Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Navigating Down Payment Options with Trusted Regina Mortgage Broker Ryan Boughen

The land of mortgages is big, and Ryan Boughen, a multi-award-winning Regina Mortgage broker with TMG The Mortgage Group, understands how confusing it can be with new rules, rates and information appearing regularly in the market. There are also dozens of lenders with thousands of mortgage products available. Ryan Boughen is a Trusted Regina Mortgage Broker, and in his latest mortgage tip, he shares down payment options and how much money you  need to buy a house. 



Unlocking Homeownership: Navigating  Down Payment Options with Trusted Regina Mortgage Broker Ryan Boughen


You’re not alone if you’ve ever dreamt of owning a home. However, the path to homeownership often begins with the question: How much money do I need for a down payment in Regina?


Fear not, for we have Ryan Boughen, a trusted mortgage broker from TMG The Mortgage Group, to guide you through the ins and outs of Canadian down payment options and demystify the process of acquiring your dream home in Saskatchewan.


Before we delve into down payment options, let's take a moment to appreciate the Regina area’s unique real estate landscape. With its city life, lake communities, thriving bedroom communities, acreages and lots of diverse housing options, this area of the province offers a range of opportunities for prospective homeowners. Whether you're eyeing moving full-time to the lake and commuting to work from Regina Beach, or it’s time to look for a spacious family home in the city. The key to unlocking these dreams lies in understanding your down payment.


Canadian Down Payment Basics:

The minimum down payment in Canada to purchase a home depends on the property's purchase price. While the nationwide standard is 5%, I want to emphasize the importance of considering your financial situation and long-term goals. A higher down payment reduces your mortgage amount and can lead to lower monthly payments and interest costs.


Down Payment Programs:

The journey to homeownership becomes even more exciting with the availability of down payment assistance programs. As your dedicated TMG Regina mortgage broker, my team and I will walk you through various programs designed to make your dream home more attainable. From the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) to the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) for RRSP withdrawals, these programs offer financial incentives and flexibility, ensuring that you can make a confident investment in your future.


Gifts:

Gifts are allowed from immediate family members (parents, grandparents, children), as well as non-purchasing spouses. 


Flex Down (borrowed down payment):

Borrowers with a strong credit history and access to credit or a loan from a friend or family member may use borrowed funds for their down payment.  The buyer must be able to afford the extra payments from the loan.

 


Customized Solutions for Every Homebuyer:

As a seasoned mortgage broker, I understand that each homebuyer is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. I take a personalized approach to mortgage brokering, tailoring my guidance to your specific needs and financial circumstances. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or considering an upgrade, my team’s commitment to excellence ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey to homeownership.


Embarking on the path to homeownership in Saskatchewan is an exciting adventure, and with Ryan Boughen by your side, it becomes a seamless and rewarding experience. As you explore the various down payment options and navigate the intricacies of Saskatchewan's housing market, remember that your dream home is within reach.


Trust in Ryan Boughen, and let the journey to your new home begin!




CONGRATULATIONS Dusyk & Barlow Insurance Brokers- Celebrating 10years as Trusted Regina Insurance Brokers

CONGRATULATIONS, DUSYK & BARLOW INSURANCE BROKERS- CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF TRUSTWORTHY BUSINESS PRACTICES IN REGINA 

TRUSTED REGINA RECOGNIZES OUR PARTNERS WHO HAVE BEEN TRUSTED FOR OVER 10 YEARS!


In this series of recognition articles, we continue to spotlight the businesses that have been Trusted Regina Partners for over ten years. Currently, we are recognizing the group of Partners that joined the Trusted Regina community in 2012. We want to thank them for TRUSTING our team, and we are identifying each of them individually for providing ten years of OUTSTANDING service to the citizens of Regina and the surrounding area! This latest article celebrates and recognizes Dusyk & Barlow Insurance brokers.

 “Protecting What’s Important Since 1936”

DUSYK & BARLOW INSURANCE BROKER  


Dusyk & Barlow is a 100% locally owned Regina Insurance Brokerage providing honest, reliable, and personalized service to all its clients. Their long-standing reputation in the Regina community remains strong through maintaining high standards of excellence and ensuring that their client’s insurance needs are met.


