Knowledge Bank

Study up before you sign anything.

Plain-language guides on the same three topics as our Services desk — read them before your appointment, not during it.

Mortgage

Understanding your loan before you apply.

Fixed vs floating rates

How each type behaves over a 15 to 20-year term, in plain terms.

Reading a loan estimate

A line-by-line walkthrough of the fees lenders are required to disclose.

Improving approval odds

What underwriters actually look at, beyond your credit score.

Insurance

Knowing what a policy actually covers.

Rebuild cost vs market value

Why your policy amount shouldn't match your purchase price.

Common exclusions

Flood, earthquake and subsidence — what standard policies leave out.

Filing a claim

A step-by-step of what happens after you report damage.

Utilities

Setting up service without the runaround.

Transfer vs new connection

When you can simply transfer an existing account, and when you can't.

Deposit requirements

What utilities typically ask for from a first-time account holder.

Reading your first bill

Making sense of estimated vs actual meter readings.