Make the Most of Summer: Outdoor Project Ideas for Every Space

Adrian Markiewicz • July 8, 2025

Summer in Canada is short—but sweet. With warm weather and long evenings, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy your outdoor space, no matter how big (or small) it is. Whether you have a tiny patio or a sprawling backyard, a few creative upgrades can go a long way toward turning your space into your personal summer oasis.

Below are ideas for every type of outdoor space, from cozy balconies to large backyards!


For Patio-Only Spaces

Limited to a balcony or concrete patio? No problem! Small spaces can still offer big enjoyment.

1. Upgrade the Flooring
Add interlocking tiles to give your concrete floor a more polished look—wood grain, grass panels, or composite styles are all popular, easy-to-install options.

2. Create an Outdoor Movie Zone
Hang a pull-down screen or grab a portable stand, pair it with a mini projector, and voilà—your very own outdoor movie theatre under the stars!

3. Start an Herb Garden
Railing planters are perfect for growing basil, mint, parsley, and more. Fresh herbs at your fingertips—and they smell amazing too!

4. Add Some Twinkle
Wrap fairy lights around your railing or overhead beams to bring cozy vibes and nighttime charm.

5. Grill Like a Pro
Maximize your BBQ season with a compact baby-que. Weber’s Q Series is a great option for small spaces without compromising grilling power.


For Small Yards

A little yard can still pack a lot of personality. Here are ways to make the most of every square foot:

1. Game Time!
Add a mini putting green or an axe-throwing target (just be safe!) for quick bursts of backyard fun that don’t take up much space.

2. Warm Up Your Nights
Add a heating lamp or portable fire bowl to keep your evenings cozy well into the fall.

3. Grow Your Own Produce
Build or buy a raised garden box to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, or other easy vegetables. Gardening is relaxing—and delicious!

4. DIY Bird Bath
Make a pedestal bird bath using an old vase, a platter, and strong glue. You likely have everything you need already at home—and the local birds will thank you!


For Big Yards

If space isn’t an issue, the sky’s the limit! Here are some larger-scale projects to take your yard to the next level:

1. Build a Catio
Yep, it’s a “cat patio”! Give your feline friends a safe way to enjoy the outdoors with a screened-in enclosure attached to your home.

2. Create a Permanent Fire Pit
Use stones and a fire ring to build a beautiful, safe fire pit. You can even add airflow cutouts to reduce smoke—perfect for those marshmallow roasts!

3. Tile a Dining Area
Install paving stones or tiles to define an outdoor dining space. Add a table, some string lights, and enjoy al fresco meals all summer long.


Need More Inspiration?

If none of these projects quite fit your vision, check out Home Depot’s DIY backyard ideas—complete with step-by-step instructions and material lists to help you bring your outdoor dreams to life.


Soak It Up While It Lasts

No matter the size of your space, there’s always something you can do to enhance your outdoor experience. So get out there, get creative, and make the most of these sunny summer days.

See you back here in August—with more tips, tricks, and homeowner insights!

Bank of Canada Rate Announcement Dec 10th, 2025

By Adrian Markiewicz • December 10, 2025
Bank of Canada maintains policy rate at 2.1/4%. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario December 10, 2025 The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. Major economies around the world continue to show resilience to US trade protectionism, but uncertainty is still high. In the United States, economic growth is being supported by strong consumption and a surge in AI investment. The US government shutdown caused volatility in quarterly growth and delayed the release of some key economic data. Tariffs are causing some upward pressure on US inflation. In the euro area, economic growth has been stronger than expected, with the services sector showing particular resilience. In China, soft domestic demand, including more weakness in the housing market, is weighing on growth. Global financial conditions, oil prices, and the Canadian dollar are all roughly unchanged since the Bank’s October Monetary Policy Report (MPR). Canada’s economy grew by a surprisingly strong 2.6% in the third quarter, even as final domestic demand was flat. The increase in GDP largely reflected volatility in trade. The Bank expects final domestic demand will grow in the fourth quarter, but with an anticipated decline in net exports, GDP will likely be weak. Growth is forecast to pick up in 2026, although uncertainty remains high and large swings in trade may continue to cause quarterly volatility. Canada’s labour market is showing some signs of improvement. Employment has shown solid gains in the past three months and the unemployment rate declined to 6.5% in November. Nevertheless, job markets in trade-sensitive sectors remain weak and economy-wide hiring intentions continue to be subdued. CPI inflation slowed to 2.2% in October, as gasoline prices fell and food prices rose more slowly. CPI inflation has been close to the 2% target for more than a year, while measures of core inflation remain in the range of 2½% to 3%. The Bank assesses that underlying inflation is still around 2½%. In the near term, CPI inflation is likely to be higher due to the effects of last year’s GST/HST holiday on the prices of some goods and services. Looking through this choppiness, the Bank expects ongoing economic slack to roughly offset cost pressures associated with the reconfiguration of trade, keeping CPI inflation close to the 2% target. If inflation and economic activity evolve broadly in line with the October projection, Governing Council sees the current policy rate at about the right level to keep inflation close to 2% while helping the economy through this period of structural adjustment. Uncertainty remains elevated. If the outlook changes, we are prepared to respond. The Bank is focused on ensuring that Canadians continue to have confidence in price stability through this period of global upheaval. Information note The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is January 28, 2026. The Bank’s next MPR will be released at the same time.

