Saltbox Mortgage Agent | Amanda Walczyk

In this episode of At Home in Waterloo Region, Cher sits down with Amanda Walczyk of Saltbox Mortgages to break down what homeowners need to know about mortgage renewals in 2026, why early planning is critical, and how having the right team can completely transform your real estate journey. They also share a real client success story that highlights the power of collaboration between a realtor, mortgage agent, and financial planner, along with real-world lessons from complex transactions.

In this episode you will hear:

• [01:18] Amanda explains why there is a surge in mortgage renewals this year and how increased volume is impacting timelines.
• [02:29] Amanda shares essential tips, including why self-employed individuals need up-to-date taxes and how job changes can affect mortgage approvals.
• [03:22] They emphasize that starting the renewal process at least three months in advance allows for better options, lower stress, and stronger outcomes.
• [04:07] Amanda walks through a real example where limited time reduced lender options and led to more expensive solutions.
• [05:14] They explain how open mortgages can offer flexibility but often come with significantly higher interest rates.
• [07:00] Cher and Amanda discuss how early planning helps eliminate uncertainty and reduces the mental burden of major financial decisions.
• [08:09] They highlight the importance of working with professionals who collaborate and communicate effectively on your behalf.
• [08:52] They share a detailed client story where strategic planning allowed homeowners to keep their property as a rental while purchasing their dream home.
• [11:23] Cher explains why they requested a longer financing condition and how it ultimately protected the client.
• [13:37] Amanda discusses why taking a conservative approach can help prevent costly surprises and ensure smoother transactions.
• [16:00] They share real-life examples of unexpected issues, including title complications and last-minute banking errors.
• [18:17] Amanda explains how mortgage approvals now take longer than in previous years due to increased scrutiny and volume.
• [20:56] Cher and Amanda discuss why it is important for professionals to stay within their expertise and collaborate rather than overlap roles.
• [24:29] Amanda highlights some favourite local businesses, including The Boathouse where her and Cher recently hosted an event

Connect with Amanda:

Instagram: @saltboxmortgage_agent

Let's Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at.home.co
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/podcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Amanda Walczyk, Mortgage Agent | Level 2 license at Dominion Lending Centres National Ltd, FSRA #12360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltboxmortgage_agent
Contact: Amanda@saltboxmortgages.com
519.497.9256

• Den1880
Website: https://www.den1880.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den1880.co

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hello and welcome to the At Home in Wirley Region podcast. I'm your host, Cheryl Getz. The purpose of this podcast is to shine a light on what makes this region special: the people. We will hear from inspiring locals and business owners, their stories and their goals. Whether you are born and raised here, are new to the area, or something in between, join us as we get to know who is part of making our home in Waterly Region so wonderful. Okay, welcome back to the At Home in Waterly Region podcast. Today we have Amanda, aka Stallbox Mortgages, proud sponsor of the podcast, lover of all things, local, of course. And uh we're gonna talk about a couple things. One is because this year is such a high volume of renewal, she's gonna share tips on how to set yourself up best for renewals. And then we're gonna talk about a recent like client experience that we have that we had that uh we hope you can all learn from and be inspired from. So, Amanda, take it away with what do people need to know if they are renewing now in 2026? What are all your tips?

SPEAKER_03 1:12

So, well, first of all, thanks for having me back, of course. It's always a pleasure. Um there's a couple things that stick in the forefront of my mind uh with this year. Just because volumes are very high. So if you're a bank branch goer or a mortgage agent goer, um, depending on who you go to to do your renewals for you, it doesn't matter who you go to right now, it's busy. That said, gone are the days where we can turn around a file in two weeks, I would say, without high stress or mistakes happening just because of the volumes of files that are coming across our desk this year. Um given that we're exiting out of those like 1.4% rates or 2.5% rates, like those super I don't know, the best rates, if you will, that I don't think we're gonna see again. I think the the world has learned its lesson. Um but everyone's looking for a plan and a better deal just because rates are sitting a little bit higher right now. Um so I want to say at least 90% of the people are coming out and asking, like, what are my options? Can I get something better? And what does this look like? So a few of my tips are if you're self-employed, first of all, please ensure that you've done your 2025 taxes. Um when you're a self-employed individual, we need that T1 general to verify your income and look at a plan going forward for you. So doing your taxes on time and paying your taxes on time is incredibly important, especially if you're wanting to switch banks for a more competitive offer. Um signing back what your bank is giving you. Um what else? If you are employed by a company and you're thinking of switching jobs and that comes with a probationary period, typically, not always, but typically you're on hold. So your income isn't valid until after that probationary period where it becomes guaranteed. Um so those are things to look out for upon renewal and just to think about. But most importantly plan minimum three months in advance. Three months. So easy. Yeah. So even if your bank hasn't sent you the renewal letter yet, reach out and get a plan in place just because we need the time to do it. And if you want something solid and options, then the time is required. Yeah. So my best advice.

