Understanding Mortgage Rates

Mortgage Tips Trish Pigott 16 Aug

While not the only factor to consider when choosing a mortgage, interest rates remain one of the more prominent decision criteria with any mortgage product. Understanding how mortgage rates are determined and the differences between your typical fixed-rate and variable-rate options can help you make the best decision to suit your needs. How Rates Are […]

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Market Beware: Subject Free Offers

General Trish Pigott 9 Aug

When purchasing a home, most offers include conditions or subjects, which are requirements or criteria to be met before the sale can be finalized and the property is transferred. Some of the most common subjects include: Financing approval Home inspection Fire/home insurance protection Strata document review if appliable The purpose of these subjects is to […]

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Are you Moving soon?

Home Tips Trish Pigott 2 Aug

If you want to up or downsize your home and are moving during your current mortgage cycle, keep a few things in mind. First, making any change to your mortgage during your mortgage term is considered “breaking” the mortgage. Portability If your mortgage is portable, moving up and scaling down will be much simpler. If […]

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What is Alternative Lending?

General Trish Pigott 26 Jul

When traditional lenders, such as banks or credit unions, deny mortgage financing, it can be easy to feel discouraged. However, there is always an alternative! If you’re seeking a mortgage, but your application doesn’t fit into the box of the big traditional institutions, you’ll find yourself in what’s commonly referred to in the industry as […]

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The Difference Between Guarantors and Co-Signers

Home Tips Trish Pigott 19 Jul

Thank you to our partners at First National for a breakdown on the difference between the two. What is the difference between a Guarantor and a Co-signer? Guarantors are not on title to the property but will provide a guarantee to ensure the mortgage debt is being paid by signing the mortgage commitment and the […]

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Bank of Canada’s July Announcement & What This Means for You.

General Trish Pigott 12 Jul

The Bank of Canada announced this morning that the key interest rate will be raised another 25 basis points. This morning’s announcement will be the fifth interest rate announcement of 2023, but the 10th rate hike since the start of the tightening in 2022, with three more scheduled for the rest of this year. The […]

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9 Tips for a Successful Appraisal

Home Tips Trish Pigott 5 Jul

Before banks or lending institutions can consider loaning money for a property, they need to know the current market value of that property. An appraiser’s job is to check the general condition of your home and determine a comparable market value based on other homes in your area. Appraisals are required for any buy or […]

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Will Prime Rate Increase?

General Trish Pigott 21 Jun

The Bank of Canada recently announced a rate increase of 0.25% on June 7th. Making their prime rate 6.95%, a 22-year record high. The prime rate affects variable-rate mortgages and personal & home equity lines of credit. The increase translates into roughly $15 monthly for every $100,000 worth of mortgage debt for variable-rate mortgage holders. […]

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What to know about Mortgage Renewal Time.

General Trish Pigott 14 Jun

Once there are about three months left in your mortgage term, your lender will send you a renewal letter. While most borrowers sign and send back their renewal without ever shopping around for a more favourable interest rate, this is the best time to check out your options. Since your term is ending, it is […]

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