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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 3 Comments on Rent is up, vacancy is down… rental properties make sense Interest rates

Rent is up, vacancy is down… rental properties make sense

Real Estate Investment Image, Feb 2018

Rental properties are a secure long-term investment. Note the emphasis on “long-term”.

Check out any seven-year period over the past 50 years (anyone who has read this news site knows that I always recommend buying and holding for at least seven years). Property values have almost always risen.

Sure, the last five or 10 years have seen fantastic appreciation in almost every part of Canada. But, let’s leave capital appreciation out of the equation for now.

Why aren’t we talking about rental income? Or, how about the equity growth through your mortgage being paid down each year?

RENTAL INCOME IS UP, UP, UP!

Rents have definitely gone up with inflation (or even higher, in many cases, as we have seen in urban markets like Toronto and Vancouver). This is part of what makes rental properties attractive – rent rises with inflation and, in many cases, even higher. This is how you create your own pension or retirement income! Continue reading “Rent is up, vacancy is down… rental properties make sense”

Posted Money saving tips

Bridge loans explained… your bank hates them but they are extremely useful

bridge-loansBridge loans are short-term loans that bridge the gap between two different closing dates.  More commonly used when an existing homeowner sells their home, and buys another home, with two different closing dates.   But bridge loans have become a very popular way to take possession of that new home while it’s empty for 2 or 3 weeks to allow for renos.   Best of all, it’s really inexpensive!

THE OLD WAY

In the past, most homebuyers would have their selling and buying dates match.   It’s always been a bit of a juggling act as you have to pack your moving truck and unpack it, all in less than a day.   Somehow, everyone manages to get it done… but you talk about one of the most stressful days in your life….moving ranks right up there!   Throw in some kids, maybe a dog, and a house full of stuff and you have a real chore on your hands….

THE NEW WAY… Continue reading “Bridge loans explained… your bank hates them but they are extremely useful”

Posted Mortgage News

Darryl Sittler made his fortune in real estate, not hockey.

RRSP home buyers planLast week, I had the privilege of attending REIN’s (Real Estate Investment Network) monthly workshop.  One of my childhood idols was a guest speaker.  I’m talking about Darryl Sittler, the former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.   In case you haven’t heard of REIN, let me share some details about this group of professionals.

REIN is a group of real estate investors that get together to network and share valuable information that affects real estate in Canada.   The leader of the group is Don Campbell.   If you haven’t heard of him, you should.  His approach to buying investment properties has proven to be very sound and profitable.  His “top ten best cities to invest” is legendary. Continue reading “Darryl Sittler made his fortune in real estate, not hockey.”

Posted 1 Comment on Credit counselling, Consumer proposal or Bankruptcy? I only like one of these options. Case study

Credit counselling, Consumer proposal or Bankruptcy? I only like one of these options.

debt aminationA couple, in their 30’s, contacts me for a mortgage.  They want to buy a new home.  She is a teacher, he is a Manager at a computer firm.  Incomes are good.  I check their credit.  Let’s stop here for a minute..   If they had good credit, an approval is simple and we would provide the clients with several mortgage options.

But let’s assume that this couple ran into some debt and credit issues 3 years ago… and they made 3 different choices about how to resolve those credit problems.  Credit counselling, Consumer Proposal and Bankruptcy.  And I’ll bet the results will surprise you…I want to take you through each scenario and show you how long each of these 3 options affect your ability to finance a home.. Continue reading “Credit counselling, Consumer proposal or Bankruptcy? I only like one of these options.”