With some lenders moving towards collateral charge mortgages, it’s important to understand the differences between a collateral and a standard charge mortgage. The primary difference is that a collateral charge mortgage registers the mortgage for more money than you require at closing. For instance, up to 125% of the value of the home at closing […]

If you are looking for a new home, be sure you are pre-approved. With a mortgage pre-approval, a licensed mortgage professional can do a more complete verification prior to sending you shopping for a home, and with that done, the dollar figure you are going shopping with is actually what you can spend. The mortgage […]

The decision to choose a fixed or variable rate is not always an easy one. It should depend on your tolerance for risk as well as your ability to withstand increases in mortgage payments. You can sometimes expect a financial reward for going with the variable rate, although the precise magnitude will ebb and flow […]

Owning a home is generally considered to be a sound, long-term investment that can provide satisfaction and security for you and your family. Each month when you make your mortgage payment, you are building equity in your home. Equity is the portion of the property that you actually build through your monthly payment versus the […]

There are generally two ways to get a mortgage in Canada: From a bank, or from a licensed mortgage professional. While a bank only offers the products from their particular institution, licensed mortgage professionals send millions of dollars in mortgage business each year to Canada’s largest banks, credit unions, and trust companies … offering their […]

The question of whether it’s better to lease or buy a vehicle is a common dilemma. And do you buy or lease a new or used vehicle? The answer depends on the specifics of your situation. It’s important to realize that many consumers overburden themselves with car leases or loans they simply can’t afford. While […]

While No-Frills mortgage products typically offer a lower – or more discounted – interest rate when compared with many other available products, the lower rate is really their only perk. This type of product will only seem ideal for you if you have no plans to take advantage of benefits that will help you pay […]

Canadians purchase homes for a variety of reasons. Some want the stability of owning their own home, while others also look at home ownership as an investment vehicle. No matter what the reason, the truth is that home ownership has proven itself to be a good stable investment over time, and one which many Canadians […]

If you’re self-employed, you may have a more difficult time obtaining financing for your real estate purchases than you encountered just 18 months ago thanks to the recent recession. And as of April 9th, 2010, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) raised the required down payment amount, as well as decreased the percentage at which […]

If you have a job awaiting you on Canadian soil, it’s possible to also secure the purchase of a home if you plan ahead and connect with professionals before you even begin packing. The main reason you’ll want to get in touch with the right professionals before you start to pack is to find out […]