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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RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan Explained: A Smart Way to Buy Your First Home

By Marci Deane • July 22, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.

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.