They say about half of all marriages end in divorce—whatever the figure, complications arise when it comes to dividing assets like homes, and determining who keeps making mortgage payments. “It’s a commercial transaction irrelevant to marital status,” said Nathalie Boutet of Boutet Family Law & Mediation. “If one person moves out and the other stays […]

Your furnace or boiler is a large energy user. Consider: – If health permits, keeping your thermostat at 20°C or below – Lowering your thermostat at night and when no one’s home – Checking the furnace filter once a month during the heating season (change or clean when dirty) – Having a professional tune-up of […]

Buying a home can feel like a journey. Whether it’s your first place or 10th, there are so many steps to go through and things you need to know. While you could try to secure financing on your own, at some point you’re going to need the help of a professional. And that’s where a […]

Every once in a while you get to help people out and make a real difference in their lives. Recently a couple was referred to me who wanted to renew their mortgage. The bank that they had been dealing with for over 20 years had offered them a 5 year fixed rate that was more […]

Co-signing on a loan may seem like an easy way to help a loved one (child, family member, friend, etc.) live out their dream of owning a home. In today’s market conditions, a co-signor can offer a solution to overcome the high market prices and stress testing measure. For example, if you have a damaged […]

The new First Time Home Buyer Incentive program from CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) was officially released on September 2. This program was met with mixed reactions across the mortgage industry, but we wanted to take a minute to give you the facts regarding the program. Below are the key points you need to […]

Mortgages are complicated—we get it! But there are steps that you as a homebuyer can take to make the process a much smoother one (plus let you walk away with the sharpest rate!) 1. Use a Broker This should be the first step you take when getting a mortgage! Enlisting a trusted broker to work […]

In some markets, it can take a long time to sell a property. An option available to some sellers is the Rent-to-Own sales method. If you have someone interested in purchasing your property but they can’t obtain a mortgage either because they don’t have a down payment saved or their credit score is too low, […]

While most people start off their mortgage search by going after the lowest rate, what they are really after is the mortgage with the lowest cost. Then again, the majority of borrowers in Canada end up with a mortgage that is not the lowest rate nor the lowest cost. Strike 1! Whether borrowers realize it […]

Do you need to get a current value of your property? Then you are going to need an appraisal. Banks and other lending institutions want to know the “current” market value of your home before they consider loaning money on the property. An appraiser checks the general condition of your home and compares your home […]