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If you're like most people, your home is your largest investment. You probably put a large portion of your money into the purchase of your home and it stores valuable belongings that you have earned over the years. You might eventually plan to sell your home and use the money for retirement. If not properly insured, all of that could be gone in a flash.

More than ever, your credit needs to be top-notch to get the best terms, the best rate and the best offers on your mortgage. What does that mean if you have bruised or bad credit?

When you're shopping for your new home, you might fall in love with the kitchen that will let you host the parties of your dreams. Or it could be the mudroom that's perfect for your family to toss in their sports jerseys right after practice. But are you falling for the functionality and flow of the rooms, or are you really attracted to the matching stainless steel fridge and stove or the high-efficiency washer and dryer?

We know that staging can make all the difference in your decision to put in an offer on a home. If you're at the point of writing that offer with your real estate agent, you'll want to make sure to include conditions that will avoid surprises – like moving in and finding that those great appliances have moved on with the previous owner.

Condos are an increasingly popular property choice, whether you're a first time home buyer, a professional moving to a new city, or a retiree looking to downsize. Insurance is just as important for a condominium as it is for a traditional home, but there always seems to be confusion around what a condo policy covers. At its core, condo insurance covers your contents and liability, while the strata corporation covers insuring the structure. It's important for you to understand what's included in these policies and where you want to make sure your coverage is sufficient.

"I'm planning to buy in a few months, but can we lock in a mortgage rate now?" We hear that question often from clients who want to be pre-approved, but haven't yet started seriously shopping for a home. While rate holds do exist in mortgage financing, they may not always suit your needs.

You do everything you can to ensure your mortgage payments are made on time. So why is your credit score slowly getting worse? If you're like many Canadians, it's because your overall debt is climbing and you don't pay as much attention to those other loans.

It's the time of year both parents and students approach with a mix of excitement and dread: back-to-school prep. If you're lucky, you already have a list from your school with the supplies that will be required for the coming year. But the choices can still be daunting when you go on your shopping trip. Whether you feel like you have everything under control, or you're running out on the last weekend before school starts, these tips will help keep more money in your pocket.