Give Me a Break

No, seriously it's yours for the taking. The
new Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC),
announced in January 2009, is a 15% tax
credit on home renovations and a good
opportunity to reinvest in your home.
This is the ideal time to make that dream
kitchen a reality or to install the central
air conditioner you've always wanted.

“This is a great time to renovate,”
says Colin Firth, Superintendent,
Dominion Fairmile Construction Ltd. “By the time
the renovations are completed and the market starts to
turn around, your investment can greatly increase the
value of your home.”

Here are some basic points to keep in mind if you're considering this incentive.

  • 15% tax credit on expenditures over $1,000 and up to $10,000.
  • Maximum rebate of $1,350.
  • Renovations must be carried out before February 1, 2010.
  • Eligible on houses, cottages or condos for personal use.
  • Not eligible for rental properties.

Examples of eligible expenses:

  • Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or basement.
  • New windows, doors, carpets or hardwood flooring.
  • Landscaping: new sod, perennial shrubs, trees or permanent garden lighting.

Examples of ineligible expenses:

  • Furniture, appliance and audio & visual equipment.
  • Purchasing tools.
  • Cleaning carpets or regular maintenance.

For details and more information visit the HTRC website: http:// www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc.

If you have any questions about how you may use the equity value of your home to take
advantage of the HRTC, please contact a Capital Direct Mortgage Specialist at
1-800-NEW-CAPITAL.

Savoury Flavours & Cheap Eats

Last issue contained tips for purchasing a new BBQ. Here are two pointers to add flavour to you grilling and keeping the budget under control.

Extra Dimensional
Marinating food before grilling can be that special touch that adds an extra dimension of flavour.

    Garlic & Herb Marinade
    simple, flavour packed, great for meat, chicken or fish.

    You Need:

    • 6 garlic cloves finely minced
    • 1/3 cup fresh thyme sprigs finely minced
    • 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves finely minced
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt
    • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
    • 1 1/2 cups olive oil
    • fresh ground black pepper to taste

    In a bowl, thoroughly whisk all ingredients together. Marinade may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Marinate meat for at least 30 minutes, covered in the fridge. Chicken and fish should be marinated for less than 15 minutes.

BBQ on a Budget
A summer of grilling for the crowds can be costly. Here are some smart tips for getting the most out of your budget.

    Chicken
    Buy bone-in pieces and remove the skin yourself at home.

    Hamburger & Steak
    Buy family or club-store size and freeze unused portions for the next BBQ.

    Ribs
    Skip the baby back and go for the pork sparerib - they're delicious and less pricey.

A barbeque dinner can transform an ordinary evening into a magical feeling of a relaxing vacation. Happy summer from all of us at Capital Direct!

Stress Free Financing

“I was finding my bank difficult to deal with and decided to call Capital Direct,” says Sonja L. of Surrey, British Columbia. She needed help to refinance so that she could renovate here home, pay off some debts & build more equity.

She explains, “The payment I am making is much less than what I was paying on my debts and it was a stress free experience.”

Every month, Capital Direct helps Canadians just like you to realize their dreams. What about you? Your home equity is something you've worked hard to build, so why not 'let your house lend a hand' when you need it most! Contact a Capital Direct mortgage specialist to discover your options.

Summer Sizzler Puzzle

First unscramble the words then find them in the puzzle. Have fun and enjoy your summer!

  1. REBBEAQU
  2. ILNIGV
  3. AETOCGT
  4. GSERABHMUR
  5. NOAMLEDE
  6. ALRSO
  7. ROVNESOANTI
  8. AISVGSN
  9. VCINTIENE
  10. TTVSMNEIEN










S U R Z N H N S S T Q V A S E A R R A J Q G G I Y Z D Y N J L N E V L N Y N A Z V U N O F I E N G I O C I B Q N E N I P T G M V R E S V M X T K E T B N F A O N U H I L G K J M A R J S A T N B B L U U Q G B V R C D I
I R A P M G C W P J O D 		C V U M Z R D C A H I Y L N U E H E V L B G E T H T J M E K S W Y T N E M T S E V N I R X M U C O C Q F K H G M W U I P B D R L I U J A M U C F L J
I 		N J O K R E B R Q D W A R J H C O T T A G E U H A U T P H W

Capital Direct's Eco-friendly Calculator

Do you know how large your home’s eco-footprint is? Under the ecoEnergy Retrofit program, homeowners can take advantage of available grants when improving the energy efficiency of their home. Not only will you be reducing your home's energy consumption but you can receive money back through available grants.

Visit Capital Direct's Eco-friendly Calculator online at, https://www.capitaldirect.ca/eco-calculator. Calculate the environmental impact of your household and find out ways of reducing it, then give us a call to learn how we can help you apply for available retrofit grants.


Request our new booklet:
How to Borrow What You Need to Succeed

How to Borrow What You Need to Succeed Guide

Learn how you can use your home equity to your greatest advantage.
To receive your FREE copy of this informative new booklet, email us at [email protected] with the subject line: “New Guide Request”. Please include your full name and postal address, and we'll send you a copy via Canada Post.

Discover how you can make the most of home ownership!
Visit us at www.CapitalDirect.ca for more information.