Life's Inside Track

What if one of the most praised money moves in Canada is quietly slowing down your future? In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we take a close look at the common belief that paying off your mortgage as fast as possible is always the smartest path. We unpack when that thinking may serve you, when it may limit you, and why home equity can be either a sleeping asset or...

If you’re renting in Ottawa right now, you’ve likely heard it: “Renting is smarter in 2026.” But is it? In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track, Ken and Yetta Dekker — Ottawa real estate guides with over 35 years of experience — break down the rent vs buy conversation specifically through the lens of the Ottawa housing market. We examine: • The long-term net worth difference between renters and...

“An expensive sentence in real estate is… we’ll just wait and see.” Have you ever said it with the best intentions—thinking you were being cautious, responsible, and wise? In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we unpack the hidden cost of inaction—and why not choosing is still a choice that can quietly price you out, slow your wealth-building, or keep you stuck renting...

Is overpricing your home quietly costing you thousands in lost equity? In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we unpack one of the most misunderstood real estate pricing strategies affecting Ottawa homeowners and Canadian sellers alike. Many believe that listing high creates room to negotiate. In reality, buyer psychology, days on market, and the law of substitution...

Is the fear of capital gains tax quietly keeping you stuck in an investment you would never buy again today? In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we pull capital gains out of the “monster under the bed” category and put it back where it belongs: as a math + timing conversation. We unpack the simple truth most people miss—you only pay capital gains when you’ve actually...

Have you noticed how often the message sounds the same lately — “It’s impossible to buy a home right now”? In this episode of LIFE’S INSIDE TRACK with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we slow the noise down and examine whether that belief is truth… or hype worth questioning. We talk about how discouragement often disguises itself as realism, and how that mindset quietly shapes daily choices that either...

Have you ever noticed how something can look right on paper and still feel unsettled inside? We’re talking about why peace is often the starting point for wise decisions, not the reward at the end. We explore how urgency can get loud, how pressure can masquerade as purpose, and why faith invites us to slow down long enough to hear what truly matters. You’ll hear real stories from real estate...

Have you ever watched someone you love make a real estate choice that feels shaky… and you’re torn between helping and overstepping? In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we talk about how to care deeply without trying to control the outcome. You’ll hear why family advice often lands badly, even when it’s true, and why a simple introduction can create calm, confident...

Ever feel like you should be doing something smarter with your money, yet you freeze because you’re scared of making the wrong move? In Episode 730 of LIFE’S Inside Track with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we unpack why doing nothing is still a decision—one that inflation quietly profits from—and why idle money and untouched home equity matter more than most people realize. We explain how home equity can...

Ever felt that little knot in your stomach when you think about your mortgage, your equity, or your “real” numbers? In this episode of LIFE’S Inside Track with Ken and Yetta Dekker, we talk about why not knowing your financial position doesn’t protect you—it quietly steals your options. We’ve lived the “ostrich effect,” and we’ve watched good people miss huge opportunities simply because they...