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	<title>ProfessionalReferrals.ca</title>
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	<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca</link>
	<description>&#34;Connecting Professionals with Professionals&#34;</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:23:27 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Home Inspections in Canada Make for Sensible Purchases of Property</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/home-inspections-in-canada-make-for-sensible-purchases-of-property/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/home-inspections-in-canada-make-for-sensible-purchases-of-property/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:14:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice/Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=288</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A home is a place that makes for a lifetime investment, and needs to be approached with a great deal of care. A major essential is getting the home inspected before you decide on the purchase. Home inspections in Canada, or other countries, are a non invasive way method of inspection that allows you to [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/3011-18.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/3011-18-300x168.jpg" alt="Home Inspections in Canada" width="300" height="168" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-289" /></a>

<p>A home is a place that makes for a lifetime investment, and needs to be approached with a great deal of care.  A major essential is getting the home inspected before you decide on the purchase. Home inspections in Canada, or other countries, are a non invasive way method of inspection that allows you to know the condition of a home.   

<p>People who carry out such home inspections are trained, qualified and certified to do so. They will use special equipments that their training has taught them to use. Some of them may even use certain software, that further adds to the authenticity of the home inspection reports. Home inspections in Canada are not meant to assess the value of a home, which requires a different approach. It also does not have the authenticity of a municipal inspection, where structural audits are stressed. Home inspections are mandatory for the buying of a home, and in a way safeguards the buyer.

<p>Home inspections in Canada will evaluate the condition of the home, its foundation, its basement and its roof. They will further comment on the condition of any mechanical structure installed. Condition of the plumbing system, electrical wiring and cabling, heating systems, air conditioners and other equipment will be judged for their soundness. Such inspections allow the buyer to be aware of any things that may need attention and can thus help in negotiating prices. Existing owners are helped by such home inspections, so that they can make necessary repairs that help them further to sell the home. 

<p>Canada has a professional organization called the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors. The members of this association are all qualified professionals who are trained to carry out such inspections. Most home inspections require these inspectors to go through a list of over a thousand points that include almost 400 items in a home. This makes for a very comprehensive survey of all aspects of a home and ensures that almost all things are inspected. Such inspections can take more than 3 or 4 hours, but are worth the effort. It can always be helpful if the home owner is present during such inspections, along with the real estate agent of the  buyer, as then things can be discussed firsthand, and leads to fewer misunderstandings in the future, after the home inspection report is filed. It must be understood, that such inspections do have their limitations and foundation problems or other things that are not visually apparent, may not find their way onto such reports. Cracks in walls or foundations require that experts in that field be called on to supplement the home inspection report.  Home inspections in Canada do however help to make an energy audit and this can help the buyer in the event of such sale.  

<p>It is more than likely that once a home inspector submits a report on the home, that it becomes a bone of contention between the buyer and the seller. This is where the presence of the original homeowner during the inspection will help, as then the rationale behind the comments will be apparent and can even be discussed during the inspection. Most buyers do inspect homes themselves before they decide that they want to buy it. Many problems or defects in a home are not apparent  during such visits, and a home inspector will enable a different perspective.  Sellers must be realistic about the needs to make any repairs to the home in the future, based on such inspections. This may add to the final cost, but being aware of it, leads to making arrangements for the necessary finance for such repairs.]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Learn More About the Role of A Mortgage Consultant In Canada</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/learn-more-about-the-role-of-a-mortgage-consultant-in-canada/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/learn-more-about-the-role-of-a-mortgage-consultant-in-canada/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:55:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=284</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A mortgage consultant in Canada plays a key role in residential real estate transactions. His objective is to build up a network of referrals with real estate companies and other related businesses in order to generate leads on prospective home buyers who are seeking financing for their residential mortgages. He usually works on commission. Typically, [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/091912-Vancouver-BritishColumbia-121.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/091912-Vancouver-BritishColumbia-121-300x168.jpg" alt="Mortgage Consultant in Canada" width="300" height="168" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-285" /></a>

<p>A mortgage consultant in Canada plays a key role in residential real estate transactions. His objective is to build up a network of referrals with real estate companies and other related businesses in order to generate leads on prospective home buyers who are seeking financing for their residential mortgages. He usually works on commission. Typically, he has a goal to sell a certain number of mortgages per year in order to meet the quota set by the the financial institution who employs him. He serves the home buyer in matching him with the mortgage product that suits the buyer&#8217;s needs.