SPEAKER_00 3:42

Aaron Powell And options are everything. They are I mean, who doesn't want time to not only find all the options, but then mull over all of the options? And who doesn't want the time to be like, hey, we have some time to think about what's your goals in the next one year, two years, five years, ten years, and then pull options knowing that? Like who doesn't want options?

SPEAKER_03 4:06

Yeah, and like a scenario that we came across previously, had we had more time, we would have been able to give the client more options. But the options that we presented them with were more expensive than what we could have done had we had the time. And I say that because some banks can't process the request as quickly as we need them to. So if we only have a two-week turnaround, sure, it's possible, but it might not be the best deal out there. Um so the specific file that I was talking about, it required um a bridge loan, a mortgage, and a private loan. Um and the private loan we probably could have done a little bit more competitively, but no one would do it in that timeline. Yeah. So you really limit yourself not with what you qualify for, but timelines. Like we have to work with the banks that um can process things in the time you give them. So if there's no time to plan, then a lot of the banks will just like wipe their hands clean and say, no thanks.

SPEAKER_00 5:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 5:01

Not for us this time.

SPEAKER_00 5:02

And then the risk on that if you're purchasing is you lose the house that you want, and then the risk on that is refinancing as your mortgage goes to open, which is a much higher rate. Is that right?

SPEAKER_03 5:14

You can move into an open mortgage or you can sign back the renewal offer that they give you.

SPEAKER_01 5:19

Right.

SPEAKER_03 5:20

Um but yeah, but you can you can sign back into an open term. So a lot of people think that open is like a good option, but they don't realize the price tag on it. So open rates are eight, nine, ten percent, depending on the lender that you're with. Yes, it does buy you more time, but it becomes very expensive in the interim. So sure. If you renew into an open for one month, it might cost you, depending on your mortgage, a thousand to five thousand dollars extra. Yeah. Depending on the balance of your loan. Um but it's not ideal. And if you could save that money, why wouldn't you just by asking the questions sooner. So and then you're not rushed with the application. You're not rushed finding the documents.

SPEAKER_00 5:58

So And nobody's saying you're signing something three months out. Nobody's saying your documents are ready three months out. You're saying reach out, like start the plan, start the conversation three months out. Right. Yeah. Because then you have all the time.

SPEAKER_03 6:16

Another client right now, uh I reached out back in February just because I knew that this client was coming out for renewal this year, and I knew that the changes that we needed to make um to remove someone from title, uh, we had someone pass away that was on title, and it's just been a very complex situation. But had we not started planning back in January, I don't think we would be where we are now. And even with that January planning, like we're still going through the motions with lawyers and everything like that. So some files do get complex like that, but had we not had those months to do it, um they'd be renewing into an open for sure. So to buy them time. Yeah. So it's just all in the planning and just plan. Just plan and make sure you have all your ducks in a row. Even if you're renewing in November, December, I'd say pick up the phone and give someone a call and be like, hey, I'm up for renewal this year. This is what's going on in my life. Like, do you have any tips for me? This is like a five-minute conversation.

SPEAKER_00 7:11

Yeah. And you said get your ducks in a row. You don't need your ducks in a row to start the conversation. The conversation helps you get the right ducks in a row. Yeah. That's without any guessing of like, this is exactly what I need. Okay, great. Like now I don't have to stress about the unknown and I'm getting all these random things. I'm actually just executing on this like to-do list. Yeah. You know?

