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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From Summer Shine to Fall Fine: Smart Home Projects to Tackle Before the First Frost

By Marci Deane • August 28, 2025
As patios wind down and pumpkin spice ramps up, fall is the perfect reset for your home—and your homeowner game plan. These quick wins boost comfort, curb appeal, and efficiency now, and set you up for a low-stress winter (and a strong spring market). 1) Safety & “silent leak” checks (Weekend-ready) Clean gutters & downspouts. Add leaf guards where trees overhang. Roof scan. Look for lifted shingles, cracked flashings, or moss. Seal the shell. Re-caulk window/door trim; replace weatherstripping. Test alarms. New batteries for smoke/CO detectors; add one near bedrooms. Why it matters: Prevent water intrusion and heat loss before storms roll in. 2) Heat smarter, not harder Furnace/boiler tune-up and filter change. Smart thermostat with schedules and geofencing. Draft hunt. Foam gaskets behind outlets, door sweeps on exterior doors. ROI tip: Efficiency upgrades lower monthly bills and can improve lender ratios if you’re eyeing a refinance later. 3) Fall-proof your yard (so spring you says “thanks”) Aerate + overseed + fall fertilize for thicker turf next year. Trim trees/shrubs away from siding and power lines. Mulch perennials and plant spring bulbs now. Shut off/bleed exterior taps and store hoses to avoid burst pipes. 4) Extend outdoor season (cozy edition) Portable fire pit or propane heater + layered blankets. Path/step lighting for darker evenings (solar or low-voltage). Weather-resistant storage for cushions/tools to preserve value. Neighborhood curb appeal: Warm lighting and tidy beds make a big first impression if you list in shoulder season. 5) Water management = winter peace of mind Re-grade low spots and add downspout extensions (2–3+ metres). Check sump pump (and backup). Look for efflorescence or damp corners in the basement. 6) Mini-renos that punch above their weight Entry/mudroom upgrade: hooks, bench, boot trays, closed storage. Laundry room tune-up: counter over machines, sorting bins, task lighting. Kitchen refresh: new hardware, tap, and under-cabinet lighting in one afternoon. Budget guide: Many of these land under a micro-reno budget—perfect for a modest line of credit. 7) Indoor air quality tune-up Deep clean vents and dryers (including the rigid duct). Add door mats (exterior + interior) to catch grit/salt. Houseplants or HEPA purifier for closed-window months. Fast Timeline (pin this to the fridge) Late August–September Gutters/downspouts, roof/caulking, HVAC service, lawn care, plant bulbs, exterior tap shut-off plan, path lighting. October Weatherstripping/sweeps, fire pit setup, organize mudroom/garage, test alarms, sump check, downspout extensions, dryer vent cleaning. Financing smarter: make your mortgage work for your home Annual mortgage check-in. As rates, income, and goals evolve, a quick review can free up cash flow or open options for a small fall project budget. HELOC vs. top-up refinance. For bite-size projects, a HELOC can be flexible. For bigger renos you plan to pay down, a top-up refi might make more sense. Bundle & prioritize. Knock out the high-impact, low-cost items first (air sealing, safety, water management) before the cosmetic upgrades. Not sure which route fits your fall plans? We’ll run the numbers and map the best financing path for your specific budget and goals. Quick Checklist (copy/paste) ☐ Clean gutters/downspouts; add guards ☐ Roof & flashing visual check ☐ Re-caulk, weatherstrip, add door sweeps ☐ HVAC service + new filter ☐ Aerate/overseed/fertilize; trim trees; plant bulbs ☐ Path & entry lighting ☐ Drain/bleed outdoor taps; store hoses ☐ Downspout extensions; sump test ☐ Dryer vent cleaning ☐ Mudroom/garage organization ☐ Schedule mortgage review / discuss HELOC vs refi Ready to make fall your low-stress season? Book a quick fall mortgage check-up—15 minutes to see if a small credit line or a tweak to your current mortgage could cover your priority projects without straining cash flow.

What Is A Spousal Buyout?

