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Blog by Sara Kalke

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Understand & Protect Your Credit Score

January 15th, 2013
Here is an excellent article I just received from Eva Neufeld of Mortgage Tailors, Inc.  all about how to protect your credit score:

Starting to See Holiday Bills Roll In?  Understand and Protect Your Credit Score

Your credit score is the first thing a lender looks at when deciding if and at what interest rate they will lend you money, yet it is a mystery to many of us.  Your credit bureau ...

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Posted in General

20 Tips for a Positive New Year

January 9th, 2013
Happy 2013!  I received these tips for a positive New Year and like them so much I though I would share them with you.  Wishing you a fabulous year!  My slogan for this year is:  "Let's Make It Happen!".

Questions? Comments?  Time to Buy or Sell?  Contact me anytime:

Your REALTOR®,
- Sara Kalke
20 Tips for a Positive New Year

1. Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters ...
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Strong 2012 Sets the Stage for an Awesome 2013

January 4th, 2013
2013 is looking like a strong market for Edmonton and area homeowners, according to the latest information from the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton (full report below).  Median prices of detached homes were up 4.49% year-over-year, and condo prices were down 1.86%.  While sales activity was slow in December, that isn't necessarily a big worry, given that December is the time for family, fri ...
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$2M Survival Bunkers Sold Out

August 28th, 2012
So this is a random story I found, but I thought it was so nutty I had to share:

No Need To Panic - But Survival Condo's Apocalypse-Proof Bunkers Are Now Sold Out

by , 05/29/12


 

 

 

We have covered doomsday bunkers before, from the stylish t0 those that are now eco-hostels, but these refuges have been in development since the 1960s. Developed by Larry Hall, a former software ...

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HAPPY CANADA DAY!

July 1st, 2012
Canada Day

Have a FABULOUS Canada Day!  Click HERE for a list of Events happening in Edmonton.
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NEW 30-YEAR DEADLINE JULY 3

June 26th, 2012
Just received a note from Len Lane at Verico Brokers for Life that CMHC will be cutting off on the 30 year amortization on JULY 3 - that's the first Tuesday back after the long weekend this weekend, so if you need the 30 year amortization, you need to have an offer pending and submitted by July 3 (NOT July 9 as previously reported by the papers and CMHC - July 9 is still technically the deadl ...
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Posted in General

Mortgage Changes - what they mean for you

June 21st, 2012
This morning, the Government of Canada announced several changes to mortgages. 

The details:
  • Amortization period is REDUCED to 25 years for high ratio applications. Banks can continue to offer 30 year amortization on LTV's 80% or less.
  • Refinancing is reduced from 85% loan-to-value to 80%
  • Formally limited gross-debt-service ratio of 39%, total-debt-service-ratio of 44%
  • Maximum purchase price ...
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Posted in General

Black Friday & Shop Local

November 23rd, 2011
Good news Christmas shoppers!  Black Friday comes to Canada!  According to the CBC, retailers included in the sale are: Amazon.ca, Apple.ca, Banana Republic, Best Buy, the Body Shop, Canadian Tire, Chapters and Indigo, Dell.ca, Future Shop, the Gap, Home Outfitters, La Senza, Lululemon Athletica, Old Navy, PetSmart, Sears, Sephora, The Source, Sport Chek, Sport Mart, Toys "R" Us, Walmart and ...
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Posted in General

Will New Mortgage Rules Cool Real Estate Markets?

January 19th, 2011
Will New Mortgage Rules Cool Real Estate Markets?

With the Canadian Government tightening mortgage rules, most sources agree that there will likely be a surge in real estate activity in the first quarter of 2011, where buyers lock in mortgages with 35 year amortizations. After March 18, however, affordability will be reduced somewhat, as 5 years is shaved off of the maximum amortization allow ...
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Posted in General

New Mortgage Rules Announced

January 17th, 2011
New Mortgage Rules Announced

The Canadian Government announced new mortgage rules today.  The 3 main changes are:

- maximum amortization period reduced from 35 years to 30 years
- maximum value for mortgage refinancing reduced from 90 percent to 85 percent
- government insurance will no longer back lines of credit secured by homes - more commonly known as a "Home Equity Line of Credit"

Thes ...

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Posted in General

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