16 Jul

Before You Read Another Interest Rate Headline, Read This.

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

The Bank of Canada made its interest rate announcement today. Within minutes, the internet was flooded with opinions. Some people are convinced rates are coming down. Others are certain they’re headed back up. Everyone seems to have a prediction. Here’s the thing. Very few of those predictions will help you decide whether you should buy a home. […]

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6 Jul

The Hidden Cost of “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Spending

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

  “It’s once in a lifetime.” I’ve heard that phrase a lot lately. And to be fair… for many people, the FIFA World Cup in Canada really is a once-in-a-lifetime event. The atmosphere is electric. The memories are unforgettable. The experience is incredible. So this isn’t a blog telling you not to go. It’s a […]

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29 Jun

Are You Leaving $2,000 a Month on the Table?

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

Let’s talk about something that might sting a little. When was the last time you reviewed your mortgage? Not your Netflix subscription. Not your cell phone plan. Not whether you’re paying too much for strawberries these days. Your mortgage. For most Canadians, their mortgage is the single largest financial commitment they’ll ever have, yet many […]

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23 Jun

Housing Is Finally Acting Like It Took a Deep Breath

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

  Now for some news that doesn’t make us want to lie down in the Costco parking lot. Housing costs continued to cool in May. Mortgage interest costs actually declined slightly compared to last year. Rent inflation also eased to its slowest pace since early 2022. In other words, after spending the last few years […]

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16 Jun

A Buyer’s Market Does Not Mean Buying Feels Easy

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

It has been a buyer’s market for a while now, but many buyers still feel stuck. On paper, buyers have more choice, more time, and more negotiating power than they had during the peak frenzy. In Metro Vancouver, May 2026 sales were still below long-term seasonal averages, while active listings remained elevated compared to typical […]

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10 Jun

Bank of Canada Holds Rates Steady: What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

Bank of Canada Holds Rates Steady: What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers The Bank of Canada has once again held its overnight lending rate at 2.25%, choosing to leave rates unchanged amid ongoing economic uncertainty. For Canadians wondering whether rates are going up, down, or staying put, today’s announcement provides an important signal: the […]

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10 Jun

Canada’s Economy Sends a Strong Message: Recession Fears Put on Hold

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

Canada’s Economy Sends a Strong Message: Recession Fears Put on Hold If you’ve been following the headlines lately, you’ve probably heard plenty of talk about a potential recession, economic uncertainty, tariffs, and rising costs. However, Canada’s latest employment report tells a very different story. In May, the Canadian economy added an impressive 87,800 jobs, the […]

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11 May

The Hidden Financial Reality of “Grey Divorce” for Canadian Women

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

The Hidden Financial Reality of “Grey Divorce” for Canadian Women By Livian Smith, Licensed Mortgage Professional Dominion Lending Centres Producers West Financial Divorce later in life — often called “grey divorce” — is becoming more common across Canada. But behind the statistics are real women quietly asking themselves difficult questions: “Can I afford to leave?” […]

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14 Jan

Housing Demand Outpaces Supply

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

Canadian Homebuyers Trying To Beat Rate Hikes. Today the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) released statistics showing national existing-home sales rose 0.6% in November following the whopping 8.6% surge the month before. Sales could have been higher had it not been for the limited supply of homes for sale. Homebuyers are anxious to finalize purchases before the […]

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14 Jan

Refinancing Your Home

General

Posted by: Livian Smith

Refinancing Your Home. One of the best parts about life is that it is ever-changing. This is one of the reasons that mortgages are available on short-term contracts (such as the standard 5-year) so that you can adjust your mortgage over time to best suit your needs. However, in some cases you cannot wait until […]

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