The Backyard BBQ: Things to Consider

Katherine Martin • June 3, 2016

The summer season is getting close, there is talk of barbecue everywhere you go.

We love it, don’t we? And not just because of the food aspect (although, admittedly, that’s a huge factor). We love the idea of the BBQ because of the social component. It’s here that we have the opportunity to welcome our family and friends into our home with the promise of a deliciously grilled feast at the centre of the festivities.



Burgers, ribs, chicken, and steaks; smothered with barbecue sauce, in your backyard, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Are you a seasoned griller with an itch to upgrade your setup? This is for you. Are you a novice, or are you just now beginning the process of looking for a grill of your very own? This is for you, as well.

The following are things to consider as you look for that perfect backyard BBQ:



One of the first things you will want to figure out is your useage! Consider the number of people for which you could be cooking, and then buy appropriately. Yes, smaller models are generally available at a reduced rate, but more space on the grill (primary square inches) may prove crucial for those extended family get-togethers, summer block parties and miscellaneous shindigs. If you feel you may use the space, spend the money and get the real estate (within reason, of course).



Coincidently, if you know for certain that you’ll be grilling for small(er) groups consistently, than a smaller grill might just be the ticket. Either way, it will be important for you to consider these options before you invest.



Before you hand over your hard earned dollars, you should be aware of the differences between cookers, so here is a breakdown of the different types of cookers! Beware, the options are endless, and beautiful! 



Charcoal


This grill is a classic of our time. It’s simplicity of design means that it’s easy to set up and operate (with relatively few mechanical parts to get in the way). There are a few drawbacks: it can be a touch difficult to control grilling heat, and the fuel (charcoal briquettes) tends to burn fairly quickly. In spite of these things, the charcoal grill should be something to consider as you sift through the various options available to you.



Propane


Fueled by a refillable propane tank, this type of grill is easy to use and easy to clean. Not to mention each tank tends to last a good long while (you’ll find yourself refilling approximately twice a season, if you’re using your BBQ on a daily basis) The downside of these models is the tendency of the parts to… well… break, especially the igniters. Because of this, don’t be sucked in by cheaper models; Instead, go for trusty names such as Weber and Broil King. The life of your BBQ (and your igniter) will thank you.



Natural Gas


These grills rely on a dedicated gas line to provide the necessary heat. And while the initial startup cost may be a little bit high, over time, you will save (compared to the fuel costs associated with propane and charcoal). Just don’t make the mistake of buying a natural gas BBQ if your house doesn’t have the appropriate utility!



Smoker


A smoker is not necessarily going to replace your BBQ, it should almost be considered as an addition to your primary cooker. A smoker is a unique piece in that it’s designed to “slow cook” its contents, adding deep flavour and rich texture over a series of hours or days. These cookers take much, much longer to produce a finished product, however, the finished product (if done right) will be immaculate.

Three words… Big Green Egg. Described as the ultimate cooking experience, a Big Green Egg is a kamado-style ceramic charcoal barbecue cooker, and you probably need one! There are thousands of youtube channels and online communities dedicated to cooking in a Big Green Egg to help get you started or to help perfect your craft.

Warning, if you follow this link, you might get sucked into a BBQ subculture that you may never escape, biggreenegg.com. They even have an annual event called Eggtoberfest where thousands of people come together in Atlanta to experience food cooked on an egg.



Brick Oven

Okay, if you want to go all out and be the envy of everyone you know… consider building a massive open fire brick oven in your backyard! Or maybe better yet, Jamie Oliver has come out with a line of backyard brick ovens. This one is called the Dome 60 and according to Jamie, it will cook a pizza in 1 to 2 minutes, “it will cook a sardine in a minute and a half, crispy skin all over, garlic, olive oil, parsley, lemon zest, beautiful.” Who doesn’t love Jamie Oliver!

Think about it, a brick oven in your backyard could potentially change your life!

Regardless of which way you go, have a great month, get out often, and happy grilling!

On a side note, if you need a bigger backyard to accommodate your newfound passion for grilling, I can certainly give you a hand with the financing… let’s talk over some BBQ!

This article originally appeared in the DLC Newsletter for May 2016.

Katherine Martin


Origin Mortgages

Phone: 1-604-454-0843
Email: kmartin@planmymortgage.ca
Fax: 1-604-454-0842


RECENT POSTS

Start Smart: Get Pre-Approved for Your Mortgage

By Katherine Martin • November 19, 2025
Thinking of Buying a Home? Here’s Why Getting Pre-Approved Is Key If you’re ready to buy a home but aren’t sure where to begin, the answer is simple: start with a pre-approval. It’s one of the most important first steps in your home-buying journey—and here's why. Why a Pre-Approval is Crucial Imagine walking into a restaurant, hungry and excited to order, but unsure if your credit card will cover the bill. It’s the same situation with buying a home. You can browse listings online all day, but until you know how much you can afford, you’re just window shopping. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is like finding out the price range you can comfortably shop within before you start looking at homes with a real estate agent. It sets you up for success and saves you from wasting time on properties that might be out of reach. What Exactly is a Pre-Approval? A pre-approval isn’t a guarantee. It’s not a promise that a lender will give you a mortgage no matter what happens with your finances. It’s more like a preview of your financial health, giving you a clear idea of how much you can borrow, based on the information you provide at the time. Think of it as a roadmap. After going through the pre-approval process, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what you can afford and what you need to do to make the final approval process smoother. What Happens During the Pre-Approval Process? When you apply for a pre-approval, lenders will look at a few key areas: Your income Your credit history Your assets and liabilities The property you’re interested in This comprehensive review will uncover any potential hurdles that could prevent you from securing financing later on. The earlier you identify these challenges, the better. Potential Issues a Pre-Approval Can Reveal Even if you feel confident that your finances are in good shape, a pre-approval might uncover issues you didn’t expect: Recent job changes or probation periods An income that’s heavily commission-based or reliant on extra shifts Errors or collections on your credit report Lack of a well-established credit history Insufficient funds saved for a down payment Existing debt reducing your qualification amount Any other financial blind spots you might not be aware of By addressing these issues early, you give yourself the best chance of securing the mortgage you need. A pre-approval makes sure there are no surprises along the way. Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification: What’s the Difference? It’s important to understand that a pre-approval is more than just a quick online estimate. Unlike pre-qualification—which can sometimes be based on limited information and calculations—a pre-approval involves a thorough review of your finances. This includes looking at your credit report, providing detailed documents, and having a conversation with a mortgage professional about your options. Why Get Pre-Approved Now? The best time to secure a pre-approval is as soon as possible. The process is free and carries no risk—it just gives you a clear path forward. It’s never too early to start, and by doing so, you’ll be in a much stronger position when you're ready to make an offer on your dream home. Let’s Make Your Home Buying Journey Smooth A well-planned mortgage process can make all the difference in securing your home. If you’re ready to get pre-approved or just want to chat about your options, I’d love to help. Let’s make your home-buying experience a smooth and successful one!

Mortgage Approval 101: GDS & TDS Explained

By Katherine Martin • November 12, 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. 2. 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.
© 2025 

Katherine Martin. All Rights Reserved.