Canadian Personal Finance Blog

That is what Stats Canada says, that in Ottawa/Gatineau my house did not appreciate in value from November to December. I knew I should have put up those darn Christmas lights! I could have at least put a light encrusted reindeer on the front lawn, darn!

This is actually true across Canada, as an average, housing prices did not change from November to December, which may sound like not much news, but this is the first times since June 2000 that it hasn’t on average in Canada. Now, there were increases in some cities (Winnipeg, Hamilton, Kitchener, Edmonton, St. John’s and Toronto and Oshawa) but they were counteracted by drops in other areas (Calgary, Victoria, Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury and Thunder Bay, Windsor, St. Catharines–Niagara and Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton). Interesting indeed but for the whole year houses in Canada appreciated by almost 11%, so yes it is getting more expensive to buy a house. Is it a good investment idea? I don’t think so, but that is just my opinion. I live in a house the bank mostly owns, but I don’t view it as an investment, more as a necessity.

The picture is of Our House, from my favorite group Madness! Yes esoteric, but it is topical at least! If you click on it you go to Madness’ myspace web page.

Got an interesting e-mail from a reader who was asking me very specific questions about how the tax system works up here in Canada. I appreciate comments and questions, so please keep them coming, but I must also put up a Caveat that I am not a Tax Expert, nor do I claim to be one. It is important if you have questions about how to do your taxes, you contact a registered tax professional or better still Taxation Canada to ensure you have gotten valid advice.

If it’s free, it’s advice; if you pay for it, it’s counseling; if you can use either one, it’s a miracle.
Jack Adams

Keep that in mind whenever you read something on a blog or receive advice from a friend. Don’t just rely on it, research it, and be comfortable with it.