Autumn Gardening: Three Plants That Are Perfect for Autumn Growing in Vancouver

Marci • September 10, 2014

The days are growing shorter and the leaves are starting to turn – in short, autumn has arrived. Of course, just because the summer has departed doesn’t mean that you can turn your back on your garden and home landscaping. One of the best parts of living in Vancouver is that we enjoy year-round greenery, and with that in mind let’s take a look at three plants that are perfect for your autumn garden.

The Autumn Crocus: Add a Splash of Colour

The autumn crocus – otherwise known as the ‘Colchicum autumnale’ – is a beautiful flower available in a variety of purple, indigo and white hues that blooms with very little effort. Unlike the crocus that bloom in the spring, the autumn types tend to grow without any green foliage which is perfect for adding a vibrant splash of colour to the gardens in the front of your home. You can expect these flowers to stick around for about three weeks after they bloom, after which time they’ll disappear into the ground until the following spring. colchicum-autumnale-in-pdrobot-c

Using Planters? Check out the Gaillardia Fanfare

If you’re using planters or are looking to make a very bold statement, consider the Gaillardia ‘Fanfare’ species. Named for its trumpet-shaped petals, these perennial flowers bloom with a deep scarlet red centre which fans out into a splash of bright yellow. You’ll find that these flowers are very hardy, so you won’t need to worry much if you step out for a quick vacation or forget to water them for a short period of time. They also tend to fare well even in poor quality soil, so if you find that more delicate flowers are having trouble in your garden you may want to give these a shot. If you live in North Vancouver or in a rural setting in the Lower Mainland and you find the occasional deer munching on your flowers, you’ll be pleased to know that the Gaillardia ‘Fanfare’ is rated as deer resistant. Gaillardia Fanfare

Sedum ‘Matrona’: Perennial of the Millennium

You may know the Sedum species by the name ‘Stonecrop’ as they are a popular, dependable choice for autumn gardening. The ‘Matrona’ was named the Plant of the Year by the International Stauden Union in 2000, giving it the nickname ‘Perennial of the Millennium’. Once planted you can expect green foliage which erupts in flowers that are a deep pink in colour. Sedum ‘Matrona’ plants prefer as much sunlight as they can get, so try to keep them out of shady areas. As with the Gaillardia ‘Fanfare’, these flowers are resilient and won’t struggle too much if they are left in dry soil for a short period of time. Sedum Matrona

Are you in need of a new mortgage or are you thinking about refinancing? Whether you’re looking to purchase that new dream home or take some of your home equity out to finance a major purchase, you’ll need the professional services of a mortgage broker. Contact me by email today and I’ll be happy to assist you with your mortgage needs.

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Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — September 2, 2026

By Marci Deane • September 2, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. While Canada's economic recovery is broadening, a new layer of uncertainty has entered the picture. Here is what happened and what it means for your mortgage.

What Older Canadians Should Know About Mortgage Financing

By Marci Deane • August 26, 2026
Retirement doesn’t always mean a mortgage-free life anymore. And that’s okay. Between higher home prices, rising living costs, and longer life expectancy, many Canadians are choosing to retire with a mortgage or refinance later in life to create more flexibility. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s having options that actually support the life you want to live. If you’re thinking about how a mortgage fits into your retirement years, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Why work with an independent mortgage professional? Because retirement financing is not one-size-fits-all. Unlike a single bank, an independent mortgage professional can look across multiple lenders and solutions to find what truly fits your income, equity, and long-term plans—not just what one institution offers. Mortgage options available in retirement Traditional Mortgage Solutions Many retirees still qualify for standard mortgages. Pension income, investment income, and other retirement sources can often be used to support an application. If you have good equity and solid credit, this is often the lowest-cost option. Reverse Mortgages For homeowners 55+, a reverse mortgage can unlock tax-free equity from your home with no monthly payments required. There’s no income verification or medical questions, making it a helpful option for those who want to improve cash flow while staying in their home. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) A HELOC allows you to access your home equity as needed and only pay interest on what you use. Many retirees appreciate the flexibility and like consolidating income and expenses in one place. Private Financing Sometimes life throws a curveball. If timing, income, or credit create challenges, private financing can act as a short-term bridge. It’s not usually the first choice, but it can provide solutions when traditional lenders can’t. If you’re approaching retirement—or already there—and wondering how your mortgage fits into the picture, let’s talk. A clear plan can make retirement feel a lot more secure and a lot less stressful.

What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You

By Marci Deane • August 19, 2026
What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You Online mortgage calculators are everywhere—and on the surface, they seem like a no-brainer. You plug in some numbers, and out pops what you can “afford.” Simple, right? Not quite. While the math itself is correct, the story behind those numbers is often misleading. Mortgage qualification isn’t just about numbers—it’s about context, risk, and lender policy. And that’s where calculators fall short. The Numbers Are Accurate—but the Picture Isn’t An online calculator can show you what a payment might look like at a given interest rate, or how making extra payments could reduce your amortization. That’s useful information! But when it comes to mortgage qualification , calculators don’t account for the many variables that lenders consider, such as: Your credit history and score Employment type (salary, self-employed, contract) Outstanding debts and monthly obligations Assets, savings, and down payment source The property type and location you’re buying Lenders evaluate all these factors through their internal risk models. That means two people entering the exact same numbers into a calculator could receive very different results when they actually apply for a mortgage. Why Online Calculators Can Mislead You When you see a “How much can I afford?” or “Mortgage Qualification” calculator online, it’s easy to treat the result as fact. But these tools don’t know your financial story—they only crunch the data you enter. A calculator can’t predict how a lender views your risk, how new mortgage rules apply to your file, or how things like spousal support, car loans, or variable income will impact approval. In short: calculators estimate payments, not qualification . Use Calculators the Right Way Don’t get us wrong—online calculators still have value. Use them to explore different “what-if” scenarios: How do payments change with different down payment amounts? How would a rate increase affect affordability? What if you added $100 a month to your payments? These tools are great for helping you understand your comfort zone. Just remember: they’re a starting point, not a green light. The Real First Step: Get a Pre-Approval If you’re serious about buying a home, skip the guesswork and get a mortgage pre-approval . It’s quick, free, and gives you real-world clarity on what you can afford. A pre-approval looks at your full financial picture—income, credit, debts, assets—and provides a framework for your purchase price, payment range, and rate options. It’s the only way to get a reliable answer to the question, “What can I really afford?” Final Thoughts Online calculators are convenient, but they can’t replace expert advice. Think of them as a starting point, not a solution. A professional mortgage broker can interpret the numbers, navigate lender policies, and tailor your financing strategy to your actual situation. If you’d like help understanding your true buying power—or want to get pre-approved with confidence— reach out anytime . I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you make sense of the numbers.