Quiz time! Who is the largest non-bank mortgage originator in Canada with over $100 billion dollars in mortgages under administration? Answer – First National Financial Corporation. If you’ve never heard of them before, don’t feel bad. The only way to get a First National mortgage is through the broker channel. They do not have any […]

Some home improvements provide more of a payback when you sell the house down the road. Here’s a list of the four home improvements which will provide the biggest payback when you sell.  Adding square footage – while this can be a very expensive project, adding to the size of a house can re-coup between […]

If you are thinking about purchasing a home in the near future, here are some reasons you may consider buying a condo apartment or townhome. You should also be aware there are some cons as well. Pros They are relatively inexpensive. As your footprint is small and you share exterior walls with others, the cost for […]

A recent article in the Huffington Post addressed the pricing strategy for the Big Six Banks, BMO, CIBC, National Bank, RBC, Scotia and TD and who really sets interest rates.  RBC announcing a rate drop in January and the other banks soon followed.  For consumers, the banks are seen as leaders of the pack and […]

Picture this: You’ve finally been able to put away enough for a down-payment on your dream home. It’s taken you years of diligent saving, but you did it! You have also been tirelessly working on finding financial stability by improving your credit score and paying off debts. So, first of all, KUDOS TO YOU! Now […]

The following is a summary of the choices available for clients when looking at the four different types of lending groups. So what exactly is a lender? By simple definition, a mortgage lender provides financing for a real estate purchase hence the word lend. The lender that is best for you will all depend on […]

The Home Buyers’ Plan is a Canada wide program that allows individuals to withdraw a certain amount from their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) for the purposes of qualifying for a home or if you are planning to help a related person who may have a disability. Currently, the maximum amount an individual can withdraw […]

If you want to buy a home and don’t have a bucket load of cash – you are going to need a mortgage. In order to get a mortgage, you are going to need credit… When you get a mortgage, banks lend you “their” money and secure the loan against the property you are buying.  […]

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 detailed conversations with the […]

With approximately 1,000 people retiring every day in Canada, it’s not surprising that there has been an increased demand for Reverse Mortgages. A Reverse Mortgage can assist people aged 55+ to realize their dreams in retirement. Whether they want to travel, help their kids/grandkids or even just supplement their monthly income, a Reverse Mortgage can […]