BBQ Season Has Arrived! Five Delicious Recipes for the Meat (And Veggie) Lover in All of Us

Marci • August 2, 2014

The warm, sunny days of have finally arrived, and that means it’s time to bring out the grill. As you get ready for your backyard parties and meals out on the deck, you’re sure to want some new recipes that will tantalize the tongue and bring everyone back for more. Here are five delicious recipes for meat and veggie lovers to enjoy on the barbecue this summer.

Try a Grilled Pizza, Margherita Style!

There’s nothing like pizza cooked on the grill. While this can be modified to become a meat lover’s recipe, Grilled Pizza Margherita is intended for the vegetarian or the person who simply enjoys a refreshing meal that leaves the meat out. You’ll need pizza dough that should be placed in a bowl to rise before grilling. Let it sit for an hour while you preheat the grill, and then split the dough into two pieces. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin, flouring the surface first, and put it on the grill. Let it cook up to five minutes and remove the crusts from the grill to flip them on a plate or work surface. You should brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle two ounces of Asiago cheese on each crust. Add four ounces of mozzarella cheese to each crust, a half cup of basil leaves on each, and then toss on some sliced tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper as a final touch. With your grill turned down to medium, return your crusts to the grill and let them cook for ten minutes.

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: A Fun Veggie Dish

Portobello mushrooms are another grilled favourite that can be added to a sandwich, served on the side with your meat of choice, or serve as the main dish. They are also very easy to prepare. Gather up your washed Portobello mushrooms. Remove the stems and place clean caps in a bowl. Cover them with a mixture of canola oil, balsamic vinegar, onion, and garlic cloves. After they have stood for an hour to absorb the flavour, toss them on the grill for about ten minutes.

Corn On The Cob On The Grill: The Classic Summer Dish

Corn on the cob is a summer favourite that is very tasty when cooked on the grill. Leave the corn in the husks and soak it in a bowl of water for at least an hour before grilling. Next, place the corn, husks and all, on the grill. Keep turning as the leaves become blackened on the outside, checking from time to time to make sure the corn does not burn. The grill brings out the sweetness of the corn and makes it extra juicy.

You Can’t Go Wrong With Steak

Steak is a great choice for your main course. Rib Eye and Porterhouse are excellent cuts of meat that generally have the best flavour. You can prepare your steak however you like, whether that’s with salt and pepper, Montreal steak spice, or a great marinade like garlic and chilli. Watch your steak carefully as you cook. Flip it often and don’t let it dry out. You can test how done your steak is by pressing your finger against it. Here’s a handy reference for how your steak is coming along: On one hand, touch your index finger to your thumb. Then, using your other hand, put pressure on the meaty part of your hand just below your thumb. That’s how your steak should feel when it’s rare. Touch your thumb to your other fingers, moving from index to pinky, and you’ll feel a progressively tougher sensation. When your thumb and ring finger are touching, your hand should feel the way that a medium steak feels.

Stuffed Burgers: A New Spin on an Old Favourite

While burgers are an old standby, you can spice them up with extras added to your ground beef. Toss onions, bits of bacon, and shredded cheese into the mix as you make your hamburger patties. You can add any other ingredients that work for you, making this an easy dish to personalize.

As you plan your next gathering, you may be looking for the perfect backyard to enjoy your summers even more, or you may like to take advantage of the equity in your home. An experienced mortgage lender can help. If you’d like to discuss your existing mortgage or you plan to move soon and you want a new mortgage, feel free to email me today.

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How Property Type and Condition Influence Mortgage Financing

