19 May

STUCK IN A HIGH RATE 10 YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

With low rate offerings over the past several years and a struggling economy, some homeowners chose to lock into a longer term mortgage even if the interest rate was a bit higher. If you are one of those people who feel stuck in a high rate 10 year fixed mortgage you may be wondering if […]

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18 May

PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Every year since October 2008 it’s become more and more difficult to obtain a mortgage. The government claims to be casting a safety net over the Canadian housing industry via stiffer mortgage regulations. What do you need to know to help prepare yourself for a home purchase, refinance, debt consolidation, or even a simple renewal? […]

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17 May

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A HOME SALE FALLS THROUGH?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Every homebuyer eagerly anticipates closing day. With the home purchase process completed, ownership of the property transfers from the seller to the buyer – you! Closing date is negotiated as a condition of sale. You’ll typically have several weeks between the date that your agreement to purchase (sales contract) is signed and your closing date. […]

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16 May

INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE BOX MORTGAGES IN TODAY’S MARKET

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

As we truck along in 2017, Mortgage Brokers and Lenders are adjusting to the new risk based mortgage rate pricing that came into play after the Finance Minister changed Government backed mortgage default insurance regulations in late 2016. Lenders often choose to pay for mortgage default insurance on mortgages where the borrower was not required to […]

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15 May

35% DOWN… THE NEW CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

If you’re looking to buy a new home, one of the most difficult things can be putting together a down payment for the mortgage. So how much do you really need to put together before you can get into the home of your dreams? Let’s take a look at some of the different options, with […]

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12 May

OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGE OF INCOME QUALIFYING

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

When it comes time to get your mortgage, or perhaps look at investing in an investment property, income qualifying is one of the first steps you will have to take. This first step though can also be the most challenging. Let’s walk through the steps you should take: 1. What is your Employment? Are you […]

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11 May

SO YOU WANT TO PORT YOUR MORTGAGE?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Recently a video appeared on Linkedin and a few other places singing the praises of porting your mortgage and making it seem like a walk in the park. If you have ever done one, then you would know that it is anything but that scenario. Porting is not much different than qualifying for a new […]

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10 May

GETTING STRICT ON DOCUMENTATION

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

With an increase in concern about fraud, lending institutions are getting strict on documentation for mortgage approval. As part of the mortgage approval process, your mortgage broker will ask for documents to show proof of your income, down payment and possibly other items such as proof of permanent residency and other identification. Since most of that […]

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5 May

EMOTIONAL HOMEBUYERS CAN LOSE OUT ON THE BEST DEALS

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Buying a home is financial decision, but also an emotional experience. Before we’ve explored every room, we often start imagining our new lives there. Where our furniture will go. The parties we’ll host in the open-concept living-dining space. The mornings we’ll spend at the breakfast bar overlooking the garden or skyline… When a home speaks […]

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