In the Fall of 2016 the Federal Government made some significant changes to mortgage financing guidelines but how did the change to the mortgage rules impact interest rates?  I receive calls from people each week after checking rates with their bank and online wondering why the rates are so different.  In fact people wonder why […]

Most home owners will receive their BC Assessment in the mail the first week of January.  For the 2017 assessment many homeowners will see an increase in the value which will impact property taxes.  For some, deferring property taxes may be an option. Once you receive your property tax notice, you may be able to apply […]

Are low fixed mortgage rates going to vanish? We have seen the fixed rates go up and down over the past several years.  At the end of 2008 and into 2009 5 year fixed rates were in the 5% range which may shock home buyers who over the past few years have enjoyed rates in […]

With all the news about interest rates rising do you go long or short with your rate when you set up your mortgage? After discussing your current life situation and answering some key questions with your mortgage broker you can make some decisions and set your mortgage rate and term to best fit your needs.  […]

With low rate offerings over the past several years and a struggling economy, some homeowners chose to lock into a longer term mortgage even if the interest rate was a bit higher.  If you are one of those people who feel stuck in a high rate 10 year fixed mortgage you may be wondering if […]

To understand financing options for conventional borrowers – ask your Mortgage Broker.  In October 2016 the Federal Government announced some significant changes to mortgage rules for high ratio borrowers.  Changes for high ratio mortgages took effect Oct 17th.  Changes for conventional borrowers take effect Nov 30th.  These changes will result in tighter guidelines to qualify […]

As the year comes to an end we take a look back to review the history of recent mortgage rule changes in Canada since the economic crash.   THE WILD WEST Although financing in Canada was not as open as in the United States, the rules did allow people to buy with little or no […]

The Minister of Finance announced today new Canadian mortgage rules effective Oct 17th,2016.  The new rules will impact high ratio buyers with less than 20% down payment.  Other rule changes are expected to follow.  Stay tuned for details as they unfold. Currently a home buyer with less than 20% (high ratio) requires mortgage insurance through […]

Can Someone Steal Your House?  Courtesy of Dominion Lending Centre head office thank you for the tips! It might sound unbelievable, but it’s absolutely possible for someone to steal your house. It’s called title fraud, and it’s a problem that has been around for a while in Canada. And although exposure to title fraud is […]

With plenty of activity in the real estate market in the Greater Vancouver area and more new building slated over the next few years here is my list of “Things to Consider When Buying in a New Development” Representation Some buyers attend the display suite and consider a purchase directly with the developer sales person […]