Ever watch a football game and think to yourself that you could better manage the team yourself .Well, after months of watching managers make one mess after the other as well as following the movements of football players during transfer season I have decided that I want to have a go at this football coach / manager thing.
I then came across fantasy football which is a game where you can assemble an imaginary team of real life players and score points based on those players’ actual statistical performance or their perceived contribution on the field. In my opinion the best fantasy football so far is from Metro. They have recently re-launched their offer and to top it off there are tons of great prizes to be won.
It’s based around the Premier League and FA cup and to improve on last year’s game =, you can now be in control of your substitute so you can really maximize your chances of scoring big points. You’ll also be able to choose from 5 formations which you can switch between during the season.
I’ve signed up and can’t say that I am disappointed. This is tons of fun and what’s best is I can actually win some extra dosh at the same time.
Metro Breaking News – A ‘secret’ lovechild of Michael Jackson is to undergo DNA testing to prove that he is indeed the lost lovechild of the iconic pop star.
Norwegian Omer Bhatti is alledged to be the fourth child of the superstar born out of an alleged on night stand in 1984.
Speculation that the 25-year-old is Jacko’s fourth child was raised after Jackson dancer Bhatti sat on the front row of the singer’s memorial in LA along with the other Jackson siblings. Bhatti is a would be hip-hop star, who performs under the name of O-Bee.
<a href=”http://www.metro.co.uk/news” target=”_blank”>UK News</a> – A school has started a new scheme to keep kids from skipping school by <a href=”http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Curry_bribes_to_stop_kids_playing_truant&in_article_id=706882&in_page_id=34″ target=”_blank”>bribing their parents with Curry.</a> Masala is one of England’s national foods proving to be a highly desired reward for parents whose kids have an attendance rate of 95 per cent or better. <br>
The scheme has so far proved successful with truancy rates cut by more than half since its launch.<br>
However, the reward system has been criticised by teaching unions who claim it is a ‘legal requirement’ for parents to make sure their children attend school.
Mortgage brokers are blossoming in the current environment and are gaining an increasing share of the mortgage market. This is great news because you should consult with a mortgage professional when you’re making one of the most important financial decisions of your life. But, keep in mind, that not all mortgage brokers have the same level of training and experience.
That’s why it’s such great news for Canadians that the mortgage industry now has national accreditation: the Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP). When you meet with a mortgage broker with an AMP, you’ll be assured that your business is in the hands of a professional.
Canadians are accustomed to purchasing financial products like investments and insurance from an accredited professional. Now they can look for a similar professional designation from their mortgage expert.
Like similar accreditation programs for mutual fund sales people, or stock brokers, the AMP is designed to ensure an appropriate level of training and experience. Mortgage professionals from every field are eligible to acquire the accreditation: from mortgage brokers on the front lines to those who specialize in lending or mortgage insurance, for example.
While the vast majority of Ontario mortgage brokers take seriously the important responsibility that they have to their clients, the designation provides mortgage customers with a tool to help select their mortgage expert. This kind of designation is especially valuable in an industry where provincial regulations vary – and so a variety of practice standards are in place. A single national proficiency standard brings mortgage brokers in line with other financial professionals.
The AMP designation can now offer you confidence that your mortgage broker has industry experience, has taken ethics and industry training, and is committed to a program of ongoing education to retain their designation. In order to qualify for the designation, mortgage professionals must have at least five years experience or successfully complete a recognized mortgage professional proficiency course, and take an ethics training course. They must also commit to a minimum 10 hours of continuing education each year, and agree to be governed by the professional code of the national CIMBL organization.
With a growing number of Canadians now seeking the services of independent mortgage brokers to help them assess their mortgage options – in a $600 billion industry – the timing is perfect. It’s your money, after all, and you should have the tools to make the best possible decision. An independent mortgage broker can offer you the broadest range of mortgage rates and options. Now they can also offer you the added assurance of their newly minted designation: the AMP.
All across Canada we’re seeing the recreational property market continue to go through the cedarshingled roof. Industry experts predict another year in which buyers seeking a property may outnumber the recreational properties available. The boomers are in their peak income years and have benefited from an unprecedented climb in the valuations on their primary homes. And across the country, they’re scouring every lake, ocean beach and ski slope – looking for the perfect getaway.
When cottages first became the vogue around the turn of the last century, those getaways were generally charmingly rustic structures designed to give their owners a taste of a simpler way of life for the summer season. But today, recreational property markets are reporting a stunning increase in teardowns and renovations – as rustic simplicity gives way to luxury accommodations. Today’s recreational property mix covers the gamut from luxury waterfront homes, resort-style condominiums, ski chalets and timeshare properties. Many of the traditional-style cottages are still standing, of course… and they sell for top dollar
on the rare occasions that they actually come on the market.
But more and more average Canadians have cabin fever: they’re looking for a recreational property both as an investment and an enhancement to their own lifestyles. And for many, the goal is achievable: we’ve seen historically low mortgage rates over the last few years – and greater affordability for ordinary Canadians. But financing a recreational property is more challenging than funding a principal residence. Traditional lending institutions typically find second homes a much less desirable investment. Purchasers are often advised to take out an equity loan or a second mortgage on their principal residence in order to buy the recreation property.
But the lending landscape has been changing in the past few years. We are beginning to see that some lenders have developed flexible new mortgage products and policies that are specifically designed for the recreational property market. The upshot is that Canadians who are longing for that cottage or condo may now be able to bypass conventional lending criteria – opening the door to ownership much sooner than they imagined. Recreational property mortgages are available for owner-occupied second properties, including winterized and nonwinterized, with as little as 15 per cent down for purchasers with good credit. And in some cases, 10 per cent down could get you into the recreational property market if you qualify. Typically, the vacation property needs to be located in a known vacation area, have approved plumbing, and year round access.
And do your homework. In today’s heated recreational property market, some purchasers have an edge in the marketplace because they are cash buyers. To level the playing field, buyers who are financing their purchase may want to consider talking to a professional to determine approximately how much they qualify for before launching their search.
For some, recreational property is an attractive investment, with rentals providing an extra income stream. But the allure is usually more emotional: a cottage or condo often becomes a symbolic centre for family life, where families come together at all ages and stages in their lives to share common activities and traditions.
If you’re dreaming of your own beach sunset or the perfect ski slope at your door, begin with a conversation with a mortgage professional. Your own getaway could be closer than you think!