<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.bradplummer.ca/blogs/home-buying/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>Brad Plummer | Referral Mortgages - Blog , Home Buying</title><description>Brad Plummer | Referral Mortgages - Blog , Home Buying</description><link>https://www.bradplummer.ca/blogs/home-buying</link><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:07:29 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[A Checklist for Moving]]></title><link>https://www.bradplummer.ca/blogs/post/a-checklist-for-moving</link><description><![CDATA[MOVING! The very thought of it can send chills down our spine and can cause us to break out into a cold sweat. Experts say that any kind of "change" creates "stress".]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_mrDwTxO3Qv-4-Od0kxPE5g" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_ZCToCOmJ5fdDnMrnNhq-bA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_ZCToCOmJ5fdDnMrnNhq-bA"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_Qlh7yJUb-fD8nLhah_EEnA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_Qlh7yJUb-fD8nLhah_EEnA"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_WZlearQ4wvY3QBSf5jYoHg" data-element-type="imagetext" class="zpelement zpelem-imagetext "><style> [data-element-id="elm_WZlearQ4wvY3QBSf5jYoHg"].zpelem-imagetext{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="left" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimagetext-container zpimage-with-text-container zpimage-align-left zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-medium zpimage-mobile-fallback-medium hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
            type:fullscreen,
            theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1520038410233-7141be7e6f97?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;q=80&amp;fm=jpg&amp;crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;w=1080&amp;fit=max&amp;ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjQ1Nzk3fQ" size="medium" data-lightbox="true" style="width:1080px;"/></picture></span></figure><div class="zpimage-text zpimage-text-align-left " data-editor="true"><div>MOVING! The very thought of it can send chills down our spine and can cause us to break out into a cold sweat. Experts say that any kind of &quot;change&quot; creates &quot;stress&quot;. Moving, (and especially if we are relocating to a new city or state), represents a huge change and naturally brings a great amount of stress along with it. This can be a double whammy, because stress can lead to a lack of energy and motivation. Many of us tend to procrastinate during stressful periods of our lives. This is one time, though, when we must rise above that.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>When preparing for a move we need to put the pedal to the metal and get a lot of things done. This checklist contains many suggestions that may seem like &quot;no-brainers&quot;. However, the very act of printing out these simple suggestions and reminders can become a significant security blanket as the dreaded time approaches. Moving and relocating calls for being proactive, grabbing the bull by the horns and actually completing certain chores well in advance of their deadlines. Hopefully this little paper will help you to accomplish that. In this particular article we are leaving out the &quot;big things&quot; such as finding the best moving company, researching your new neighborhood's transportation, parking, employment, etc. Those are for other articles on another day. Today we are concentrating on the basics of planning and preparation.</div><p><span style="color:inherit;"><br></span></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">Get rid of what you don't need.</span></div><p><span>Many of us are &quot;pack rats&quot;. One thing that we can accomplish immediately is going through all of our &quot;stuff&quot; and getting rid of what we don't need anymore. Moving unwanted clothing and bric-a-bracs from one place of residence to another is a great waste of time and effort. It is surprising how much more in control we feel once we start narrowing down our &quot;inventory&quot; to what we actually need to keep. Getting rid of the unwanted items can be done by having a garage sale long before moving time and then donating the leftovers to the Salvation Army or other charitable groups.</span><br></p><p><br></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">Get all important papers and documents together and secure them.</span></div><p><span>Since moving is hectic, to say the least, we need to be aware of the exact location of all of our important items. Things that we absolutely must not lose or misplace should certainly be hand carried, not put in a box for the movers:&nbsp;</span><br></p><p><span>Address Books, Birth Certificates, Bank Statements, Checks, Credit Cards and Statements, Home Movies, Irreplaceable Memorabilia, Insurance Policies, Marriage Records, Medical and Dental Records, Military Records, Passports, Photos and Photo Albums, Resumes, School Records, Stock Certificates, Tax Returns, Telephone Numbers, Valuables, Vehicle Documents, Wills.</span><br></p><p><span style="color:inherit;"><br></span></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prepare well in advance for living at your new location.</span><br></div><p><span>There are many things that we can do at our new location well in advance of our move that will help smooth out the bumps and grinds of our relocation process when the actual event occurs: Open up new bank accounts. Open up a new Safe Deposit Box. Contact the new area utility companies and arrange for your new services. These can include Cable TV, gas, electric, oil, telephone, water and Internet access. Arrange for new medical providers. If you are moving to a new state, contact the DMV and get forms necessary to re-register your vehicles. Contact your insurance companies and find out if your car insurance, homeowner's insurance, etc. can be transferred. If not, find an Insurance Broker in your new area and discuss your needs and requirements for new policies. Go to the post office and get a moving kit. Prepare change of address forms for all of your correspondents; credit card companies, other credit accounts, banks, insurance companies, current utility companies for final statements, magazines and other subscriptions, family, friends, and any other persons or businesses that you correspond with on a regular basis.