Diane Birk

As many economists expected, the Bank of Canada announced today that it is increasing the overnight rate .25 per cent, noting that the "policy interest rate will need to rise to a neutral stance to achieve the inflation target." As for the pace of future rate increases, the Bank will take into account how the economy is adjusting to higher rates, household debt levels, and global trade policy developments....

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping the overnight rate unchanged as they monitor the evolution of NAFTA negotiations and the outlook for inflation. Household debt levels are improving, the housing market is stabilizing, and business investment and exports are “growing solidly”. The Bank noted that higher rates will be warranted but they “will continue to take a gradual...

As many economists expected, the Bank of Canada announced today that it is increasing the overnight rate .25 per cent, the fourth increase since last summer, given strong economic improvements. The economy and job market are performing well, housing is beginning to stabilize, oil prices have gone up, exports are strong and businesses are spending. The Bank also wants to keep inflation near target. The...

A mortgage pre-approval can be an important part of your pathway to building wealth, giving you a real-world picture of your options: that is, your opportunities as well as your limitations.

A mortgage preapproval will tell you how much you qualify for (you may be pleasantly surprised), what your mortgage payments will be, and you’ll get an interest rate that will be held for a specific time period,...

Roof - You don’t need to climb up there yourself; with binoculars and a keen eye, you can probably spot trouble. Do you see any shingle-shift, suggesting that some fasteners may have failed and need replacing? Any cracked or missing shingles? What about nail-pops? All will need to be addressed to keep your roof at peak performance. If you notice and deficiencies call a professional roofer to conduct...

The BC Home Owner Mortgage and Equity (HOME) Partnership program will come to an end on March 31, 2018, due to its low participation rate.

Applications received by March 31, 2018, will be considered for approval. Current program recipients will not be affected.

When the program was introduced, it was anticipated it would provide 42,000 loans over a three-year period. However, as of January...

It’s easy to get caught up in home buying frenzy and just focus on finding that perfect home. During all that excitement, be sure to take some time to get acquainted with a few key terms. Here are the four types of insurance you’ll encounter.

HIGH-RATIO MORTGAGE INSURANCE
If your downpayment is between 5% and 20%, you are required to have “high-ratio mortgage insurance”. This...

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding the overnight rate steady after raising it twice this past summer. The Bank noted that the recent strength of the Canadian dollar has slowed inflation and export growth, and that there is “substantial uncertainty” around geopolitical developments and the renegotiation of NAFTA. The Bank has therefore deemed that “the current stance...