Mortgage Education
How to Secure the Lowest Mortgage Rates
In today’s market, securing the lowest mortgage rate is critical in determining the affordability and cost of owning a home. A lower rate means reducing your monthly payments. This can significantly impact your costs and overall financial stability for several years....
Getting the Best Mortgage Rates – Where are Interest Rates Going in 2023?
What will happen to mortgage rates over the next 1-5 years is our client’s top concern lately. The economy seems to be in a “will they, won’t they” relationship with interest rates. The only thing that seems to be certain today is uncertainty. So where does that leave...
Should you Consider Reverse Mortgages in Ontario?
There might come a time when you want to consider reverse mortgages in Ontario. If you own your own home, intend to stay in it for a while, and meet the age requirements, a reverse mortgage could be a great way to bring in a little extra income. But before you make a...
I Have a Bad Credit Rating – Can I Still Get a Mortgage?
Let’s face it – maintaining a great credit rating can be hard, leaving many to search for a “bad credit mortgage.” A bad credit mortgage is simply that – a mortgage for people whose credit score is low. Typically, the big lenders only want to lend to people with good...
How Do Rising Interest Rates Affect My Variable Rate Mortgage?
If you’re searching for “Burlington mortgage rates,” it may be because you are concerned about rising interest rates. Interest rates are on all homeowners’ minds right now – especially if they are buying a new home, getting ready to renew/refinance, or have a variable...
Is Mortgage Insurance Mandatory in Ontario?
When calculating the cost of a home or real estate investment purchase, many clients ask: is mortgage insurance mandatory in Ontario? The short answer is no, the longer answer is: it depends. There are also three separate types of insurance that need to be considered...
I’m Self-Employed…Are There Different Self-Employed Mortgage Rates?
If you are one of the estimated 2.6 million self-employed Canadians and you are considering purchasing a new home or a business loan for real estate investment property, you may be wondering about self-employed mortgage rates. The number of self-employed Canadians has...
Fixed vs Variable Rate Mortgage: How Do You Decide?
When you’re in the market for a home, you’re also usually in the market for a mortgage. There are two main types of mortgage in Canada: fixed vs variable rate mortgage. While they each have their pros and cons, there isn’t one right choice. You’ll have to weigh their...
Considering Buying an Investment Property? 5 Questions to Ask First
Buying an investment property can be a great way to invest in your future. Regular monthly rental income might add to your cash flow while paying for the property and increasing your equity. But to make the wisest decision, start by asking yourself the following five...
Thinking About an Online Mortgage Lender?
From filling out the application to signing the papers at closing time, it usually takes two to six weeks to approve and finalize (fund) a mortgage. In today's fast-paced world, that may seem like an eternity. However, mortgages are complex legal agreements. The...
Using Your RRSPs for a Down Payment with The Home Buyers’ Plan
Saving up money for a down payment is not easy for some prospective homebuyers. Rising home prices and tight mortgage qualification rules don't help. On a home with a sale price of over $1 million, you'll need to put 20% down to get a mortgage from a regulated...
What To Do Now That Interest Rates Are Rising
It finally happened. On March 2nd, 2022 the Bank of Canada raised the prime interest rate by 0.25%. This means that for people with a variable rate mortgage the cost of borrowing has started to increase from where it bottomed out at the start of the pandemic. However,...
The Connection Between Inflation and Mortgage Rates
Canada's inflation rate is now the highest since 2003. Rising inflation is often a signal that interest rates are also likely to increase. Higher interest affects business loans, car loans, credit cards, lines of credit, and of course, mortgage interest rates. But...
5 (Financial) Things To Do Before House Hunting
Most people will never borrow more money at one time than when they purchase a home. Getting a mortgage is a huge commitment. Depending on how much you borrow, the interest rate, and the amount of your down payment, your mortgage can change the course of your...
Calculating the Real Cost of Buying a Home
Taking the leap into buying a home is an exciting time for many. If it's your first time, you may still be learning the ropes - and there's a lot to know! How do mortgages work? Is a fixed-rate mortgage better than a variable rate mortgage? What is the mortgage stress...
Do Canadians Have Too Much Mortgage Debt?
According to reports, April 2021 saw the highest single-month increase in mortgage debt - ever. Canadians added almost $18 billion in new mortgages that month putting mortgage debt in Canada at an all-time high. Canadian homeowners now owe nearly $2 trillion to...
How Election Promises Could Affect Home Prices
Overall, Canadians have more mortgage debt now than they have ever had. The pace of increase in Canadian housing costs has been news for a long time. Furthermore, in a recent survey, 75% of people who want to buy a home believe they cannot afford one and more than 70%...
5 Reasons to Work with a Mortgage Broker
Mortgage lenders are doubling down on capturing borrowers' attention with advertising on TV, radio and all over the web. Google 'mortgage rates in Burlington' just once, and for the next few months, you'll be targeted with offers for low-interest rates and easy...
Choosing an Open or Closed Mortgage
For new home buyers, the variety of mortgage types and nuances of each can be bewildering. Choosing the right type of mortgage can impact your payments in the short term. It can also impact your future finances by adding or saving thousands of dollars in interest over...
What’s the Right Amount for a Down Payment?
If you're buying your first house in today's super-hot housing market, figuring out how much you'll need for a down payment can be a source of concern. As home prices continue to climb in most parts of Canada, it can be discouraging to know that as you save, you still...