</span><br></p><p><br></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">As the time approaches, get a nice new legal pad.</span></div><p><span>As moving day approaches and when the moving process actually begins, you don't want to be hunting for phone numbers in wallets, purses, or address books. Have a nice new legal pad ready with all important phone numbers written clearly and legibly for both your old and new contacts: Banks, Doctors, Emergency contacts, Family members, Friends, Landlords or Real Estate Brokers, Movers, Pharmacies Schools, Storage Facilities, Utilities.</span><br></p><p><br></p><div>With proper planning and preparation the moving process, though never fun, can at least be sane. With proper planning and preparation the utilities at your present address can be disconnected the day after you move and the utilities at your new address can be connected the day prior to your arrival. With proper planning and preparation you will not be frantically searching for a new doctor or pharmacy, if that unfortunate need arises. With proper planning and preparation you will have all of your important documents at the tip of your fingers at all times. With proper planning and preparation your mail will start arriving the day after you move in to your new abode and your life will endure a minimum of chaos and clutter.</div><p><br></p><div>Good luck with your move and good luck in your new home or apartment.</div><p><span style="color:inherit;"><br></span></p><div><br></div><p><span style="color:inherit;"><br></span></p><div><br></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2020 11:03:49 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Useful Tips in Buying a House]]></title><link>https://www.bradplummer.ca/blogs/post/5-useful-tips-in-buying-a-home</link><description><![CDATA[Buying a house is a very serious matter that comes in to people’s lives. It is very risky to invest your money in buying just any house you find. You must have some guidelines that can help you decide which house is the best for you.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_vsEkO7QUQai2UM3VKD-3KA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_VjkyUQjgKBg52qIw9dnNbg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_VjkyUQjgKBg52qIw9dnNbg"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_-qEWU0hDgZR9sVCSuOeMtA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_-qEWU0hDgZR9sVCSuOeMtA"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_-71Dn71VlbOM5rgKLAoNFg" data-element-type="imagetext" class="zpelement zpelem-imagetext "><style> [data-element-id="elm_-71Dn71VlbOM5rgKLAoNFg"].zpelem-imagetext{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="left" data-tablet-image-separate="" data-mobile-image-separate="" class="zpimagetext-container zpimage-with-text-container zpimage-align-left zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-medium zpimage-mobile-fallback-medium hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
            type:fullscreen,
            theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1522444195799-478538b28823?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;q=80&amp;fm=jpg&amp;crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;w=1080&amp;fit=max&amp;ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjQ1Nzk3fQ" size="medium" data-lightbox="true" style="width:1080px;"/></picture></span></figure><div class="zpimage-text zpimage-text-align-left " data-editor="true"><div>Buying a house is a very serious matter that comes in to people’s lives. It is very risky to invest your money in buying just any house you find. You must have some guidelines that can help you decide which house is the best for you. Here are some:</div><p><span><br></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:bold;">1.Determine your rights</span><br></p><p><span>When you are ready to buy your own house, be sure you understand your rights as a homebuyer. Knowing the process of buying a house prevents you from getting scammed. You can personally do your home work or seek for a knowledgeable person like a real estate agent or a broker. Make sure that the agent you hire is licensed and have a wide knowledge regarding the area.</span><br></p><p><span><br></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:bold;">2.Make sure you can afford it</span><br></p><p><span>Your budget is really a big deal in buying your own house. What you want is different from what you need, so be practical. You don’t really need a big house if you’re just one person that travels everyday, right? Make sure that you make the best for your money. Seek help or ask for suggestions especially for those who have knowledge in real estate prices. If you can’t stay for at least a year, buying a house is inappropriate for you. You may save a whole lot more of money if you sell it urgently.</span><br></p><p><br></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">3.Make sure it fits your lifestyle</span></div><p><span>Make your house a home. Be sure it really fits your way of life and you are comfortable with it. A good example of this is if you’re working in an office, a good place to find is near or in the vicinity of your office. If you love nature, a good place to find is outside the city with clean air, near parks, has a mountain view or near at the beach. Your personality really matters in finding a good house. Make sure to look at its suburbs first and try to gather some information about the area and its surroundings. Try also to consider the kind of neighbors you will have.</span><br></p><p><span style="color:inherit;"><br></span></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">4.Consider your future plan</span><br></div><p><span>If you’re newly married, you might to consider how many kids you want to have. You can assume the number of rooms or the home space you need. If you can afford a house that is near to a good school, it is better. School districts are more important to home buyers, therefore, it will increase your property values.&nbsp;</span><br></p><p><br></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">5.Be organized</span></div><p><span>It is very important to make your document files organized and safe. Because it will prove that you own the house. It will help you a lot especially when it comes in paying your house payments (taxes and amortization).</span><br></p><p><br></p></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2020 11:29:38 -0400</pubDate></item></channel></rss>