From Planning to Possession: How Jeff and Brianne Bought Their First Home in Just 3 Years

General Angela Calla 24 Jun

 

WATCH – For Jeff and Brianne of Port Coquitlam, the dream of owning a home felt distant — until they got the right plan in place. Their family had long trusted The Angela Calla Mortgage Team as a household name for mortgage advice. So when the time came to turn their goal into action, they didn’t hesitate to reach out.

Working closely with a trusted financial advisor, Krystian, and through our team’s personalized guidance, they developed a step-by-step plan that would prepare them for homeownership — not just in theory, but in real life. And in just three years, they were holding the keys to their very first family home.

Their advice? Download our free mortgage app and reach out directly to start your own path to ownership. The earlier you plan, the more empowered you’ll feel. Whether you’re buying in a few months or a few years, we’ll help guide the way.

✅ Ready to Start Your Journey?

📲 Download our FREE Mortgage App

📞 Connect with us to create your personalized homeownership plan:

Angela Calla Mortgage Team

📧 angela@countoncalla.ca

🌐 https://angelacalla.ca

 


Angela Calla is an 19-year award-winning woman of influence which sets her apart from the rest. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. Through her presence on “The Mortgage Show” and through her best-selling book “The Mortgage Code, Angela educates prospective home buyers by providing vital information on mortgages. In light of this, her success awarded her with the 2020Business Leader of the Year Award.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

Watch My Global News Interview – See What Homeownership Options May Apply to You!

General Angela Calla 17 Jun

I’m excited to share my recent appearance on Global News Morning, where I discussed ways Canadians can save thousands with homeownership — including GST and PTT exemptionsCMHC Eco Plus rebates, and special mortgage programs for, medical professionals, and the self-employed.

Click on the image below to watch the clip.

If you’re wondering what options may apply to you or someone you know, let’s connect and create a personalized plan.

Let’s make homeownership work for you!

 


Angela Calla is an 19-year award-winning woman of influence which sets her apart from the rest. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. Through her presence on “The Mortgage Show” and through her best-selling book “The Mortgage Code, Angela educates prospective home buyers by providing vital information on mortgages. In light of this, her success awarded her with the 2020Business Leader of the Year Award.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

June 2025 Newsletter

General Angela Calla 10 Jun

Welcome to the June issue of my monthly newsletter!
There’s so much to look forward to this month – the longest day of the year, warm weather (finally!), and school letting out for the summer, to name just a few things.

Along with the rising temperatures, many people crank their air conditioning. If you’re one of those folks, I’ve got some tips to keep you cool without wasting energy or money. But before you get there, I want to share some advice for all the spring housing market participants – how to find your dream home. Let’s dig right in.

House Hunting Done Right:
5 Steps to Find Your Dream Home

Finding your dream home can seem like a daunting task.

But don’t despair!

Here are five actionable steps to set you up for success.

  1. Start with the Practicalities: First, figure out your finances. How much have you got saved for a downpayment, how much can you afford on a monthly basis, and what will you be able to qualify for? Download my mortgage app and start running your numbers quickly and easily on your own time.
  2. Set Yourself up for Success: If you want to find your dream home, you’ve got to figure out what that is. Make a list of needs and wants in your home, considering things like number of bedrooms, parking, your renovation skills and budget, etc. Also consider anything that would be a deal breaker. Share your requirements with your real estate agent before you start looking at properties. Keep in mind the more requirements you have, the longer your search might take, so be patient.
  3. Visit the Area: The neighbourhood might be the most important factor in your home purchase, so be sure to go to the ones you’re considering living in. Check out what’s happening in the area like construction, gentrification, who’s there, amenities, etc. Try to meet some of your potential neighbours and get a feel of what they like and don’t like about what’s happening in the area. You may learn some info that won’t be available in a property listing which could sway your purchase decision, or even find out about properties that could be available to purchase but aren’t currently listed for sale.
  4. Gather Information: Ask whatever questions you can about the house, like the history of repairs and upgrades, any outstanding leases or tenants, concerns with neighbours or the neighbourhood, traffic on the street, etc. Be sure to see the property in person at least twice and go at different times of the day so you get as complete a picture as you can of the home and its surroundings.
  5. Sell Yourself: Consider that no one has to sell you their home. Writing a letter introducing yourself and explaining your intentions can set you apart from other offers and endear you to the seller. You might end up with more favourable purchase circumstances thanks to your effort. Also be sure to have your financing in order (I can get you a preapproval valid for 120 days) so you have fewer conditions on any offer you make.

When you’re ready to make a move, I’m here for you. Give me a call to help you with the practicalities of financing so you have a successful hunt for that dream home!

