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CategoryMortgage Trends

Posted Mortgage News

Darryl Sittler made his fortune in Real Estate… not Hockey!

RRSP home buyers plan

A few years back, I had the privilege of hearing one of my childhood idols – former Toronto Maple Leafs captain, Darryl Sittler – speak at a Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) meeting.

In case you haven’t heard of REIN, let me share some details about this group of real estate investors that gets together to network and share valuable information affecting real estate in Canada. The leader of the group is Don Campbell. His approach to buying investment properties has proven to be very sound and profitable. In fact, his “Top 10 Best Cities to Invest” lists are legendary! Continue reading “Darryl Sittler made his fortune in Real Estate… not Hockey!”

Posted Mortgage News

Ontario Housing Market: Increased Opportunity for Investors!

Ontario Housing Market Stats Image - April 2018

Rental vacancies are ridiculously low and demand for rental units is high… and growing!

That’s just a sampling of the opportunistic real estate investment news Ted Tsiakopoulos, CMHC’s Regional Economist for Ontario, shared recently at the Canadian Mortgage Brokers’ Association (CMBA) of Ontario annual conference.

Here are other main takeaways:

  • Strong 2017 economy helped ease imbalances
  • Sales and new home starts expected to slow
  • Prices to grow moderately
  • Eastern & Western Ontario will outperform Southern Ontario
  • Mortgage delinquencies remain at record lows – much lower than credit card or car loan debt

Continue reading “Ontario Housing Market: Increased Opportunity for Investors!”

Posted 2 Comments on RRSP, RESP, TFSA or Mortgage prepayment… Which offers the best bang for my buck? Money saving tips

RRSP, RESP, TFSA or Mortgage prepayment… Which offers the best bang for my buck?

Invest. Return on investment. Financial growth. Technology and business concept

Trying to decide what’s the best move can be difficult… and, I must admit, this isn’t an easy subject to tackle. There are so many opinions! But it’s important enough that I’m going to put my two cents into the discussion. (My final recommendations are listed at the bottom if you want to fast forward.)

First, let’s come to the understanding that we’re all different and have unique needs. You must first ask for professional advice in order to make up your own mind. Having said that, I think that, for me, this is actually a very easy decision. Continue reading “RRSP, RESP, TFSA or Mortgage prepayment… Which offers the best bang for my buck?”

Posted 4 Comments on Mortgage Awards of Excellence Marketing Campaign of the Year Finalist! Mortgage News

Mortgage Awards of Excellence Marketing Campaign of the Year Finalist!

Steve Garganis Marketing Campaign of the Year Badge - Mortgage Awards of Excellence 2018

I’m honoured to be named a finalist for Marketing Campaign of the Year at the inaugural Mortgage Awards of Excellence 2018 for this news site!

Thank you to my amazing clients and loyal readers!

Winners will be announced live during the awards on May 3, 2018. Regardless of the outcome, I’m thrilled to be named a finalist for something I truly enjoy doing

This site continues to evolve because you want to learn more about the mortgage industry, and you have trusted me to offer facts and my true opinions since I started this site in 2009.

I enjoy helping educate Canadians on the value of using a mortgage broker when making among the largest purchases of your lifetime – buying real estate!

Continue reading “Mortgage Awards of Excellence Marketing Campaign of the Year Finalist!”

Posted Consumer Debt

Considering a Second Mortgage? It can save you money!

Home Finances

Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “second mortgages”?   For some it could be that shady-looking character in a smoke-filled pool hall… guys with gold chains and a baseball bat nearby. Maybe you’re thinking of someone in financial trouble? Or, perhaps it’s just someone who doesn’t want to pay outrageous costs and penalties to refinance their existing mortgage.

The mere mention of second mortgages conjures up all sort of images. Most of them, negative. For many, a second mortgage can be a last-resort solution during a financial crisis. For several others, it can be an opportunity to save money. That’s right, to save money.

Sure, second mortgages carry a higher interest rate than first mortgages, but they can also serve a purpose. One of those purposes can be to save you money. Yup, I said it again. There are some new trends emerging with today’s new mortgage products that are forcing consumers to seek other options. Two of these trends are INFLATED PREPAYMENT PENALTIES and NO FRILLS MORTGAGES! Continue reading “Considering a Second Mortgage? It can save you money!”