SPEAKER_03 7:35

Think of even like how much time is taken up from your life like when something's sitting on your mind. Yeah. Like if you just had clarity in that situation, be like, okay, by this date, this is what I need. You could drop that thought and like move on to the next task of whatever you're doing. But it would just the mental load of it all. Um, even if you just pick up the phone and ask the right questions, or ask the broker or your bank rep to guide you. Yes. Tell them to tell you exactly what you need for renewal this year or what your options are.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

So okay. So speaking of, you know, getting prepared, it's also really important to have the right team behind you. We uh myself, you, and Kathleen Beach, who also has been on the podcast, um, we just worked with a client who was quite a situation. Like it was something new for kind of all three of us. Um something new in a sense, like for me for sure. I think for you, Kathleen probably sees lots of stuff, right? But um, without that right team, I don't think we could have gotten them into a home that they've literally been dreaming about that they didn't know was possible. Right. So it all started with them saying, you know, we want to move from uh this area to another area. This is what, you know, dream we have in the future. We like want more land, we want to be a little bit more outside the city. So we went and saw a house. Saw the house, and then that's when we get things in progress, like in progress of sense of like, what's your current house worth? Do we need to sell that first? Uh, do you have a pre-approval? Introduce them to you. And then because they've been in their house for so long and you don't owe a lot, you're kind of upgrading, but it's to upgrade for what you want for the rest of your life, right? And so then it's a matter of like, well, if we do this, like are we still in the same track of retirement plans? Please talk to Kathleen, right? And so then the three of us came together and was able to, I was able to, you know, look at the goals of what their f future house is with in mind what their current house is worth. And then you were able to tell me what the financial plan was in order to make it happen. And Kathleen was gonna was able to tell them the steps in which or the ways in which it could happen, the numbers we are to stay within to keep their retirement goals. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 10:19

So so these clients, like pat on the back to them, because they did some like really aggressive planning.

SPEAKER_01 10:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 10:25

Um but what it came down to was they were toggling between selling their current home or keeping it as a rental, which was great. And they wanted to know if A, they could keep it as a rental and buy the next property. And if they did it that way, would it hold back their aggressive retirement plan? Because they want to retire early. They don't want to work forever. Um, or did it make more sense to sell their property now and then just buy the home of their dreams and stay on track for what they thought. So the way that we had worked it out and where we pulled equity to buy the new home, um, and all the details in between, like we worked very closely. And for months. Yeah. And now they can keep their asset of their home. Um, they're gonna turn it into a rental, which is incredible, and they're still on track to retire when they want. And everything came into play from purchase price to down payment to um all of all of the above.

SPEAKER_00 11:20

Everything you can possibly imagine. And I will say, like, a couple things came out of it like as a realtor, too, right? Is like always ask the questions like about the future goals. Don't just take a client at face value about we want to move. It's like, okay, well, have you thought about this? Have you thought about that? This could really set you up for the future, but you should always check with this person first. And just having those questions to make sure, like, as the professional, you're looking out for the best interest of the client, even in ways that they might not have even thought of. And then because of the situation, we needed a very long financing condition, right? And so typically I put in an offer max 10 days, right? Max 10 days. Every agent on the other side sees that, they see it's it's normal, right? They don't really ask questions. Sometimes they ask to tighten it up based on the situation. But like that's it. I am now in a position where I have to offer on a home and ask for like four to six weeks for financing and sell that to the listing agent on the other side as not a red flag, not an issue, as you know, a positive. And so that was a learning experience for for me too, of like, yes, like you stay the course, you know the goal, you stay positive. And even when something feels like, oh gosh, like we're never gonna be able to make that happen, nobody's gonna accept like a six-week financing condition. I refuse. You're very similar. You don't take no for answers like from lenders and stuff like that. And I refuse that I can't make like something happen in uh extenuating circumstance, in a unique circumstance. I refuse. Like we can't.

