RENOVATING? CONSIDER A REFINANCE PLUS IMPROVEMENTS Let’s take a closer look at how a Refinance Plus Improvements mortgage can get you the extra cash you need to get your renovations completed. The Standard Refinance An everyday refinance allows the home owner to access up to 80% of the fair market value of the home. The […]

CANADIAN ECONOMY HITS A MAJOR POTHOLE IN Q4 This morning, Stats Canada released disappointing figures showing that the economy barely grew in the final quarter of last year. Weakness in the oil sector was expected, but the downturn went well beyond the energy sector and bodes ill for a return to healthy growth this year. […]

BROKERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE While many people will go to their bank to obtain a mortgage or line of credit, they often feel betrayed by their favourite bank if their application is rejected. One big advantage that we have over banks is that we can send underwriter notes along with the application. Our questions and […]

JIDD HAPPENS You may have heard people say “s@@t happens. In the mortgage broker world, JIDD happens. These are unexpected events that can turn a happy homeowners’ life upside down. JIDD consists of: Job Loss – often unexpected and with no time to save for emergencies, things get ugly pretty quick. E.I. payments can run […]

MINIMUM DOWN PAYMENTS Are you looking for that new dream home, or anything that will get you out of your current rental property so you can officially become a homeowner? If so, what is the minimum amount you are required to put down? Below are three different purchase price categories. Each one has their own […]

JANUARY CANADIAN HOME SALES IMPROVE Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show that national home sales improved in January, climbing 3.6% from December ’18 to January ’19. Last year’s annual sales were the weakest since 2012. As the chart below shows, national monthly home sales remain below their 10-year moving average […]

HIGH RATIO AND CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGES There are two different types of mortgages when it comes to their balance in relation to the value of your home- high ratio or conventional. When you applying for a mortgage, lenders use a ratio called loan to value. Your loan to value is exactly what it sounds like, the […]

CANADIAN JOBS SURGE IN JANUARY AS JOBLESS RATE RISES TO 5.8%. Housing News January Data From Local Real Estate Boards In separate releases, the local real estate boards in Canada’s largest housing markets released data this week showing home sales fell sharply in Vancouver, edged upward in Toronto and continued robust in Montreal. Overall, higher […]

READING THIS COULD SAVE YOU MONEY (HOW TO RENEW YOUR MORTGAGE IN 5 EASY STEPS) If you have a mortgage, chances are unless you win a lottery (cha-ching $$$) you’ll be doing a mortgage renewal when your current term has finished. While most Canadians spend a lot of time, and expend a lot of effort, […]

WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CONSIDERING A REFINANCE Many of my clients and friends regularly ask me when or if they should consider a refinance. Here are 4 quick questions that I ask of them. The answer they give me, will very quickly tell me if we should be taking a deeper look at the […]