Quotes of the Day

Most banks have a list of acceptable appraisers. When appraisers do appraisals for a bank, they tend to protect their trusted position with the bank. When they do appraisals for vendors, they tend towards the higher end of the range. [2009] - Don R. Campbell

If you're a buyer who wants a 15 percent reduction in price, you could get it if you're willing to pay cash, do a quick deal, make other concessions, or buy when the market is cold. [2006] - Robert Irwin

In any negotiation there exist realities that are hard to change. [1991] - Roger Fisher

The gross debt service (GDS) ratio looks at the portion of your gross monthly income needed to cover your monthly housing costs (e.g., mortgage payment, property tax, heating and 50% of maintenance fees). Most lenders in Canada are looking for a ratio of 35% or below, although if you have a credit score over 680, some lenders let you go as high as 39%. Aim for a GDS ratio 30% or below (up to 35% in pricey real estate markets). The total debt service (TDS) ratio takes the gross debt service ratio a step further. It looks at the portion of your gross monthly income needed to cover your monthly housing costs, plus monthly debt payments (e.g., car loan, credit card debt, line of credit, student loan). Most lenders in Canada are looking for a ratio of 42% or below, although if you have a credit core over 680, some lenders let you go as high as 44%. Aim for a TDS ratio of 37% or below (up to 42% in high-cost cities). [2017] - Sean Cooper

The fundamental precept of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) is that one's thoughts, feelings, and behavior-and the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of others-can be manipulated through words, suggestions, and physical gestures designed to influence the subconscious. [2005] - Neil Strauss