Manitoba winters can be harsh on our homes! While the weather is warm, take some time to inspect your home for damage that may have occured over the winter.

• Check your roof - You can usually spot trouble without climbing up on the roof. How do the shingles look? Are any missing? Are they curling up? 
• Check exterior walls - Check for new cracks, damaged areas, or water damage.
• Check your foundation - Look for cracks or leaks in your basement.
• Check your decks - Look for warped or loose boards. If the finish is worn, make a plan to clean and re-finish in the summer.
• Check your air conditioner - change the filter and consider a spring clean by a professional if it looks quite dirty.
• Clean the BBQ - my favourite step! Clean the BBQ and get ready for summer!

Happy spring, everyone!

Terry & Lisa

Interest rates across Canada are dropping, creating a mortgage price war among banks. Lenders have begun to offer fixed-rate mortgages at rates as low as 2.84%, and variable rates as low as 2%. Combine these new rates with plenty of homes on the market, and many people are finding it an attractive time to buy their dream home.

Low rates are great, but do you know how much house you can afford? The historical rule of thumb for decades has been that no more than 32% of household pre-tax income should be spent on housing costs. This includes your mortgage, utilities, condo fees and property taxes. 

Still not sure how much you can afford? Try using the Mortgage Calculator on my website. You can input various numbers and get an idea of what your payments might be. Have more questions? Contact me at terry@astrope.com and let's talk about buying a new home!

The holidays can be a stressful time for many. Shopping, family engagements, decorating and extra bills. However, the holidays should also be a time of joy. Here are a few tips I have gathered that may help with your stress levels:

• Assign yourself a spending limit: Lack of money can be a huge cause of stress over the holidays. By setting a budget, you can stay on track and avoid overspending.
• Get organized: Make lists! Making lists and being organized can save you a lot of time!
• Be realistic: It's impossible for one person to do everything. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect.
• Get enough sleep: Even though your schedule may be full of parties and get-togethers, it's important to get sleep.
• Ask for help: Don't be afraid to ask for help!
• Say no: It can be hard to say no, especially to family members, but you'll enjoy parties and other events more if you pick and choose the ones that are closest to your heart. 
• Take a deep breath: If all else fails and you feel your stress levels rising, pause and take some deep cleansing breaths!