By Marci Deane • August 27, 2025
If you’re going through or considering a divorce or separation, you might not be aware that there are mortgage products designed to allow you to refinance your property and buy out your ex-spouse. If you’re like most people, your property is your most significant asset and is where most of your equity is tied up. If this is the case, it’s possible to structure a new mortgage that allows you to purchase the property from your ex-spouse for up to 95% of the property’s value. Alternatively, if your ex-spouse wants to keep the property, they can buy you out using the same program. It’s called the spousal buyout program. Here are some of the common questions people have about the program. Is a finalized separation agreement required? Yes. To qualify, you’ll need to provide the lender with a copy of the signed separation agreement, which clearly outlines asset allocation. Can the net proceeds be used for home renovations or pay off loans? No. The net proceeds can only buy out the other owner’s share of equity and/or pay off joint debt as explicitly agreed upon in the finalized separation agreement. What is the maximum amount that you can access through the program? The maximum equity you can withdraw is the amount agreed upon in the separation agreement to buy out the other owner’s share of the property and/or retire joint debts (if any), not exceeding 95% loan to value. What is the maximum permitted loan to value? The maximum loan to value is the lesser of 95% or the remaining mortgage + the equity required to buy out other owner and/or pay off joint debt (which, in some cases, can total < 95% LTV. The property must be the primary owner-occupied residence. Do all parties have to be on title? Yes. All parties to the transaction have to be current registered owners on title. Your solicitor will be required to confirm this with a title search. Do the parties have to be a married or common-law couple? No. Not only will the spousal buyout program support married and common-law couples who are divorcing or separating, but it’s also designed for friends or siblings who need an exit from a mortgage. The lender can consider this on an exception basis with insurer approval. In this case, as there won’t be a separation agreement, a standard clause will need to be included in the purchase contract to outline the buyout. Is a full appraisal required? Yes. When considering this type of mortgage, a physical appraisal of the property is required as part of the necessary documents to finalize the transaction. While this is a good start to answering some of the questions you might have about getting a mortgage to help you through a marital breakdown, it’s certainly not comprehensive. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, not only do you get a choice between lenders and considerably more mortgage options, but you get the unbiased mortgage advice to ensure you understand all your options and get the right mortgage for you. Please connect anytime; it would be a pleasure to discuss your needs directly and provide you with options to help you secure the best mortgage financing available. Also, please be assured that all communication will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Assigning A Construction Mortgage

By Marci Deane • August 20, 2025
One of the benefits of working with an independent mortgage professional is having lots of great financing options! Rather than dealing with a single lender with one set of products, independent mortgage professionals work with multiple lenders who offer a wide selection of mortgage financing options that provide more choice. Increased choice in mortgage products is beneficial when your situation isn’t “normal,” or you don’t quite fit the profile of a standard buyer. Purchasing a new construction home through an assignment contract would be a great example of this. Purchasing a new construction home through an assignment contract can be tricky as not every lender wants the added perceived risk of dealing with this type of transaction. Most of these lenders won’t come out and say it; instead, they add a significant list of qualifying conditions to make the process harder. The good news is, there are lenders available exclusively through the broker channel that have favourable policies for assignment purchases. Here are some of the highlights: All standard purchase qualifications apply, including applicable income verification, established credit, and required downpayment Assignments can be at the original purchase price or current market value Minimum 620 beacon score with no previous bankruptcies or consumer proposals The full downpayment must come from the purchaser and not include any incentives from the seller. As far as documentation goes, the lender will want to see the original purchase agreement signed by all parties, the MLS listing, the assignment agreement signed by the builder, the original purchaser, and the new buyer. The lender will also want to see the side agreement between the original purchaser and the new buyer, including the amended purchase price. The lender will want to substantiate the value through a full appraisal. Now, as every situation is different, this list of conditions is in no way exhaustive but meant to show that assigning a new construction purchase contract is doable while highlighting some of the terms necessary to secure financing. If you’re looking to purchase new construction through an assignment contract, or if you’d like to discuss purchasing a home through traditional means, please connect anytime! It would be a pleasure to outline the mortgage products on the market that won’t limit your financing options!