We all have good intentions when we start out budgeting. Once a few weeks go by, it's difficult to fight the urge to spend! Sticking to a budget is harder than it looks for most of us. We want to save the money for, in this case, that down payment on a house, but the draw of retail therapy is strong. We get it. That's why we've put together a list of everyday tips that will stop your little purchases from turning into a big problem.

Image of a piggy bank and jar of cash sitting on a stool. Jar has a label that reads, "down payment". An outline of a house is lightly painted onto the wall behind the items.


Understand Your Spending Triggers

The key to tackling any problem is doing some introspection first. Take a look at yourself before beginning any external changes. Overspending is almost always a coping mechanism we use to stave off uncomfortable emotions and physical sensations. It can be something simple,…

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What's the difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Realtor?


You've probably heard these terms used interchangeably. While these titles are quite similar, there are two distinct differences that set Realtors apart from real estate agents.

Wood blocks lined up on a table to spell the word, "REALTOR"


First off, let's define what a real agent is/does. Real estate agents are licensed by the province they work in to assist with the buying or selling of a home. They work for a real estate company, and are usually paid through commission. Now, a Realtor does all of the same things as a regular agent, but they are a member of The National Association of Realtors (NAR). Only members are permitted to refer to themselves as Realtors, and pay for that privilege through their membership. This is not the case…

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Last summer, we wrote about general home inspection tips. We've decided to take it further this Summer by providing more tips for buyers regarding home inspections, since more home sales are subject to home inspections before closing. So here we go!

Inspector and home buyer check behind insulation to see leakage issue.



Hire a Proper Inspector

Getting a friend or family member who knows a lot about houses to come in and check the house you're looking at can be tempting. They're close (usually), you trust them and the whole thing is informal. Even if they do possess a great working knowledge about homes, they don't know everything. That's not an insult to Uncle Greg, it's just a fact of life. Please do the right thing and hire a certified home inspector. These are people that have made an entire career of…

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