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How to prove your credit rating when you are new to Canada

February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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Here are the directions- from a great mortage broker , about how to pull your ‘credit bureau’  from the UK, as this is a great way to prove your credit rating when you are new to Canada.

How to pull credit bureau from – UNITED KINGDOM

 

The UK Equifax will not allow for Canadian Equifax to pull credit bureau directly from the UK database so the UK client has to do it himself by:

Go to: www.Equifax.CO.UK – get the one you have to pay for (the free one would have to be mailed directly to an address in UK) and the one you pay for is emailed to you directly and instantly. It costs approx. 15-16 GBP and you must have current UK credit card to pay for it.

Note that Equifax may ask questions such as dates when credit cards have been issued or when mortgage in UK was obtained in order to confirm identity. To avoid delays in obtaining your credit report, please review this information before calling.

If having trouble please call the consumer bureau in Ireland at:

11-353-53-916-7400

(They can also mail the credit bureau from this end but if doing it this way, it can take up to months to receive.)

 

 

 

- Gabrielle Thome

For more information please call:

Gabrielle Thome, Benefit Mortgage Brokers Corp. ph; (403) 453-0275 or Gabrielle.Thome@Benefitmb.ca or visit www.Benefitmb.ca

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Filed Under: Calgary Life, Featured, Financial, Latest News

Differences between houses in Canada and UK

February 16, 2012 By 2 Comments

Here is article written by a friend and colleague of mine,  that I would like to share, which has some useful hints, tips and differences between houses in Canada  .

She is an interior designer, home-stager and ‘eco-desgin’ consultant’ , living and working in Calgary and areas:

Moving into your Canadian house

Are you planning to move from the UK to Canada?

To start with, consider leaving most of your furniture behind, as they are expensive to ship and might look out of place in your new home.

As your estate agent (REALTOR) may  tell you, houses and condos (flats) in Canada generally tend to be more spacious than in the UK.  One reason being, especially in within Calgary , most  homes have a large, useable basement.

You will find that there are quite a few differences between houses in Canada and UK as well as in the vocabulary.

Most Canadian homes are heated via a forced air system (produced by large furnaces in the basement) and through vents (floor & ceiling) instead of radiators and they often have real log fires/fireplaces. Because wood is still used a lot in the interior design either as wooden flooring, decorative vaulted ceilings, staircases, cabinet doors and furniture, most furnaces have humidifiers attached. Vital in arid climates like Alberta!

Paint colours overall tend to be more muted and much darker (even on the outside), furniture tends to be big and chunky and for window covers, Canadians seem to prefer blinds to curtains.

In Canada a garden becomes a yard, the lounge a living room and the ground floor is called the 1st floor or main floor. You will take the garbage out, clear the sidewalk of snow, watch soccer or hockey on the TV (up to 80”) in a developed basement and have your cup of tea in the family room.

50 or 100 gallon water tanks supply all your hot water for the two or three bathrooms, the outside of the houses are covered in either plastic siding or stucco, lot’s of Canadians like to use an outdoor hot tub and BBQ’s on the deck are an all year round event!

And get ready to take your shoes off! When looking at properties, visiting new friends and neighbours and even at the entrance to schools (when the weather is bad), it is customary to leave your shoes at the door.

Courtesy of :

Swantje@sammeuropeandesign.com

Filed Under: Featured, Latest News, Real Estate

NEW to CANADA – programs for home ownership

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
English: mortgages Green Bay, WI

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Here is an interesting post from a mortgage broker, who has lots of experience with newcomers to Calgary.

Of course , not everyone chooses to buy a home ,as soon as they arrive- some choosing to stay in ‘long’ stay hotel suites, others rent for a while until they are familiar with the city, others choose to rent indefinitely, but with the record low interest rates at the moment, many are taking advantage and choose to jump straight in to community living and so look in to buying as soon as they arrive.

Either way, as you will see,  there are many options there for you- and it helps to discuss your options with a  mortgage broker- as soon as you feel it is something you are contemplating.

I know from experience, that my guest mortgage broker, Gabrielle, is excellent at relaying the information you require , explaining your options and keeping you fully advised, whether you plan to buy now, 6 months or anytime in the future.

Here is her Aricle for people new to Canada and programs available for home ownership.

