Arshad Khan

10/06/2025

Homeownership: Is It a Guarantee for a Better Life? A Costs vs. Savings Perspective
You'll regularly be advised that paying off your home mortgage is financially foolish — that you'd be better off investing the funds or capturing tax deductions. And yet, on occasion, real life transcends the rule.
A recently widowed 73-year-old retired woman told her story. Her husband had been self-employed for much of their lives, and he retired with next to nothing saved. Her own student loans had carried her into her 60s, and despite low interest rates, her debt was a crushing burden. When her mother died, the inheritance helped pay off her accrued loans, which she used to purchase a small retirement home.
In spite of financial advisors advising her not to pay off her mortgage, she listened to her gut and knocked it out anyway. When the pandemic arrived and inflation did too, that decision did her retirement a world of good. Without a mortgage, her expenses fell off a cliff, and on a fixed income, she might live comfortably.
💡 The conclusion: Experts make blanket recommendations — but you have a one-of-a-knit case. For some retired people, being debt-free is a source of peace of mind and stability that cannot be duplicated by any investment return. Paying off your home mortgage isn’t a financial decision alone; it’s an emotional decision. If you do it safely, it could be the ultimate wise decision for you.

10/06/2025

Homeownership: Is It a Guarantee for a Better Life? A Costs vs. Savings Perspective

You'll regularly be advised that paying off your home mortgage is financially foolish — that you'd be better off investing the funds or capturing tax deductions. And yet, on occasion, real life transcends the rule.

A recently widowed 73-year-old retired woman told her story. Her husband had been self-employed for much of their lives, and he retired with next to nothing saved. Her own student loans had carried her into her 60s, and despite low interest rates, her debt was a crushing burden. When her mother died, the inheritance helped pay off her accrued loans, which she used to purchase a small retirement home.

In spite of financial advisors advising her not to pay off her mortgage, she listened to her gut and knocked it out anyway. When the pandemic arrived and inflation did too, that decision did her retirement a world of good. Without a mortgage, her expenses fell off a cliff, and on a fixed income, she might live comfortably.

💡 The conclusion: Experts make blanket recommendations — but you have a one-of-a-knit case. For some retired people, being debt-free is a source of peace of mind and stability that cannot be duplicated by any investment return. Paying off your home mortgage isn’t a financial decision alone; it’s an emotional decision. If you do it safely, it could be the ultimate wise decision for you.

10/06/2025

🏡💙 “From Home Runs to Dream Homes” 💙🏡
I may not play for the Blue Jays, but I do help people score big in real estate! ⚾
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just window-shopping, I’ll make sure your next move is a grand slam.

📞 Call me before your dream home gets traded to another team!

10/01/2025

I am on Quora.

09/20/2025

Yes — the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) officially launched in 2023. It lets eligible Canadians put money aside for a down payment with tax benefits both when you contribute and when you withdraw.
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Why this matters:
👉 Double tax advantage: FHSA contributions are tax-deductible (like an RRSP), and qualifying withdrawals for your first home are completely tax-free (like a TFSA).

According to Government of Canada info, FHSA contributions reduce your taxable income, and withdrawals don’t add tax.
Source: blog.accesscu.ca, TD Bank

👉 Limits that work for saving: You can contribute up to $8,000 per year, with a lifetime cap of $40,000. Any unused annual contribution room can carry forward.
Source: blog.accesscu.ca, Wikipedia, privatewealth-insights.bmo.com
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What this means for you:
Saving for your first home in Ontario just got easier. You get tax breaks when you save, and you won’t be taxed when it’s time to use the money. This makes the FHSA one of the most powerful tools for first-time buyers to build a down payment.
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Disclaimer: This information is synthesized from publicly available reports and news from the cited Canadian sources. It is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or real estate advice. Please consult a professional for advice tailored to your situation.