SPEAKER_03 13:11

Yeah, and like there was nothing there was nothing wrong with moving forward in the way that they wanted to move forward. It's just the way that the blocks had to fall and be put into place in order for them to obtain the down payment, in order to them to get the secondary uh the second mortgage on the second property. Um so the extending condition of finance was in the best con the best interest of the client, sorry, um just to protect them overall. And yes, of course, like when I looked at the file, it was it was great. Like we knew if we did each step strategically, it would move forward as expected. But of course, we see it all. Every now and then there's a snag last minute, or something falls apart last minute, or the income change last minute. Like all of these things can happen and they do happen. So had we not fulfilled all the conditions of the loans before getting a new loan for the second property, um, it could put the client at risk. And I wasn't willing to tell you, do the 10-day condition of finance, I think I can get it done. I was like, no, I want to be sure. Yep. I want to see it. I want to see the money before I let them. That's how we all sleep at night. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:17

That's how we all sleep at night. That's how I sleep at night. And I'm like not even completely involved in that sense. Just a quick break to thank the sponsors that make this podcast possible. Amanda Walchuk, also known as Saltbox Mortgage Agent, with a level two license at Dominion Lending Center's National Limited, FISRA 12360. Amanda is a passionate mortgage professional on a mission to educate clients about mortgages. She ensures her clients benefit from trust, confidence, and the security of knowing that they are getting the best mortgage for their needs. If you've got mortgage questions, Amanda's got the answers. Be sure to check the show notes for her contact information. Welcome to Den 1880, Uptown Waterloo's premier, boutique, coworking, and event space. Step into a workspace that fuels ambition and sparks connection. Den 1880 offers a variety of memberships with everything from hot desks to private offices. They've got the perfect setup for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and growing teams. Think beautifully designed spaces, curated programming, and all the amenities you need, including unlimited coffee. Need to host? Den 1880 sets the stage for meetings, workshops, and unforgettable events. They even have a fully equipped podcast studio in a vault. Come see the benefits of working in a community. Explore the memberships or book a tour at den1880.co today. Working with a realtor that cares about a situation that you're not even involved with, I think is so important because, like, I asked you questions. I asked Kathleen questions to make sure I felt good about buying this property with them and fulfilling the conditions. Like, that's important, right? Like everybody has to care as if it's their own situation and their own asset because our reputation is everything. How we treat our clients and they refer us is everything in these businesses. And I think it's just really important to work with people who are willing to collaborate, think outside the box, um, and also like stay positive and not just be like, well, that's not how it's done.

SPEAKER_03 16:31

Right.

SPEAKER_00 16:31

So we got to figure something else out, or like, no, you can't do that because it's not how it's done.

SPEAKER_03 16:36

A really, I was thinking a really good example of like something that can come up last minute. We once had a file where people had owned it for for however many years they lived in there, and then they were going to sell.

SPEAKER_00 16:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 16:49

Everything was perfect on paper, everything looked good. Last minute it came up that the people that they bought it from years ago, they had owned the property side by side, and the property was still actually just one property. So when they went to go sell it, they couldn't sell just half because it hadn't been severed.

SPEAKER_02 17:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 17:09

Or however it worked. But this is something that you would never find out up front, and that it's not a document that I ask for. Yeah. So the banks, like they do their due diligence and they really look into it and they're like, there's a complete hold on this. We're not releasing the funds until the legals of the property itself are sorted. Yeah. So there was a two-month holdup, like it was a disaster.

SPEAKER_00 17:29

I remember this.

SPEAKER_03 17:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 17:30

And anyways, long story short, lawyers are fantastic. We got it figured out.

SPEAKER_00 17:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 17:34

But like things like this can happen. So let's say our new client that we just worked with didn't have the equity pulled from their existing home, and then the new house is closing. Yeah. Then what?

SPEAKER_00 17:47

I know. I it truly amazes me how people do function little wild, wild west situation. Like I like we're not that. Like we're definitely uh, you know, I always I tell my clients I'm gonna take a conservative approach because I really like to underpromise and over-deliver. And then you end up not only winning, but like winning double. Yeah. You know?

