Printing Imagination (and Homes!)

Diane Buchanan • June 15, 2017

A child’s imagination is certainly something to behold. From pillow forts that double as outlying starbases, to walks in the forest that double as adventures travelling up and over the world’s tallest peaks, this gift that children possess- that of finding joy (not to mention awe and wonder) in the everyday is truly a thing of beauty. And, for a vast number of today’s children, one such imaginative outlet continues to be that of the lego brick; and why not?! These colourful shapes can turn the dullest of afternoons into an amateur engineer’s dream; vast worlds waiting to be created out of the simplest of shapes and forms.

On the other side of this creative coin (the adult side) sits the classic printer. From dot matrix, to inkjet, to laser, this technology has proved to be a complete game changer. The printer’s functions are incredibly useful, matched in practicality only by it’s complete and utter lack of “sleekness” and “sex appeal”. The printer is a boring machine. What it does is boring, its appearance (a gray box) is boring, and what it represents: endless cubicles, not unlike those in the cult classic film, Office Space , is boring; spitting out its’ “T.P.S reports”, until that fateful moment when the world is put on hold by some sort of “PC letter load” issue, or, worse yet, the dreaded paper jam.

But…

What if this incredibly useful (albeit, horribly yawn inducing) printer technology could somehow tap into the aforementioned imagination station that is the Lego brick? What if technological innovation could catch up to this childlike sense of awe and wonder? What if we could do things with the printer that would cause our young selves to flip with excitement; adult sized lego for the real world kinda stuff? Well, welcome to 2016.

 

The advent of 3D printing is well over a decade removed from us now (in fact, the first patent application for what would become this sort of techno advancement was filed way back in 1980 ). However, what was once considered very high on the novelty scale is proving, in the 21st century, to be a legitimate option for various industrial, construction (and humanitarian) projects moving forward, one of which is printing houses.

Yes, you read that correctly, printing houses; either by printing large pieces to be assembled like lego bricks, or by printing the whole thing at once; solid state.

Now, aside from the fact that this is an incredible feat of modern technology and innovation, let’s take a moment to ponder (some of) the potential benefits of printer technology as it relates to building our future homes, storefronts and office buildings:

Sustainable Housing/Materials

Of the groups doing this sort of research and design, there are a number who have developed, or are in the midst of developing large scale printers designed to fabricate homes out of the most basic of materials; everything from concrete, to clay, to, well…dirt. The italian based engineering company WASP, arguably the best example (currently) of this sector of the market, is betting on this technology and it’s ability to change the way we, as an interconnected global network, house the nations.

In a time when an ever increasing segment of society believes that proper housing should be a right and not a privilege, and in a world where variables such as human conflict and nature’s fury can wipe out established neighbourhoods in the blink of an eye, technology’s ability to speedily erect living spaces out of (literally) mounds of dirt is exciting, to say the least.

Cost

Aside from the cost of building and transporting these large printers (which, at this point is substantial), the cost of building the home is limited: fewer labourers, fewer supplies to be shipped and stored, and the use of local, sustainable materials could lead to significant savings.

Design Intricacies

Current construction/design engineering will soon be limited when compared to future computer based applications which are, as of this writing, being developed and tested. This is the power of technology at work. This is exciting.

Caveat

Now, it should be noted, at this point, that this field is still in its infancy. So there remains much to learn, and much to be done. Additionally, there are naysayers who remain firm in their position that, “this sort of fantasy will never become a reality”. To this we say, “it may be hard to be optimistic, to open up your imagination as you once did; but please try…just this once, for the rest of us.” Printing houses. Seriously cool stuff.

DIANE BUCHANAN
 Mortgage Broker

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How Do You Port a Mortgage?

