Mark Evans  Globe and Mail Update One of the realities in the consulting business is that projects eventually come to an end. The work gets done, the client is hopefully happy, and then everyone goes their separate ways. But just because the project has been completed doesn’t mean the relationship should come to an end. […]

Mortgage scam prompts warnings Latest mortgage scam prompts warnings from real estate board By MYKE THOMAS, SUNMEDIA-Calgary Sun The uncovering of the latest mortgage scam and that mortgage fraudsters are active in Calgary is not a surprise, says Diane Scott, president of the Calgary Real Estate Board. “I started in (the real estate business) 1983 […]

China’s economy now world’s second largest By Tomoko A. Hosaka TOKYO — China has eclipsed Japan as the world’s second-biggest economy after three decades of blistering growth that put overtaking the U.S. in reach within 10 years. Japan is still far richer per person after confirming Monday that economic output fell behind its giant neighbour […]

     “…the percentage spread between discounted 5-year fixed and variable rates has tumbled over 110 basis points in the last few months.  That’s reduced the variable-rate advantage markedly.”*       ”Highly discounted 5-year fixed rates are now in the 3.89% range, less than 1/2 point from the lowest we can remember. They’ll probably go even lower […]

Home sweet home: What to do about falling real estate values  By Harvey Enchin 9 Aug 2010 COMMENTS(1) Everybody’s Business  Filed under: real estate, housing I penned this editorial to calm fears that the real estate market in Vancouver was collapsing and I’ve  added some brief comments at the end. Living in Canada’s most expensive […]

 10 things to check before you buy a new home The process of buying a new home—especially if it’s your first time—is incredibly intimidating. And while there are certain things you may know you’re going to want to change upon moving in (like paint colors or retiling), if you’ve never gone through this before you […]

Bond yields are falling.  They are down 7 bps this morning already to 2.16.  There’s still lots of time left today for them to reverse course, but there is reason for the decline:   The Federal Reserve in the US yesterday told the world the economic recovery in the US will be slower than they […]

Canada sees ‘dramatic’ housing slowdown, global report says Julie Fortier, Financial Post · Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010 OTTAWA — Canada led in the global housing recovery in the first quarter of 2010, but moderating global growth, heightened financial market volatility and sluggish job creation have led to a “dramatic” slowdown in Canada, according to the […]

FINTRAC (Financial Transactions Reports Analysis Centre) has advised that financial institutions are required to have an adequate employment description for all borrowers, particularly self employed and retired persons. “Self-employed” is not an adequate employment description unless it is accompanied by further information (e.g. IT Security Consultant, Owner – Landscaping Company, etc). In addition, FINTRAC has now stated […]

Five expenses that will consume 50 per cent of your lifetime earnings by Manisha Thakor, Forbes.comIn these recessionary times, financial tips are flowing fast and furious about how to save money and stick to a budget. Facing a sea of information, many people are asking, “Where do I start?”  For most of us, five areas […]