Farmers are always operating on thin margins, looking for the best and most effective way to cut costs. According to a study from Michigan State University Extension, one of the best ways to do this is through foraging. Foraging is a good way to increase a farms profitability, whether it’s through higher production of beef and dairy or through cash … Read More
King Corn is dead! Long Live the Bean!
Soybeans are on the brink of becoming the number one cash crop for the first time in 35 years! King corn sowings are forecasted to drop 90.12 million acres according a Bloomberg survey and, in its place, soy plantings are set to increase by 90.69 million. If you’re thinking you’ve heard this tale before, this same result was expected during … Read More
Housing Prices Now and Then – Are Things Really That Bad?
If you believe the headlines, housing prices are on the rise across Canada even as consumer debt continues to pile up. The allure of low mortgage rates has thousands of home hunters bidding on what appear to be overpriced properties. But is that really the case? When it comes to understanding the true price of a home, there’s one main … Read More
Planning to Retire With a Mortgage? You’re Not Alone
Canadian’s won’t be retiring their mortgage debt anytime soon, according to a recent survey by the Bank of Montreal. Data shows that more than half (51%) of Canadian homeowners plan to carry their mortgage into their retirement. But there’s more to this figure than meets the eye, says Phil Soper, chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. Soper argues that … Read More
Does Your Down Payment Stack Up?
Think that a 5 percent down payment is enough to secure a great mortgage rate? Think again. Pulling together the minimum 5 percent down payment, while a good start, is just that – a start. If you’re a first time home buyer looking to move up the property ladder, don’t skimp on your down payment. If you’re having trouble pulling … Read More