 

 

NEW to CANADA- programs for home ownership:

This program is designed to specifically meet the unique needs for those recently new to Canada, even if they:

  • Do not have established credit or have no credit at all
  • Are not Canadian citizen

 

A reminder that there no longer is a firm requirement that clients must have immigrated or relocated to Canada within the last 36 months to be considered for homeownership under this program with one exception:

 

  • Those who are here under a valid working visa and wish to put down 5%

 

(after 36 months, a minimum of 10% down payment is required)

 

 

 

IMMEDIATE CRITERIA TO CONSIDER:

 

  • Clients have to have valid work permit or
  • Have landed immigrant status

 

Some highlights:

 

For purchase transactions

 

  • 5% minimum down payment
  • No maximum mortgage amount
  • Maximum 2 units where at least one unit must be occupied as principal residence
  • Mortgage is portable
  • Mortgage is assumable
  • Mortgages with full features are applicable
  • Best market rates and terms including fixed and variable rates mortgages.
  • Amortization options:
  • LTV > 80% up to 30 years
  • LTV < 80% up to 40 years
  • NOT available for second/vacation homes or rental properties
  • Other conditions apply

 

Please note that this program allows that each application be evaluated on its own merit. Please contact me if you wish to discuss a specific client or an opportunity so we can provide customized and file specific guidance.

 

 

Courtesy of Gabrielle Thome,  with Benefit Mortgage Brokers

Filed Under: Featured, Financial, Latest News, Real Estate

The great British Breakfast- in Calgary

January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
English: The famous GNER Great British Breakfa...

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One of our great traditions- the great British Breakfast- but where can you find The Great British Breakfast in Calgary?

Well I have yet to find a place where you can get a true traditional /full works English/British breakfast, (but if anyone knows of any where- feel free to share ).

Of course there are a few places that do a good breakfast- but because they all use either the streaky bacon or the ‘Canadian back bacon’ (seems just like ham to me!) you can’t get a ‘true’ English/British breakfast. So we resort to ‘DIY’ but for that of course you need to know where to get the ‘real’ stuff.

I know of one great butcher shop, Scottish I believe, MacEwans down in the SW on elbow drive and also they supply to the Brit shops here I think too, such as Jolly Goods in Mckenzie Towne, the British Pantry on Northland Drive, NW,  The Scottish Shoppe and the 2 ‘Good taste of Britain’ shops – one in Eau Claire and one in Market Mall in NW.

However if you are in the super market and want to grab some good stuff for a decent breaky, I highly recommend Real Canadian Superstore where you can can get ‘real’ Wiltshire Bacon,  and this is the nearest to real bacon we have found. Also while you are there look for the ‘Bangers’ in the sausage department, labelled,’English Bangers’ these are quite authentic too, but sell out pretty quickly!!

At one time you could get Black Pudding (blood sausage it was called) in C0-op, but I have not seen this for a number of years. Again-a  butcher is your best bet for that. Mushrooms of course pretty easy- no particular preferences, and then it comes to beans. In our family we have remained particularly partial to British Heinz baked beans, and although they sell Heinz here,   they are just not the ‘same’ . I know many people still use them, and a good tip is the ‘no-name’ beans (in yellow label) at The Real Canadian Superstore. But for those of you who remain partial to the authentic Brit Heinz beans, we have to suck it up and be prepared to buy them at the Brit shops, approx $3+ per tin (but for us- it is worth it)- or convince your net set of visitors to bring you a 4 pack- mind you- it does tend to raise a few eyebrows!!

Tea- well I will leave that for another discussion-another day. So there you go- we have resorted to making our own good old Breat British Breakfast when we are in Calgary/ get the chance…. and  certainly really enjoy it when we do.

BUT if you DO know of any where in Calgary or surrounding area’s that does a good version- please let us know and we can try it out and spread the word.

English sauages( bangers ) in CalgaryCheers and all the best, Happy Frying!!

Mel
Real English Bacon-in Canada

Filed Under: Featured, Foodie Stuff, Latest News

How to Cope With the Cold Weather in Canada

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

How do Brits cope with the cold weather in Canada? I’ve just seen its minus 28. Can’t imagine that type of cold. Do things carry on as normal or do things stop etc?