Dusyk & Barlow are proud to have provided insurance services to Regina and area residents since 1936, that's for over 87 years! The team prides itself on providing superior customer service and maintaining its reputation as a trusted and reliable locally-owned and operated Regina insurance business for the next 80 years! Their success is powered by their team of insurance experts, who take the responsibility of protecting you and your family very seriously. They live and breathe insurance and want to make sure you have peace of mind knowing your home, business, and family are adequately insured for all of life’s circumstances. 

Dusyk & Barlow has access to eight different insurance providers. This means that all the company’s brokers must constantly keep themselves up to date on what each insurer provides. Through Dusyk & Barlow’s website, clients can access many SGI services and obtain home insurance quotes. Their decades of experience prove particularly valuable for that purchasing insurance for commercial endeavours. The Regina brokers work with clients to determine what they feel they need to have insured versus how much risk they could feel comfortable assuming for themselves. Another bonus for Dusyk & Barlow’s commercial clients is that the company is licensed to provide insurance in all western provinces from B.C. to Manitoba. This is particularly valued by clients who open a business in Saskatchewan and later expand into other western provinces. 

FAMILY-OWNED REGINA INSURANCE BROKERS 


A quick Google and you will see many online reviews; the customer feedback is consistently excellent. They have many loyal clients who have been Dusyk & Barlow Insurance clinets for generations.

What Their Clients Say...


"I have gone to Dusyk and Barlow for 10 years, for all my home, auto, and rental property insurance needs. Amazing brokers who always works to find the best options for me, and all the staff are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable." A.J- Google


" All staff are very pleasant and easy to understand. When ever I need something, Jenna or another coworker goes over and above my expectations. Super convenient location! Have been with for about nine years and will stay as long as I'm in SK. Nice to see some businesses still have that personal touch." - Kevin Gwillim, Google

A word from Stephen Barlow


"We’re there to answer questions and make sure the client knows what to expect and what to do. We make sure the client is fully aware of how the process works and that they are doing everything right. We’d rather you ask a question now than after something happens and find out that something could have been done. We want to educate our customers, so they know exactly what they are getting. It may not always be the answer the client is looking for, but they can be assured when they leave here, they’ve got the proper information,” says Stephen. “It has served us well and still does going forward.”

    A word from Sara, the Trusted Regina founder, about her personal experience with Dusyk & Barlow Insurance.


"Dusyk & Barlow Insurance Brokers have been the Insurance brokers for Trusted for over ten years, and I have found the staff to be knowledgeable, courteous and super helpful. Stephen, Rob, Kendrick and the management team lead by example; they are a pleasure to deal with as clients and as a customer. This local family owned company has a huge heart and I am impressed with their ongoing commitment to supporting the Regina community. Dusyk & Barlow Insurance sponsor many local community initiatives, and in addition, they hold an annual pancake breakfast every summer, which started in 2011 and their Four Weeks of Christmas Cheer, where they choose four different local non profits /causes to contribute time and funds to over the Christmas season." - Sara Wheelwright 

Thank you for TRUSTING us, Stephen, Rob, Kendrick and the team at Dusyk & Barlow. The company has provided ten years of AMAZING insurance service to the people of Regina & area as a Trusted Regina Insurance Partner. We are proud to support you and to share that they have diligently upheld the 5 TRUSTED GUARANTEES of service. 


Ready To Retire? Trusted Regina Financial Advisors at Worby Wealth Management Share Their Advice

Finding the shortest and safest route to any of your dreams requires planning and only with a carefully thought out financial plan can you be sure to make the most of your resources and to protect against risks along the way.  At Worby Wealth Management, Chris & Jeremiah Worby will do their best to help you achieve those dreams with a plan that is tailored to your specific needs and based on your individual situation.

Let Trusted Regina Financial Advisors Chris & Jeremiah Worby of Worby Wealth Management help you live your dream!

Expert Financial Advice Regarding Retirement.



Retirement Considerations


One of the biggest financial questions on everyone’s mind is whether or not they will have enough money to retire?  Not only do savings and investments need to be taken into the equation, income and expenses also need in-depth analysis.

 

Income*

 
Old Age Security (OAS)


The OAS pension is a monthly pension payment payable to eligible individuals.  OAS pension benefits are considered taxable income. To be eligible for full payment, you must:

• be 65 or older

• be a Canadian citizen or legal resident of Canada at the time of application approval

OR

• if you no longer live in Canada (a non-resident), you were a Canadian citizen or legal resident of Canada on the day preceding the day of departure from Canada

• have lived in Canada for a minimum of 10 years (or 20 years for non-residents) after reaching age 18

Individuals who have lived in Canada for 40 years after the age of 18 are eligible for 100% of the OAS pension benefit.

