Tips and Insights on Mortgages and Buying Homes
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
- 20: New mortgage stress test for 2018 – why you might want to buy or refinance *now*
- 9: Fixed or variable rate mortgage: which is better?
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
March 2017
- 24: Pre-approvals made simple
- 22: Mortgage approval strategies can help make your dream a reality
- 9: Understanding mortgage rates
February 2017
January 2017
- 30: How using a mortgage broker reduces your rate by 17.5 basis points
- 1: 9 tips for surviving the housing market
November 2016
- 14: Mortgage rates going up: the Trump effect
- 7: Why use a mortgage broker? 59% would, when they learn the benefits
October 2016
- 17: Going, going, gone! [New mortgage rules and conventional mortgages]
- 10: Canada’s new mortgage stress test
May 2016
March 2016
- 21: Is the bi-weekly mortgage payment always better?
- 14: 4 first time homebuyer programs you should know about
- 7: Buying your first home? Let renters help pay your mortgage [7 reasons why]
February 2016
- 29: Why mortgage brokers like monoline lenders (and you should, too!)
- 22: My #1 financial tip? Give yourself (good) credit!
- 15: What are B lender mortgage rates?
- 8: Want to avoid homebuying mistakes?
- 1: Reaching your financial goals
- 1: 7 tips for mortgage after consumer proposal
January 2016
- 25: Single and want to buy your first home?
- 18: Falling deeper into debt?
- 1: How much do I need for downpayment in 2016?
December 2015
- 28: Buying a house for more than $500K? Check your down payment
- 4: Why use a mortgage broker? 10 reasons
November 2015
September 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
February 2015
- 24: Need a mortgage soon? What NOT to do
- 14: Fall in love with your mortgage
- 1: Financial rock and roll – Feb 2015 Home and Mortgage Newsletter is here!
January 2015
December 2014
- 22: Self-employed? What you need to know about getting a mortgage
- 1: Opening doors, not building walls – the Dec 2014 Home and Mortgage Newsletter
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
- 16: My Top 10 Financial Resolutions
- 10: Get the scoop on private mortgage investing
- 6: Free home buyer seminar in Toronto – join us Jan 13th!
- 1: Want a peek at the year ahead? Our top 10 mortgage tips!
December 2013
- 22: Meeting with your mortgage broker – what do you need to bring?
- 15: Is there a condo bubble in the Toronto real estate market? CMHC doesn’t think so…
- 9: Real estate investors – why you need to know your rights and responsibilities as a landlord
- 1: Self-employed and needing a mortgage? We’d better talk…
November 2013
- 19: What’s happening in the Canadian mortgage market? The latest…
- 12: Free First-time Homebuyer Seminar in Mississauga Nov 19th!
- 7: Mortgage glossary – what is the financing clause?
- 5: Get the best mortgage rate, and more, in our November newsletter
- 1: Real estate investor event – Nov 12th in Mississauga
October 2013
- 31: Don’t be scared by the mortgage process
- 29: Rent-to-own real estate investing in Ontario
- 28: Free home buyer seminar in central Toronto Nov 4
- 25: Real estate and mortgage forecast – the latest
- 14: Why a mortgage broker is your best option
- 13: First-time Homebuyer Seminar October 22
- 11: Happy Thanksgiving 2013!
- 10: Mortgage rate wars are back?
- 9: Mortgage and divorce – where to start
- 2: Managing credit and more – October Home and Mortgage Newsletter
September 2013
- 30: How to prepare for higher Canadian mortgage rates
- 23: Mortgage qualifying rate [Canadian mortgage glossary]
- 6: Crunch some numbers this fall – in our September newsletter
August 2013
July 2013
- 18: Canadian commercial real estate: how to buy it
- 7: Go slow and steady when saving for your down payment
June 2013
- 11: 9 good reasons to use a HELOC
- 6: Use your RRSP for the down payment on your first home – here’s how
May 2013
- 29: Top 5 mistakes first-time homebuyers make
- 18: Bridge loans – how they work and why you might want one
April 2013
- 24: Speed up your mortgage paydown!
- 19: A day in the life of a Toronto mortgage broker
- 11: Are You Cut Out to be a House Flipper?
March 2013
- 30: Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone!
- 4: How prep for a Toronto or Mississauga mortgage is just like prepping for a marathon
January 2013
- 14: Wearing my 11-year-old kid’s socks today. Here’s why
- 7: Five New Year’s Resolutions for First-time Home Buyers and Real Estate Investors
December 2012
November 2012
- 23: Dr. Andrew Simone – a real “difference maker”
- 15: Missed the boat? Too late to invest in Greater Toronto Area real estate?
- 12: Protect your credit! Don’t be seduced into getting that department store card…
- 1: New mortgage rules make it hard for the self-employed to qualify?
