Mortgage Blog

Category: Mortgage (54 posts)

Canada's New Updated Mortgage Charter

November 23, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Canadian Mortgage Charter spells out the rights consumers have when they are renegotiating mortgages. It calls on financial institutions to provide better relief measures over the next three y ...

Understanding Fixed vs. Variable Rate Mortgages

November 15, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

If you're on the cusp of getting a mortgage, or if you're considering refinancing, you've likely encountered the terms "fixed rate" and "variable rate" mortgage. These are the two primary pathways i ...

Home Equity: Refinancing or Second Mortgage

November 9, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Home Equity: Refinancing or Second Mortgage Considering the 2023 housing market's dynamics, with its high interest rates and market unpredictability, let's discuss the significance of home equity. ...

6 things to know about capital gains and taxes for people across Canada

November 2, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

So, you made some cash selling your property or stocks at a higher price than you bought them for? High five! But before you start celebrating, there's this thing called capital gains that might show ...

Bank Of Canada Rate Update October 25, 2023

October 25, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada maintains policy rate, continues quantitative tightening The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at 5%, with the Bank Rate at 5.25% and the deposit rate at 5% ...

Mortgage Strategies in a Rising Interest Rate Environment

October 24, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Hello dear readers, Let's have a coffee chat, shall we? If we were sitting in a cozy café, sipping on lattes (or your beverage of choice), today's hot topic of conversation would undoubtedly revol ...

Leveraging Your Home Equity to Help Purchase a Home For Your Children: A Prudent Move?

October 6, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Navigating Parental Assistance in Home Purchases The concept of parents aiding their children in stepping onto the property ladder is not a new one yet it is not ubiquitously adopted. A 2021 ...

Understanding and Utilizing Home Equity

October 1, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

If you've consistently made mortgage payments over the years, you've been accumulating home equity. As this equity grows, homeowners can access it, converting it into cash for various purposes, from h ...

Can a first-time home buyer have a mortgage co-signer?

September 17, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Can New Home Buyers in Canada Use a Mortgage Co-Signer? Struggling to secure a mortgage or need a financial boost? Consider bringing in a co-signer. Dive deeper into this and other home-buying tact ...

Demystifying Credit Scores

September 7, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

These days, like so many things, your credit score is easily accessible and free. Not so long ago, the only way to see your credit score was to obtain a copy of your credit report, which involved subm ...

Bank of Canada maintains policy rate, continues quantitative tightening

September 6, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at 5%, with the Bank Rate at 5¼% and the deposit rate at 5%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening. Infl ...

Top Reasons To Refinance Your Home And Reasons Why You Maybe Should Not.

August 23, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Refinancing a mortgage means replacing your existing loan with a new one, either with your current lender or a different one. Canadians often consider refinancing for various reasons, such as ...

Navigating High-Interest Rates and Inflation: Your Path to Mortgage Resilience

August 5, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Introduction As your trusted mortgage broker, I understand that the current economic backdrop in Canada is presenting challenges for many homeowners. With interest rates on the rise and inflation p ...

Understanding Credit Scores and Maximizing Mortgage Opportunities in Canada

July 27, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Introduction In Canada, your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, especially when it comes to major transactions like securing a mortgage. A credit score is a numerical r ...

Bank of Canada raises policy rate 25 basis points, continues quantitative tightening

July 12, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 5%, with the Bank Rate at 5¼% and the deposit rate at 5%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening. G ...

Smart move: bridge financing provides a smooth transition between mortgages

July 11, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Summer is officially in full swing which means vacation time, backyard barbecues, pool parties, etc., but summer is also "moving season". If you're one of the many Canadians who will be moving t ...

Some great tips to help you save for a home

June 13, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

A home for most all Canadians is likely the most significant purchase you will make in your lifetime, so it is essential to be well-prepared. It is crucial to understand how to budget and save for ...

Renewing in a higher rate environment

June 9, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

I've been getting a lot of questions lately about mortgage renewals – not surprising, given the steady rise of mortgage rates over the last couple of years. People with mortgages renewing in 2023 an ...

Strategies for Speeding Up Mortgage Repayment

June 3, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Those of us who desire to own a home often long for the time when our mortgage is paid off. Although the majority of Canadian mortgages are usually amortized over the course of 25 years, there are a ...

Learning about the new First Home Savings Account (FHSA) program

May 15, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

With the market starting to stabilize, and in many markets housing prices starting to rise again, maybe you or someone you know is looking at purchasing their first home before home prices rise too mu ...

First-Time Home Buyer Budgeting: What You Need to Know

April 20, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

As a first-time home buyer, budgeting is an essential part of the home buying process. By carefully planning your finances and considering all of the costs associated with purchasing a home, you can e ...

Bank Of Canada Rate Update April 12, 2023

April 12, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada maintains policy rate, continues quantitative tightening The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at 4.5%, with the Bank Rate at 4.75% and the deposit rate at 4. ...

What first-time homebuyers can expect with the new tax-free First Home Savings Account

April 5, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Since it was proposed in the 2022 Federal Budget, we've learned more details about this exciting new program aimed at helping first-time homebuyers purchase a home. The bill is ...

Four Ways to Take Control and Thrive in a Challenging Market

March 9, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

If you're struggling financially as a result of increased living expenses and interest rates, you are not alone. A lot of Canadians are feeling a little helpless these days, with talk of rising intere ...

Bank of Canada Rate Update March 8, 2023

March 8, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Selling Your Home in the Winter: How You Can Make the Most of It

March 5, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Selling your home in the winter can be a challenging task, but it can also be an opportunity to stand out in a crowded market. With fewer houses on the market and motivated buyers who are eager to mov ...