<p>A mortgage consultant must be properly licensed and/or registered under the mortgage laws of his respective province. He must adhere to the procedures and policies put forth by the legislative body governing activities of the mortgage brokering industry and fulfill any requirements mandated. He is expected to be fully trained under the appropriate guidelines and be knowledgeable in all matters relating to home loans. He must maintain current licensure at all times.

<p>The mortgage consultant must be proactive in generating mortgage sales leads, so having a strong business network of people in the real estate business, financial institutions, and home builders is very important. To be a consultant, previous experience in mortgage sales is usually expected. Good salesmanship is essential in order to meet the annual quota.

<p>One key characteristic of the mortgage consultant is that he must offer excellent customer service to his clients, who are the home buyers seeking mortgage financing. The typical home buyer is often not well-versed in the complexities of obtaining financing. The consultant must be ready to ready to explain the process to the buyer in layman&#8217;s terms. He show have extensive knowledge of the type of loans that are available from lending institutions so that he can recommend a product to his client.

<p>It is the consultant&#8217;s responsibility to gather all required information from his client in order to match him up with a home loan. Personal information includes credit history, financial status, and employment and salary information. During this client interview, he also must find out how much down payment the buyer plans to put down and where this money is coming from. He must verify all of this information before he completes the loan application and recommends approval from the lender.

<p>The mortgage consultant should have extensive experience in the real estate industry and know about his local market. Because he can be juggling multiple clients at the same time, strong time management and organization skills are very important. Attention to detail is a must because any errors in the loan application can potentially jeopardize the approval process of the loan, leading to a loss in a sale.

<p>Because the compensation is usually based on commission, working efficiently will result in higher sales and higher commissions. He must practice the highest level of ethics in his business transactions.

<p>The mortgage consultant is usually the home buyer&#8217;s main source of mortgage financing information. Therefore, he must be able to take the time to patiently explain it to the client. This level of service sets apart the successful mortgage consultant from his competition. If the buyer gets excellent service from the this consultant, it increases the likelihood that he will refer to the consultant to his friends and family members who plan to buy a home in the future.

<p>The good mortgage consultant in Canada is able to tap into his large network of lenders to find the right mortgage product for his client. He is and important resource to both the lenders and the borrowers.]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Questions You Should Ask When Obtaining a Mortgage Loan</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/questions-you-should-ask-when-obtaining-a-mortgage-loan/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/questions-you-should-ask-when-obtaining-a-mortgage-loan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:45:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice/Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=280</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Getting a mortgage loan is a big financial decision. You need to make certain you choose a mortgage broker that you can trust. Before you commit yourself to a particular person, you need to ask questions. When you are asking questions, make sure to gauge not only the answers you are given, but be sure [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8944.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8944-300x200.jpg" alt="Obtaining a Mortgage in Canada" width="300" height="200" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-281" /></a>

<p>Getting a mortgage loan is a big financial decision. You need to make certain you choose a mortgage broker that you can trust. Before you commit yourself to a particular person, you need to ask questions. When you are asking questions, make sure to gauge not only the answers you are given, but be sure to pay attention to how the questions are being answered. Is that person answering you in a straight-forward manner, does he or she appear to be uncomfortable when you ask the questions, or do they try to deflect the questions by using jargons you don&#8217;t understand? Mortgage loans are complex so you will need to understand and ask a lot of questions so that you are not surprised by the costs or the payments when the loan closes.

<p>If you are working with a mortgage broker, the first thing you want to ask is if they are licensed by the state. You can double check this by going to a state&#8217;s website or calling them. The next question you need to ask is who they represent; are they a mortgage broker, banker, or a consumer finance company? A mortgage broker helps you find a lender, while a financial institution and consumer finance company makes the loan. No matter who they represent, you will want to ask them how much they are making from the loan and see whether they are being paid by the lender, by you or by both. Often times, you can negotiate to get your fees lowered, thereby lowering your total cost.

