Winter Solstice

Today officially marks the winter solstice. Which means that winter starts for us in the northern hemisphere at 11:58 am AST. This is also the shortest day of the year with less than 9 hours of daylight. So things can only get brighter from now on till summer. So grab your sweater, put another log on the fire and cuddle up and enjoy our winter.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Special sauce

We are now in the midst of that time of year when we are focused on giving our loved ones the perfect gift. However sometimes that perfect gift can not be bought. Take time time and show them just how much you appreciate them. Doing this may require more time on your part but it’s guaranteed to bring a smile on their face and yours as well.

Appreciation really is that special sauce to any relationship. Whether this is a personal or professional relationship it really does not matter. Some have even gone so far as to say that people will sometimes do more for honest and sincere appreciation than they will do for monetary rewards. Headhunters know this first hand when trying to lure people away from positions where they are highly valued and appreciated.

I am writing about this today as a past client who has also become a good friend messaged me to say how much they have appreciated my help and support while they were going through a challenging time. The thing is I was and always will treat people how I want to be treated, end of story. If that elicits thanks then I am flattered but I just want to show people that I do care, that’s it.

Today I am thankful for the recent snowfall as it is now starting to look a lot like Christmas, If you are now singing the song after reading that then your welcome as I am too, for my client now friend for telling me that i’ve helped them.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”. John F. Kennedy

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here


It’s contagious

This is the quote from our chief medical officer here in Nova Scotia and this is what I want people to spread instead of the nasty virus or the fear associated with it. Take care of yourself.

Sincerely,

Patrick

Do Your Part

Do your part to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 during this latest Omicron driven wave of the virus. What everyone needs to realize is that this is a team effort and we must all work together to get through this latest outbreak. So here are a few things that you do to help flatten the curve.

Get vaccinated! If now eligible get your booster shot, I know I will be 1st in line when my age group opens up.

Stay home and safe with your family. I know that we are all tempted to go visiting friends and relatives this time of the year, but call or FaceTime them instead.

If you absolutely must go out, wear your mask at all times and maintain proper social distancing.

Nothing about this advice is political, it is common sense public health guidelines. Remember that the holiday season is a time for giving and thinking of others before we think about ourselves. So pay attention and follow the guidelines and we will all get through this safely.

Sincerely,

Patrick

Oops I did it again

Have you ever said that you would do or not do something then in the craziness of your day forgotten and did the opposite? While doing our biweekly clean out of our house for garbage day, I mistakingly got ride of our deceased hamster’s cage. The poor fellow passed away a few weeks ago after only briefly becoming a part of our lives. My wife said get rid of the cage, so I took that to mean put it out with the garbage. My bad.

So in times when you make a mistake it’s best to fess up to it immediately, ask for forgiveness and move on with the rest of your life. None of us are perfect and it would be a lie to say that we are infallible. As long as we are learning from our past mistakes and the mistakes of others we will live a much better life.

If you think that you made a mistake by taking a variable rate in this uncertain high inflationary market, then just call the lender and switch over to a fixed product. It is not that difficult. Learn, adapt, get better and move on.

Today I am thankful for the fact that the other motorists slow down in morning rush hour when it’s snowing, the quiet that descends on the city when it snows and when my dog and a deer stopped moving this morning to stare at each other.

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” ― Albert Einstein

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Garage Gym

One of the silver linings of the pandemic has been the growth of the workout at home movement. Prior to the pandemic I was an everyday 6am crossfit box person. Since then I have gradually built up my garage gym to include a few olympic bars, some bumper plates, a wall ball ( which bothers my kids when they are sleeping) some dumbbells and a spin bike.

While not everyone has a garage, there is still plenty of things you can do with a little bit of open space in your house. One of the first things I do every day when I get up is to stretch. To do this all you need is an area large enough to roll out a yoga mat. If you have a space large enough to put a yoga mat then you should be doing something every day.

Regular exercise helps clear your head. It reduces your stress and allows you to cope with everything that comes up in your day. This is in addition to the long list of health benefits. So crack open youtube or find a good fitness app and do at least 20 mintues of movement every day and your body and mind will thank you.

Here is a link to the bodyweight calisthenics program I follow for my stretching. If you are a little bit more adventurous here is a link to crossfit workouts that you can do at home. Remember if you have not worked out in a long time, to first consult your family doctor to make sure you have clearance for physical activity.

“You are only one workout away from a good mood”.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Sour Grapes

What is that age old expression, “You will attract more bee’s with honey than you will with sour grapes”. This basically means that people will want to be around you more when you are in a good mood and happy than when you are in a bad mood and complaining. Let’s face it unpleasant things happen in our lives from time to time, so by focusing on solutions instead of problems allows us to actually get through them without driving everyone around us crazy.

Yes we are in a period of high inflation and yes the housing market is extremely hot and and fact overheated in certain sectors. However since you can not control the events around you but only your response to them, it’s best to focus on what you can control. If your fist 5 offers to purchase were unsuccessful, then look back at those offers and see where you came up short. There are plenty of clients who require financing that are winning bidders. Learn from your past offers and keep moving forward.

“People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining”. Stephen Hawking

Today I am thankful for the weather that cooperated today that allowed me to do my first run in 2 weeks, slippery conditions but I remained upright and the cheer that makes everyone much more pleasant this time of the year.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here


Just like that

Just like that your life will be perfect when you have this one thing. It won’t matter if you are young or old, rich or poor, black or white, gay or straight, once you have gratitude for all that you have your life will be exponentially better.

Be thankful for another day above ground.

Be thankful for the air in your lungs.

Be thankful for your five senses.

Be thankful for the roof over your head

Be thankful for your education.

Be thankful for your family

Be thankful for your health

Be thankful for the challenges that you have overcome that have made you into the person you are today.

Be thankful for that you get to try again if you fell short yesterday.

Life is so much better when you focus on what you have going for you instead of what you lack. Now just like that your mood has shifted from shortcomings to abundance.

“If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.” Robert Quillen

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Wait five minutes

That old maritime expression is if you don’t like the weather here then just wait five minutes as it is libel to change. We had a foot of snow on Thursday and by Sunday morning it’s all gone. The one thing that is constant in our lives is change. If you are willing to wait then things are going to change. It’s how you adapt to those changes that really matter.

Take this current real estate market for example, it is still very much a seller’s market. However there have been moments this year where the buyers have had more success. When everyone went away on vacation in the summer, things settled down and properties were not as competitive. When the kids got back to school it went crazy again. Now with Christmas fast approaching some of those other buyers have taken a break so if you are still looking then now might be the perfect time to nab your next home.

So wait and adapt to the changes around you and you will more often than not come out on top. Those who are flexible in their approach and learn from the mistakes of others are the most successful. Now that your competition has taken a break, it may be the best time for you to put in an offer.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Crunch Time

With only 2 weeks to go till Christmas we are now in crunch time to get things done. So make your list, and check it twice so you can find out who has been naughty or nice, sorry I couldn’t resist. Seriously though, you are now most likely past the point where you can order online and expect to receive it in time for Christmas.

If the mall is now your only option plan your time there accordingly. Approach it with a plan rather than just to browse. Set a time limit and go in with your list. This will make your experience that much more enjoyable.

Actually this is the same way to approach most major tasks. You don’t start the process of buying your home without a pre approval or a plan. Get the first step covered that way everything else is that much easier.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here