How to go about securing the best return for your investment in Canada.
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The first $100,000 is the hardest to save for newcomers Nov 26th
Immigration has become a contentious political issue in both the United States and Canada in recent years. A big reason is the perception that newcomers to these countries are competing for jobs and driving up the cost of housing. The re-election of Donald J. Trump is almost certain to make this an .... More »
What is the Saskatchewan Pension Plan? May 12th
The Saskatchewan Pension Plan (SPP) was introduced in 1986 and was originally intended to help part-time workers, the self-employed, or others without access to a pension to save for retirement. Over time, it has evolved and become more appealing to both individuals and businesses.
Who can .... More »
How to plan for retirement in five or 10 years Dec 8th
I am a divorced empty nester and a registered nurse, who is trying to figure out how to plan the next five to 10 years, before my retirement. Currently I am a 55-year-old female, and I will have a pension from my workplace. Unfortunately due to life circumstances, I did not start my company pen.... More »
PS5 Stock Shortages Will Continue Into 2022, Sony Says - Forbes May 11th
PS5 Stock Shortages Will Continue Into 2022, Sony Says ForbesSony warns that PlayStation 5 shortages will continue into 2022: report MobileSyrupReport: Next-Gen PlayStation VR Is Sounding Pretty Impressive KotakuSony Warns PlayStation 5 Supply Could Be Scarce Until 2.... More »
Myths and facts of reverse mortgages + MORE Sep 30th
A reverse mortgage is exactly what the name implies: accessing the existing equity you have built in your home by granting a mortgage to a lender without the need to make monthly payments.
And yet, there are many misconceptions about this financial product, which allows Canadians to borrow up to 5.... More »
Should you buy a vacation property?
– moneysense.ca
The benefits of owning a vacation property are obvious. A cottage, cabin, condo or trailer a short drive from your home can provide a quick weekend recharge. A property down south can serve as a regular vacation destination or extended winter stay for a snowbird.
There are many emotion-driven reasons for buying a vacation property, or not. I like to evaluate a property purchase from a financial point of view—and here’s how.
Say a property’s purchase price is $500,000. Whether you use cash, a mortgage/home equity line of credit, or a combination, there are other costs to consider. If you purchase with cash that you could otherwise invest at a 4% return (to use a conservative assumption), there is an opportunity cost of not investing that money. If you borrowed money, despite current mortgage rates being around 2%, over the long run the interest rate is likely to go higher. On a $500,000 property, there may therefore be an initial cost of 4%, or $20,000.
Property taxes, utilities, insurance, condo fees and maintenance could easily add another 2% to 4% per year in costs…
There are many emotion-driven reasons for buying a vacation property, or not. I like to evaluate a property purchase from a financial point of view—and here’s how.
Say a property’s purchase price is $500,000. Whether you use cash, a mortgage/home equity line of credit, or a combination, there are other costs to consider. If you purchase with cash that you could otherwise invest at a 4% return (to use a conservative assumption), there is an opportunity cost of not investing that money. If you borrowed money, despite current mortgage rates being around 2%, over the long run the interest rate is likely to go higher. On a $500,000 property, there may therefore be an initial cost of 4%, or $20,000.
Property taxes, utilities, insurance, condo fees and maintenance could easily add another 2% to 4% per year in costs…