<p>After you verify that the mortgage broker or lender is indeed licensed by the state, you need to get information on the loan itself. The first question you want to ask is what is the interest rate on the loan? Then, you want to ask if it&#8217;s a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan? ARM loans are risky, so if it&#8217;s an ARM loan, you want to know what the worst case scenario is when the loan resets and if there are any balloon payments you need to be aware of. Also, interest rates change daily so it can change from the time you apply for a loan to the time you close on it. You want to ask the lender if he or she will lock in a rate for you, and if so, for how long and how much will it cost you? This way, you will know how the interest rate your loan when you close rather than letting the interest rate float and getting a higher interest rate when the loan closes.

<p>Besides the interest rate on the loan, there will be additional costs that will be added onto your loan. You want to ask your lender if he or she will provide you with a good faith estimate of those costs up front. When you get that good faith estimate, go through it and ask your lender to explain any fees you don&#8217;t understand. Another question you need to ask is if there is a prepayment penalty on the loan. Some loans add a prepayment fee if you pay off the loan before a certain time frame. This usually happens if you decide to refinance your mortgage in the future. 

<p>These are all questions that you need to ask before you obtain a mortgage loan. You want to work with the most trustworthy lender who is looking out for your best interest. For most, it is the biggest financial decision that you have made. Just asking these questions will save you thousands of dollars in interest and fees and make the whole process go more smoothly.]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Canadian Universal Life Insurance Provides Many Different Options</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/canadian-universal-life-insurance-provides-many-different-options/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/canadian-universal-life-insurance-provides-many-different-options/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:38:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice/Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone needs life insurance, but not all life insurance is the same. That is because no one&#8217;s lives are the same, so there needs to be many different options for different types of people. If you live in Canada and have not looked into your life insurance options yet, then now is the time.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Everyone needs life insurance, but not all life insurance is the same. That is because no one&#8217;s lives are the same, so there needs to be many different options for different types of people. If you live in Canada and have not looked into your life insurance options yet, then now is the time. 
<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Chicago-a-5-2011.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Chicago-a-5-2011-300x168.jpg" alt="Universal Life Insurance in Canada" width="300" height="168" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-277" /></a
<p>Have you heard of variable life insurance? This type of insurance builds value over time. You can invest the cash value of your policy, meaning that you&#8217;re not only insuring yourself, but you&#8217;re also financing your future. The one thing about this type of insurance is that you can&#8217;t think of it as  a straight investment. The policy premium will be more expensive than term life which will be discussed later. Plus, you&#8217;re not investing the whole amount of money you&#8217;re paying in. Of course, the deal here is you&#8217;re buying life insurance, which is a product all its own. But the benefit is that you do have cash value that you can invest as mentioned, and of course that money can gain money with whatever interest rate you earn on your investments per your own individual choices.

<p>When it comes to term life, you&#8217;re paying a set amount that is usually lower for your premium price. While you may not get to invest any money out of this, it certainly puts your life insurance in one place. You know exactly what will be paid out upon your death if it happens before a certain age. Term life is very popular because it&#8217;s cheaper as well. However whole life is also very popular too.

<p>The universal type option of life insurance provides many fluctuations and options. The premium may cost you the maximum one month, or it might cost you hardly anything and even nothing the next month. This is also due to the investments made and other factors, including dividends and such. This sets it aside from whole life insurance because you pay a set amount when you have whole life insurance. However, there are also similarities that have also been explained.

<p>So when you are seeking insurance as a Canadian, which avenue do you choose? It really depends on several factors. It depends on your age, you investment objectives, where you are with your investments, where life insurance fits into your budget and much more. So you have to think about these factors and determine what is best for you and your family. Other factors are also involved, such as who is within your family and what is offered by your employer and more. 

<p>One great benefit to whole life insurance and variable life insurance is that they pay out no matter when a person dies as long as the policy holds a cash value that will cover expenses. There are also other types of insurance that are available to you that you might want to check out. The insurance world continues to change by the day, and there are always new options being drawn up.

