How Much House Is Right For You

How Much House Is Right For You?

Before you get your heart set on the big Colonial on the hill, you need to pin down some rather important financial details. Only then, will you know if you can afford Willow Crest or if it makes more sense...
Wrapping Your Head Around Mortgage Penalties

Wrapping Your Head Around Mortgage Penalties

You can scarcely go a week without hearing about mortgage rates in the news. There always seems to be something better out there! In the words of MoneySense magazine: “Being a homeowner with a mortgage can feel a bit like...
Packing Tips

Packing Tips

I have moved, and I have moved, and I have moved. Ok, I can say this at least eight times. Some might say I could be a pro packer. I am fast efficient, and what I pack does not break....
Mortgage Porting Explained

Mortgage Porting Explained

Porting your mortgage: The ability to move your existing mortgage to your new home. Why port your mortgage? The only reason to port your mortgage to your new home is to save paying the penalty. That's it. If you have a...
Purchase Plus Improvement

Purchase Plus Improvement

You've found the perfect home, but... Oh, that kitchen needs so much work. The carpet needs to be pulled up. The windows are so old. How can we afford a new roof, furnace, or cooling system? It would be perfect...
Working With A Builder

Working With A Builder 

When you buy a home from a builder, the salesperson is selling you a dream of a future life, not the reality of the process in the present moment. Let's take a closer look at the overall process when purchasing...
How to Consolidate Your Debt and Save

How to Consolidate Your Debt and Save

Financial stress is the worst. It's a heavy monkey to carry on your back. Are you looking for a simple way to pay off credit card debt faster? There are solutions. One of the keys to paying off credit card...
Is Rate the Most Important

Is Rate the Most Important?

Mortgage clients frequently tell me, "I need the best mortgage rate; what rate do you offer?"  Rates today are not that simple, period. If you ask me, what's your best mortgage rate? My response will be, I don't know, what's your...
Mortgage Repayment Options Explained

Mortgage Repayment Options Explained

So you've got you're mortgage approval, now the lender gives you the choice of several repayment options.  You've heard about the standard monthly payments but what's semi-monthly or accelerated bi-weekly?  Which one can save you the most amount in interest...
Let’s Boost Your Score

Let’s Boost Your Score

There's a virtual credit file with your name on it. When it comes time to apply for your mortgage, everything in this file and how you managed credit use until now, will determine if you will achieve financing, how much...