Gifted and Borrowed Down Payments Gifted down payments may come from an immediate family member Lenders can also accept "gifted equity" as a form of down payment as well In both instances, we have the gift donors and recipients sign a gift letter to confirm the gift details (amount, date, non-repayable, property etc) Nearly all lenders allow for the use of a Secured Line of Credit to be used as a form of down payment (must debt service the new balance / payment), however some will allow to use other forms of borrowed down payment (credit cards, unsecured line of credits, personal loans et ..read more

Stress-Free Home Cleaning: 27 Practical Tactics for Busy Households  Keeping a clean and orderly home is a challenge for many of us. Between busy work schedules, social obligations, and family commitments, it’s tough to keep up with daily chores—let alone larger seasonal tasks.  The effort is worthwhile, however. A sanitary environment can keep you and your family healthier by minimizing your exposure to germs and allergens.1 Plus, researchers have found that organized, uncluttered homes have quantifiable mental health benefits, too, including reduced stress, improved emotional regul ..read more

Is it really possible to improve your kitchen’s look for about the cost of a takeout gourmet dinner with the family? Obviously you’re not going to be able to do anything major, such as replace the cabinets within that budget. But, there are many surprisingly low-budget ways to spruce up the kitchen. Here are a few ideas: Do you have old cabinets? You’d be surprised by how much newer they can look simply by replacing the knobs and/or handles. Pick a colour that blends, rather than contrasts, with the cabinets. Does your sink have a few stains? That’s not unusual! There are special cleaning prod ..read more

Below is a list of customer service phone numbers for lenders. Most lenders will be looking at options for customers to defer mortgage payments for up to 6 months and some will review on a case by case scenario.  Thanks you Debra Owen at Verico Integra Mortgage Corp for providing this awesome list!  As more information becomes available I will do my best to break it down and and send it out. All the best in the coming days! ATB 1-800-332-8383 B2B 1 800 263 8349 BMO 1-877-895-3278 Bridgewater 1-866-243-4301 CIBC 1-800-465-2422 CMLS 1-888-995-2657 Optimum 1-866-441-3775 Equitable 1-88 ..read more

It is easy to become overwhelmed when you enter the home buying market. Friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances will give you their opinions if you are a first time home buyer. While most of them are looking out for your best interest, they are not fully aware of what is happening in the housing market. It is important for you to be prepared and have your own questions ready. No matter what other opinions you are getting, you are the one buying the home and your comfort level will help make your final decision. Here are three important questions to ask before you purchase a home ..read more

Potential homebuyers are always cautioned to be aware of mortgage lending standards and the difficulty they might face when trying to obtain a mortgage. Credit availability is expanding, making it easier to get a mortgage now than it was a year ago. The market is still tight however, and homebuyers should be prepared to shop around until they find a lender who is offering something that will meet the needs of their family. Mortgage lending companies have high standards so it is important to make sure you and anyone else who will be included on the mortgage have their credit in check. The mort ..read more

When you have a buyer coming to view your property, you want to make the best impression possible. So, you do the usual things. You clean, tidy and declutter. However, some details are easy to forget. For example: Is there a mat by the front door for shoes, umbrellas, etc.? Did you air out the home as much as possible to get rid of any lingering odours from a pet, recent cooking, etc.? Did you empty trash bins? Is the buyer (or his or her agent) aware of any doors that may have special locking mechanisms? If not, leave a note with instructions. For example, “To open the patio door, pull up the ..read more

When considering whether or not to sell their home, many people think about market conditions. They consider whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market. They look at trends. They try to time the sale to get the best price for their property. While market conditions certainly can play a role in deciding whether you should sell now rather than later, many other factors can influence that decision too. For example, you might have outgrown your home and need more space. Perhaps you need an extra bedroom or a larger kitchen. If you wait until market conditions are perfect, you may languish for month ..read more

New Listings: 91 - Avg $ 731,496 Price Reductions: 65 New Sales: 44 - Avg $650,266 Homes Off Market: 143 For any of your Kamloops real estate needs please contact us ..read more

Kamloops Housing Market Update for Week of August 8 - 14 2022 New Listings: 59 - Avg $731,557 Price: 53 New Sales: 32 - Avg $646,331 Homes Off Market: 25 For any of your Kamloops real estate needs please contact us ..read more