<p>Another difference between whole life and variable life is the whole life policy is only going to pay out the face value of the policy no matter what. However, the variable life policy has no limit. This means that any cash value made over the years does not necessarily stay with the insurance company but also gets paid out to the insured at the endowment age. Think carefully about all these differences because the choice you make is very important. You need to make sure you understand all of the different variables as well.]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why You Need Errors And Omissions Insurance In Canada</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/why-you-need-errors-and-omissions-insurance-in-canada/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/why-you-need-errors-and-omissions-insurance-in-canada/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice/Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=271</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All types of professionals will be accountable for their work each time they are performing a job for their clients. This will mean that a mistake, even if it is a relatively simple mistake, disagreement, or misunderstanding with a client has the potential to be perceived by the client as negligence and can result in [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/88888-524-Business-Five.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/88888-524-Business-Five-300x168.jpg" alt="Errors and Omissions Insurance in Canada" width="300" height="168" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-272" /></a>

<p>All types of professionals will be accountable for their work each time they are performing a job for their clients. This will mean that a mistake, even if it is a relatively simple mistake, disagreement, or misunderstanding with a client has the potential to be perceived by the client as negligence and can result in a costly law suit. 
If a client files a law suit against a professional, the professional will have to incur the cost of defending him or herself in court.  Invariably, this will mean paying for attorney&#8217;s fee and possibly paying for damages as a result of the suit. Errors and Omissions Insurance in Canada was created in order to protect professionals from the risks associated with this type of legal action. 

<p>In the past Canadian Errors and Omissions Insurance was normally required in professions like law, medicine, engineering, and architecture but nowadays it is becoming an important type of protection for consultants in numerous fields of endeavor such as real estate, business consulting, marketing, and recruitment. Sometimes E &#038; O Insurance is also called professional liability insurance. It will cover the costs of an error, which is an action that was performed incorrectly, or an omission, which is an action that should have been performed, but was not. 

<p>This type of law suit will often come about as a result of a dispute between a client and a professional that involves communications that were confused, or if a client perceived that a professional promised something they could not deliver. Even in cases where no errors or omissions are obvious, a client may claim negligence. In these instances, even the most thorough professionals can be at risk from a law suit launched by a client and have to foot the bill for defending themselves. 

<p>If a law suit is filed, a professional will frequently need to defend him or herself against a client that is financially capable and easily able to pay for the expense of litigation. Good Errors &#038; Omissions insurance coverage, from a provider that is reputable, can assist a professional in presenting an adequate defense. 

<p>Furthermore, litigation that involves professional liability is frequently not the expertise that is possessed by commercial lawyers.  Thus, it can be difficult for a professional that does not have E &#038; O coverage to find suitable legal counsel. However, an Errors and Omissions insurance provider will have ready access to attorneys who make this type of litigation their specialty. 

<p>Some clients that are filing lawsuits against a professional may hire a lawyer on a contingency basis, meaning the lawyer will not be paid unless he or she wins the case. However, the uncovered professional will have to locate an appropriate law firm and pay the full cost of their defense, whether they end up winning or losing the case. In most cases, the courts will not award the cost of legal defense to the professional. 

<p>Quite often professional will try to protect themselves by forming a corporation so that their personal assets cannot be attached. Nevertheless, the corporation will still need to be protected against negligence suits filed by clients. Canadian Errors &#038; Omissions Insurance will protect the assets of the company and the officers and directors of the company. 

<p>Even in instances where the professional or company have very good in-house procedures and processes, and performs very thorough work, this will not necessarily prohibit a client from making a claim of negligence against them. Errors &#038; Omissions insurance will keep the disruption of the professional or business to a minimum and provide protection for the finances and reputation of the business.]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Insurance For The Home Business in Canada</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/insurance-for-the-home-business-in-canada/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/insurance-for-the-home-business-in-canada/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:05:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice/Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=263</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One thing often overlooked when having a home business is insurance. Many business owners who operate out of their own homes often figure that their home insurance is good enough to cover their business as well. This is simply untrue. Not only can it be illegal or against your home insurance clauses to operate a [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20003-12.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20003-12-300x168.jpg" alt="Home Business Insurance in Canada" width="300" height="168" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-264" /></a>

<p>One thing often overlooked when having a home business is insurance. Many business owners who operate out of their own homes often figure that their home insurance is good enough to cover their business as well. This is simply untrue. Not only can it be illegal or against your home insurance clauses to operate a business under only your home insurance, but it can come back to bite you if you happen to be robbed or your home office suffers damage.