Cool and Cost-Effective:
Summer Energy Saving Tips

We all love a nice, air-conditioned home on the hottest days of summer, but no one looks forward to the bill for it.

Here are a few ways to stay cool without shelling out the big bucks!

Tactic 1: Minimize Heat Sources

  • Close your blinds and eliminate direct sunlight coming in and heating up a room.
  • Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat will sense heat from these appliances and run more than necessary.
  • Avoid using the oven on hot days, as your air conditioning will have to go into overdrive to counteract all the heat produced. Cook on the stove or grill outside.
  • Skip the dryer and all the heat it produces by hanging clothes to dry

Tactic 2: Lower Your Energy Usage

  • Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you first turn it on. It will not cool your home any faster, but it will work harder than necessary.
  • Choose fans over air conditioning as they use significantly less energy. However, turn off fans when you leave the room. Fans cool people by creating a wind chill effect on the skin but have no effect on the temperature of a room.
  • The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. Having the temperature set 5 degrees higher for 8 hours a day can reduce your energy bill by 10%
  • Unplug electrical items you aren’t using constantly – like game consoles or anything with an LED indicator light or digital clock – as they use power and often generate heat

Tactic 3: Switch to an Evaporative Air Cooler

Evaporative air coolers (or swamp coolers as they are sometimes called) lower the temperature by moving hot air across water. As a fan blows the air across a water reservoir, the air picks up small water particles which evaporate as they are blown away. The evaporating water cools the air nearby the same way drying sweat cools people down.

Here’s what else you need to know:

  • Units are portable and can be placed anywhere in your home or moved from room to room as needed
  • They are great for dry climates, but not useful in particularly humid environments
  • Air temperature can be successfully lowered by 5-15 degrees
  • Air conditioners use 90% more energy than an evaporative air cooler so making this switch can drastically lower your energy bill

If you’re interested in more info about an evaporative cooler, click here.

Economic Insights from Dr. Sherry Cooper

The Trump tariff mayhem has significantly impacted the Canadian economy and financial markets. Since the February tariff threats and the on-again, off-again nature of the policy changes, consumer and business confidence have tumbled while inflation expectations have surged.

Short- and long-term interest rates have increased considerably as bond vigilantes have sold US Treasury bonds for fear of mounting inflation. Another big boost to interest rates is the vast and rapidly growing surge in the US government’s net federal debt to GDP ratio, which will only rise sharply further with the current tax bill under debate in the US House of Representatives.

China has been a primary net seller of US Government bonds, increasing interest rates. No wonder the Fed is reluctant to ease monetary policy, and US rates are at record spreads vis-à-vis Canada.

Canadian labour markets have weakened considerably, and the US-tariff-related layoffs have already begun. The jobless rate rose to 6.9% in April, portending a coming recession in this year’s second and third quarters.

Economic and financial uncertainty has slowed Canadian housing activity, particularly in the GTA and GVA. However, the increased inventory of unsold homes in much of the country has driven down prices. This creates a buying opportunity for many would-be purchasers.

 


Angela Calla is an 19-year award-winning woman of influence which sets her apart from the rest. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. Through her presence on “The Mortgage Show” and through her best-selling book “The Mortgage Code, Angela educates prospective home buyers by providing vital information on mortgages. In light of this, her success awarded her with the 2020Business Leader of the Year Award.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

Bank of Canada Holds Rates Steady for Second Consecutive Meeting

General Angela Calla 10 Jun

Bank of Canada Holds Rates Steady for the Second Consecutive Meeting–But Two More Rate Cuts Are Likely This Year
As expected, the Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75% at today’s meeting, the second consecutive rate hold since the Bank cut overnight rates seven times in the past year. The governing council noted that the unpredictability of the magnitude and duration of tariffs posed downside risks to growth and lifted inflation expectations, warranting caution regarding the continuation of monetary easing.

The gap between the 2.75% overnight policy rate in Canada and the 4.25-4.50% policy rate in the US is historically wide. Another cause of uncertainty is the fiscal response to today’s economic challenges. If the Big Beautiful Bill, now under consideration in the Senate, survives, the US is slated to run unprecedented budget deficits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it would add roughly US$4 trillion to the already burgeoning federal government’s red ink. This has caused a year-to-date rise in longer-term bond yields, steepening the yield curve.

Uncertainty remains high, and the US President just doubled the tariff on steel and aluminum to 50%, which could halt Canadian metals exports to the US. Last week’s release of the first quarter GDP report at 2.2% annualized growth was stronger than expected as exports and inventories surged before the tariffs. Final domestic demand in Canada was flat.  More recent data showed considerable weakness, especially in labour and housing markets. Consumer spending has also slowed sharply.

