Blog

72 Hour Preparedness Do you know what to do?
6 November 2020
When I first moved to Ottawa in 2006, I applied for a position and was accepted as a DM Disaster Management volunteer at the Canadian Red Cross. WOW! Did I get a wake-up call? I am so incredibly grateful for...

Collateral versus Standard Charge mortgages
7 October 2020
More lenders today are moving towards collateral charge mortgages. Why? Because it glues you to "that" lender. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but you should know what you are signing as it's becoming increasingly important to understand the difference...

Bridge Financing What you need to know
7 October 2020
A bridge loan is a short-term loan that you give yourself. You are borrowing money against your existing home's sale to facilitate the down payment on the home you are purchasing. Bridging is a tool that helps you "bridge" the...

Paying Property Taxes in Ottawa What are your choices?
29 September 2020
Property taxes are a MAJOR monthly expense for all homeowners. The collection and portion of monthly property taxes are out of our control, but we have outlined below several payment options for your review: OPTION #1 - Pre Authorized debit...

Do You Know The Difference Between A Mortgage Broker and A Bank Mortgage Specialist?
29 September 2020
I like to say, "I'm a one-trick pony." Why? All I know is mortgages; this is what I do. It's what I've done for the past fifteen years. I do not offer bank accounts, GICs, or RSP's; although I am...

Mortgage Application Process
28 September 2020
To help you understand the mortgage application process, I have created a simple outline of what you can expect to happen and when these tasks will occur. Please use this as a guideline, not an absolute; every situation is a...

Understand Your Credit Score And How Credit Works For You
8 September 2020
It's important to understand your credit score and how credit works for you. Here's my coles notes version of how to use and keep a fantastic credit score. Below you find the technical reasons. What every Canadian needs: Two high-quality...

Fixed Vs. Variable Rate
8 September 2020
What's better, a fixed rate or a variable/adjustable rate? Before I answer this question, you must understand the difference between a fixed-rate mortgage, adjustable-rate, and a variable rate mortgage. An educational moment is coming up. Fixed-rate mortgage: - A fixed-rate...