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 […]

Mortgages in Canada are generally amortized between 25 and 35 year terms. While this seems a long time, it does not have to take anyone that long to pay off their mortgage if they choose to do so in a shorter period of time. With a little bit of thinking ahead, and a small bit […]

For US homeowners, mortgage interest is automatically tax deductible. But for Canadians, the write-off is not so straightforward. In order to make your mortgage interest tax deductible, homeowners must be able to prove that the money is being reinvested and is not being used for personal expenses. A properly structured mortgage-centric tax strategy has several […]

Choosing a longer amortization period also has its advantages. For instance, it can get you into your dream home sooner than if you choose a shorter period. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders calculate the maximum regular payment you can afford. They then use this figure to determine the maximum mortgage amount they are […]