Homebuyers: Avoid These Common Mortgage Pitfalls

Homebuyers: Avoid These Common Mortgage Pitfalls

A home is the largest purchase most people will make in their lives. That should reinforce the importance of planning ahead, doing your research, relying on the advice of experts and not rushing through the process. With nearly 700,000 homes purchased in Canada each...
You Just Got a Mortgage. Now What?

You Just Got a Mortgage. Now What?

Mortgages are a funny thing. On the one hand they allow you to become a home owner without saving up enough money to purchase the home outright, which is a really good thing. On the other hand, even at today’s really low interest rates, as they are amortized...
Reasons You Might Need an Emergency Fund

Reasons You Might Need an Emergency Fund

You’ve heard the horror stories: basement floods gone wrong, cars that randomly stop running, or a pal suddenly losing their job. Perhaps you’re the type of person who thinks “that will never happen to me!” when hearing one of these stories, but the cold reality is...
Are Lenders Obligated to Renew Mortgages?

Are Lenders Obligated to Renew Mortgages?

It’s a common held belief that if you’ve made your mortgage payments on time throughout the entirety of your mortgage term, that your lender is somehow obligated to renew your mortgage. This is simply not the case. The truth is, a lender is never under any...
Top Dollar: How High Can You Go?

Top Dollar: How High Can You Go?

Affordability is a major concern for today’s aspiring first-time homebuyers. In hot real estate markets like the Greater Toronto and Greater Vancouver regions, however, the desire for affordability can be challenged by the competitive fervour caused by escalating...
Can I Get A Mortgage With No Downpayment?

Can I Get A Mortgage With No Downpayment?

The simple answer to this question is no. In order to secure mortgage financing in Canada you have to come up with at least a 5% downpayment. Now, if you haven’t set aside the 5% for a downpayment in your savings account, that is okay. There are still a few ways...