Facing north, +15 sign and covered walkway lin...

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Great question,  so I know it ‘sounds’ unimaginable  the cold weather in Canada is really not as bad as it seems it is not too bad for several reasons:

1) Here in Calgary it’s a ‘dry’ cold and so as long as you have your extremities covered up-usually it is quite tolerable for short periods of time!

2) A lot of homes/apartments have garages- so you can choose not to be exposed if you have a car eg, house to car, then a lot of work places/shopping centres etc have indoor car parks.

3) If you work downtown- then they have a ‘unique’ indoor pathway above ground that links all the office blocks together (its called the + 15) 4) Even when the snow comes typically every one is ‘fairly’ prepared (although if it comes over night unexpected- the first morning can be a bit of ‘gong show’- but after that the roads get cleared and everyone carrys on).

Life stays pretty normal, with work, school etc- but if is -20 (or below) then kids don’t go out to play- otherwise they carry on with snow pants/hats gloves etc.

Also- there is so much ‘to do’ during the winter months, ice-skating, skiing, sledging, snow shoeing to name but a few- I lived in the Middle East (U.A.E ) for 3 years, and having lived with small kids there and now here, I can honestly say that the extreme winters here are MUCH ‘easier’ to cope with than the pounding heat of 40+ with 98% humidity. Here you can at least bundle up, and go out and enjoy… IF you want to………

Also on another note, Calgary/area is quite unique as we have ‘Chinooks’ which basically is a ‘warmer’ weather front/wind that comes in ‘warms’ everything up from time to time over the winter, so the really cold snaps generally only last from a few days to few weeks max. I have been here when it has gone form -35 to +15 in a matter of days- crazy really!

Also Calgary/Alberta is famous for its ‘blue skies’- and it really is quite stunning to see the snow covered Rockies in the distance against a brilliant blue sky…..THAT of course is my opinion- I guess not everyone feels the same about how they cope with cold waether in Canada,  but its how you ‘embrace’/choose to live it and note I do love the sun/warmth as much as anyone- but I guess what I am saying is that equally I love the diversity and different things that each season brings (the summers are quite hot too- with tons of out door opportunites- but that is a whole other subject!)

Cheers- and again any other questions, feel free to ask!

Mel McCartney

Filed Under: Calgary Life, Featured, Latest News

Pre-schools in Calgary

January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pre Schools in Calgary

If you are living in Calgary (or moving to Calgary), and if you have small children, you will soon learn that your child won’t be starting ‘regular’ school at age 4 as they often can do in the UK, but there is always the option of a ‘pre-school’.

This is something that you have to pay for, and it starts at ages 3 or 4, but it is completely optional. It is not always structured- but is a great way to start developing social skills, and seperation, and hence a good way to ‘prepare’ a child for starting school. Of course they also do focus on developing fine and gross motor skills/creative play.

To find a list of current pre-schools in Calgary, a good resource is the Calgary’s Child Newspaper (which has lots of great info in)- and the hard copy of this can be picked up at most of the public facilites, eg Calgary Recreation Centres, and some of the supermarkets (eg Safeway) or you can search it in line and this link below is a direct link to the pre-school section.

www.calgaryschild.com/activity-guides/preschool-junior-kindergarten-and-private-school-guide

There are various types of pre-school, eg Montessori Programs (more independance focused and activities are ‘reality’ based), Play -based programs/learning through play (more hands on/social skills) and traditional learning (more structured/traditional school like setting) and so this may influence which type of program you decide upon. But another thing to consider is that some of these programs fill up very quickly, so you are best to start looking in to these options as soon as you can, and if there is not space for your first choice, try and at least get on a waiting list

However, if you are not quite ready to ‘send’ your child to a learning/play facility indepnedantly- there are of course many otpions , such parent toddler groups and variuos activities. Also, note the The Calgary British Expats Meet Up Group, is starting up a parent/toddler ‘meet up’ for parents with babies and toddlers,so a good way to meet a few new faces/get the children together.

If you have any other questions, or want more help with locating/choosing a ‘pre-school’ or finding a local play group, then please feel free to e-mail me or call- I am always happy to help.

Thanks

Mel

Filed Under: Calgary Life, Featured, Latest News
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