2017 Mortgage Rules Changes Explained
In the fall of 2016, new rules were announced by the Federal Government with respect to home mortgages. The Government implemented these changes in response to the growing concerns about rising home prices in markets like Toronto and Vancouver, with the hope that instituting such rules would help calm hot markets such as these across…
Jacquie Wins Making a Difference Community Service Award
Mortgage Professionals Canada, in sponsorship with Genworth Canada, has recognized Jacquie Bushell by awarding her with the Making a Difference Community Service Award for 2016. Jacquie is actively involved in a number of charitable organizations such as Bruce House, The Red Cross, The Children Aid Foundation, and the Youville Centre. Her annual Giving Tree event, which takes place…
When should you call your mortgage broker?
Most people only think to call their mortgage broker when they need a mortgage. Which makes sense. By all means, call your Ottawa mortgage broker when you need a mortgage! But there are many other reasons and circumstances when you should pick up the phone or send an email to you mortgage broker. Mortgage payment…
Mortgage options you might not know about… because no one has told you!
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, renewing your mortgage, getting back into the market, or buying a vacation or rental property, there are probably some mortgage options available that you’re not aware of. And they might be options your lender doesn’t want you to know. A mortgage broker can get you better rates and terms When…
Are you working with the right mortgage lender?
Is your current mortgage lender REALLY the best one for you? Do they have your best interest at heart? I’m not going to tell you your current lender is wrong for you. You may have made the best decision at the time, on the day you signed. But they might not be the best for…
6 Mortgage myths our friends and families tell us
Our family and friends mean well, but unless they’re mortgage specialists, they’re probably going to give you advice that’s more myth than fact. Here are some of the most common ones. “The market’s going to crash” We’ve been hearing this for decades now, but it still hasn’t happened. Just because well-meaning people (like parents &…
When it’s time to rebuild: Using your mortgage to recover financially
Your mortgage is probably the largest debt you’ll ever take on. Signing a binding contract that instantly puts you hundreds of thousands of dollars into debt can be a daunting notion, even for those who aren’t first-time homebuyers. But taking on that debt is the only way most of us can buy a home, get…
Pragmatic advice in tough financial times
We all fall on hard times. All. Of. Us. Even some of the world’s wealthiest people have made and lost fortunes. But many, facing tough times and having to start over from nothing, were able to bounce back and remake fortunes again. In today’s economy, even the formerly stable public sector here in Ottawa isn’t…
Do I really have a choice? Mortgage options lenders can’t provide
Sometimes it feels like we don’t have a choice. We’re expected to just take what the banks give us, and accept it. But I’m telling you, you do have a choice. You’re not bound by what the bank offers you. I understand that shopping around can take some time. It can take some effort to…
My best mortgage broker moment pt. 2
In part 1, we talked about how to really understand how a good mortgage broker gets you the right mortgage, you need to understand how lenders look at you using the 5 “C’s” of credit: Capacity – whether your income is sufficient. Capital – whether the size of your down payment is sufficient. Collateral –…