A home is only a home if it’s safe

by | Mar 15, 2017 | Shelter Foundation

That’s why Royal LePage started its own charity which helps to create safer homes and safer communities.

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs.

Many Royal LePage agents donate a portion of their commission to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation when they sell or purchase a home for you.  Special events, such as gala dinners and golf tournaments, are also organized by Royal LePage offices to raise funds and awareness.

This much-needed funding is helping to provide a safe place for women and children to rebuild their lives after violence. Shelters use our support to provide job training initiatives, renovate and build new shelters, and cover the cost of crisis counselling and therapy for more than 30,000 women and children each year. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation also supports programs focused on stopping the cycle of violence by educating young people on healthy relationships. As Royal LePage covers all the administrative costs of the Shelter Foundation, 100% of funds raised goes toward our cause.

“Helping You Is What We Do™ is not just a tagline, it is our corporate philosophy and it translates into a collective commitment to giving back to the community,” says Phil Soper, President and Chief Executive of Royal LePage.

Why we help

Royal LePage real estate agents help Canadians find their dream home. And for those who don’t have a safe and peaceful home, Royal LePage agents are also there, lending a helping hand in neighbourhoods where we live and work.

Research tells us the following:

•    51% of women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.
•    360,000 children are exposed to domestic violence each year.
•    Every six days in Canada, a woman is murdered by her current or former partner.

“The issue of violence against women and their children in Canada is significant,” says Shanan Spencer-Brown, Executive Director of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. “We are proud to work with over 200 women’s shelters and local and national partners to save lives.”

To learn more about the Shelter Foundation and to make a donation to help put abuse out of commission, visit www.royallepage.ca/shelter.  To read brave stories of hope by women and children survivors of family violence, visit www.shelterfoundation.ca.

“I have gained a lot from the staff at the shelter, such as self worth, and learning how to let go of a lot of the guilt I have carried for such a long time. For once in my life, I feel empowered, and I cannot ever express what that is worth to me. I felt safe here physically as well as emotionally, knowing that while I’m behind these walls, I will not be harmed.”
– A resident at Discovery House, Calgary, Alberta

Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Charitable Registration No: 88253 1304 RR0001

Is mortgage refinancing right for you?

by | Mar 8, 2017 | Finance

 

The Benefits of Refinancing

Beyond potentially saving you thousands of dollars, refinancing your mortgage can also help you consolidate debt and pay off other bills. Your life has probably changed from the time you first got your home loan. Perhaps you got a better paying job or you have a new baby on the way. You may have new expenses that never existed before, or you may be making more money than when you started. In many cases, refinancing your home loan could save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars – money which could be well spent in other areas of your life. Ideally, your mortgage should not be costing you above one third of your total gross income. If you’re dealing with a high interest rate, you’ve been hit with an adjustable rate that has skyrocketed, or you’ve experienced a drop in income for whatever reason – it’s a good idea to consider refinancing and locking in a better rate.

Working with a Trusted Lender

Working with a trusted lender is one of the best decisions you can make when you decide to refinance. Trusted lenders, like CIBC or TD for example, understand a multitude of product options and can explain those options to you as well as the costs that are involved in the refinancing process.

Know Your Options

There’s no shortage of lending companies vying for your business. But it pays to do your own research as well. Take advantage of online mortgage calculators and run different scenarios based on your income, property tax, and extra payments you can afford to make. See exactly how much home you can afford and create a spectrum of possibilities for refinancing. Then, speak with a home loan consultant who can help you with your financing needs.You may be pleasantly surprised at just how much money you’ll save by refinancing at today’s low rates. Overall, honest, exceptional service and a dedication to customer satisfaction are what make the best mortgage refinancing lenders stand out.