A Painless Way To Cut Expenses

With the current economic uncertainty, many people are looking for ways to reduce expenses.  A relatively painless way to reduce your monthly expenses is to have a second look at the way you’re managing your debt.

Over time, most of us take out a variety of loans for different purposes.  These can include things like credit card debt, car loans, home renovation loans and, of course, the mortgage.  And if you have more than one loan, you’re most likely paying a different interest rate on each loan.  One of the easiest ways to reduce your monthly interest costs is to consolidate your debt at the lowest rate.  Typically, your lowest-rate debt will be a loan that is secured by an asset, such as your home. 

If you have sufficient equity built up in your home, consider switching to a product that allows you to access your equity, such as a home-equity line-of-credit.  Then, use this line of credit to repay your higher-interest loans. In this way, you’ll be bringing all of your debts together into a single account, at a single rate. Some line-of-credit products even allow you to track debts separately within the account so you can continue to keep track of interest costs and repayment separately.  Not only will debt-consolidation save you interest but it will make it easier for you to keep track of what you owe and how you’re progressing in paying it down.

Reducing your monthly expenses is one way to deal with economic uncertainty – and it doesn’t have to be painful.  By borrowing smarter you can reduce your interest costs and increase your cash flow each month.

If you’d like to learn how to reduce your monthly interest costs, give me a call and I can discuss some options with you.
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Jaspreet Jagpal is a Financial Advisor, Insurnace Specialist and a RESP Representative
She's fluent in English, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi and works with clients in the Greater Toronto Area.
T: 416-312-9742 | Email: jjagpal@rogers.com | www.LetsMakeADeal.ca

 

Posted via web from Markham's #1 Real Estate Blog

Don’t Mock. It is in you to give!

I’ve been asked (mocked) why am I donating 20% of my net commissions to charitable organizations? Why give away thousands when you don’t need to in our business. The looks say it all.

Why do I give? It comes down to my father’s influence and my spiritual beliefs. I remember, my father telling me, from when I was young, “Son, it does not matter how much money you amass in this world, when you die, not even the clothes on your back will go with you, let alone the hordes you may have buried. Your true value here and in the heavens is determined by how much you give. Besides prayer, only that what you gave, helps you in the after life. At the very least, a Sikh must donate 10% of his earnings. We ignorantly say that it is “our money”, but what would we do if the giver (God) who gives you all and asks you only to give back 10% stopped giving you 100%?. My son, money is important to have, work honestly and earn your keep, but give as much as you can. Remember, your life is like cotton string, every breath is invaluable, cut it and your just pile of dirt.”

My father’s wisdom and my experiences have taught me, greed kills the human spirit. To truly help people with their largest investment of their life, you can’t work from a mindset of greed. My goals are different. I want to build “life-time” relationships. Create charitable, referral partnerships. Work with clients that appreciate the value of giving. I want to be my clients “family realtor”.

Now you know why I give 20% of my commissions. If I’m the type of person you want as part of your team give me a call and let me help you buy or sell your home and together help your favorite charity.

Jas Jagpal, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Dynasty Realty Inc. jasjagpal@rogers.com | Cell: 647-272-6629 | www.jasjagpal.com

29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And For Top Dollars)

Tip No. 2 -Once you know, keep it to yourself.

Your reasons will affect how you negotiate the sale of your home,
but they shouldn’t be given as ammunition to the person who
wants to buy it. For example, a prospective buyer who knows you
must move quickly has you at their mercy in the negotiation process.
When asked, simply say that your housing needs have changed.
Your reasons are nobody’s business but your own.

If you are in the market to buy or sell and would like to receive Jas’s
special report, contact him at 647-272-6629 or email him at jasjagpal@rogers.com

Posted via web from Jas Jagpal Toronto Real Estate Updates

If you are seriously thinking to buy Real Estate- You must read this!

Federal government urged to go slow on tightening mortgage-eligibility rules

Mon Dec 21, 5:58 PM
By B.H. Mckenna, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Hints by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty that Ottawa may tighten mortgage eligibility rules if it sees evidence of a housing bubble developing sent ripples through the industry Monday, with analysts urging a cautious approach.

