The right real estate agent will help you through every step of buying or selling your home. Like any relationship, you want to ask questions, get to know your agent before agreeing to have them work with you. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider when looking for an agent. Where to begin when buying a home When looking for an agent, you want to find an individual who you...
The breakneck pace of technological change has fundamentally affected the way industries operate and innovate, and banking is no exception. Accessing financial services online has been the norm for years now, with an overwhelming majority of the population using digital channels for most banking transactions. The infrastructure that makes all of this possible, routinely processes massive amounts of sensitive data and needs to constantly evolve to ensure it all remains secure. To gain a better...
As online-based transactions become more prevalent, cybercriminals are finding new and creative ways to steal your money. So, what can you do to make sure you don’t fall prey to these malicious attacks? Here are the most common types of real estate fraud schemes and some ways that you can safeguard yourself. Wire fraud One of the most common types of real estate fraud is wire fraud. Fraudsters send you an email or text that...
I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is: we’re not getting any younger. The good news is: we’re not going away anytime soon, either, as life expectancy for Canadians is higher than ever before! At least, I think that’s good news—check back with me in 2050 and let’s see how we all feel about it. Globally, we’ve hit astoundingly high population numbers for people aged 65+, exceeding a threshold of 672 million...
Quite soon, many office workers are going back to the workplace after a long separation. For those who have taken maternity leave, sabbatical, or a break in between roles, going back to work can sometimes feel daunting. This time around you won’t be the singled out “new person” – everyone will be in the same boat, restarting together. Overnight, almost everyone had to become remote employees, and Zoom fatigue suddenly became a real symptom. Depending...
The handshake. It’s been part of introductions and business deals for centuries. During COVID-19, handshakes have ceased. But should we break the custom permanently? Experts say yes. Read on to learn why handshakes may become extinct and what might replace them. History of the handshake Depictions of handshaking as a sign of trust is found in art and literature from thousands of years back. We see it in Classic Greek and Roman text and art...
It’s time to break out the face masks (if you haven’t already). During the early days of Covid-19 health officials said there was no need for the general public to wear face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus. But now, we know that wearing non-medical masks coupled with physical distancing can help stop the transmission of the virus. On May 20, Canada’s chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, said that “use of non-medical...
In Ontario, the government is gradually reopening the economy, allowing facilities from retail stores and parks to open with restrictions to prevent COVID-19 spread. Premier Doug Ford hasn’t set hard deadlines for things to go back to normal completely, but over the next few weeks, people are expected to slowly return to their offices — with caveats. “If there are two words that will characterize the post-pandemic world, it would be behavioural change,” says Ram...
How Covid-19 Impacts Rates Rates for home loans are based on a variety of factors. One of the biggest being the price that lenders themselves have to pay to borrow money. For fixed-rate Canadian home loans, the rates are based on the five-year Government of Canada bond. The price of bonds usually increases when people are feeling fearful, such as in the current climate with this coronavirus. At the beginning of 2020, the yield on...
In April of 2019, I was putting the final touches on my rental house in Prince Edward County to re-open it for the season. It is available for rent year-round, though it is booked sparingly in the winter months when the lake is ice cold and travellers are weary of heavy snowfall and long drives. April to September marks the beginning to end of the main season, with a peak in July and August. In...