 

 

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)


CPP program benefits, except for the death benefit, are indexed annually for increases in the cost of living.  In order to receive CPP program benefits, eligible individuals must apply.  Benefits are not automatically paid once someone reaches the age of eligibility.  Applications are accepted via two methods; online through the My Service Canada Account, or via paper forms mailed to the applicable Provincial CPP office.

You can start receiving CPP as early as age 60 (at a reduced rate) and as late as age 70 (at an increased rate).  The maximum CPP payment in 2022 is $1,253.59 a month.

 

Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)

The tax-free savings account (TFSA) provides a way to earn investment income tax-free.  Whereas other registered accounts allow the deferral of tax on income earned within the plan; the TFSA is unique in that any investment income earned within the plan is tax-free when it is withdrawn.  In order to open a TFSA account, you must have reached the age of majority, defined as age 18 or 19, for the province or territory in which you live.  The types of investments permitted in a TFSA include cash, mutual funds, securities listed on a designated stock exchange, guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), bonds, and certain shares of small business corporations.

The annual TFSA dollar limit was established at $5,000 in 2009, the year that TFSAs were introduced as a registered account.  Any unused amounts are carried forward to future years.  The $6,000 contribution room for 2022 means the lifetime contribution limit is now $81,500.

 

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)


A registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is a type of registered savings plan set up underthe Income Tax Act and registered with the Canada Revenue Agency.  An RRSP is not an investment; you cannot buy an RRSP. Instead, an RRSP is a registered investment vehicle within which investors can deposit various types of investments.  In order to contribute to anRRSP, an individual must have earned income.

The growth of money invested inside an RRSP is not subject to tax until it is withdrawn.  In other words, the tax payable on investment growth is deferred until the future.  Since income earned inside an RRSP is tax-sheltered, RRSP investments grow much faster than non-registered investments held outside an RRSP.


Find out more

Whether you’re 30 years away or just a few months from retirement, proper retirement planning is essential. Contact Worby Wealth Management to start planning your retirement today.

 

*Source: Canadian Investment Funds Course




Some of the services that Worby Wealth Management can help you with: 

TRUSTED REGINA FINANCIAL ADVISOR Chris Worby from Worby Wealth Management helps you live your dream!



Trusted Regina Shares 6 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Homeowner



6 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Homeowner


Lately we have been spending much more time in our homes than usual. With homes and finances at the forefront of many household conversations, here is a list of 6 things you can do to improve both your home and your finances. 

Pay Off Your Non-Mortgage Debt FIRST!

The general rule of thumb is that you should focus on paying off higher-interest debt before lower-interest debt. You may be paying a higher rate on a credit card or private student loan than on your mortgage, so you'd benefit more by paying those off early.

Don't pay so much toward the higher-interest debt that you risk defaulting on mortgage payments. Yes, credit cards can be expensive, and the issuer may take legal action if you default on card payments. But defaulting on mortgage payments can be an even bigger risk because you could lose your home.

Build A Realistic  Emergency Fund

Owning a home comes with many responsibilities and expenses, some that you can plan for in advance, like property taxes, and some that just pop up unexpectedly. If you haven’t already started saving for those unexpected expenses in an emergency fund or rainy-day fund, the new year is a great time to start! Saving any amount is beneficial in an emergency, but about 3 to 6-month’s salary is usually recommended. A high-interest savings account is a good place for your emergency fund. You’ll still be able to earn interest on your savings, and it’s not entirely locked away in case you need to access the funds quickly.

For some people, work-from-home measures may be in place indefinitely. The lines between your personal and professional life may be blurred during this time. The best way to keep firm boundaries is by trying to maintain a similar routine to when you’re in the office. Ensure you set boundaries to limit overtime work, always take breaks throughout the day, and log off your work computer at the usual end of the workday.


Make Your Home As Energy Efficient As Possible

We live in Saskatchewan, so there's no avoiding heating and cooling costs, and they will only rise as time goes on. Whatever you can do to make your property more energy-efficient is a worthwhile investment! It also makes it more attractive when you decide to sell. 