Title insurance and home insurance–protect what matters most

February 27, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

When something goes wrong with your home and you suffer a loss, you need to be able to rely on your insurance coverage. Knowing which of your insurance policies to turn to isn't always easy. Title ins ...

Where is the housing market going in 2023?

February 10, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

With 2023 underway, and the latest Bank of Canada rate increase to 4.5%, combined with the stress of the increased cost of living on Canadian households, the questions that are on everyone's minds are ...

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 25 basis points, continues quantitative tightening

January 25, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 4½%, with the Bank Rate at 4¾% and the deposit rate at 4½%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening ...

This year create financial resolutions that you can stick to

January 5, 2023 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

A new year brings a host of new year's resolutions. It's very common for people to make these resolutions around family, friends, eating better, or even the cliché going to the gym more. This year, e ...

Should You Spend the Full Mortgage Amount You're Approved For?

December 28, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Before you start shopping for a new home, you'll need to know exactly how much house you can afford. Otherwise, you could end up in a home that is way out of your budget. What you qualify for may not ...

The Pros and Cons of Fixed vs. Variable Mortgages

December 8, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

When it comes to choosing a mortgage, borrowers in Canada have two main options: a fixed rate mortgage or a variable mortgage. But which type is best for you? Here, we'll take a look at the pros and c ...

The Pros and Cons of Locking In your Mortgage Rate

December 8, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Pros and Cons of Locking In The holiday season is upon us, bringing an end to a tumultuous year. 2022 saw inflation reach levels not seen for 40 years, followed by substantial interest rate hik ...

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 50 basis points, continues quantitative tightening

December 7, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 4¼%, with the Bank Rate at 4½% and the deposit rate at 4¼%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening ...

Thinking of buying? Don't be put off by high rates.

November 3, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

2022 has already been tough on Canadians' wallets, and recent economic data shows the pain is unlikely to end soon. Inflation continues to run hot, and on October 26 the Bank of Canada further r ...

Bank of Canada Rate Update October 26, 2022

October 26, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 50 basis points, continues quantitative tightening The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 3.75%, with the Bank Rate a ...

Best Ways to Plan for Your Down Payment

October 19, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Best Ways to Plan for Your Down Payment Do mortgages seem unaffordable? These tips will help you plan for your down payment so you can start talking to a private lender mortgage broker in no time. ...

A fresh look at the opportunities in today's housing market from a mortgage perspective

October 11, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

When news reports present a consistently gloomy view of rising rates and the distinctly negative impact on the housing market, it's easy to feel discouraged. But the news frequently doesn't tell the f ...

How Mortgage Rates Affect Buying Power?

September 16, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

How Mortgage Rates Affect Buying Power? Do You Know How Your Mortgage Rate Affects Buying Power? To maximize your purchasing power, you should understand how interest rates impact your home buying p ...

A look at how rate increases impact different mortgage types

September 8, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

With inflation at its highest level in almost 40 years, the Bank of Canada continues to take drastic action to cool the economy with the latest of five consecutive rate increases announced on Septembe ...

Bank Of Canada Rate Update September 7, 2022

September 7, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 75 basis points, continues quantitative tightening The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 3.25%, with the Bank Rate ...

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?

August 24, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

It's a dream to be able to pay off your mortgage early, but is there a downside? While it sounds like a great idea, there are some factors to consider before doing so. This article will explore some o ...

Budgeting for Inflation

August 4, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

If you thought the end of the pandemic would bring a return to economic normalcy, 2022 has certainly been surprising. Summer has seen inflation return to the forefront of consumers' economic worries f ...

Bank Of Canada Rate Update July 13, 2022

July 13, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 100 basis points, continues quantitative tightening The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 2.5%, with the Bank Rate ...

Mortgage Fundamentals for Home Purchases

July 7, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Mortgage Fundamentals for Home Purchases With interest rates continuing to rise, and housing markets beginning to cool, if you're considering a home purchase anytime soon, it's a good idea to revisit ...

Mortgage Fundamentals for Home Purchases

July 7, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

With interest rates continuing to rise, and housing markets beginning to cool, if you're considering a home purchase anytime soon, it's a good idea to revisit some mortgage fundamentals to ensure you' ...

How Rising Rates Can Affect Your Mortgage

June 3, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The one-two-punch of supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine has pushed inflation in Canada to its highest level in 30 years and spurred the Bank of Canada to move toward a tighter monetary polic ...

Bank Of Canada Rate Update June 1, 2022

June 1, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 50 basis points, continues quantitative tightening The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 1½%, with the Bank Rate at ...

How a Mortgage Pre-Approval Can Protect You from Rising Rates

May 26, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

With interest rates rising, it's important to lock in a lower rate as soon as possible. You can do this with the right home mortgage pre-approval. Find out how! Do you plan on searching for and buy ...

The Tax Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) explained

May 5, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Tax Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) explained If you or someone you know is saving for a down payment on their first home, the Federal government announced a new program aimed at first-tim ...

How is a Private Mortgage Different Than a Traditional Bank Mortgage

May 4, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Understanding the difference between private mortgages and traditional bank mortgages can help you make the best decision for financing a new home. Each option provides the money to secure real estate ...

Bank Of Canada Rate Update April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 50 basis points, begins quantitative tightening The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 1%, with the Bank Rate at 1¼% ...

Higher Interest Rates are Here. What Does That Mean for You?

March 9, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

The Bank of Canada has been signaling for a while now that they will respond to inflation by raising interest rates. Sure enough, on March 2nd they announced a hike in the overnight rate by 0.25%. H ...

Bank Of Canada Rate Update March 2, 2022

March 2, 2022 | Posted by: Sonia Leo

Bank of Canada Increases Policy Interest Rate The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to ½ %, with the Bank Rate at ¾ % and the deposit rate at ½ %. The Bank is contin ...

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Category: Mortgage (54 posts)

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