By Marci Deane • September 30, 2026
Why the Property Matters When You’re Qualifying for a Mortgage When qualifying for a mortgage, lenders typically look at four core areas: Income Credit Down payment or equity The property itself Most buyers focus heavily on income, credit, and savings—and for good reason. But even if those boxes are checked, the property can still determine whether a mortgage is approved. Why Lenders Care About the Property From a lender’s perspective, the property is the collateral for the mortgage. In the unlikely event of default, they need to know the home can be sold quickly and at fair market value to recover their funds. Because of this, lenders are careful about the condition, value, and marketability of any property they finance. Homes that are in poor repair, unconventional, or overpriced can raise red flags—even when the borrower is well qualified. Appraisals Are Always Part of the Process Every mortgage requires an appraisal to confirm value. Insured mortgages (through CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty) often use an automated valuation model completed online. Conventional mortgages typically require a full, on-site appraisal by a certified appraiser. This appraisal is not optional and happens after an offer is accepted—not at the pre-approval stage. Why Pre-Approvals Aren’t a Guarantee A pre-approval is a great first step, but it only assesses you, not the property. Once you’ve made an offer, the lender must approve the specific home you’re buying. Understanding this upfront helps avoid surprises and confusion later in the process. The Risk of Buying Without a Financing Condition In competitive markets, buyers sometimes remove financing conditions to strengthen their offer. However, this comes with risk. If the appraisal comes back low—or the lender is concerned about the property’s condition—you could be denied financing after the offer is firm. In that scenario, your deposit may be at risk. Buying a Home That Needs Work If you’re considering a property that isn’t in perfect condition, there are solutions. A purchase plus improvements program allows you to buy a home and include renovation costs in your mortgage. The process is structured and requires planning, but it can be an excellent way to turn a fixer-upper into a great long-term investment. Final Thoughts Mortgage approval isn’t based solely on your finances—the property matters just as much. Knowing this ahead of time helps you make smarter offers, reduce risk, and plan more effectively. If you’re buying a property that needs work or want clarity on how a lender may view a specific home, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you plan with confidence.

What You Need to Know About Mortgages and Parental Leave

By Marci Deane • September 23, 2026
If the title of this article caught your attention, chances are your family is growing. Congratulations. If you’re thinking now is the right time to move into a home that better fits your growing family—but you’re unsure how parental leave affects your ability to qualify for a mortgage—you’re in the right place. Here’s the good news. Qualifying for a mortgage while on parental leave is possible when it’s done correctly. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, lenders can often qualify you based on your return-to-work income , as long as you can provide documentation confirming you have guaranteed employment waiting for you. A word of caution If you walk into a bank branch and disclose that you’re currently on parental leave, there’s a chance the bank will only allow you to qualify using your parental leave income. That can significantly reduce your borrowing power. Parental leave income is typically limited to 55% of your previous earnings, up to a weekly maximum. Qualifying on that amount alone can restrict your options and impact the type of home you can purchase. Why lender choice matters One of the biggest advantages of working with an independent mortgage professional is choice . You’re not limited to one lender’s rules or products. Some lenders will allow you to qualify using 100% of your confirmed return-to-work income , which can make a meaningful difference in your approval amount and overall options. What you’ll need to qualify Most lenders will require an employment letter that includes: Employer name (preferably on company letterhead) Your job title Original start date (to confirm probation has been completed) Confirmed return-to-work date Guaranteed salary upon return Lenders want reassurance that your income will resume once parental leave ends. You may also be asked to provide income history from the past couple of years, which is standard for most mortgage applications. One important note Whether or not you actually return to work after parental leave is entirely your decision. From a mortgage perspective, qualification is based on having a confirmed position available to you at the time of approval. If you have questions about qualifying for a mortgage while on parental leave—or anything mortgage-related—please connect anytime. I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you plan with confidence.

Need Funds Between Buying and Selling? Here’s How Deposit Loans & Bridge Financing Help

By Marci Deane • September 16, 2026
You’ve outgrown your current home. It no longer fits your life, so moving makes sense. And you’re not interested in juggling two properties. Selling first and buying something new feels like the right move. Ideally, you want possession of the new home before leaving the old one. That overlap makes moving easier, reduces stress, and gives you time to paint, renovate, or settle in before the boxes arrive. But there’s a common challenge. What if the down payment for your next home is tied up in the equity of the one you’re selling? That’s where bridge financing comes in. How bridge financing works Bridge financing temporarily unlocks equity from your current home once it has a firm sale . It bridges the gap between selling your existing property and purchasing your next one, allowing you to use that equity toward your down payment. What about competitive markets? In a hot market, a strong offer often means a larger deposit . If you don’t have that cash sitting in your account, but you do have equity, a deposit loan can help you compete with confidence. The non-negotiable requirement To qualify for bridge financing or a deposit loan, your current home must have a firm, unconditional sale . No firm sale = no bridge or deposit loan. Lenders need certainty to calculate available equity and manage risk. Bottom line A firm sale is the key that unlocks bridge financing and deposit loans. If you’re planning a move and want to understand how these options could work for you, let’s talk. I’m always happy to walk you through your options and help you plan your next step with confidence.