Real estate: A ‘secret’ tax shelter

By Jason Heath

TFSAs have been a welcome addition to the tax shelter landscape in Canada, but they leave something to be desired for those with substantial assets and maxed out RRSP and TFSA room.

Film limited partnerships have disappeared, charitable donation tax shelters were flawed from the start and the investment tax credit for flow-through shares may or may not be extended in the next budget. Read More

Canada in middle of growth spurt, to lead G7 in first half of 2011: OECD

Canada is like the average student in the poor class, not the brilliant student in an average class. But, as Charlie Sheen says, “winning!”

By The Associated Press

OTTAWA – A leading international think-tank says Canada will lead its peers in the G7 in economic growth during the first half of this year. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development says the outlook for economic growth has brightened for all G7 countries, with the exception of Japan . Read More

Lower Canadian Mortgage Rates – should have happened a month ago

Here is some bank-spin b.s. in full display. Bank mortgage rates should have come down 3 weeks or a month ago like the broker rates did. Banks intentionally left their rates higher to keep their profits up. So it is supposed to be a big deal now that the Big 5 banks have a 5 year at 4.09% when we have been at 3.89% for the last month? Read More

TD Canada Trust releases 2011 Home Buyers Report

TORONTO (March 7, 2011) – When homebuyers browse the listings and hit the open houses this spring, will they be looking for brand-new homes that won’t need any work or fixer-uppers that they can renovate to suit their taste?   According to the 2011 TD Canada Trust Home Buyers Report, Canadians are divided with men and women sitting on opposite sides of the fence. Read More

Reno coach –

What a great idea this is. Note below that the coach actually recommended that they move and not try to renovate.

Reno coach keeps projects in the ballpark

Planning her first major home renovation in the summer of 2009, Tina Davies felt like she was awaiting her first baby: excited, nervous and not sure what to expect. Read More