Today, with the Internet, we all have an abundance of information literally at our fingertips. Despite the information available many homeowners have limited knowledge about the mortgage process and products. Their lack of knowledge can turn out to be costly. Homeowners should know the difference between a conventional mortgage and a Home Equity Line Of […]

I have something shocking to tell you. Ready? Canadian banks are a business like any other. Gasp and shock! This is nothing less than the truth. They are mandated to produce profits and provide their shareholders with a dividend at the end of the year. This is accomplished by charging us service fees and interest […]

Let’s face it, getting a mortgage is hard, but repaying a mortgage is harder. What is the best way to go about repaying? You say, as quickly as I can and with the least amount of interest! Good answer! Statistics tell us most folks repay their mortgage in less than 20 years. Okay how do […]

The general consumer will be hard pressed when left to their own devices to shop on their own for their next mortgage, especially if they visit with one of the BIG banks. Typically they will talk about their most popular and profitable product, the 5 year FIXED rate mortgage. If you don’t know to ask […]

Okay so you have a mortgage. Let’s face it, it’s a contract with terms, conditions, rights and obligations for both you and the lender. However, now for whatever reason you need or want to break the contract before the end of the term. Many mortgage lenders will allow this provided they are compensated. You have […]

First, let’s start with a definition of each. Mortgage Terminology Rate-Hold: a rate-hold is simply that. The financial institution holds a rate for a specific term and for a certain number of days. In Canada we typically hold rates for 120 days. You must close your mortgage on or before that date to secure the held […]

1. Improve personal monthly cash flow – The new mortgage should help you feel more in control of your spending. Consolidate multiple payments into one mortgage payment that is lower than the total of the payments in their current state. 2. Save you interest – Yes an alternative lender comes with a higher rate, but […]

ob-sess(ed): the act of being preoccupied or fill the mind continually, intrusively and to a troubling extend. As mortgage consumers, we get obsessed with obtaining the best rate – we are caught in the cross-hairs of lender marketing. Lenders spend millions of dollars annually to pitch their message; some listen and some don’t. As consumers, we all want […]

There are a million variables that determine how one can qualify for a mortgage. The banks, mortgage lenders and credit unions all have different guidelines to be able to qualify under their programs, and then we have the mortgage insurers and multiple other regulatory bodies that affect decisions as well. Variables such as: income type […]

One thing Canadians have in common is that most of us are paying off a mortgage. The mortgage market can sometimes be confusing. There are a vast array of choices – open, closed flex down, equity take-out, cash back, and of course the rates themselves. While we would not attempt to try to muddle through […]