09/20/2025

I won the match, but he clearly won the happiness contest.” 😁🏆

09/14/2025

09/14/2025

Fall is here — and we’re out spotting every leaf that hits the ground! 🍂🐾

09/13/2025

Yes, it's true. The federal First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (FTHBI)—a shared-equity program that helped first-time buyers with their down payment—was officially discontinued in March 2024.
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What You Should Know:

👉 Official Deadline: According to CMHC, new submissions had to be received by March 21, 2024 (midnight ET), and no new approvals were granted after March 31, 2024.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Mortgage Professional
👉 Reason for Discontinuation: Critics pointed out that the program had very low uptake, especially in pricey markets like Ontario and BC. Only a small fraction of the intended applicants actually participated. CMHC shifted focus to the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), which the government sees as a more effective way to help first-time buyers save.
Mortgage Rates News, Mortgage Professional+1, Wikipedia
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What This Means for You:
If you're planning to buy your first home in Ontario, here’s what to remember:
• The FTHBI is no longer available—applications are closed.
• Don't rely on it when planning your down payment strategy.
• But there are better options now, like the FHSA and the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), which can help you save more effectively.
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Bottom line: Whether you're looking to buy soon or sometime down the road—knowing what help is available matters. The FTHBI is gone. Now, it's all about FHSA and HBP for smart saving.
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Disclaimer: This information is synthesized from publicly available reports and news from the cited Canadian sources. It is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or real estate advice. Please consult a professional for advice tailored to your situation.

09/09/2025

Did you know Ontario has 29 real estate boards, all represented by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), serving nearly 100,000 REALTORS® across the province?

One of the biggest is the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) — the largest in Canada. TRREB doesn’t just cover Toronto, it also represents the entire GTA, including:

-Toronto (the city itself)
-Peel Region (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)
-York Region (Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, etc.)
-Durham Region (Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, etc.)
-Halton Region (Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills)

So, when you see a TRREB market report, you’re really looking at the whole GTA housing picture, not just Toronto alone.

09/07/2025

🏡 For Sale | $769,000 | 3 Bed • 2 Bath • 3-Storey Townhouse | Milton (HA Harrison, Halton)

🏡 Property Information – For Sale

Address: 6020 Derry Rd #79, Milton, ON L9T 8L6
Community: 1033 – HA Harrison, Halton
Builder: Mattamy Homes
Type: Att/Row/Townhouse (3-Storey)
Square Feet: Approx. 1,357 Sqft (One of the largest floor plans in the complex)
Year Built: 2013
Status: Available
Possession: TBA (08/25/2025)
Taxes: $3,226 (2025)
POTL Fee: $119.80

✨ Key Features

Located on a quiet street, close to park.
Open concept modern layout with upgrades, freshly painted
Hardwood flooring throughout (no carpet, including bedrooms)
Modern eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances & backsplash
Bright and spacious combined living & dining room with pot lights
Walk-out balcony from dining area
Double private driveway (fits 1 car) + attached garage (1 car) → Total 2 parking spaces
Central air conditioning, gas heating, municipal water & sewers

🛋️ Interior Details

Ground Floor

Den – 2.84m x 3.71m (9.32 ft x 12.17 ft), built-in shelves, access to garage, ceramic floor

Second Floor

Living Room – 3.71m x 6.15m (12.17 ft x 20.18 ft), hardwood, combined with dining, walk-out to balcony

Kitchen – 3.08m x 4.16m (10.1 ft x 13.65 ft), tile floor, stainless steel appliances, backsplash

Washroom (3-pc)

Third Floor

Primary Bedroom – 3.3m x 3.76m (10.83 ft x 12.34 ft), hardwood, built-in closet, window

Second Bedroom – 2.44m x 3.73m (8.01 ft x 12.24 ft), hardwood, closet

Third Bedroom – 2.44m x 3.58m (8.01 ft x 11.75 ft), hardwood, closet, window

Washroom (2-pc)

📋 Additional Information

Lot Size: 21.92 x 44.29 ft (MPAC)
Exterior: Brick
Roof: Asphalt Shingle
Foundation: Concrete Block
Heating: Forced Air (Gas)
Garage: Attached (1 space)
Pool: None
Fireplace: No
Central Vac: No
Survey: None
Special Designation: Other