<p>Why do I need separate business insurance?

<p>Your home insurance is often not qualified to cover your business as well. Depending on the type of business you run, you may even run into certain zoning issues with your home insurance. In many cases, your home insurance will only cover up to $2000 in lost or damaged goods in the event of a robbery. This is often to help you replace things such as furniture and electronics. Additional business insurance will make sure that your home office is covered in addition to the rest of the house. Not only that, but your home insurance only covers items actually inside your home, whereas business insurance will cover things such as your handheld electronics if you lose them while out and about.

<p>What types of business insurance should I consider?

<p>There are many types of business insurance that may or may not be relevant to you, depending on the type of business you run. The following is a brief overview of the different kinds of business insurance you may need.

<p>1. Liability insurance. The product version is necessary if you are selling a product out of your home. It will help pay for costs if you are sued for your product not working as advertised, or causing harm to a buyer. Likewise, the professional version is if you are offering services, such as physical therapy, massage, or other things, and a client claims to have suffered damage because of your service. A common form of professional liability insurance is malpractice insurance. You do not have to be a medical professional to get this. Either type is imperative for the home business owner.

<p>2. Vehicle insurance. If you use your own personal vehicle to do deliveries, transport, or other work related business, then you should get it insured as a business vehicle. This will help protect it if there is damage of if you cause damage elsewhere.

<p>3. Errors and omissions insurance. This is for those who give &#8220;advice&#8221; as a service, either as a therapist or consultant. When a client claims that damage has accrued because of perceived bad advice, this insurance helps cover the costs of the associated legal matters.

<p>4. Insurance that covers lost income due to accident or natural causes. This would include disability insurance, which will help cover your income if you become temporarily disabled, and business interruption insurance, which covers your income if your office is negated because of fires, floods, or other natural occurrences.

<p>This is all too expensive. How do I stay legal while staying in budget?

<p>First, you should check with your home insurance company and confirm how operating a home business will affect that. They may be able to tell you specifically what insurance you need to be fully covered. Also, not all business insurance is necessary. It&#8217;s suggested that you prioritize the insurance you need. For example, you may get liability insurance long before any other type, and still be adequately covered for your current needs. There are also group rates that you can get for purchasing multiple types of insurance at once.

<p>Any smart home business owner needs to know what their insurance is covering  and if it&#8217;s legal. As the old adage goes, and ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Tips for Finding a Toronto Real Estate Lawyer</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/tips-for-finding-a-toronto-real-estate-lawyer/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/tips-for-finding-a-toronto-real-estate-lawyer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:43:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=256</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#60;p&#62;So you have decided to take the plunge.  Probably the largest single financial decision that you take in your life should not be taken lightly or with only minor thought.  Keeping this in mind you will need to examine a few details about your real estate transaction to make the decision for a Toronto Real [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/vbsd0292_ntsc.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-260" alt="Toronto Real Estate Lawyer" src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/vbsd0292_ntsc-300x202.jpg" width="300" height="202" /></a>&lt;p&gt;So you have decided to take the plunge.  Probably the largest single financial decision that you take in your life should not be taken lightly or with only minor thought.  Keeping this in mind you will need to examine a few details about your real estate transaction to make the decision for a <a title="Toronto Real Estate Lawyer" href="http://toronto-realestatelawyer.ca/services/real-estate-law/">Toronto Real Estate Lawyer</a>.

&lt;p&gt;First and foremost, you need to understand that there is a difference between a commercial property and residential real estate transactions.  This can have significant difference in the costs associated with it.  Once that is realized it is time to find a lawyer that concentrates in that type of real estate.  Why would this be important?  Isn’t every lawyer the same…a lawyer.  This could not be further from the truth.  There are a tremendous amount of laws and regulations in different areas of law.   Even within a specific area of law, there is a large volume of issues and laws that change on a regular basis and almost require lawyers to concentrate in a subsection in an area of law.  The bottom line is making sure you find a lawyer that is overly familiar with the type of real estate transaction that you are involved.

