All Blog Entries by Justin Havre 
There are currently 129 blog entries published by Justin Havre.
Green Living - How to Avoid and Repel Mosquitoes Naturally
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 7:01pm. 42 Views, 0 Comments.
Nothing ruins a lovely summer evening faster than being attacked by hungry mosquitoes. With the arrival of the West Nile Virus, mosquitoes have become a dangerous insect for the first time in many years. The best defense against mosquitoes is to avoid being bit. Understanding what attracts mosquitoes is as important as understanding what repels them. Here are some tips for controlling mosquitoes around your home without pesticides or other dangerous chemicals. Destroy the mosquitoes habitat The first step you… |
Interior Design Tips: Home Theatre Decorating Ideas
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 7:00pm. 47 Views, 0 Comments.
A home theatre has quickly become a must-have for practically every family. From the simple family room setup to a much more elaborate theatre-seating wonder, today’s home theatres aren’t just for the wealthy anymore. The décor of a home theatre will eventually influence how well the room functions as an entertainment space as well as how it shows when the lights are turned on. Creating a functional and beautiful home theatre is easy to do on any budget. Here are some ideas for creating a home theatre for all to enjoy. Start by arranging the space. Choose an easy-to-clean surface or a dark colour carpet for the flooring, and select a dark colour for the walls and ceiling. A home theatre would not be complete without its supporting cast, the… |
First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC)
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 7:00pm. 46 Views, 0 Comments.
The First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC) is one of the measures provided by the federal government in 2009 to encourage investment in Canadian housing. For 2009 and subsequent years, the HBTC is a new non-refundable tax credit, based on an amount of $5,000, for certain home buyers that acquire a qualifying home after January 27, 2009 (i.e., generally means that the closing is after this date). The HBTC is calculated by multiplying the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2009) by $5,000. For 2009, the credit was $750. Each year, the credit is recalculated, so it may be higher or lower than previous years. How do you qualify for the tax credit? |
How Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59pm. 11 Views, 0 Comments.
Your credit score is a judgment about your financial health, at a specific point in time. It indicates the risk you represent for lenders, compared with other consumers. Your credit file is created when you first borrow money or apply for credit. On a regular basis, companies that lend money or issue credit cards to you — including banks, finance companies, credit unions, retailers — send specific factual information related to the financial transactions they have with you to credit reporting agencies. When you apply for a new loan, the loan officer will check your credit history first. Your credit score in most cases influences the amount you can borrow and also your interest rate. Understanding your credit score in a better way enhances your… |
Market Watch – August 2010 Summer Cool Down Continues
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59pm. 23 Views, 0 Comments.
The Canadian resale housing market continues to ease up. July sales dropped drastically when compared with the same month last year. This slow-down is not surprising in the face of tighter mortgage regulations and rising interest rates. "The level of July sales remained below the expected long-term trend. The market has become more balanced following record monthly sales through most of the winter and early spring," said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Bill Johnston. While July sales were down compared to last year, the number of new listings in the marketplace also fell. This means there was enough competition between buyers to exert upward pressure on price. Ontario - Sales and new listings down, average price up in July |
Mortgage Terms Explained
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 8:05pm. 125 Views, 0 Comments.
Closed, open, fixed, variable? Do these terms sound Greek to you? Don’t worry you are not alone. There are a lot of options available to you when you are thinking about a mortgage and part of my job as a mortgage planner is educating clients on everything that their mortgage has to offer. Here is a list of basic mortgage terms to help you better understand your current mortgage or the mortgage you will be getting in the future.
1. Term - The number of months or years you will pay a specified rate. Terms generally range from 6 months to 10 years.
2. Amortization - The number of years it will take to pay back the loan based on a set of fixed payments. Each payment consists of both principal and interest.
3. Open Mortgage – This type of mortgage can…
It's a Jungle Out There!
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 at 1:01pm. 210 Views, 0 Comments.
When the first golden rays of spring start to warm up the yard, and millions of Canadians' minds turn to thoughts of veggie plots, flower beds and barbecues, mother nature is already busy at work.
Behind the scenes, seeds are germinating, and hibernating creatures are stirring. Unfortunately for many of us, that can mean trouble, as invasive weeds take over our lawns or plots, and all manner of bugs start looking for nice things to eat and places to raise the next generation. Regrettably, one of the results of our modern lifestyle is our complete lack of knowledge about the world around us, and we usually respond to the notion of sharing our space with nature by eradicating it without a second thought.
The truth is, every critter or wild plant has a part to…
How to use your RRSP and the Home Buyer’s Plan to get into your first home
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 8:35pm. 205 Views, 0 Comments.
As a first time home-buyer, it can sometime be difficult to save for a down payment. But, if you have been putting money away in a RRSP, you can use those savings towards the downpayment on a home under the Home Buyer’s Plan. You borrow the money tax free and pay yourself back later!
Although your RRSP is always accessible, you are taxed on the money you withdraw unless you draw it under specific circumstances, and being a first time home buyer is one of them! You can withdraw up to $25,000 from your RRSP to put toward the down payment of a home, and if your spouse qualifies as a first time home buyer, hey can also withdraw $25,000. Meaning between the two of you, you may be able to put as much as $50,000 down on the purchase.
Power To The People
Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at 12:43pm. 213 Views, 0 Comments.
Canadians care deeply about the environment in which they live. And none more so, than Albertans. The province has been a global leader, in the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction for a considerable number of years, and is recognised as an innovator in this field. In fact, since the launch of the province's Climate Change and Emissions Management Amendment Act in 2007, all industrial facilities that produce in excess of 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per annum, have been required to cut their emissions intensity by 12%. These companies receive a charge of $15 for every tonne of greenhouse gas that is produced, above this target, which is put into a technology fund.
Now the non-profit Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation, has…
Home Sales Down, But Outlook Good
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 11:56am. 190 Views, 0 Comments.
May saw a significant reduction in the number of homes sold in the Calgary area, according to figures just published by The Calgary Real Estate Board.
Compared to the same period last year, there was a 20% drop in sales of single family homes during the month, with condominium sales in the city experiencing a similar decline. This downturn represents a stark contrast to the particularly encouraging start to the spring, when there were strong sales in Calgary's residential property market.
CREB president Diane Scott, cites a number of potential reasons for the abatement in sales during May, "We believe there are a number of factors contributing to this marked slowdown including a declining number of first-time homebuyers in the market, a rise in monthly…
Green Living - How to Avoid and Repel Mosquitoes Naturally
Nothing ruins a lovely summer evening faster than being attacked by hungry mosquitoes. With the arrival of the West Nile Vir... Add Comment Read MoreInterior Design Tips: Home Theatre Decorating Ideas
A home theatre has quickly become a must-have for practically every family. From the simple family room setup to a much more... Add Comment Read MoreFirst-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC)
The First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC) is one of the measures provided by the federal government in 2009 to encourage... Add Comment Read MoreWe're always on the lookout for talented real estate agents to join our growing team.
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