Mortgage Approval 101: GDS & TDS Explained

By Adrian Markiewicz • December 3, 2025
Can You Afford That Mortgage? Let’s Talk About Debt Service Ratios One of the biggest factors lenders look at when deciding whether you qualify for a mortgage is something called your debt service ratios. It’s a financial check-up to make sure you can handle the payments—not just for your new home, but for everything else you owe as well. If you’d rather skip the math and have someone walk through this with you, that’s what I’m here for. But if you like to understand how things work behind the scenes, keep reading. We’re going to break down what these ratios are, how to calculate them, and why they matter when it comes to getting approved. What Are Debt Service Ratios? Debt service ratios measure your ability to manage your financial obligations based on your income. There are two key ratios lenders care about: Gross Debt Service (GDS) This looks at the percentage of your income that would go toward housing expenses only. Total Debt Service (TDS) This includes your housing costs plus all other debt payments—car loans, credit cards, student loans, support payments, etc. How to Calculate GDS and TDS Let’s break down the formulas. GDS Formula: (P + I + T + H + Condo Fees*) ÷ Gross Monthly Income Where: P = Principal I = Interest T = Property Taxes H = Heat Condo fees are usually calculated at 50% of the total amount TDS Formula: (GDS + Monthly Debt Payments) ÷ Gross Monthly Income These ratios tell lenders if your budget is already stretched too thin—or if you’ve got room to safely take on a mortgage. How High Is Too High? Most lenders follow maximum thresholds, especially for insured (high-ratio) mortgages. As of now, those limits are typically: GDS: Max 39% TDS: Max 44% Go above those numbers and your application could be declined, regardless of how confident you feel about your ability to manage the payments. Real-World Example Let’s say you’re earning $90,000 a year, or $7,500 a month. You find a home you love, and the monthly housing costs (mortgage payment, property tax, heat) total $1,700/month. GDS = $1,700 ÷ $7,500 = 22.7% You’re well under the 39% cap—so far, so good. Now factor in your other monthly obligations: Car loan: $300 Child support: $500 Credit card/line of credit payments: $700 Total other debt = $1,500/month Now add that to the $1,700 in housing costs: TDS = $3,200 ÷ $7,500 = 42.7% Uh oh. Even though your GDS looks great, your TDS is just over the 42% limit. That could put your mortgage approval at risk—even if you’re paying similar or higher rent now. What Can You Do? In cases like this, small adjustments can make a big difference: Consolidate or restructure your debts to lower monthly payments Reallocate part of your down payment to reduce high-interest debt Add a co-applicant to increase qualifying income Wait and build savings or credit strength before applying This is where working with an experienced mortgage professional pays off. We can look at your entire financial picture and help you make strategic moves to qualify confidently. Don’t Leave It to Chance Everyone’s situation is different, and debt service ratios aren’t something you want to guess at. The earlier you start the conversation, the more time you’ll have to improve your numbers and boost your chances of approval. If you're wondering how much home you can afford—or want help analyzing your own GDS and TDS—let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk through your numbers and help you build a solid mortgage strategy.