&lt;p&gt;Second, you should find out the costs for the transaction.  Flat fees are a very good indicator to keep the costs of the real estate transaction from spiraling out of control.  When you are on either your initial consultation or on the phone with the attorney, feel free to bring this up in conversation.  Some individuals will feel awkward about bringing this up, but keep in mind this is YOUR biggest investment in your life and need to make sure that you are informed about all costs associated with it.

&lt;p&gt;Next, look into the personal service that the lawyer provides.  Keep in mind that lawyers that deal with real estate transactions know what it requires to properly represent their clients.  Ask yourself if your attorney provides the following services:
<ul>
	<li>Extended working hours</li>
	<li>Communicate in Different Languages</li>
	<li>A close location to you</li>
	<li>Your “gut feeling” that they will provide exemplary service</li>
	<li>Flat Rates for Service</li>
	<li>Full complement of Services to Support a Real Estate Practice</li>
	<li>Accurately portray all the costs associated with the closing so there are no hidden costs</li>
</ul>
&lt;p&gt;Last, as stated above, make sure that the law firm does not “skimp” on the services they provide you.  In other words, compare what you are receiving from each attorney and at what cost.  For instance, some lawyers do not acquire title insurance for their clients.  You need to know if this is the case because there are HUGE advantages to having this insurance in place for peace of mind.  When attorneys do not build this into the cost of the closing you might have that “surprise” at the 13<sup>th</sup> hour of the increase in costs.  In fact you might have been better off with a different attorney.

&lt;p&gt;As, you can see, finding the right Toronto real estate lawyer is very important due to the scope of the transaction.  Keeping in mind the tips above will give you the upper hand in finding the proper fit for your transaction.  Finding the right attorney will make your real estate transaction go more smoothly and will make a potentially highly stressful situation into something more tenable.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Arrangement Of Key Person Insurance in Canada</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/the-arrangement-of-key-person-insurance-in-canada/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/the-arrangement-of-key-person-insurance-in-canada/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:57:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=250</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Any business may have a key employee whose value to the business would is a major contributor to profits. It may be a certain expertise at a particular craft, or it might be a unique customer relationship that makes the difference, but the employee is valuable beyond a normal sense of the word. This value [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Any business may have a key employee whose value to the business would is a major contributor to profits. It may be a certain expertise at a particular craft, or it might be a unique customer relationship that makes the difference, but the employee is valuable beyond a normal sense of the word. This value is one in which the value of the key person can be quantified as his or her monetary value is readily apparent.

<p>This value is fairly easy to calculate. Imagine that you are the business owner and you rely on a manager who is at the helm early in the morning at 7:00am. He gets things rolling for your pastry delivery business. He know all of the routes and the drivers intimately and is aware of various factors that affect not only the driving conditions and timing of the routes, but also of the different needs of the customers.

<p>Suddenly the manager is dead from a traffic accident that happens on his way to work. Now there is quite a logistic nightmare ahead of the company, where delivery decisions have to be made that directly affect profits. It is a good thing that a key man life insurance policy was in force on the life of the manager.

<p>Now there is tax-free money flowing into the company to compensate for the economic loss of the manager. The company owned the policy and the company was also the beneficiary. The money will be used to offset loss of profits until someone who can learn the job can replace the manager.

<p>Key employees should be insured just as the company would insure against a fire happening to company buildings and equipment. Once a death occurs, it is final and can affect not only current financial situations, but the future of the business as well.  Running a business requires day-to-day decisions that reflect the pace and tenor of the business. Decisions accumulate to a style that defines the overall success of the business over time.

<p>When a key person is lost in any fashion, it can mean a serious setback for many reasons, but a death is so sudden and in many cases, irrecoverable, the purchase of a key person life insurance policy can really save the day because extra funds are available at just the moment that they are needed.

