18 Mar

WHY REVERSE MORTGAGES ARE BUCKING THE DOWNWARD TREND

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

The reverse mortgage market in Canada has been increasing at a phenomenal rate over the last few years. In fact, for HomeEquity Bank, the provider of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, growth was well over 40% in August, bringing Canada’s outstanding reverse mortgage balance to $3.03 billion. Compare this to the latest growth in lending for […]

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15 Mar

MORTGAGE STRESS TEST – NOT THE BAD GUY

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Ever since the federal government regulator, The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (or OSFI) brought in the Mortgage Stress Test, there has plenty of blame heaped upon it for slowing home sales and new home starts. Even though it has slightly reduced how much of a mortgage I can approve my clients for, […]

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13 Mar

WHAT IS AN UNINSURABLE MORTGAGE?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

With the mortgage rule changes in recent years, lenders have had to make some adjustments to their rate offerings. There are different tiers and rate pricing based on the following 3 categories: 1) Insured – a mortgage that is insured with mortgage default insurance through one of Canada’s mortgage insurers, CMHC, Genworth or Canada Guaranty. […]

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12 Mar

WHY I CHOSE A MORTGAGE BROKER?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Amanda Moss and her husband Robert have had a mortgage on various properties for almost 10 years. The Chilliwack B.C. couple was a few years into their mortgage term, but looking to pay off some extra bills and clear up some financing. They hadn’t considered the option of refinancing until Amanda got some advice of […]

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11 Mar

WOULD A CO-SIGNER ENABLE YOU TO QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

There seems to be some confusion about what it actually means to co-sign on a mortgage… and any time there is there is confusion about mortgages, it’s time to chat with your trusted Dominion Lending Centres mortgage professional! Let’s take a look at why you would want to have someone co-sign your mortgage and what […]

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7 Mar

BUYERS ARE WINNING NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Homebuyers are starting to see relief and the pendulum swing their way for the first time in years. It’s no surprise, as we’ve have had a collision of circumstances that have both slowed the local real estate market and dropped prices down as much as 30 per cent. We have the stress test forcing borrowers […]

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6 Mar

ZERO DOWN PAYMENT MORTGAGE–DOES IT EXIST?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

Did you know that you can buy a home with ZERO down payment?? If a home purchase is your goal this year but you aren’t able to save up enough of a down payment, you may qualify for a low or zero down payment mortgage. One of our Lenders is offering a great zero down […]

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5 Mar

BROKERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

While many people will go to their bank to obtain a mortgage or line of credit, they often feel betrayed by their favourite bank if their application is rejected. One big advantage that we have over banks is that we can send underwriter notes along with the application. Our questions and speaking at length with […]

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4 Mar

VARIABLE RATE? TO LOCK IN OR NOT?

General

Posted by: Mike Hattim

This post applies if you are taking a new mortgage, whether it’s for a purchase, refinance, or renewal. The variable remains the main contender. But what about all the economists saying if you are currently in a variable rate mortgage then you should rush to ‘lock in’? You mean the economists that are employed by […]

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