Kim Maleta- Mortgage Specialist, Royal Bank of Canada

08/13/2024

Great news for Fernie!

Nearly 100 new rental homes are coming for middle-income individuals, couples and families in Nelson and Fernie through BC Builds housing projects.

07/02/2024

This is a game changer. I paid hundreds of dollars to re-zone my property about 2.5 years ago to put in a legal rental suite in my basement. Now this option has been made available to most home owners for free!
If you’ve been considering putting a suite in your primary residence now is a great time. Let’s chat about what this could look like for you.

📢There have been BIG changes to our Zoning Bylaw.

🏠The Zoning Bylaw was amended in June to meet new Provincial requirements for municipalities to remove barriers to development and encourage increased housing units and housing options by allowing more small-scale, multi-unit housing in residential zones.

🤔Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) = a range of housing unit configurations that provide more affordable and diverse options ie. secondary suites in single-family dwellings, detached garden suites, duplexes, townhomes.

Here are the key changes:
✔️Previous Residential zones have been consolidated and replaced with one zone ‘RRS – Residential – Small-Scale’ Zone (RRS)
✔️Depending on your lot size, The RSS zone allows for 3 or 4 dwelling units per property.
✔️Rear and side yard setbacks have been reduced to 1.5 m
maximum building height ranges between 8-10 m depending on proximity to property lines & accessory buildings max height is 5 m.
✔️Max parcel coverage requirements are now based on a sliding scale of 35%-50% depending on lot size, and number of dwellings per lot.

ℹ️Learn more about the changes to the Zoning Bylaw and how the City of Fernie is meeting Provincial mandates: https://letstalk.fernie.ca/housing-and-development
all while retaining the character of Fernie's existing neigbhourhoods.

01/29/2024

Buy one Lift Pass, Get one free! With the Friday Friend Pass™️
This ski season, RBC Avion®️ Visa®️ cardholders who purchase one regular price Friday lift pass at participating resorts across Canada can get a second lift pass free…every Friday, all season long!

Here are the participating ski resorts for the 2023 – 2024 season:

Fernie Alpine Report (BC)
Panorama Mountain Resort (BC)
Kimberley Alpine Resort (BC)
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (BC)
Big White Ski Resort (BC)
Revelstoke Mountain Resort (BC)
Nakiska (AB)
Blue Mountain (ON)
Mount St. Louis Moonstone (ON)
Mont Tremblant (QC)
Mont St. Anne (QC)
Stoneham (QC)

11/03/2023

Happy birthday Sheila Byers.Elk Valley Living. 🎉

Happy birthday to this beautiful lady! 🎉🎂🥳
Thank you for a wonderful breakfast & coffee date & for always being there for me 💕
You are amazing , have an amazing day!! ♥️

10/23/2023

So proud to share that I received one of the Quarter 4 top performer awards for BC. I've been so busy over the last couple months I haven't really taken the time to sit back and appreciate all the hard work I've been putting in (or post anything on social media). Lots of 5am starts to my work day and late evenings. Balancing family, kids , and work can be a lot but I couldn't think of any job more fulfilling and rewarding for me. Helping my clients is what fuels me. It's really nice to feel appreciated by the company you work for. Thanks for the recognition RBC!

09/13/2023

Thanks for the review Jen & Nathan.
I believe communication is key for most things in life. My goal is to keep clients informed through every step of the mortgage process, from our first meeting to the final approval. Buying a home doesn't need to be stressful when your well informed and have great support. Let me help guide you through your next home buying journey so you can see the difference for yourself.

08/31/2023

Another happy client. Thank you for the kind works Kieran. It's such a pleasure helping clients navigate the home buying process. When you love what you do taking calls in the evening and on weekends doesn't feel like work. I'm here to support any time of the day for my clients.

08/22/2023

Feeling the home-owning jitters? Here's the reality check you might need!🏡
1️⃣ "I can't afford it": Various programs can make home-buying more accessible. Your minimum down payment is only 5% of the purchase price. There are lot of flexible options for down payments including gifted funds. And with rental prices being so high wouldn’t you rather be putting that towards your own mortgage.
2️⃣ "I don't have good credit": I hear often hear clients say this in our initial conversation just to find out their credit is actually just fine. Even if your score isn't perfect, you may still qualify for a mortgage with competitive terms. If you don’t qualify currently let me help teach you how to rebuild your credit to set you up for success in the next 6-12 months so we can get you approved. Knowledge is power and if no one has ever taken the time to teach you how to build good credit how would you know.
3️⃣ "It's not a good time to buy or sell": Timing the market isn't as crucial as finding the right property or buyer. Market conditions continually shift, but a well-planned real estate decision is always a smart move. The timing will never be perfect.
Questions? Uncertainties? Reach out, and let's talk about it!

08/21/2023

Congratulations to my first time home buyer client getting the keys to her new home today! When the home she was renting got listed for sale she decided to buy rather then continue to rent. It might not be her forever home but it's a beautiful home she can all her own.

Home ownership is about stepping stones. Very few first time home buyers can get into their perfect home for their first. But building up equity and paying off your own mortgage is a great way to eventually get into that dream home.

Are you sick of renting? Wanting to set some roots and starting paying your own mortgage rather then your landlords? Reach out and lets chat about how I can help get you into your first home!

08/17/2023

When it comes to securing a mortgage, it's crucial to keep an eye out for these warning signs that could indicate potential pitfalls. Stay informed and protect yourself from these red flags:
1) Suspiciously low-interest rates that may hide unfavorable terms.
2) Excessive fees - always scrutinize the fine print.
3) High-pressure sales tactics, which reputable lenders avoid.
4) Consistent poor communication, signaling possible future issues.
5) Lack of transparency about terms and fees.
6) Unrealistic promises or guaranteed approvals.

Stay vigilant, do your research, and work with reputable professionals who prioritize your best interests. Your dream home deserves a solid foundation!