"The main risk here is overshooting, over-responding and basically shutting down or slowing down significantly the housing market," CIBC senior economist Benjamin Tal said in an interview.

"That is a risk they have to take into account, because the housing market is a major, major contributor to overall economic growth and we are still in a very fragile state of the recovery."

Continue

Staging Works! 8 Easy Tips to Sell your home faster and get more!

Staging your home is very important. In controlled tests, staged homes sold on average in *half the time of unstaged homes. Also a staged home will sell, on average, for **17% more than an unstaged home.

What can you do?
1. De-Personalize - #1 rule in staging is to pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms.

2. De-Clutter - almost every home shows better with less furniture. Pack up those cute knickknacks, clean off everything on kitchen counters, remove personal items from bathroom counters, have minimum furnishings.

3. Rearrange Closets and Cabinets - Every Buyer will open closets. Reduce contents to half-full, organize and neatly arrange all items.

4. Remove "Favourite" items. If Buyers don't see window coverings, fixtures, they won't want it in the deal.

5. Make Minor Repairs - yes replace burned-out light bulbs, patch holes in walls, fix leaky faucets and ensure doors close properly. Consider painting the walls a neutral colors

6. Create Great Curb Appeal - It's simple if Buyers don't like the outside, you can't get them inside. Mow the lawn, paint faded window trim, plant flowers, keep sidewalks clean.

7. Make the House SHINE - Wash windows inside out, re-caukl tubs, showers and sinks if necessary, clean out the refrigerator, vacuum regularly, dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures, replace worn rugs, hang fresh towels, replace old shower curtain!

8. Showing Your Home - If the house looks comfortable but not personal you are ready. Just open the drapes to let the sunshine in and turn on the lights. Add fresh flowers if you can, keep the temperature comfortable, have something baking in the oven and keep outdoor decks and living spaces clean and organized.

If you put these steps into action, not only will you house sell faster, it will sell for more!

Contact: Jas Jagpal, Sales Representative, and get a free report on "Squeezing Every Last Dollar From Your Home Sale". Also email him any questions you have so he can answer them on his blog.

Re/Max Dynasty Realty Inc., Brokerage. E: jasjagpal@rogers.com C: 647-272-6629
Servicing the Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, Pickering, Ajax

(* Real Estate Staging Associates, **US Department of Housing and Urban Development)

Top 20 Mortgage Mistakes Home Buyers Make (and How To Avoid Them)

Mortgage Mistake #1 - Not improving your credit score when you have the opportunity to do so.

A solid credit history can mean qualifying for a larger loan, lower interest rate and lower monthly payments. A high credit score makes you more creditworthy in the eyes of lenders.

Prior to shopping for a home loan, do everything you can to improve your credit score. Pay your bills on time—payment history can account for up to 35 percent of your credit score, according to the Canadian Bankers Association. The longer you pay your bills on time, the better.

Pay off or pay down credit cards, auto loans and other obligations that affect your creditworthiness. Amounts owed account for another third of your score.

Watch out for red flags like minimum-only payments, late payments and dipping into a credit line to pay for living expenses— these suggest you may be in financial difficulty.

And it goes without saying that you need to know your credit score before you sit down with a broker. Know your financial situation and be prepared to explain any potential concerns.

If you give yourself a good six months to correct errors in your credit report, and identify and address potential problem areas, you’ll be in a much better position to buy when the time comes.

If you are in the market to buy or sell and would like to receive Jas's special report, contact him at 647-272-6629 or email him at jasjagpal@rogers.com

Jingle bells, real estate smiles, jingling all the way...

Jingle bells, real estate smiles, jingling all the way...oh what fun it is to buy real estate today! Hey! ..... Contact Jas today, and get your home sold fast, before it's too late and you have to pay HST sales tax! Hey Jingle bells, real estate smiles, jingling all the way...:-)

http://www.nationalpost.com/homes/story.html?id=2330526