SPEAKER_03 18:13

I was talking to a uh a coworker today and it was pretty funny because with condition of finances, I'm gonna say last year or the year before, we get them approved in 24 or 48 hours. And every now and then you'd get like a loan approved in three hours. And it's like, oh, like we gave them we had asked for five days and we just got an approval in three hours. My expectation now is if you give me seven days and it's due Friday at 5 p.m., expect to hear from me at Friday at 5 p.m. Like do not call me before because we've seen it now. And even last week, um my coworker was working on a file, and it's like 3 45 condition of finances due at 5 p.m. The bank is still going back and forth. And like it sucks for us in that situation. And then the realtor's like, where is it? Where is it? And we're like, work drives so hard. But every now and then there's a miscommunication or something's not adding up on the bank statements, or someone's been transferring money back and forth, and we actually have to trace it back and forth, back and forth to all the accounts until we can prove where the dollars came from. Right. So I just had a client last night where it's the day before closing, and the bank realized they had made an error, and they're like, we actually didn't verify where this payment came from. Well, that payment had now hit, they had seven different accounts in their banking, like they have separate buckets for um their life purposes.

SPEAKER_02 19:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 19:35

And it hit like three or four of them, so we're chasing documents, but then like the second bank account also had over $10,000 withdrawn or deposited. So we had to chase all that money back and forth. And so, like 16 documents later, the poor client and I trying to understand like all the movements of the money finally got it sorted, sent it to the bank, and they're like, thanks, that's all we need. But like, you know what I mean? It's like you don't know what you just did to us.

SPEAKER_00 19:59

Yeah. Yeah. We always joke that it's like people don't know what a text does to our nervous system. Like one text, all of a sudden, like I either get real hot or real cold, and I'm spiraling, and I'm like, is someone going to jail? Like, do we just and I think it's because we care. And I think we we take on, even though these situations aren't ours, I feel like we take on the heaviness of it. Like we know, we know these are people's like life savings, we know these are people's largest purchases of their life. We know these are these are things that are pivotal to like their entire future. Yeah. Right? For sure. Um so yeah, yeah, just we spiral, but like it's all in a good place of like, am I thinking of everything right now? You know? We have fun.

SPEAKER_03 20:54

We have fun. I'm gonna say, like, selling mortgages though. I it's my sixth year. Few things stress me out anymore.

SPEAKER_00 21:03

Yeah. Like you you know of a situation I'm going on that's going on literally live as we're recording this. And I'm like, you know what? Ten years in, I'm pretty like un I don't want to say the full the swear word. Um shakeable. That's a good replacement. You feel a little like after a certain time, you're you're like, okay, I've seen enough. Like it's pretty hard to shake. Like sh you know, I'm like, yeah, that's that's gonna happen.

SPEAKER_03 21:32

Yeah, and I think too, what we try to convey to our clients is we do absolutely everything we can. And we're trained in these fields, and to be honest, like we stay in our lane. Um some uh mortgage agents might give you real estate advice and some realtors might give you mortgage advice. And I never recommend that just because there's so many ins and outs of both business that just stay in your lane and like we really do try to do absolutely everything we can in our power to ensure a smooth. Transaction for our clients or a smooth plan and a smooth process. And perhaps you and I are more on the cautious side of it, but I'd rather be on the cautious side and things work out versus saying, Oh, well, I wish I did that, or I I I wish we would have said to them, protect yourself and do this. At the end of the day, though, I can give our advice and say, look, I need a six-week condition of finance. Like I'm not comfortable doing it without. If the client only wants two, that's totally on them. So and that's fine. I had a client yesterday ask me if they can not submit with a condition of finance. And I'm like, that is a complete personal decision. This is my review, it looks good, but I always recommend a condition of finance.

SPEAKER_00 22:38

Never know what's going to come up.

SPEAKER_03 22:40

I'm not the bank.

SPEAKER_00 22:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:41

So and the bank can find me. I'm not giving you the money. Yeah. Just so you know, right? And not giving it to you tomorrow. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:48

And like I said, we've seen we've seen things happen. So it's totally up to you. The path you want to take is yours. Empowered.

SPEAKER_00 22:56

We are just here to guide and educate and help you make the best decisions with the information that's in front of us. But I do believe that most people specifically choose to work with us because they do also value our opinion. Right? Which we always have to preface like this is our personal opinion, you know, like if it was me, but like you have to do what feels feels right for you. Yeah. But yeah. Yeah. It's good times. Good times. Good times.

SPEAKER_03 23:28

Keeps life exciting.

SPEAKER_00 23:29

We'll see if we're still doing it here.

SPEAKER_03 23:31

I'm just kidding. Cheryl suggests her and I become baristas today.

