Is there a difference between refinancing your mortgage and home equity? Yes, there is. In fact, you have two options: refinancing the first mortgage that you have or taking out a home equity loan. Both of these can provide funds for whatever you need (debt consolidation,...
Since January 2018, qualifying for a mortgage has been very challenging for first-time homebuyers, unless they got a “down payment” gift from a family member. As we have discussed numerous times, the federal stress test and climbing prices are the main reason why it is...
One aspect we often forget consider when hunting for the "dream home" is the neighbourhood. So, before you begin looking at houses, narrow in on your chosen location. Someone once said that the houses are like spouses and that the neighbourhood is like the extended...
We all know the homebuying process is a complex task. From saving for a downpayment to finding the home of our dreams many steps need to be taken. We often tell people to budget on a monthly basis and to try to cut on certain...
We keep coming back to this topic of credit. It’s a crucial aspect for anyone planning for homeownership. However, similar to most things in the financial side of life, you need to be careful when building your credit history. It is very easy to get...
The home buying process can be exciting and very stressful at the same time. You know, you are preparing to make perhaps the biggest investment of your life and you want to make sure you get the house of your dreams that you work so...
People often wonder why they should consider working with a mortgage broker when banks can do mortgages as well. We certainly get asked this question a lot. The truth is: there is a BIG difference between the two. Similar to the “house hunting process” where...
Dear readers, This week’s blog post is - again - another letter from me. As we take the first steps into this new adventure, I am very excited to share with you what we are doing as a team to ensure we achieve our true potential...
Ever since its implementation in January 2018, the mortgage stress test has been itself a source of stress for many potential homebuyers. Now, anyone who needs to qualify for a mortgage from a regulated lender needs to take this test. Again, just to review, this...
It is safe to assume that being a homeowner is almost everyone’s dream. We work hard to save for a downpayment, we make that house a priority on our list of goals, and we survive the entire process. Awesome! Unfortunately, getting the keys to our...