October 2012
June 2012
March 2012
February 2012
- 27: Three mortgage ratios de-mystified
- 23: Ten signs you might need a tune-up
- 11: 5 reasons you should use a realtor
- 8: Thinking of buying a fixer-upper? Here’s how…
January 2012
- 27: Can You Afford a Home?
- 24: Home and Mortgage Essentials – January 2012 Issue!
- 22: Let’s resolve… to clear these holiday bills and start building wealth!
- 1: Top Ten for 2012!
December 2011
- 22: All the best of the season!
- 12: Five Ways to Pay Your Mortgage Off Faster
- 12: Home and Mortgage Essentials – December 2011 Issue
November 2011
October 2011
- 31: Using your RRSP for a Down Payment? Read this!
- 28: How to buy the perfect home (For you. For right now.)
- 6: Home and Mortgage Essentials – Oct 2011
- 3: Renewing your mortgage? Read this first!
September 2011
July 2011
- 15: Buying a condo? 5 tips for getting the best value…
- 11: Are We in a Housing Bubble?
- 11: Are We in a Housing Bubble?
June 2011
May 2011
- 25: Five Steps to Making Your Dream Renovation a Reality
- 20: Home sales down, prices up in April 2011
- 20: Home sales down, prices up in April 2011
- 19: Rates drop – but only slightly
- 19: Rates drop – but only slightly
- 6: Mortgage and homebuying tools – free for the taking!
- 5: Mortgage and homebuying tools – free for the taking!
April 2011
- 26: Top Homebuying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- 19: Thanks for visiting us at the Mississauga Home Show!
- 19: Thanks for visiting us at the Mississauga Home Show!
- 16: 10 Tips for Obtaining a Mortgage After Bankruptcy
- 15: 10 Tips for Obtaining a Mortgage After Bankruptcy
- 14: Come visit us at the home show!
- 13: Take the surprise out of mortgage closing costs
- 5: Rates on the rise again
- 3: Want to be mortgage-free sooner? Pre-pay now!
- 2: Want to be mortgage-free sooner? Pre-pay now!
- 1: $25,000 Giveaway Contest!
- 1: $25,000 Giveaway Contest!
March 2011
- 27: Debt Restructuring – It Pays to Have a Plan
- 27: Debt Restructuring – It Pays to Have a Plan
- 25: Our first house
- 25: Our first house
- 24: April 15, 16, and 17 – Mississauga Lifestyle Home Show and Cottagefest – 2011
- 23: Mortgage rates are up and down – what should you do?
- 23: Rates bouncing down – then up – then down – so what should you do?
- 12: Spring Into Great Home Renovations
- 12: Spring Into Great Home Renovations
- 11: 7 Ways a Mortgage Broker Benefits You
- 11: Why use a mortgage broker?
- 7: Thinking of picking up a little condo in Florida?
- 7: Thinking of picking up a little condo in Florida?
February 2011
About
- April 19, 2013: A day in the life of a Toronto mortgage broker
- January 1, 2012: Top Ten for 2012!
- December 22, 2011: All the best of the season!
- April 19, 2011: Thanks for visiting us at the Mississauga Home Show!
- April 19, 2011: Thanks for visiting us at the Mississauga Home Show!
- April 1, 2011: $25,000 Giveaway Contest!
- March 25, 2011: Our first house
- March 23, 2011: Mortgage rates are up and down – what should you do?
- March 23, 2011: Rates bouncing down – then up – then down – so what should you do?
- March 11, 2011: 7 Ways a Mortgage Broker Benefits You
- March 11, 2011: Why use a mortgage broker?
About Mortgage Brokers
- January 30, 2017: How using a mortgage broker reduces your rate by 17.5 basis points
- November 7, 2016: Why use a mortgage broker? 59% would, when they learn the benefits
- December 1, 2014: Opening doors, not building walls – the Dec 2014 Home and Mortgage Newsletter
- November 25, 2014: First-time homebuyers: what do you deserve?
- October 31, 2013: Don’t be scared by the mortgage process
- October 14, 2013: Why a mortgage broker is your best option
Bankruptcy
- February 22, 2016: My #1 financial tip? Give yourself (good) credit!
- February 15, 2016: What are B lender mortgage rates?
- February 1, 2016: 7 tips for mortgage after consumer proposal
- November 16, 2015: What is a private mortgage? Another entry in the mortgage glossary
- June 8, 2015: Fixing your credit after bankruptcy
- April 14, 2014: Buying a home after bankruptcy? What to expect…
- October 2, 2012: Should you fear the “B Lender”?
- April 16, 2011: 10 Tips for Obtaining a Mortgage After Bankruptcy
- April 15, 2011: 10 Tips for Obtaining a Mortgage After Bankruptcy
Bruised Credit
- September 16, 2015: Overwhelmed by debt? Denial can hurt you more…
- October 17, 2014: Your credit score – don’t just let it slide!
