So! You think you’ve found your dream home, and you can’t wait to check it out in person. Before you go, here are a few things that are important to look out for during a home tour: Odor: Unusual smells can indicate problems, especially mold or mildew issues. Plumbing and Electrical: Check water pressure as well [...]
Did you know? Approximately 15%+ of Canadians are self-employed, making this an important segment in the mortgage and financing space. When it comes to self-employed individuals seeking a mortgage, there are some key things to note as this process can differ from the standard mortgage. For self-employed individuals with an established business seeking best rate financing, [...]
When it comes time to renew your mortgage, most lenders will send you a renewal letter when there is 3 to 6 months remaining on your term. While nearly 60% of borrowers simply sign and send back their renewal without ever shopping around for a more favourable interest rate, we would urge you to take [...]
Step 1 - Your Credit Score Whether you qualify for a mortgage through a bank, credit union or other financial institution, you should be aiming for a credit score of 680 for at least one borrower (or guarantor), especially if you are putting under 20% down. If you are able to make a larger down [...]
Along with holiday joy come holiday bills, to avoid a sleigh-size tab, plan ahead to save money and maximize the payoff. Here are a few quick tips to make the holidays less stressful on your wallet! Order Online: Avoid getting stuck in the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers by ordering gifts online from your [...]
While home inspections might not be the most exciting part of your home buying journey, they are extremely important and can save you money and a major headache in the long run. In a competitive housing market, there can sometimes be pressure to make an offer right away without conditions. However, no matter how competitive [...]
It is hard to believe it is Fall already! Even though Fall has already started, there are a few things you can do still to ensure your home is well-prepared for the season: Inspect Your Gutters: This time of year, it is important to clean and inspect your gutters (replacing as needed) to ensure they [...]
Buying your first home is an incredible step in life, but it is not without its hurdles! One of which is demonstrating that you are creditworthy, which all comes down to your ability to manage credit. This is how lenders and credit agencies determine the interest rate you pay. A higher credit rating could mean [...]
If there’s one thing we’ve learned as technology marches forward—from phone calls to email and text—it’s that fraudsters will always find inventive ways to keep up. But even as we move to more sophisticated means of communication and security, there are still some basic things that posers do when it comes to bank fraud—and many [...]
A vast majority of parents are currently supporting their children (ages 18-35 years) financially, spending an average of $5,623 per year! This is an extensive additional cost that most parents cannot afford. In fact, over 30% of parents are seeing delayed retirement in order to help kids with post-secondary costs and are facing an inability [...]