SPEAKER_00 23:37

I don't want a big girl job anymore. I just want to, I don't know, work at a library. Oh god. The biggest problem is someone got oat milk and they wanted soy. I can fix that, you know? I can fix that for you.

SPEAKER_03 23:54

Have you ever tried to make coffee art though? No. Okay. So that's true. It's not easy.

unknown 23:59

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 24:00

Maybe I'll wash dishes. I worked in hospitality for a while and we got this fancy espresso machine. And I'm like, I'm like, I got this. Yeah. Could never do coffee art in my life. I tried 100 times on my own coffees.

SPEAKER_00 24:13

I wor I had to have worked at Williams Coffee Pub, I don't know how at least four or five years. They had good rice bowls. No. One piece of latte art came out of my section. Was all just dump the milk in and enjoy. Yeah. Those were the coffee and milk my specialty.

unknown 24:32

Coffee and milk.

SPEAKER_03 24:33

I can even change the type. Yeah.

unknown 24:35

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 24:37

Oh my gosh. Okay. Well, it wouldn't be an episode of uh at home Waterloo Region if we didn't give at least one local business that we love a shout out, either one that you've recently visited, had an experience with, or one that you are looking forward to experiencing.

SPEAKER_03 24:53

Okay, you first, because I need to think.

SPEAKER_00 24:54

Okay. I might take yours. Oh. Okay, fine.

SPEAKER_03 24:58

I'm gonna repeat it though.

SPEAKER_00 24:59

Okay. Um so I'm like, I'm gonna steal yours. Um we recently hosted an event at the boathouse. Oh yeah. In downtown Kitchener. You're like, shit, why did I let you go first? Or shoot, sorry. Um God. Um yes, we recently, Amanda and I recently hosted a event at the boathouse for women in real estate to listen to amazing speakers that we just knew was going to like improve their life and and better their business. And wow, like that staff delivered. They did deliver. Delivered. Yeah. Every single one of them, the chef. I don't know the titles of the of the other two. One, I think he's part owner, and then the other one, was he like a manager or something? He was just ruling it. He was ruling the roost.

SPEAKER_03 25:50

He was like, Sean Sean and Darnell is all you need to know. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 25:54

So they just, yeah, honestly, I was so impressed and so happy if you are looking for a place where you want to host a private event or host a large group, um, or just have great food right on the water in Victoria Park. I really I loved the boathouse before the event, just as going as having dinner there. Now that I've had an event there and experience like Sean and Darnell is like, dang.

SPEAKER_03 26:23

They were how can I host everything here? I know. They were so seamless and they were so kind. The kindness. The kindness. Or even the check-ins. Yes. And Darnell, Chef Darnell personally came out and explained every course to us and like why he sourced the food, where he sourced it from, which was like a nice little treat because I sometimes think when we go out to eat, like we don't realize the thought and the heart that goes into what type of experience these people are trying to create for you.

SPEAKER_00 26:51

Never in my wildest dreams am I going to a restaurant, eating shrimp, thinking the chef gave eons of thought behind where he sourced that shrimp. I just thought he bought shrimp.

SPEAKER_03 27:05

Trevor Burrus, Jr. You should all go to the boathouse now and ask about where their shrimp is sourced from and why. Because you will be shocked. And you might not eat shrimp anywhere else.

SPEAKER_00 27:17

Yes. So anyways, highly suggest them. Um lots of people in this region host large dinners, host events, host meetings of like 20, you know, like we can't recommend the boathouse enough. They were amazing to work with from the first reach out of hey, we're looking for a space to days after. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 27:40

We even uh looked at another location, and it's just like it was night and day difference between the two communication, what they could provide, um, the cost behind it. It was so easygoing. It was just so nice.

SPEAKER_00 27:52

Yeah. And I mean, I'm gonna be honest. I'm gonna put us on blast here. For us to say it, I feel like means a lot. It's like we are we're particular. We're particular about the vibes, we're particular about the food, we're particular about the schedule. We really want to make sure everyone who has dietary restrictions and allergies are taken care of, and they did that. Like we're, you know, we're it's it's like another whole career that we have of like running events, and we're particular.

SPEAKER_03 28:25

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, they did absolutely make us feel like we were at home the whole time.

SPEAKER_00 28:29

Yeah. And welcomed our neurotic tendencies of wanting it to be very specific.

