You’re 15, you’re married, you’re moving – Tahani’s story
Let me ask you a question: What would you do if you came home from school at 15 years of age only to be told by your family that you just got married and you were going to move to Canada with your new...
View ArticleWhere there’s a will there’s a way
Quick test, True or False: 1. When you die, it will make no difference for your partner whether you were married or in a common-law relationship when it comes to the transfer of assets. 2. Any jointly...
View ArticleMy worst real estate mistake
Recently I was reminded of the biggest lesson that I learned about investing in real estate. It was costly and very effective at ensuring that I would never make the same mistake again. The reminder...
View ArticleWhen an American company came to Canada to teach real estate investing –...
Dear American company, I’ve never actually gone public with a rant before. They’re usually reserved for close friends with whom I feel very comfortable, but for you I’m going to make a one-time...
View ArticleIs Real Estate the Answer for Immediate Income Needs?
Someone (let’s call her Rachel) reached out to me to ask the following question: What’s the fastest way to increase my income in order to ensure that I can qualify for the mortgage to buy out my...
View ArticleWhy You Should Stay Away From Collateral Mortgages
Let’s cut to the chase: I’m not a big fan of collateral mortgages. They are mostly rotten for consumers looking for a first mortgage, but they’re downright dangerous to second mortgage investors. Two...
View ArticleCollateral Mortgages Part 2 – Bankers Speak
A few weeks ago I published an article on my concerns regarding collateral mortgages. I outlined why I think they are problematic for many consumers and how they are risky for second mortgage...
View ArticleCollateral Mortgages Part 3 – What the Lawyers Said
This is the third, and final, installment in my series on collateral mortgages. My intention with this series is to provide consumers with as much information as possible so that they can make informed...
View ArticleWhy I Don’t Believe Tenants and What I Do Instead
It doesn’t take much digging to find complaints about landlords: the guy’s a jerk, doesn’t ever repair anything, doesn’t respond to my calls, only cares about money and so on. Some landlords really do...
View ArticleHow I’m collecting from an ex-tenant who owes me money
I can non longer count the number of times that tenants have bailed on my rental units, leaving unpaid rent balances. In the past, my management company would chase them for a bit and, when they got...
View ArticleAre rent-to-own deals still a good investment?
Last month, my business partner and I sent out an announcement saying that we are no longer accepting rent-to-own deals. The reaction has been interesting. Several of our referral partners told me...
View ArticleWhen should you walk away from an investment?
A reader of my blog, Jim*, reached out to me for advice. Several years ago, he got a good deal on a house that needed significant repairs, both inside and out. Off to work he went, demolishing the...
View ArticleHow one government decision can increase your investment risks
If you are the kind of person who shrugs with boredom whenever governments send you an update on policy changes, you might want to take a closer look the next time one lands in your mailbox. Earlier...
View ArticleHow to Burn Your Mortgage in Three Years
No, that’s not a typo – I do mean three years. And that’s precisely what Sean Cooper did: He bought a house in the Greater Toronto Area at the age of 27, and by the time he was 30, it was paid in full...
View ArticleWhy I Don’t Believe Tenants and What I Do Instead
It doesn’t take much digging to find complaints about landlords: the guy’s a jerk, doesn’t ever repair anything, doesn’t respond to my calls, only cares about money and so on. Some landlords really do...
View ArticleHow I’m collecting from an ex-tenant who owes me money
I can non longer count the number of times that tenants have bailed on my rental units, leaving unpaid rent balances. In the past, my management company would chase them for a bit and, when they got...
View ArticleAre rent-to-own deals still a good investment?
Last month, my business partner and I sent out an announcement saying that we are no longer accepting rent-to-own deals. The reaction has been interesting. Several of our referral partners told me...
View ArticleWhen should you walk away from an investment?
A reader of my blog, Jim*, reached out to me for advice. Several years ago, he got a good deal on a house that needed significant repairs, both inside and out. Off to work he went, demolishing the...
View ArticleHow one government decision can increase your investment risks
If you are the kind of person who shrugs with boredom whenever governments send you an update on policy changes, you might want to take a closer look the next time one lands in your mailbox. Earlier...
View ArticleHow to Burn Your Mortgage in Three Years
No, that’s not a typo – I do mean three years. And that’s precisely what Sean Cooper did: He bought a house in the Greater Toronto Area at the age of 27, and by the time he was 30, it was paid in full...
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