Edmonton Mortgages

Mortgage rates can be misleading and complex. The lowest rates aren’t available for all situations, like conventional mortgages, refinances, 30-year amortizations, and rental properties.

Rates are also used as a lure in online rate ads. But the reality is that once the fine print is read, many will find they don’t qualify for that rate, and often, there are restrictions that could cost homeowners in the long run.

If you see an online rate ad, do all the research you can, but be sure to call me to discuss. It’s my job to understand your situation and look out for your best interests.

Using a mortgage broker like myself gives you access to lending options you can’t get on your own. I deal with many lenders, from major banks to private lending options. This gives you more choice with one simple call.

Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.

Lenders typically let you renew your mortgage without penalty 120 to 180 days before your current term ends. They will often send you an early renewal offer during the period. It is important to know that early renewal offers are usually uncompetitive. Your best option is to reach out and explore your options!

While some buyers are waiting on the sidelines, others are jumping in. What you might not realize is that there are benefits to buying in a slower market, such as;

📌 Less competition, which gives the buyer more edge.
📌 Prices are coming down from the record highs, making homes more affordable.

What goes up must come down, and when rates do come down, those who got into the market today will be able to restructure their mortgage and save on interest in the long run.

If your mortgage is coming up for renewal, you need to start preparing for higher rates. Two tips to help you get ready are:

1. Take advantage of your prepayment privileges and increase your payment amount. You will pay down more principal and be accustomed to paying a higher amount at renewal.

2. Watch your bad debt. Be cautious about any credit card or other high-interest debt.

It is not about panicking; it’s about being prudent. Reach out to determine your best strategies.

Rather than purchasing an existing home, a construction loan allows you to borrow money to have your own home built for you. This allows you to construct your own home from the ground up.

Homebuilding loans differ from ordinary mortgages in terms of loan length and loan availability.

Here are a few quick tips on construction loans 🛠:

📌Construction loans enable you to fund the construction of unique residences.

📌You do not receive the entire mortgage amount straight front. Instead, four payments are made with each building milestone.

📌Construction loan rates are often higher than regular loan rates.

For more information on construction loans, reach out.

With the higher interest rate environment we are currently in, a solution to lowering your monthly mortgage payment could be extending your amortization. Extending your amortization will stretch your mortgage repayment schedule out, which can potentially lower your monthly payment.

Reach out to see if this is a good solution for you.

If you have an insured mortgage with CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty, you are exempt from the Stress Test when switching lenders. As a mortgage borrower, this gives you more choice vs. a ‘take it or leave it’ scenario.

Reach out to explore your options.

Finding a co-signer for your mortgage is a great solution, but not everyone is comfortable taking on that responsibility. Below are three alternatives to having a co-signer on your mortgage:

1. Receiving a gifted down payment. Depending on the amount, a gifted down payment might be exactly what is needed to help qualify for a mortgage without needing a co-signer.

2. Getting a joint mortgage. Joint mortgages are popular with parents helping their children buy a first home. They give both parties equal responsibility to make payments. In return, all parties get equal ownership of the home.

3. Using buyer assistance programs like the First Time Home Buyers Incentive, the Home Buyers’ Plan, or the First Home Savings Account.

For more information, reach out for a free consultation.

Purchase + Improvements is ideal for the person looking to purchase a home with great potential but needs a little extra work. It allows you to incorporate the renovation costs into your mortgage upon purchase.

Reach out to learn more and see if this product is right for you.

You can improve your ability to qualify for a mortgage. To get an idea of what strategies will work best for you, reach out as early as possible in the process to start the conversation. Being as prepared as possible will reduce stress and possibly save you money.

Five ways to improve mortgage qualifying success👇

1. Help from parents – co-sign, gifted down payment
2. Pay off debt
3. Polish your credit
4. Put down a larger down payment
5. Get advice early

If your mortgage is coming up for renewal this year, don’t panic. Reach out to explore your options. I have access to over 60 lenders and will be able to run your numbers to see what term is best for you. Plus, my services are free!

