One morning like any other, when you aren’t expecting anyone, there comes a knock at the door. It’s a bailiff who hands you a repossession notice from a financial institution for defaulting on your mortgage payments. But you already paid off your mortgage a few years ago. They must have the wrong person, right? Nope–the title on your home has been stolen.

Title theft, a type of mortgage fraud, isn’t common–but it’s been on the rise in recent years. It starts with stealing your identity. Fraudsters create fake documents so they can take over the title on your property and then remortgage your house or sell it and, in any case, make off with the proceeds.[……]

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Often created in decommissioned industrial buildings, lofts offer an immense open space to decorate, a single room whose dimensions are around 500 square metres, with ceilings of up to three metres and more.

Few doors, few walls, often nothing at all. A wave of natural light from the long vertical windows along the wall floods the central space. Added to these windows you sometimes find a windowed façade, skylights or windows on the ceiling.

Wood or steel beams, concrete, brick and metal surfaces are everywhere. And the abandoned vestiges of the building’s past: pulleys, wooden cases, platforms, giant washbasins, air conditioning conduits, steel tables, oversized chimney.

What do you do with this unrefined decor? Make it your home.

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Once the cleaning work is done, the real work starts. Most owners keep traces of the building’s former vocation for decorative purposes. That’s what makes a loft a loft. That’s what separates it from a penthouse.

If partitions are needed for a certain intimacy, they should be as discreet as possible in order to maintain the continuity of the space and let the light flood in. That is why complete walls are rare. Or areas are combined, such as the living room and dining room. Or low walls, mobile screens, opaque or trans lucid panels are added.  

A loft is a paradise for colour. Owners often use colour to divide the space into areas: one dominant colour per area, or one dominant colour on the ground floor and a second on the upper floor, which is usually a mezzanine.[……]

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Initially, a real loft was a dwelling outfitted in an abandoned industrial building. At some point, interior design professionals had the idea of using the loft lifestyle in houses or traditional apartments. Easy to understand why: there isn’t an abundance of abandoned industrial buildings. Yet, peo[……]

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With the last days of summer drawing near, you are probably on the lookout for a new project. You are wondering what you could do or work on and suddenly it comes to you: your home. Whether you plan to buy, sell or renovate your home, National Bank has a range of financing products to help you out.

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Mortgage loans1

If you are looking for peace of mind, you may want to consider a fixed-rate mortgage with set monthly payments for the entire term of the loan. Not sure what is best for you? Try a made­to-measure mortgage, where part of your loan is financed at a fixed rate and part at a variable rate.[……]

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We often forget them, but they can provide an important service. Why not resort to an architect when the time comes to do major renovations? Such as expanding a house.

Of course, an architect will increase the cost of the work, but keep in mind that, in most major renovations, your property will increase in value. So why not increase this value as much as possible? Especially if it involves adding space to a house.

You don’t have to call upon a renowned architect. A student fresh out of university will do just fine.

Don’t be afraid to seek knowledge elsewhere when you want to renovate a house. An architect is a professional who has this knowledge.

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First advantage: you can talk to the architect before starting the renovation project and throughout the process, which removes a great deal of stress. You will feel less alone.[……]

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From stripping the African hut, the cradle of humanity, we have , we have switched to decorative abundance throughout the centuries. In 2015, we have the impression of going back to square one as we progress toward the world of tomorrow. We are stripping things down again. The living room is no exception.

Living room decor will be marked by simplicity, but without austerity. In fact, tomorrow’s living room will have more of a lounge atmosphere. And God knows how much the lounge style can burst with beauty and freshness!

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Screens on the walls, futuristic furniture, projectors and recessed lighting, tomorrow’s living room will go from the contemporary style to a more dazzling style. Everything will be designed, from the bookshelves to the staircase.[……]

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Get to know these four people when buying a home. Assemble your dream team for a winning result.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or getting ready to buy your second or third place, making a move can be exciting. But, it also can be intimidating and a bit overwhelming when you consider the many steps you need to take before picking up your new keys.

Fortunately, it’s a lot easier when you work with professionals who know the ins and outs. So consider reaching out to these four individuals during the home-buying process.

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  1. Real estate broker: You may think looking for potential homes is something you can do on your own. However, first-time buyers and even more experienced buyers can benefit from hiring a real estate professional. They can help you find listings that specifically fit your criteria, including listings that may not be advertised, as well as provide insight into the market. Plus, they can help you negotiate things like price, the date you can take possession and any extras you want included like repairs, furniture and appliances.
  2. Lawyer or notary: A lawyer or notary may act as an advocate on your behalf throughout the home-buying process. They will help coordinate everything from drafting and negotiating the contract of the sale to examining inspection reports and mortgage documents. Hiring a lawyer or notary early in the home-buying process can save you time and risk.
  3. Home Inspector: It’s to your benefit to hire a home inspector to look over the home before you buy. A home inspection may cost an average of $450 (may vary by province). But it’s often money well spent, because a home inspector can alert you to issues you may not see on the surface, like problems with the roof, plumbing, electrical, heating or cooling, windows and doors and foundation. Make sure to hire a certified home inspector, ideally with a background in engineering and experience doing home surveys in the area where you are buying.
  4. Mortgage Specialist: Last, but not least, having a working relationship with a trusted mortgage specialist is essential during the home-buying process. He or she can help review your finances and determine a price range that is realistic for your budget, as well as help you decide what type of mortgage is right for your situation and how much you can afford for a down payment.

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