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% — July 15, 2026

By Marci Deane • July 15, 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%. The tone of today's announcement is notably more optimistic than previous months. Here's what's changed and what it means for you.

Let’s Talk About Getting Top Dollar for Your Property

By Marci Deane • July 8, 2026
When it comes to selling your home, most people think the first call should be to a real estate agent. But the smartest first step often isn’t with your agent—it’s with an independent mortgage professional. Why? Because your mortgage plays a bigger role in your bottom line than most people realize. Planning to Buy After You Sell If selling means you’ll also be purchasing another property, you’ll want to know exactly where you stand financially before listing. Mortgage rules change regularly, and qualifying once doesn’t guarantee you’ll qualify again. Getting a pre-approval in place ensures you know what you can afford and eliminates surprises later. On top of that, reviewing the terms of your existing mortgage could uncover options you may not have considered. For example, porting your mortgage instead of arranging a brand-new one could save you thousands. Selling Without Buying Even if you aren’t planning to buy right away, there’s still an important step: understanding the cost of breaking your mortgage. Unless your mortgage is open, penalties apply—and they can be significant. By reviewing the numbers with a mortgage professional, you might find that simply adjusting your timeline could reduce or even avoid costly fees. Navigating Life Changes In situations like a marital breakdown, it can feel like selling the family home is the only path forward. But that’s not always the case. With the right guidance and a legal separation agreement, one spouse may be able to buy out the other, keeping the home and providing stability for everyone involved. The Bottom Line Selling your property is more than just putting a sign on the lawn—it’s about creating a financial plan that protects your equity and positions you for the best possible outcome. Before you take the leap, let’s sit down and review your options. 📞 If you’re ready to talk strategy and make sure you get top dollar for your property, I’d be happy to connect anytime.

Don’t Let Collections Derail Your Mortgage Application

By Marci Deane • July 1, 2026
Can You Get a Mortgage If You Have Collections on Your Credit Report? Short answer? Not easily. Long answer? It depends—and it’s more common (and fixable) than you might think. When it comes to applying for a mortgage, your credit report tells lenders a story. Collections—debts that have been passed to a collection agency because they weren’t paid on time—are big red flags in that story. Regardless of how or why they got there, open collections are going to hurt your chances of getting approved. Let’s break this down. What Exactly Is a Collection? A collection appears on your credit report when a bill goes unpaid for long enough that the lender decides to stop chasing you—and hires a collection agency to do it instead. It doesn’t matter whether it was an unpaid phone bill, a forgotten credit card, or a disputed fine: to a lender, it signals risk. And lenders don’t like risk. Why It Matters to Mortgage Lenders? Lenders use your credit report to gauge how trustworthy you are with borrowed money. If they see you haven’t paid a past debt, especially recently, it suggests you might do the same with a new mortgage—and that’s enough to get your application denied. Even small collections can cause problems. A $32 unpaid utility bill might seem insignificant to you, but to a lender, it’s a red flag waving loudly. But What If I Didn’t Know About the Collection? It happens all the time. You move provinces and miss a final utility charge. Your cell provider sends a bill to an old address. Or maybe the collection is showing in error—credit reports aren’t perfect, and mistakes do happen. Regardless of the reason, the responsibility to resolve it still falls on you. Even if it’s an honest oversight or an error, lenders will expect you to clear it up or prove it’s been paid. And What If I Chose Not to Pay It? Some people intentionally leave certain collections unpaid—maybe they disagree with a charge, or feel a fine is unfair. Here are a few common “moral stand” collections: Disputed phone bills COVID-related fines Traffic tickets Unpaid spousal or child support While you might feel justified, lenders don’t take sides. They’re not interested in why a collection exists—only that it hasn’t been dealt with. And if it’s still active, that could be enough to derail your mortgage application. How Can You Find Out What’s On Your Report? Easy. You can check it yourself through services like Equifax or TransUnion, or you can work with a mortgage advisor to go through a full pre-approval. A pre-approval will quickly uncover any credit issues, including collections—giving you a chance to fix them before you apply for a mortgage. What To Do If You Have Collections Verify: Make sure the collection is accurate. Pay or Dispute: Settle the debt or begin a dispute process if it’s an error. Get Proof: Even if your credit report hasn’t updated yet, documentation showing the debt is paid can be enough for some lenders. Work With a Pro: A mortgage advisor can help you build a strategy and connect you with lenders who offer flexible solutions. Collections are common, but they can absolutely block your path to mortgage financing. Whether you knew about them or not, the best approach is to take action early. If you’d like to find out where you stand—or need help navigating your credit report—I’d be happy to help. Let’s make sure your next mortgage application has the best possible chance of approval.