It is a common misconception that you need to put down 20% of the home’s purchase price as a down payment. While 20% down allows you to avoid mortgage loan insurance, many lenders offer mortgage programs with lower down payment options.

If your home will be owner-occupied, then you need 5% down for the first $500,000 of the purchase price, and 10% for any amount over $500,000 up to $999,999. If the purchase price is $1,000,000 or more, the minimum down payment is 20%.

If you have any questions about the down payment options available to you and how to use them, reach out. I’m here to help, and my services are free.

Reach out to discuss a rate hold. A rate hold is when you secure your interest rate for a period of time while you shop for a house or renegotiate your mortgage.

The next Bank of Canada interest rate announcement is October 25th. In the event rates rise, you can take advantage of the rate you locked in.

If your mortgage is coming up for renewal, you must prepare for higher rates. It is not about panicking; it’s about being prudent. Here are three strategies you can implement to get ready:

1. Take advantage of your prepayment privileges and increase your payment amount. You’ll pay down more principal and be accustomed to paying a higher amount at renewal.

2. Watch your bad debt. Be cautious about any credit card or high-interest debt.

3. If you are considering moving to a new home, get a pre-approval to protect you while shopping around. Consider not borrowing the maximum amount your lender will allow.

The best thing to do is get advice early. Reach out, and let's determine your best personal strategies to prepare.

There are so many reasons to get your mortgage with me over your Bank! When you have a choice, you can be confident you got the best rate and mortgage for your situation. Professional advice is also crucial in today's changing marketplace, as is convenience and getting solutions when needed.

1. Choice. Get access to numerous lenders, including major banks.
2. Professional Advice. Make an informed decision and save money.
3. Solutions. If you don’t qualify for a Bank mortgage, we can help.
4. Convenience. Everything can be managed around your busy schedule.
5. Great Rates!

Here are three benefits to buying in today’s market;

1. Higher rates mean less competition, giving you more buying power.
2. Prices are finally starting to come down after record-setting years, making buying more affordable.
3. Rates will go back down, and when they do, those who got in the market today will be able to restructure their mortgage and save on interest in the long run.

If you are thinking about buying or have questions, reach out for free, unbiased advice you can trust.

Mortgage rates can be misleading. The lowest rates are not always available and may not apply to situations such as conventional mortgages, refinances, 30-year amortizations, or rental properties.

Online rate advertisements often dangle enticing rates, but upon closer examination of the fine print, many individuals may discover that they do not actually meet the qualifications for those rates. Plus, these advertisements frequently come with restrictions that could prove costly for homeowners in the long term.

If you come across an online rate advertisement, it's essential to do your research. However, it is equally important to contact me for a discussion. As your Mortgage Broker, my role is to comprehend your unique circumstances and advocate for your best interests.

Monthly mortgage payments are the most standard, and lenders use this common payment to calculate the amount you would pay on other schedules. But choosing another option can shave time off your mortgage and thousands from your interest costs. 💰💡

📌 Semi-monthly means you will divide your monthly mortgage payment in half and pay that amount twice a month. 📅✌️

📌 Biweekly means paying 26 payments yearly, once every 2 weeks. For 3 months each year (usually), you'll need to make 3 payments in a month. ⏰💰

📌 Biweekly Accelerated means you're paying 26 payments each year, with an extra monthly payment added into the calculation and spread out over the year's payments. For 3 months each year (usually), you'll need to make 3 payments in a month. On average, this payment method can take your amortization from 25 years to 22.5 years. ⚡️💸

📌 Weekly means you're paying 52 payments each year, which is once a week. 🗓️📆

📌 Weekly Accelerated means you're paying 52 payments each year with an extra monthly payment added into the calculation and spread out over the year's payments. On average, this payment method can take your amortization from 25 years to 22.5 years. ⚡️📆💸

A rate hold is when you secure your interest rate for a period of time while you shop for a house. The next Bank of Canada interest rate announcement is September 6th. In the event rates rise, you can take advantage of the rate you locked in. If rates drop, you can still secure the lowest rate available for you when you are ready to buy.