SPEAKER_03 28:36

My favorite email, I'd emailed Chef Darnell about the menu and I was like, hey, not sure of the logistics of this or how we're gonna do it. And he's like, Amanda, we already went over this. He's like, this is how it's gonna be done. I'm like, oh, right. Right. Excellent, thank you. And he'd like it gets back to you right away. So anyways, it was too funny.

SPEAKER_00 28:52

Yeah. Oh my gosh. Well, that could be our mutual shout-out. Yeah. Loved the boathouse. It was great.

SPEAKER_03 28:58

Okay, I've got one.

SPEAKER_00 28:59

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 28:59

Okay, recently, um, I've never been to SubtlyU, but but shout out to them for all that they do for all the people that uh go to them for their variety of services. But one thing that I was interested in is they have a powdered sunscreen right now.

SPEAKER_00 29:16

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 29:17

So they were saying um you should reapply your sunscreen every two hours. And let's say you're out and about, whatever. They have this powdered sunscreen that's like a little finisher. So not only does it like touch up on like the little oil spots on your face, but also protects you with sunscreen without having to redo your makeup.

SPEAKER_00 29:33

Love that.

SPEAKER_03 29:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 29:34

So you're gonna you're gonna go pick one of those up?

SPEAKER_03 29:36

Yes. Love that. I would like to.

SPEAKER_00 29:38

Yeah. I'll give uh I'll give one so we each have a mutual and we each have one. I have to bring up the name quickly, uh, because I'm pretty sure what it is, but okay. Tama Shaw. It is a bar, an Indian kitchen in downtown Kitchener, um, which I went there with a girlfriend, and she was just like, You can't handle table pepper for spice. Why are we here? And I'm like, I really want to try it because the decor is pretty. She was like, You're gonna die.

SPEAKER_02 30:12

Where is it?

SPEAKER_00 30:12

It's downtown Kitchener. Okay. Uh it's really beautiful inside. Like their decor is beautiful, their furniture is amazing, the vibes are vibing. I love, you know, I'm a sucker for that. And um yeah, so I very I made it very clear. I was like, I don't do spice at all. And he was like, Oh my gosh, no problem. Like, there's even a legend on the menu. Let me tell you, there wasn't a hot pepper next to like a lot of things on the menu, right? And a hot pepper means like this is spicy. It's not spicy to them, but to someone like me. It was spicy. However, I will say, you know how there's like different spices? Like there's like a heat and then there's like a fire or like uncomfortableness, or like I'm not even enjoying like flavors because I can't feel anything like in my face. I would say like I still ate a good amount because it was like a heat. Like the slow burn. Yeah.

unknown 31:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:16

It was a heat, just a general, like underlying constant heat that water helped with.

unknown 31:24

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 31:25

Whereas like some heats, some you're eating spicy food and water makes worse. The food was really flavorful. Flavorful, delicious. And you know what? I wanted to try, because I love Indian food. Yeah. And I get, you know, buttered chicken and chicken corma all the time because they're usually safe and not as spicy. But their menu looked so unique. Like they had so much more than my go-to's. I really wanted to try them. And so we did, and um it was spicy, but I lived. And if you can handle spice and if you like spice, I highly suggest it.

SPEAKER_03 32:03

Now I need to go.

SPEAKER_00 32:04

Yeah. Can you handle spice? Yeah. Yeah? Yeah. That's nice. Yeah. Two white blonde ladies. Yeah. One can handle spice, one cannot.

unknown 32:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 32:15

Yeah.

unknown 32:16

But great.

SPEAKER_00 32:17

Well, definitely check out those places. Uh, reach out to Amanda I if you have any questions about real estate in Waterloo Region or mortgages across Canada. Woo! Woo! Um, until next time, thank you again for sponsoring and supporting. Yes. Thank you for tuning in to the At Home in Waterloo Region podcast. It's been a pleasure sharing another incredible story with you. If you've enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. It helps us reach even more people who love this community as much as we do. To stay up to date on new episodes and everything Waterloo Region from the housing market to community events, follow at HomeCo on Instagram and join our email newsletter community, both linked in the show notes. Until next time, take care of each other and let's keep celebrating the stories that make this region home.