- October 9, 2013: Mortgage and divorce – where to start
Canadian Mortgage News
- November 13, 2017: Stress test yourself!
- August 14, 2017: Do you look like the next generation of homebuyers?
- August 8, 2017: After the rate hike…what’s next?
- March 22, 2017: Mortgage approval strategies can help make your dream a reality
- March 9, 2017: Understanding mortgage rates
- February 1, 2017: Mortgage default insurance going up March 17
- January 1, 2017: 9 tips for surviving the housing market
- November 14, 2016: Mortgage rates going up: the Trump effect
- October 17, 2016: Going, going, gone! [New mortgage rules and conventional mortgages]
- October 10, 2016: Canada’s new mortgage stress test
- February 1, 2016: Reaching your financial goals
- January 1, 2016: How much do I need for downpayment in 2016?
- December 28, 2015: Buying a house for more than $500K? Check your down payment
- February 14, 2015: Fall in love with your mortgage
- February 1, 2015: Financial rock and roll – Feb 2015 Home and Mortgage Newsletter is here!
- May 16, 2014: Mortgage payout penalties – think all lenders are the same? Think again…
- March 1, 2014: Big news: what you need to know about the new CMHC premiums
- January 1, 2014: Want a peek at the year ahead? Our top 10 mortgage tips!
- December 15, 2013: Is there a condo bubble in the Toronto real estate market? CMHC doesn’t think so…
- December 1, 2013: Self-employed and needing a mortgage? We’d better talk…
- November 19, 2013: What’s happening in the Canadian mortgage market? The latest…
- November 5, 2013: Get the best mortgage rate, and more, in our November newsletter
- October 25, 2013: Real estate and mortgage forecast – the latest
- October 10, 2013: Mortgage rate wars are back?
- October 2, 2013: Managing credit and more – October Home and Mortgage Newsletter
- September 30, 2013: How to prepare for higher Canadian mortgage rates
- September 6, 2013: Crunch some numbers this fall – in our September newsletter
- November 1, 2012: New mortgage rules make it hard for the self-employed to qualify?
- October 15, 2012: Canadian Real Estate – about to crash? Should you care?
- January 24, 2012: Home and Mortgage Essentials – January 2012 Issue!
- November 3, 2011: Home and Mortgage Essentials – November 2011 Issue!
- October 6, 2011: Home and Mortgage Essentials – Oct 2011
- July 11, 2011: Are We in a Housing Bubble?
- July 11, 2011: Are We in a Housing Bubble?
- May 20, 2011: Home sales down, prices up in April 2011
- May 20, 2011: Home sales down, prices up in April 2011
- May 19, 2011: Rates drop – but only slightly
- May 19, 2011: Rates drop – but only slightly
- April 5, 2011: Rates on the rise again
- April 2, 2011: Want to be mortgage-free sooner? Pre-pay now!
- April 1, 2011: $25,000 Giveaway Contest!
Credit
- November 12, 2012: Protect your credit! Don’t be seduced into getting that department store card…
- November 14, 2011: Debt denial can do you damage
- April 3, 2011: Want to be mortgage-free sooner? Pre-pay now!
Debt Consolidation
- October 20, 2017: New mortgage stress test for 2018 – why you might want to buy or refinance *now*
- September 19, 2017: Difficulty making mortgage payments?
- January 18, 2016: Falling deeper into debt?
Events
- January 6, 2014: Free home buyer seminar in Toronto – join us Jan 13th!
- November 12, 2013: Free First-time Homebuyer Seminar in Mississauga Nov 19th!
- November 1, 2013: Real estate investor event – Nov 12th in Mississauga
- October 28, 2013: Free home buyer seminar in central Toronto Nov 4
- October 13, 2013: First-time Homebuyer Seminar October 22
- April 14, 2011: Come visit us at the home show!
- March 24, 2011: April 15, 16, and 17 – Mississauga Lifestyle Home Show and Cottagefest – 2011
Financial Planning
- February 26, 2018: How to buy your first home by 29
- March 14, 2016: 4 first time homebuyer programs you should know about
- January 16, 2014: My Top 10 Financial Resolutions
- April 24, 2013: Speed up your mortgage paydown!
- December 12, 2011: Five Ways to Pay Your Mortgage Off Faster
- May 5, 2011: Mortgage and homebuying tools – free for the taking!
First Time Homebuyer
- January 22, 2018: “Conditional on financing”: the most important part of your offer
- October 9, 2017: Fixed or variable rate mortgage: which is better?
- March 24, 2017: Pre-approvals made simple
- May 9, 2016: What is a high ratio mortgage? [glossary]
- March 21, 2016: Is the bi-weekly mortgage payment always better?
