The Blog
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The 5 Steps of Securing a Mortgage: A Comprehensive Guide
Securing a mortgage is a significant step in the journey to homeownership. Understanding the process can help you navigate it with confidence and ensure you secure the best possible terms for your financial situation. Here are the five essential steps of securing a mortgage: 1. Initial Consultation The journey begins with an initial consultation with…
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Bridge Financing in Canada: How to Cross the Gap Stress-Free
Buying a new home before selling your current one can feel like a tightrope walk: you’re juggling showings, negotiations, and closing dates—often with your life savings hanging in the balance. Enter bridge financing: a short-term, solution-oriented mortgage (or “bridge loan”) that helps you safely cross from your old home to your new one. Below, we’ll…
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Why Mortgage Rates are Like Canadian Weather—Always Changing, Always Surprising
Ever look at mortgage news lately and feel like you’re trying to predict Canadian weather? One minute it’s sunny skies (rates dropping!), and the next, there’s a financial thunderstorm rolling in (rates rising!). If recent headlines have left you scratching your head, you’re not alone. Let’s clear up the confusion and explain why mortgage rates…
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The End of Quantitative Tightening and What That Means for You as a Borrower
Government of Canada Bonds They say life isn’t fair, but it’s still fairer than death. (Cheery thought, right?) When you or I need to borrow money, we have to apply for a loan, and our approval depends on our ability to repay—not just our desire for the money. But when the Government of Canada needs…
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Interest Rates Are Changing. Let’s Get Ahead of It Together
Interest rates are constantly evolving, and those changes can have a significant impact on your mortgage. Whether you’re a current homeowner or exploring your options as a buyer, understanding what drives these changes—and how they affect fixed and variable rates—can help you make smarter financial decisions. Fixed vs. Variable Rates: What Drives Them? One of…
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How U.S. Government Policy Can Affect Your Canadian Mortgage Rate
Ever feel like your wallet is on a rollercoaster and you’re not even the one driving? Well, sometimes the U.S. government has a hand on the wheel – even when it comes to your Canadian mortgage. Let me walk you through how decisions made south of the border can ripple all the way up here…
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Understanding the Differences: HELOC, Refinance, and Second Mortgage
When you own a home, your property’s equity can be a valuable financial tool. Home equity – the portion of your home that you truly “own” – can be tapped into for various needs, whether you’re looking to fund a renovation, consolidate debt, or invest in another property. The three main options are a Home…
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Navigating Canada’s Changing Mortgage Rules: What Homebuyers Need to Know in 2024
The Canadian mortgage landscape is evolving in 2024, with significant changes aimed at improving housing affordability and accessibility for homebuyers across the country. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a current homeowner, understanding these updates is crucial to navigating Canada’s competitive real estate market. In this post, we’ll explore the most important changes and their…
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Introducing the First Home Savings Account: A New Tool for First-Time Homebuyers in Canada
Saving for your first home is one of the biggest financial challenges many Canadians face, especially in today’s housing market. To make this journey a bit easier, the Canadian government has introduced a new savings tool specifically designed for first-time homebuyers—the First Home Savings Account (FHSA). What is the First Home Savings Account? The FHSA…
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The Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Your Mortgage Payments
When I got my mortgage in 2020, the interest rate was only 2.15%. Fast forward to today, and the rate has skyrocketed to 6.9%. This drastic increase raises a crucial question: how much will my payment go up when I renew? Will my payment triple if the rate triples?
Let’s Grab a Coffee
If you’re looking for help navigating your first mortgage, I can definitely help. The easiest place to start is a quick chat about your needs, so we can review the right options and opportunities for you. Ready to start?