6 Aug

5 House Hunting Mistakes to Avoid

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Buying a home is one of the largest investments you will ever make! In order to make your home hunting experience the best it can be, there are a few key mistakes to avoid and be aware of before you start your journey: Not Getting Pre-Approved: One of the most important aspects of buying a […]

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6 Aug

What to Know Before You Sell Your Home

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

So, you are ready to sell your home! Whether you are up or down-sizing, selling your home can feel like a large undertaking – but don’t worry! I have put together some things to know before you sell to make the process as smooth as possible. Improve Your Curb Appeal: When it comes to selling […]

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6 Aug

Investment and Vacation Property 101

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

So, you are looking to purchase a second property! Congratulations! This is a great opportunity for you to expand your financial portfolio and ensure stability for the future. However, before you launch into this purchase there are a few things you should know, depending on which type of second property you are looking to purchase. […]

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7 Jul

Growing Your Own Organic Garden

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

With many of us spending more time at home this year, now is a great time to start that organic garden you’ve always wanted! As someone with friends who grow their own herbs and vegetables, it can seem pretty daunting at first – but if they can do it, so can you. Location, Location, Location: […]

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7 Jul

What Your Banker Won’t Tell You!

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Did you know the biggest difference between getting your mortgage from a bank vs. a mortgage broker is that the bank only has access to their products, while I, your mortgage broker, have access to hundreds of different lending institutions and mortgage products to fit your unique needs? Here are a few things to keep […]

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7 Jul

Mortgage Insurance and Your Borrowing Power

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

As a Canadian homebuyer or homeowner, your borrowing power is impacted by a few factors. Recent changes to the lending policies announced by CMHC, The Bank of Canada’s qualifying rate and your banks’ Prime Rate and mortgage stipulations are all things to consider when thinking about purchasing a home. If you have less than 20% […]

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2 Jun

5 Tips to Stay Cool & Save This Summer

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Summer is just around the corner and doesn’t stick around for long, so make sure you enjoy it! We have some great tips for staying cool AND saving money while you do. Use Portable And Ceiling Fans Instead of cranking the A/C (and your electricity bill) consider cooling down with portable and ceiling fans. not […]

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2 Jun

Advantages of a Pre-Approval

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Getting pre-approved can be a vital step to the home-buying process! But don’t confuse this with pre-qualification; you can get a pre-qualification through the My Mortgage Toolbox app to determine what you might qualify for. Pre-approval, on the other hand, means that a lender has stated (in writing) that you do qualify for a mortgage […]

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2 Jun

What to Know BEFORE You Start House-Hunting

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

As exciting as it is to start your journey towards home ownership (or even up- and down-sizing), there are a few things you should consider first. Most importantly, you need to determine your purchase range. Having the proper budget for your future home is the best way to ensure future financial success! To create a […]

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11 May

What to Know if You’re New to Canada

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Canada has seen a surge of international migration over the last few years. With all these new faces in town wanting to plant roots in this great country, we wanted to touch base on some of the details surrounding mortgages and how new immigrants can qualify to be homeowners. If you are already a Permanent […]

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