Real Estate Investing 101 – Part 2

Marci • July 23, 2013

In the last blog post, we introduced the types of thoughts, behaviours and lifestyles that aren’t right for a real estate investor. If you’re curious to know if you fit those criteria, check out the post here.

 

With the first post and this one, my intent is to give you a primer and get you thinking about real estate investing, I am also hosting a webinar on August 1, 2013. Click here for more information. Real estate investing is a massive topic and I couldn’t possibly cover it all in just two blog posts!

 

Those who are ready to invest now may still have some doubts about making the leap. Many things come to mind with a commitment as large as this.

 

  1. If buying investment properties is such a good idea, why isn’t everyone doing it?

A. Some people may be in the right place mentally and financially but they may still lack knowledge and information. This often generates a fear of moving ahead with an opportunity. To overcome this fear and gain the confidence needed, build yourself a real estate Power Team. This would consist of a realtor, mortgage broker, lawyer, home inspector and other experts necessary to work through a real estate investment. They will become your “go to” people any time you are considering buying or selling.

 

  1. It feels like too much hassle and work.

A.   This is definitely where having a Power Team takes care of your concerns. By having the right people on your side, they take care of the majority of the work and ensure the little things are dealt with.

 

  1. You feel your lack of cash or liquid assets makes real estate investing a bad idea even though you know you can afford it.

A.   This is a common position for those who have a high-value home, a lot of non-cash investments or retirement savings. There are options here to find sources of funding. You can look at Self-Directed RRSPs, second mortgages, lines of credit and other possibilities. We can talk about options to find the money you need from funds you already have.

 

  •   I don’t want to be a landlord. What kinds of investments are there for me?

A.        Real estate investing isn’t just about being a landlord – although that is often how it works. If you’d prefer not to be in a landlord position, consider joining an investment trust or being a silent partner in a joint venture.

 

 

I have a comprehensive questionnaire for prospective investors. It looks at your current situation, financings options, goals, needs and requirements. Ultimately, it puts your head in the right place to decide whether to proceed with investing in real estate now or not.

 

If you do decide to proceed, you must develop a real estate plan.

 

There is so much more to real estate investing than this. To continue introductory learning, I welcome you to attend the webinar on August 1, 213 where we can dive in deeper and get to the heart of your questions.

 

 

 

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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.