<p>The typical setup for a key person life insurance policy is for the business to be the applicant, owner, premium payer, and the beneficiary of the policy. In this way if the death occurs, the proceeds flow tax free to the company. The premiums are not deductible to the company because of the tax-free benefits. If there is any cash value and dividends available in the policy, those are also owned by the company and can be used for any purpose that the business that is deemed desirable or necessary by the company.

<p>Another use of a life insurance policy such as this could be to reward the key employee upon retirement. The company owns the policy so it can do what it wishes with the money that builds up inside the policy, which is the cash value and dividends. These could be the source of retirement funds for the employee&#8217;s retirement. It would be a good source of funds for that purpose.

<p>The company could take loans against the policy so as to not have to pay tax in the inside buildup, and then use those funds to be the source for the retirement of the employee.

<p><div id="attachment_251" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/536_0009_01.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/536_0009_01-300x168.jpg" alt="Key Person Insurance in Canada" width="300" height="168" class="size-medium wp-image-251" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Key Person Insurance in Canada</p></div>So the key person life insurance policy served a dual purpose by insuring the life of the key person in favor of the business in case of premature death, and then became a source of funding for the retirement of the key person. That is certainly a good use for the money invested over a period of time.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Discovering Nanaimo Real Estate</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/discovering-nanaimo-real-estate/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/discovering-nanaimo-real-estate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:51:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=222</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The city of Nanaimo is located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It has the distinction of being named &#8220;Harbour City&#8221; and the &#8220;Bathtub City of The World&#8221;. It is roughly 110 km northwest of the city of Victoria and 55km directly west of the city of Vancouver. It is separated from Vancouver by the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_223" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8229.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8229-300x200.jpg" alt="Nanaimo Real Estate" width="300" height="200" class="size-medium wp-image-223" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Nanaimo Real Estate</p></div>
<p>The city of Nanaimo is located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It has the distinction of being named &#8220;Harbour City&#8221; and the &#8220;Bathtub City of The World&#8221;. It is roughly 110 km northwest of the city of Victoria and 55km directly west of the city of Vancouver. It is separated from Vancouver by the Strait of Georgia and connected by ferryboat.

<p>The area enjoys a mild, temperate climate with rainy winters and dry, arid summers. Occasionally mild to heavy snows will occur late into the winter.

<p>Originally, the main economic activity was coal, but forestry replaced it in a big way in the 1960&#8242;s when a large pulp mill was built at Hamac. The pulp mill is owned by the employees and investors from local areas. Over half a million dollars per day is infused into the local economy by the lumber business. The government of the province is the largest employer with retail and tourism also contributing significantly. A growing technological industry is beginning to emerge.

<p>In 2012, the average price for the sale of homes was roughly $350,000. There has been a recent upsurge of real estate activity nearer the center of town has added to the value of property, but the construction of a waterfront complex funded by the city has become a controversy, even though it seems to add to the economy and overall lure to the city.

<p>The city is the most populated city outside of Vancouver, and has maintained a steady rate of growth of 1.7% annually. It is projected that this rate of growth will continue.

<p>Over the past couple of years the real estate market has pretty much held its own and remained static when considering the sale of the number of homes. The prices of homes have remained stable as well. The only down area of the real estate market has been the sale of condominiums.

<p>People are attracted to living in Nanaimo and to the purchase of Nanaimo Real Estate because of the exquisite beauty of the area. The vast panorama of the beauty of the sea and surrounding natural sights is certainly an experience to behold. The city itself has a population of around 82,000 people with the surrounding supporting area having a population of roughly146, 000.

<p>The well known city waterfront is the perfect setting for all kinds of water activities from fishing, wildlife cruises, water sports and kayaking. The waterfront is a haven for all kinds of boating activities, both from tourist and commercial activities. Tugboats, fishing boats, freighters and tour boats can be seen at all times traveling in and out of the harbor.

<p>The mild climate is another reason that people are drawn to the area. The lifestyle is of the population is laid back, yet mindful of the rich heritage of the area dating back to the early days of settlement of the area. The downtown features a walking tour that displays vintage buildings reminiscent of the early 1900&#8242;s.