If you carry consumer debt on a line of credit or credit card, it may make sense to refinance your mortgage to pay off your high-interest debt.

Consolidating high-interest loans can potentially save you thousands plus free up more cash each month.

Reach out today for a free consultation.

1. Energy-efficient Upgrades 🔋: Invest in energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, and LED lighting to lower your utility bills and reduce energy consumption. It’s a win-win for your wallet and the environment.

2. DIY and Home Maintenance 🛠️: Take on simple home maintenance tasks yourself, such as changing air filters, caulking windows, and landscaping. You can save on hiring professionals and keep your home in top shape by doing it yourself.

3. Bundle your services 💰: Consider bundling your home insurance, internet, and other services to take advantage of discounts and promotional offers. This can help you cut down on monthly expenses and keep more money in your pocket.

🏠 Implement these money-saving strategies to make your homeownership journey even more financially rewarding.

With the Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate increase, many Canadians are having a hard time paying their mortgage. FCAC (The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada) has a guide for people paying their mortgage when experiencing financial difficulty.

If you find yourself in financial difficulty due to increased mortgage payments, reach out for advice. Some solutions could be extending your amortization; your lender may waive pre-payment penalties or offer you a mortgage deferral.

If your mortgage is coming up for renewal this year, it is essential you reach out. About one-third of mortgage holders have already seen their rates increase, and the Bank of Canada forecasts that just about every borrower will experience the same in the next three years. Knowing this, you need options!

As a Mortgage Broker, I work with banks, credit unions, trust companies and lenders only available to brokers. One application gets you access to all!

If your home will be owner-occupied, you need 5% down for the first $500,000 of the purchase price and 10% for any amount over $500,000 up to $999,999. If the purchase price is $1,000,000 or more, the minimum down payment is 20%.

According to CMHC’s Mortgage Consumer Survey, most homebuyers are accessing their savings or equity from a previous home for their down payment. Followed by RRSP savings and gifts from family members.

If you have any questions about the down payment options available to you and how to use them, send me a message. I will be happy to review your situation and discuss your homeownership goals.

If you feel the impact of higher interest rates, a strategy to look at could be extending your amortization. Extending your amortization will stretch your mortgage repayment out, potentially lowering your monthly payment.

If you have any questions or want to look at a strategy like this for your mortgage, send me a message.

We know that borrowing money is harder for self-employed Canadians, which is one of the reasons why working with a Mortgage Broker like myself, is so important.

I have access to lenders specializing in self-employed mortgages and understand business owners' challenges.

If you are self-employed and looking to buy, renew or refinance, reach out to start the conversation.

Mortgage holders have seen their payments and rates aggressively spike over the past 15 months, which has caused a sense of uncertainty. Working with a Mortgage Broker like myself gives you access to advise, products, and rates you can’t get from your bank.

Whether you need to reset, restructure, or re-strategize, I am armed with solutions.

If you are shopping for a mortgage, it is essential to know what you need to qualify, but it is also important to understand what could be holding you back from qualifying for a mortgage. Below are 5 points that could be impacting your chances of being approved for a mortgage:

📌 Carrying too much debt
📌 Poor credit history or not enough credit history
📌 Not enough income or assets
📌 Not enough of a down payment
📌 Unstable employment history

If you feel any of the above points could be holding you back from getting approved for a mortgage, reach out. I am armed with solutions for every situation.

If your mortgage is coming up for renewal this year, reach out and let’s start the conversation.

We are in a high-interest rate environment, and many customers feel stuck with their current lender at renewal. Whether it’s transferring to a different lender for a better rate, exploring new mortgage products that let you access your equity to help with payments, or opting for a shorter term, I am armed with solutions.