Thanks for your reply.
My partner has got both the credit reports you mentioned. Do you think it would be worth having a letter from my partners company mentioning that she is a transfered employee....

We are planning on putting 20% down and hope to get a 80% mortgage, the rates my partner has seen have been so high though at around 7-8% is that what we should expect or do you think we could get better rates,...

Alison.

Thank you for your reply, its good to know that others have gone through the barriers we are expecting...lol
We have had our dogs chipped and vaccinated against rabies we are just completing the defra forms at present. We aim to stay in Canada when we arrive as we believe our quality of life will be greatly improved, have you settled well, may i ask.
We have our credit checks to bring with us and we have both been given jobs with my partners firm, will this help with mortgages etc, we aim to put 20% down as deposit and aim to get a 80% mortgage can you recommend the best place to seek advise re this...
We are also planning to purchase a car when we arrive but have been told it will be difficult getting finance for it. We have 5000cad for deposit but was hoping to finance the remainder is this possible or do we need to bring loan with us....
Would like to be able to PM you don't know how to though or is this the way......god, i am ramberling.....sorry....
Alison

I have just arrange a morgage and got 5.79 fixed for 5 yrs.
Your tv will work for what you want to play vids and games. My LCD flat screen works for normal telly too.

Hi Alison,

The job letter would be a great asset as the lenders look more favourably on those who are being relocated here by a company instead of finding work once you arrive. If you are planning on going on the mortgage application as well, you will need your own credit bureau (even if you are not earning an income). I just wanted to let you know that as some people do not realize that. As far as interest rates are concerned, if your UK credit is good you should be able to qualify for a fully discounted rate. Fixed interest rates in Canada are on the rise right now but are expected to settle in the very near future, so the rate will be dependent on when you arrive. I would guess 6% plus or minus .25%.

Regards,
Tammy

Loads of places that are much cheaper than Sears. Built in ovens are not that common in Canada. most Kitchens have a free standing stove/range with rings on top and oven below. These start at $398.00 in The Home Depot. However, most homes are sold with appliances included.

I have a few friends who have fancy houses, but none of them have a built-in stove. I suppose you can get them but they would probably be really high end and $2,000 doesn't sound terribly expensive for something like that.

Would that be something like one of those Jenn-Air things. I guess if you want the fancy stuff - you gotta pay for it.

My son and his wife bought a top of the line gas stove, I forget what they are called - slide in or something - they have the controls on the front and don't have that back piece that the controls are usually on. They paid around $600 for it.

You can buy one of those smooth top - ceramic things for around $1,000. I looked at them but in the end my husband got me a used stove from a customer of his that reburbishes stoves etc. I don't think I have ever bought a brand new stove. I have got a brand new washer. Well, its almost brand new. I got it cheap from Sears Bargain Centre - same as my dishwasher. It has a little ding on the inside of the door, but its stainless steel top of the line Kenmore and I also got it cheap from Sears Bargain Centre because of the ding.

I suppose there are those people who get visits from the Queen and who want their washer and dryer to match. But mine are stuck in the basement and nobody goes there except me and I sure could care less whether they match or not!

My fridge also came from Sears Bargain Centre. It will be the next thing I replace. I want one of those with the pull out freezer at the bottom. However, I will probably get this one from the Bargain Centre too.

Actually, I think the correct name is Sears Outlet Store.

And I don't even know what a hob is. Is that one of those things that sits on top of the counter and its for cooking with saucepans etc?

Hi Alison,

I notice everyone is talking about purchasing kitchen appliances. If you are planning on buying a home they are usually included in the purchase here. You can also try to get the laundry appliances included as well. Might save you a little bit of money.

Tammy

Hi Alison

To Private Message (PM) a person just click on their name top left of their post - a little drop down menu appears and select and click on the appropriate instruction - easy - when you know how.

My OH and I are settling very well - have just found a place to rent - decided to rent until we get to know the city areas better - get to know what our life needs will be in this new place before we commit to something.
Mortgage rates are as you have been advised in another post +/- 6%.

Bring your own Equifax report too and letters from employer stating you have a job and salary etc. and even contract of employment. All this sort of info is very useful - have it all to hand and provide what they need when asked for.

I am happy to recommend our mortgage broker at TD Canada Trust who found to be ever so friendly, helpful and efficient.

We actually got a personal Thank you card from our account manager at TD Canada for opening our accounts there and wishing us all the best in our new lives here - have you ever heard of that - believe me they have been nothing but amazing!

I am a bit of a nut when it comes to cars, so have had mine shipped over, so not buying one here (yet, but don't tell OH - he'll have a fit if I start to look at cars). Car finance is easy though and your $5000 deposit will be good to get you going. They wanna sell cars so the dealers find a way, and it's a good way to build credit history.

Quality of life is all relative I guess, but in our many visits to Canada over ther last decade, our many Canadian friends and now our daily experience here on "Trono" are what make us believe that for us, life is better here and we will be happier living here. I miss London, but am way happier here.
The life style suits me so well.

Perhaps we'll meet up when you get here and we'll fill you in on what we know so far.

Rob.

They're called "cooktops" here, and they are set into the work surface. We got a ceramic one (in a Sears sale ...slightly scratched) for our basement as we didn't want a full cooker, so we have that and a microwave/grill for preparing snacks rather than full meals.