For many people, a home will be the largest purchase of their life. It stands to reason then, that when you are shopping around for your mortgage you will want to take certain steps to ensure you are getting the sharpest rate and best product. We have a few pointers to make you a savvy […]

In light of recent events in the news, it only seems natural to start talking environment. While there are those who still don’t believe in global warming, hard scientific data shows the seas are rising. Not only that, this trend will continue full steam ahead into the foreseeable future. So, whether you currently own waterfront […]

I recently read an article by Jamie Hopkins in Forbes magazine, entitled “Americans Don’t Even Know What Their Most Important Retirement Asset Is.” The article highlighted three common misconceptions about reverse mortgages and unsurprisingly, they are prevalent in Canada as well as in the U.S. Top 3 misconceptions about Reverse Mortgages: 1. The bank owns […]

Mortgage brokers have a reputation as superheroes. Although we cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound we can do extraordinary things. Is the down payment money coming from outside of Canada? I had a client who had a joint account with her father in Japan. She showed me bank statements with the money in […]

The following is from an interview with HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler for the Summer issue of Our House Magazine. Baeumler has called the state of the prime minister’s residence in Ottawa a national embarrassment, but successive occupants have been wary of a backlash should they launch an expensive rebuild. Baeumler thinks it can be done for […]

Some of you are going to ask what is a ARM and VRM? These two acronyms are mortgage speak for adjustable rate mortgage and variable rate mortgage. These two mortgage products are both based on the prime rate of interest, in most cases this is 2.70% at the bank. TD chose to be higher by […]

Parents are always worried about something with their children, and where they are going to live and how they are going to afford it is no exception. The bank of mom and dad is a common source of down payment for their children, and the strategy continues to grow with the significant rise in prices […]

You have a family member that doesn’t qualify for a mortgage on their own and needs a co-signor. Since you’re a nice person, and of course would like to see your son/daughter/parent/sibling in a better position, you agree to co-sign for the mortgage. If I had a dollar for anytime I’ve heard the phrase “but […]

Thinking about buying your first home? The race to home ownership is more like a marathon than a sprint: diligent planning, pacing and strategy are the keys to success. Are you ready to approach the starting line? Here are five ways to shape up and boost your financial fitness so you’re set for success. 1. […]