggest one is that cash flow is usually higher than with single-family rentals. Of course, tenant turnover is higher so there is that to contend with. Just be sure to do your due diligence when vetting potential tenants and don’t forget to insure your property so it reflects that you are renting your space to students.

A common lament in the world of Toronto real estate is that the housing market is in short supply.

So when we hear that and then also learn that two per cent of homeowners own properties that are currently vacant, it makes you stop for a minute.

Though two per cent might sound like peanuts, it’s not. If you are looking at sales over the past 12 months, that translates to nearly 1,857 properties added to the bundle of already vacant homes in the GTA, an indisputably significant number, according to Better Dwelling.

In 2017, numbers from Statistics Canada showed that Toronto was home to over 99,000 unoccupied homes.

The survey of 2,501 homeowners was released earlier this year by the Toronto Real Estate Board and Ipsos.

It also appears that the inventory of empty homes has risen quite substantially from 2017. According to the CBC, 28 per cent of GTA property listings are vacant, a number that has increased over last year from 17 per cent.

Large numbers of vacant homes has been a controversial issue particularly in the GTA and Vancouver, where real estate prices have made the prospect of owning a home impossible for some. In fact, many industry insiders and economists have suggested that a vacancy tax would ease housing supply shortages. While many proponents of affordable housing support a vacancy tax believing that it would unlock Toronto’s supply of rental units, there is also some evidence that shows a vacancy tax may just help the buy-and-sell housing market.

The TREB-Ipsos survey supports this view. Results show what these homeowners of secondary properties would do if confronted with a vacancy tax. Nearly 38 per cent said they would sell their property, while almost 37 per cent claimed they would rent their properties to tenants. This would clearly go a long way toward building the city’s housing supply.

Some observers say higher numbers of empty homes are the result of foreign investors and speculators, who are simply waiting for the right time to sell. Still, others blame the growth in vacant housing stock on short-term accommodations services such as Airbnb. Any which way you approach the issue, there’s no doubt that the high number of empty homes poses some level of threat to the GTA’s economic health.

There’s a time-worn saying in real estate that location, location, location is everything but anyone who has bought and sold property once or twice knows that success in the market also hinges on timing, timing, timing.

If you missed the hot spring market, you’re in luck as fall runs a close second in terms of being the most desirable time to buy or sell your home. Here’s why:

Buyers are serious

It’s true that there are fewer buyers in fall, no doubt, but those that are out there tend to be more serious about the practice of purchasing a home. Not to discredit spring buyers, but when the real estate market heats up into a whirling frenzy you invariably end up with buyers who are simply caught up in the tumultuous trend. A number of them enjoy touring homes and kicking tires. Fall buyers aren’t as affected by the whirlwind of activity as they otherwise would be joining their counterparts in spring.  These home buyers are ready to put their money where their mouth is and they are interested in investing in a home or property instead of merely checking out how well or poorly a home is staged.

Fewer irons in the fire 

We all know competition can be fierce during a spring market. That’s when the majority of sellers list their homes in order to accommodate summertime moves thanks in large part to school-aged children and other family needs. Perhaps one of the biggest advantages to selling your home in the fall is the fact there is far less inventory available, which puts your property in greater demand.

Before the snow flies 

If you buy or sell early enough in fall, you could be settled into your new home before any inclement weather begins knocking or just in time for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. In addition, a fall move will likely go easier on your wallet than a move in spring or summer.

Families aren’t the only buying demographic 

It makes sense why families with children choose to buy or sell in the spring. Their kids need not be uprooted during the school year and moving in summer is simply easier and less disruptive for little ones. But there are plenty of childless consumer groups who buy and sell real estate. Young professionals, seniors and empty nesters, to name a few.

The beauty of autumn 

It’s true that one of the reasons the spring market is so popular is because that’s when properties are at their most captivating. Flowers are blooming, trees are budding and lawns look lush and green. But the fall is clearly no runner up in the home beauty pageant department. Trees display a magnificent variation of colour in fall. Certain flowers are still in blossom or just emerging then. Add to your exterior’s curb appeal with a beautiful wreath or door swag. Given that Thanksgiving and Halloween occur in October, there are plenty of visual cues from which to draw inspiration for outdoor decorating.