Betsy Carstairs

I received the following article from Heather Woods hwoods@dominionlending.ca and found it interesting as I am, like everyone else, wondering should I pay down my mortgage or contribute to my RRSP - which is the best value for my dollar??? One of the biggest debates around the Canadian personal finance world is the battle between contributing to your RRSP or using the money to pay down your m ...

I am fortunate to have a friend who works at the Aquarium in Stanley Park. Majanne invited me for a visit AND a personal  guided tour. It was so much fun!! The orca art water sculpture at the entrance was amazing. Inside there was so much to see BUT the highlights were the beluga mommy whale nursing her baby calf, the jelly fish AND the verrrrrrrrrry slooooooow moving sloth. I L ...

I read this article in the Globe & Mail & thought it was good information explaining how the banks tighter lending strategies are playing out with real time purchasersREAL ESTATEIt's buyer beware of the paperworkROB CARRICKrcarrick@globeandmail.com E-mail Rob Carrick  | Read Bio  | Latest ColumnsOctober 21, 2008It's a buyer's market in housing right now, but with complications.Blame the g ...

I recently worked with a seller who had downsized and moved to smaller more manageable accommodation. This left the family home sitting vacant. The situation became one of not 'if' we sell but a 'need' to sell, not an option but a mandate. This client had worked with another agent over the summer listing the property 'over' the assessed value and it did not sell. I was called in to inject a s ...

Just read this article & thought how in sync it is in this market. I presently have a few listings that are not selling & although the sellers are not willing to see the reality of this downward spyralling market & reduce the price... that is the only thing that will get these places sold. It is a buyers market & these buyers are price driven. The Price is Wrong By: Paul Pastore ...

I had some purchasers out last weekend who qualified under the minimum downpayment rules. We found the perfect place for them and made an offer only to find out that this program had just been cancelled at the beginning of the weekend ... 2 weeks earlier than originally stated. Canadian lending firms are shifting to an ultra conservative stance. I can see that credit/mortgag ...

Went to a conference in August for women over 50 ... I definitely qualified! Met many interesting participants who come from all over Canada and the United States. We went for walks, had lectures and even went Dragon boating on False Creek at Granville Island. THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!    

With all the doom & gloom in the US economy & the stock market heading downward it is a very good time to invest in real estate. For those who have some cash on hand there are some great buys out there. Now instead of bidding wars(such as we had in Feb 08) we now have a slower market which means buyers have time to sleep on their decision & can negotiate on the price. There is still, contrary ...

I am often asked by clients "exactly how much will this cost me" So when I received this article from Heather Wood, a mortgage broker I thought I would post it Soooooo here is ~ Understanding the hidden costs of buying a home Purchasing a home can be a stressful experience for anyone, but especially for first-time buyers who may not be aware that there a ...

I have a passion for being on the water. Swiming in it, kayaking, sailing or power boating on it. As long as I am near the water I am very happy.  I have been fortunate enough to marry my love of the ocean with my job. I sell lots of recreational properties. The Indian Arm is one area that I have been showing to quite a few purchasers lately. Unlike the in town real estate this market is red ...