For tech-savvy homeowners, making your home more energy-efficient with smart thermostats or programmable LED lights can be fun! Even if technology isn’t your thing, minor fixes around the house can help make your home more energy-efficient and save you money. Here are a few things to add to your list:

  • Seal all air leaks around windows and doors
  • Use cold water or energy-saving settings for washing machines and dishwashers
  • Unplug devices and appliances when not in use
  • Lower your thermostat while you’re away from home or in less-used areas of your home
  • Install a low-flow showerhead
  • Opt for energy-efficient window treatments like honeycomb shades

Make Your Home A Space You Love 

Starting off the new year ( or a new week! ) in a clean, organized space is a huge mood booster. With many people working from home now, organized space can also help your productivity. While there’s no right or wrong way to declutter and organize your home, one useful method is to work by room to make the task more manageable. Look at everything you have and split the items into three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss. Perhaps you could read Marie Kondo's book The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up, she is a Japanese professional organizer with a simple method to declutter your life, from clothes to books to knickknacks. She wants you to answer just one simple question when it comes to any of the items in your house:

Does it bring you joy?

If you answer yes, you keep the item. If you hesitate or say no, you donate it or throw it out. It’s simple, it’s brilliant, and it’s completely intuitive. 

Once you’ve decided what’s staying, you can make sure everything has a designated place to keep things tidy in the long run.

Start A Household Maintenance Checklist 

As with most New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to start the year off strong, but as time goes on, it may become more challenging. Set yourself up for success and stick to your home goals by creating a household maintenance checklist. Create a recurring calendar reminder so you never forget to handle tasks around the house. For example, set a reminder to change your HVAC filter every three months or clean your eavestroughs twice a year. Proper home maintenance is a good way to prevent having to pay for home repairs over time.

Plan To Pay Off Your Mortgage Sooner

Depending on how much you still owe on your mortgage, paying it off may be daunting but don’t be discouraged. Even small steps now can help you become mortgage-free sooner. Start by increasing your regular payments. For example, instead of purchasing a takeout dinner, put that extra $50 towards your monthly mortgage payment. Keep that up for a year, and you’ve already put an additional $600 towards your mortgage and, over five years, an additional $3,000.

Another simple way to pay your mortgage off faster is to put any additional or unexpected income towards your mortgage. That can be anything like funds from a tax return, a bonus from work or inheritance. Before you make any pre-payments, double-check your mortgage pre-payment options with your mortgage lender so you don’t exceed your allowable limits.



Dust N Shine Your Trusted Regina Cleaners Offer Some Helpful Cleaning Tips!

Dust N Shine  Cleaning Services is proud to be a family-owned business serving Regina and the surrounding area. Their team will provide professional service and treat your home or business as if it were their own. In their first Trusted Regina cleaning tip they share 6 things you should clean more frequently! 

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is a TRUSTED REGINA MAID AND CLEANING SERVICE.

 

General household cleaning tips!

1. To eliminate unpleasant odours in the refrigerator, place a bowl of new or used coffee grounds on a shelf inside, and replace every two months for a continually fresh smell. 

2. When dishes come out of the dishwasher with residue, run an empty load with 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the detergent cup. Alternately, use several tablespoons of Tang, lemon-flavoured Kool-Aid or powdered laundry detergent for the same effect.


3. To combat grease buildup and maintain cleanliness, grind a handful of ice cubes in the garbage disposal every few weeks. Add the peels from lemons or limes to help eliminate odours. 


4. The anti-static component in dryer sheets helps break down the bond between food and pots and pans, so put a sheet in a dirty pot filled with water, soak it overnight, and easily scrub the pot clean the following day.


5. Keep shower doors clean by using a glass cleaner to initially remove streaks, and use a Magic Eraser to navigate the crevices of textured glass. Razor blades can scrape off the more challenging buildup. Dry the door, and then use a water-repellent product, such as Rain-X or Aquapel, to cause water to bead up and wash away from the glass. Wipe the repellent with a microfiber cloth, and repeat the process every six months.

 

Contact Dust N Shine for your free estimate today!

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is a TRUSTED REGINA MAID AND CLEANING SERVICE.




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TrustedRegina.com
310 Wall St #209
Saskatoon, SK   S7K 1N7
Ph: 306.244.4150

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