<p>Comparatively speaking, the prices of Nanaimo Real Estate are less than that of neighboring Vancouver, and the area offers the ambiance of a smaller community even though it has a population of nearly 82,000. The proximity of being near to the many outdoor activities gives it a more provincial feeling with the availability of many enjoyable activities.

<p>People seem to enjoy one another in Namaimo and relish their heritage. The community is actively pursuing the growth of tourism for the area due to all of the natural scenery and activities that are available. The cultural and arts influence have become a major force in the local society as well, and has emphasized the heritage of the area as well. All in all, Namaimo is a safe, enjoyable place to live and the Nanaimo real estate situation will continue to experience a steady, solid growth pattern.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Finding the Best Mortgages Rates in Canada</title>
		<link>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/finding-the-best-mortgages-rates-in-canada/</link>
		<comments>http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/finding-the-best-mortgages-rates-in-canada/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:38:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steven Stern</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice/Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/?p=217</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finding the best mortgages rates in Canada now could save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. A lower interest rate will allow the potential homeowner to borrow more money based on the amount they can repay every month. Finding a rate that is even one half of a percent lower [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/88888-1826-Sim-B.jpg"><img src="http://www.professionalreferrals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/88888-1826-Sim-B-300x168.jpg" alt="Best Mortgage Rates in Canada" width="300" height="168" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-218" /></a>
<p>Finding the best mortgages rates in Canada now could save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. A lower interest rate will allow the potential homeowner to borrow more money based on the amount they can repay every month. Finding a rate that is even one half of a percent lower than all of the other competition could greatly reduce the amount of money paid every month.

<p>Finding the Best Mortgage Rates

<p>There are a few things to consider when obtaining the loan. It is important to determine whether a 30 year fixed mortgage or a 15 year fixed offers a better rate, and a monthly payment that is affordable. Typically, a 15 year fixed mortgage rate will be lower than a 30 year. Lenders can offer a lower rate on 15 years due to the reduced potential of risk to them, because the debt will be paid off in half the time. If affordable, a loan paid off in half the time offers greater savings.

<p>Additionally, the amount of money that will be required as a down payment will make a huge difference in the type of loan that can be obtained. Remember that the financial institution requires that the homeowner maintain some &#8220;skin&#8221; in the game. They want the homeowner to be at risk of default just like the financial institution is.

<p>Typically, to achieve the best mortgage rates in Canada, the potential borrower would be required to put down a minimum of 20% of the home&#8217;s total purchase price. The days when a borrower could obtain alone of 100% financing no longer exist, because of the upset in the worldwide financial markets.

<p>Determining Factors

<p>There are specific factors that the financial lender will look at to determine whether or not they can offer the potential borrower the best mortgages rates in Canada. This will include the potential borrower&#8217;s debt-to-income ratio. This is a percentage amount that is used as a quick reference to how much the borrower owes in specific debt, compared to the amount of monthly income earned. Other factors include the credit score, to determine the credit worthiness of the individual attempting to borrow the money.

<p>More Than Just the Payment

<p>It is critical to look at all of the factors of the loan being offered, over and above the monthly payment. The banker understands that the borrower can afford to make payments of a specific amount, and may be adding hidden charges including broker fees or additional points just to make the loan. Shopping around between moneylenders will provide the opportunity to compare one loan apples-to-apples to another. This will ensure that the borrower understands the exact terms and rates being applied to the loan.

<p>Fluctuating Rates

<p>Mortgage interest rates fluctuate day-to-day. While there was a time not long ago, when the best mortgages rates in Canada were dropping every week or month, they are now stabilized, or slightly on the incline. If the borrower finds a reasonable interest rate they can afford, it might be wise to lock it in as quickly as possible. Many financial lenders allow potential borrowers to lock in the current interest rate for a pre-determined amount of time.

<p>Having the ability to purchase the home of their dreams is desired by many individuals. Before shopping for a new home, the borrower should become familiar with their entire financial situation. Understanding exactly how much can be spent every month, will determine the size and price of home that can be purchased. 

<p>The best mortgages rates in Canada are available to nearly everyone that does not exceed a specific income ceiling. With a good credit score and an acceptable debt-to-income ratio, funds for purchasing a home are available.]]></content:encoded>
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