Investing in property has long been a great way to diversify your portfolio and improve your long term returns. Unfortunately, recent rule changes have changed the playing field for many potential real estate investors. While buyers used to be able to purchase an investment property with very little down and still receive a great rate, current hiccups in the market … Read More
Get a Better Rate: Five Questions to Ask Your Broker
Mortgage brokers are expected to be honest when it comes to providing their customers with financial advice. It’s their job, after all, to find you the best possible rate based on your unique financial situation. But, as with any other position of authority, there are always a few bad apples in the bunch. If you’re shopping for a mortgage rate, … Read More
Why a Bank Mortgage Might Not Make Cents
It’s no secret that the banking industry operates in a regulatory environment. Bankers and advisors are required to adhere to strict rules and restrictions… except when it comes to mortgages. According to Samantha Gale, a former mortgage regulator with B.C.’s Financial Institutions Commission and chief executive officier of the Mortgage Brokers Association of British Columbia, individual bank mortgage reps, unlike … Read More
Alternative Down Payment Funding Sources
The theme for 2012 mortgage rules was pretty obvious: crack down on homebuyers who were looking to purchase a home with little money down. Changes barring cash-back mortgages by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. made it clear that regulators wanted to dissuade cash-poor consumers from taking on more debt. Yet, even despite these changes, first time homebuyers can still … Read More
The Perks of Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster
The amortizations gods have been good to Canadians over the past three years. Just 60 months ago, mortgage rates were nearly double what they are now, costing homeowners thousands of dollars in interest every year. In fact, if you were to compare interest costs in 2007 with today’s rates, you’d save over $100,000 in interest over a 25 year amortization … Read More