By Diane Buchanan • November 19, 2025
Porting your mortgage is when you transfer the remainder of your current mortgage term, outstanding principal balance, and interest rate to a new property if you’re selling your existing home and buying a new one. Now, despite what some big banks would lead you to believe, porting your mortgage is not an easy process. It’s not a magic process that guarantees you will qualify to purchase a new property using the mortgage you had on a previous property. In addition to re-qualifying for the mortgage you already have, the lender will also assess the property you’re looking to purchase. Many moving parts come into play. You’re more likely to have significant setbacks throughout the process than you are to execute a flawless port. Here are some of the reasons: You may not qualify for the mortgage Let’s say you’re moving to a new city to take a new job. If you’re relying on porting your mortgage to buy a new property, you’ll have to substantiate your new income. If you’re on probation or changed professions, there’s a chance the lender will decline your application. Porting a mortgage is a lot like qualifying for a new mortgage, just with more conditions. The property you are buying has to be approved So let’s say that your income isn’t an issue and that you qualify for the mortgage. The subject property you want to purchase has to be approved as well. Just because the lender accepted your last property as collateral for the mortgage doesn’t mean the lender will accept the new property. The lender will require an appraisal and scrutinize the condition of the property you’re looking to buy. Property values are rarely the same Chances are, if you’re selling a property and buying a new one, there’ll be some price difference. When looking to port a mortgage, if the new property’s value is higher than your previous property, requiring a higher mortgage amount, you’ll most likely have to take a blended rate on the new money, which could increase your payment. If the property value is considerably less, you might incur a penalty to reduce the total mortgage amount. You still need a downpayment Porting a mortgage isn’t just a simple case of swapping one property for another while keeping the same mortgage. You’re still required to come up with a downpayment on the new property. You’ll most likely have to pay a penalty Most lenders will charge the total discharge penalty when you sell your property and take it from the sale proceeds. The penalty is then refunded when you execute the port and purchase the new property. So if you are relying on the proceeds of sale to come up with your downpayment, you might have to make other arrangements. Timelines rarely work out When assessing the housing market, It’s usually a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, not both at the same time. So although you may be able to sell your property overnight, you might not be able to find a suitable property to buy. Alternatively, you may be able to find many suitable properties to purchase while your house sits on the market with no showings. And, chances are, when you end up selling your property and find a new property to buy, the closing dates rarely match up perfectly. Different lenders have different port periods Understanding that different lenders have different port periods is where the fine print in the mortgage documents comes into play. Did you know that depending on the lender, the time you have to port your mortgage can range from one day to six months? So if it’s one day, your lawyer will have to close both the sale of your property and the purchase of your new property on the same day, or the port won’t work. Or, with a more extended port period, you run the risk of selling your house with the intention of porting the mortgage, only to not be able to find a suitable property to buy. So while the idea of porting your mortgage can seem like a good idea, and it might even make sense if you have a low rate that you want to carry over to a property of similar value, it’s always a good idea to get professional mortgage advice and look at all your options. While porting your mortgage is a nice feature to have because it provides you with options, please understand that it is not a guarantee that you’ll be able to swap out properties and keep making the same payments. There’s a lot to know. If you’re looking to sell your existing property and buy a new one, please connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to walk you through the process and help you consider all your options, including a port if that makes the most sense!

Everything You Should Know Before Buying a Home

By Diane Buchanan • November 12, 2025
Thinking About Buying a Home? Here’s What to Know Before You Start Whether you're buying your very first home or preparing for your next move, the process can feel overwhelming—especially with so many unknowns. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right guidance and preparation, you can approach your home purchase with clarity and confidence. This article will walk you through a high-level overview of what lenders look for and what you’ll need to consider in the early stages of buying a home. Once you’re ready to move forward with a pre-approval, we’ll dive into the details together. 1. Are You Credit-Ready? One of the first things a lender will evaluate is your credit history. Your credit profile helps determine your risk level—and whether you're likely to repay your mortgage as agreed. To be considered “established,” you’ll need: At least two active credit accounts (like credit cards, loans, or lines of credit) Each with a minimum limit of $2,500 Reporting for at least two years Just as important: your repayment history. Make all your payments on time, every time. A missed payment won’t usually impact your credit unless you’re 30 days or more past due—but even one slip can lower your score. 2. Is Your Income Reliable? Lenders are trusting you with hundreds of thousands of dollars, so they want to be confident that your income is stable enough to support regular mortgage payments. Salaried employees in permanent positions generally have the easiest time qualifying. If you’re self-employed, or your income includes commission, overtime, or bonuses, expect to provide at least two years’ worth of income documentation. The more predictable your income, the easier it is to qualify. 3. What’s Your Down Payment Plan? Every mortgage requires some amount of money upfront. In Canada, the minimum down payment is: 5% on the first $500,000 of the purchase price 10% on the portion above $500,000 20% for homes over $1 million You’ll also need to show proof of at least 1.5% of the purchase price for closing costs (think legal fees, appraisals, and taxes). The best source of a down payment is your own savings, supported by a 90-day history in your bank account. But gifted funds from immediate family and proceeds from a property sale are also acceptable. 4. How Much Can You Actually Afford? There’s a big difference between what you feel you can afford and what you can prove you can afford. Lenders base your approval on verifiable documentation—not assumptions. Your approval amount depends on a variety of factors, including: Income and employment history Existing debts Credit score Down payment amount Property taxes and heating costs for the home All of these factors are used to calculate your debt service ratios—a key indicator of whether your mortgage is affordable. Start Early, Plan Smart Even if you’re months (or more) away from buying, the best time to start planning is now. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, you get access to expert advice at no cost to you. We can: Review your credit profile Help you understand how lenders view your income Guide your down payment planning Determine how much you can qualify to borrow Build a roadmap if your finances need some fine-tuning If you're ready to start mapping out your home buying plan or want to know where you stand today, let’s talk. It would be a pleasure to help you get mortgage-ready.