CategoryMortgage News

You will never see a U-Haul following a hearse

I'll say it again. You'll never see a U-Haul following a hearse!

That’s right, I’ve said this before, and will say it again.

Our lifecycle goes something like this… Go to school. Find a job (and work hard for 40 years). Fall in love. Get married. Save money. Buy a house. Start a family. Retire on enough pension or savings. Enjoy the results of your hard work. Live in your house until death. Leave the house for your kids.

This is how most of us envision a normal lifecycle. But how often does this really happen? How many people really live happily ever after? What’s the big deal about tapping into home equity to fully enjoy life?

Continue reading “I'll say it again. You'll never see a U-Haul following a hearse!”

Posted 1 week ago Mortgage News

The making of a credit score and why it matters.

What is your credit score?

A credit score is an important part of your financial picture. Credit scores can range from 300 to 900 and are used by lenders to determine what kind of a risk you are likely to be as a borrower. Your score is based on several attributes. Continue reading “The making of a credit score and why it matters.”

The State of Homebuying in Canada 2019 CMHC Mortgage Consumer Survey

Posted 2 weeks ago Mortgage News

Significant decrease in first time home buyers in 2019

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation released The State of Homebuying in Canada report on November 15, 2019, with a few key findings, including this headline.

The annual State of Homebuying in Canada report noted that 56% of all purchasers were first time buyers in 2018. This dropped to 47% in 2019.

The tightening of mortgage rules which has been taking place over the last 4 years is certainly having an effect. The never ending rule changes were intended to slow home sales and prices. But like most government interventions, its had the opposite effect.

Posted 3 weeks ago Mortgage News

A return to common-sense lending!

I’d like to think the Total Net Worth Program reintroduced by a lender recently is an indication of what’s to come!

I’m excited about this program. It allows borrowers with good net worth to gain access to money. This is old-school lending – nothing new – but it’s a comeback worth celebrating!

Continue reading “A return to common-sense lending!”

Posted 4 weeks ago Mortgage News

My advice is simple: Over 50? Get a secured line of credit while you can qualify.

Contrary to media reports about our ‘record personal debt levels’, it’s extremely prudent to ensure you have access to emergency money.

The line of credit popularity that took place in the ’90s wasn’t a bad thing. It allowed us to borrow at low rates to invest or spend as needed. Many successful investors have been doing this for decades. Borrowing to invest makes smart financial success. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

We’re seeing more reasons for Canadians to get a secured line of credit now: Age; Income; and Qualification.

Continue reading “My advice is simple: Over 50? Get a secured line of credit while you can qualify.”