- March 7, 2016: Buying your first home? Let renters help pay your mortgage [7 reasons why]
- February 29, 2016: Why mortgage brokers like monoline lenders (and you should, too!)
- January 25, 2016: Single and want to buy your first home?
- May 10, 2015: Your down payment – what you need to know
- February 24, 2015: Need a mortgage soon? What NOT to do
- June 1, 2014: 3 Steps to Buy Your First Home
- February 15, 2014: Smart RRSP strategies for first-time homebuyers
- December 22, 2013: Meeting with your mortgage broker – what do you need to bring?
- September 23, 2013: Mortgage qualifying rate [Canadian mortgage glossary]
- July 7, 2013: Go slow and steady when saving for your down payment
- June 6, 2013: Use your RRSP for the down payment on your first home – here’s how
- May 29, 2013: Top 5 mistakes first-time homebuyers make
- March 4, 2013: How prep for a Toronto or Mississauga mortgage is just like prepping for a marathon
- January 7, 2013: Five New Year’s Resolutions for First-time Home Buyers and Real Estate Investors
- March 13, 2012: How much home could your rent buy?
- February 27, 2012: Three mortgage ratios de-mystified
- February 11, 2012: 5 reasons you should use a realtor
- February 8, 2012: Thinking of buying a fixer-upper? Here’s how…
- June 3, 2011: Helping your kids to buy a home? 3 ways to do it
- April 13, 2011: Take the surprise out of mortgage closing costs
- March 25, 2011: Our first house
- February 28, 2011: Want to get great mortgage rates? How Good Are Your Negotiating Skills?
Home Renovations
- July 10, 2017: How to buy and renovate your new home
- December 4, 2015: Why use a mortgage broker? 10 reasons
- June 11, 2013: 9 good reasons to use a HELOC
- January 14, 2013: Wearing my 11-year-old kid’s socks today. Here’s why
- May 25, 2011: Five Steps to Making Your Dream Renovation a Reality
- March 12, 2011: Spring Into Great Home Renovations
Investment Property
- January 10, 2014: Get the scoop on private mortgage investing
- December 9, 2013: Real estate investors – why you need to know your rights and responsibilities as a landlord
- October 29, 2013: Rent-to-own real estate investing in Ontario
- July 18, 2013: Canadian commercial real estate: how to buy it
- April 11, 2013: Are You Cut Out to be a House Flipper?
- November 15, 2012: Missed the boat? Too late to invest in Greater Toronto Area real estate?
Me
- March 30, 2013: Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone!
- December 25, 2012: All the very best!
- November 23, 2012: Dr. Andrew Simone – a real “difference maker”
Mortgage Planning
- December 18, 2017: Balance mortgage rate with options, privileges and payment schedules
- September 5, 2017: Which mortgage features are most important?
- June 12, 2017: Bridge financing: what you need to know
- May 8, 2017: When a reverse mortgage is the right solution
- July 27, 2015: Pay your mortgage off fast: 9 tips
- May 18, 2013: Bridge loans – how they work and why you might want one
Purchase
- July 30, 2017: Home appraisals… What you need to know
- February 8, 2016: Want to avoid homebuying mistakes?
- January 9, 2015: Bad credit? Mortgage options you should know about
- December 22, 2014: Self-employed? What you need to know about getting a mortgage
- November 7, 2013: Mortgage glossary – what is the financing clause?
- August 11, 2013: Mortgage Glossary: Collateral Mortgage versus Standard Charge
- June 27, 2012: Buy your cottage and keep it, too
- January 27, 2012: Can You Afford a Home?
- December 12, 2011: Home and Mortgage Essentials – December 2011 Issue
- October 31, 2011: Using your RRSP for a Down Payment? Read this!
- October 28, 2011: How to buy the perfect home (For you. For right now.)
- July 15, 2011: Buying a condo? 5 tips for getting the best value…
- June 26, 2011: Buy your cottage and keep it, too
- May 6, 2011: Mortgage and homebuying tools – free for the taking!
- April 26, 2011: Top Homebuying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- March 7, 2011: Thinking of picking up a little condo in Florida?
- March 7, 2011: Thinking of picking up a little condo in Florida?
Refinance
- September 1, 2014: Reverse mortgages in Canada: why are they getting more popular?
- February 23, 2012: Ten signs you might need a tune-up
- January 22, 2012: Let’s resolve… to clear these holiday bills and start building wealth!
- October 3, 2011: Renewing your mortgage? Read this first!
- September 26, 2011: Planning for retirement? Make the most of your biggest asset…
- March 27, 2011: Debt Restructuring – It Pays to Have a Plan
- March 27, 2011: Debt Restructuring – It Pays to Have a Plan
- March 12, 2011: Spring Into Great Home Renovations
Uncategorized
- October 11, 2013: Happy Thanksgiving 2013!
Connect