Is it summer already? 2010 has been quite the whirlwind so far. The introduction of the new HST (a tax for all goods and services which includes both GST and PST, guaranteed to affect consumer confidence, and not in a good way); record breaking real estate sales (now showing signs of slowing); historically low mortgage rates, now steadily rising, coupled with major government enforced changes to lending guidelines: non owner occupied income properties now require a 20% down payment, using stated income now has stricter policies, re-financing your property can now only be up to 90% of its appraised value as opposed to 95% and you are now qualified based upon the 5 year rate or Bank of Canada rate, depending on the term that you choose for your mortgage; All indications are that the second half of this year will look very different and that there will be some great buying opportunities going forward. This is a perfect time to liquidate some investments and go to cash.