In today’s press conference opening comments, Governor Macklem said, “The extreme financial turmoil we saw in April has moderated, and stock markets have recovered their losses. However, the outcomes of the trade negotiations are highly uncertain. Tariffs are well above their levels at the beginning of 2025, and new trade actions are still being threatened. The recent further increases in US tariffs on steel and aluminum underline the unpredictability of US trade policy.”

“So far, the US economy has proven resilient. Imports were strong as businesses tried to get ahead of tariffs, and that pulled down first-quarter US GDP. But domestic demand remained relatively strong. Early indicators for the second quarter suggest a rebound in growth as imports fall back and domestic demand continues to expand.

The flip side of the strength in US imports was a surge in Canadian exports. This boosted first-quarter GDP growth in Canada, which came in at 2.2%, slightly stronger than the Bank had forecast.

The labour market has weakened, with job losses concentrated in trade-intensive sectors. The unemployment rate rose to 6.9% in April. So far, employment has held up across sectors less exposed to trade. However, businesses generally tell the central bank they plan to scale back hiring.

The pull forward in exports and inventory accumulation in the first quarter borrows economic strength from the future, so the second quarter is expected to be much weaker. Canadian families and businesses’ spending has shown some resilience in the face of US tariffs and heightened uncertainty. But they will likely remain cautious, suggesting domestic spending will remain subdued.

Inflation excluding taxes was 2.3% in April, slightly more substantial than the Bank had expected and up from 2.1% in March. The Bank’s preferred measures of core inflation and other measures of underlying inflation moved up in April. There is some unusual volatility in inflation, but these measures suggest underlying inflation could be firmer than we thought. Higher core inflation can be partly attributed to higher goods prices, including food, and may reflect the effects of trade disruption. Many businesses report higher costs for finding alternative suppliers and developing new markets. The Bank will be closely watching measures of underlying inflation to gauge how inflationary pressures are evolving.

The Bank is also monitoring inflation expectations closely. In April, we reported that consumers and businesses expected prices to rise due to tariffs, while longer-term inflation expectations remained well anchored. Recent surveys continue to show consumers bracing for higher prices, and many businesses say they intend to pass on tariff costs.

Governing Council will continue to assess the timing and strength of the downward pressure on inflation from a weaker economy and the upward pressure on inflation from higher costs.

At this decision, there was a consensus to hold the policy unchanged as we gain more information. The BoC also discussed the path ahead for the policy interest rate. Here, there was more diversity of views. On balance, members thought there could be a need for a reduction in the policy rate if the economy weakens in the face of continued US tariffs and uncertainty, and cost pressures on inflation are contained

Bottom Line 

We expect the Canadian economy to post a small negative reading (-0.5%) in both Q2 and Q3, bringing growth for the year to 1.2%, just one tick above the recently released OECD forecast for Canada. The next Governing Council decision date is July 30, which will give the  Bank time to assess the underlying momentum in inflation and the dampening effect of tariffs on economic activity.

If inflation slows over the next couple of months—we get two CPI releases and two jobs reports before the next meeting—and the economy slows in Q2 and Q3 as widely expected, the Bank will likely cut rates two more times this year, bringing the overnight rate down to 2.25%.

Article courtesy of Dr. Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist, DLC

 

 


Angela Calla is an 19-year award-winning woman of influence which sets her apart from the rest. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. Through her presence on “The Mortgage Show” and through her best-selling book “The Mortgage Code, Angela educates prospective home buyers by providing vital information on mortgages. In light of this, her success awarded her with the 2020Business Leader of the Year Award.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

Bank of Canada Holds – Here’s Why Timing Still Matters

General Angela Calla 4 Jun

The Bank of Canada is met this morning, and paused interest rate declines as expected with no changes made.  Read the full release HERE.

While cuts are still forecasted, they may not arrive until later this year — with upcoming meetings on July 30, September 4, October 23, and December 11 left in 2025.

But here’s what many don’t realize:

Fixed mortgage rates are driven by the bond market — not the Bank of Canada — and can change at any time, without notice. There are no set dates, which means waiting too long could cost you.

If you’re:

  • Planning to buy a home
  • Facing a mortgage renewal
  • Thinking about breaking your mortgage to consolidate debt

Reach out now — planning early could save you thousands.

 

 


Angela Calla is an 19-year award-winning woman of influence which sets her apart from the rest. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. Through her presence on “The Mortgage Show” and through her best-selling book “The Mortgage Code, Angela educates prospective home buyers by providing vital information on mortgages. In light of this, her success awarded her with the 2020Business Leader of the Year Award.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog.