Real Estate Blog - lenders

Pros and Cons of Banks Versus Mortgage Brokers

When looking for a good mortgage rate, there are two main options: going directly through a bank or working with a mortgage broker. Each can be a good option, depending on your financial situation. So how do you decide which one to try? Let’s look at the difference between banks versus mortgage brokers, their pros and cons, and how to figure out which is best for you.

The Difference Between Banks Versus Mortgage Brokers

The big difference between a bank and a mortgage broker is that a mortgage broker can provide you with mortgage products from several different lenders, while a bank can only give you the mortgage option from their own company. Mortgage brokers have access to a variety of lenders and rates, which means…

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How To Get a Mortgage When You’re Self-Employed

Despite the coronavirus pandemic leading to a so-called Great Resignation that has produced a labour shortage in North America and Europe, fewer Canadians are embracing entrepreneurship, bucking the growing trend south of the border. Before the global health crisis, there were close to 2.9 million self-employed Canadians. Today, Statistics Canada data show a little more than 2.6 million self-employed folks, with losses situated throughout multiple industries, including professional and technical services. It turns out that these folks have transitioned to paid full-time employment. It is a grind for the rest of the self-employed class, but it is also liberating. Of course, that feeling may not be the same when it comes to gathering credit and applying…

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What to Know About Mortgages (INFOGRAPHIC)

For answers to questions about Mortgages and more, contact one of our REALTORS® for some expert advice!

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How Do Mortgage Brokers Get Paid in Canada?

When purchasing a home, one of the first steps is finding out just how much mortgage you can afford. The mortgage amount is determined on several factors, such as how much debt you carry, what your income level and if you pass the mortgage stress test. Prospective buyers often consult with a number of lenders to find the best mortgage rate available. This is where mortgage brokers come in. There are many benefits of using the services of a mortgage broker, including that the buyer doesn’t receive a bill for this service. So, how do mortgage brokers get paid?

What is a Mortgage Broker?

A mortgage broker is an intermediary who links borrowers to potential lenders to assist the borrowers in obtaining the best possible…

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How do Home Renovation Loans Work?

When first thinking about renovating our homes, we often get lost in daydreams and fantasies of new bathrooms, kitchens, walk-in closets, and a whole host of other great renovation ideas. Eventually, though, we come back to reality and the daunting thought of the cost associated with renovations. So, how do home renovations work? Let’s dig in.

Home renovations can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and there are many different ways to pay for them. While inexpensive upgrades such as new light fixtures, countertops and windows can be paid for using either a line of credit or a savings account, large reconstruction projects take far more time and money, often requiring home…

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The Lowdown on Private Mortgages

Some prospective homebuyers are turning to private mortgages in this red-hot Canadian real estate market. A private mortgage is a home mortgage from a private individual or company that is not a federally regulated financial institution. In an environment of historically low-interest rates and strengthening demand for limited residential properties, Canada’s private mortgage lending market is thriving amid tighter federal rules and regulations. Private lenders will argue that the current rules are too conservative and could leave too many people on the sidelines, especially when prices are growing at exponential levels.

Statistics Canada data show that non-bank residential mortgages rose to approximately $339 billion as of…

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Mortgage Types You Should Know: Open, Closed, Convertible, Hybrid

Just like searching for a home, there are many options beyond fixed or variable rates when it comes to mortgages. In Canada, there are several types of residential mortgages available for everyone’s unique financial circumstances, no matter if you’re looking for an open mortgage or a hybrid option.

So whether you’re a new buyer qualifying for your first mortgage or an existing holder, what are the key things you need to know about the most common mortgage types? Frances Hinojosa, ​​CEO, co-founder, and principal mortgage broker at Tribe Financial Group offers some insights.

Open and closed mortgages

If you anticipate making any lump sum payments on your mortgage, you might want to weigh your options between a closed or open mortgage.

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Q&A: Senior Economist Answers Common Real Estate Questions

Between rising interest rates, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the incoming spring market, home buyers and sellers might feel slightly overwhelmed by all of the changes happening in the 2022 housing market. 

Last year was one for the books as home inventory sank to its lowest levels ever recorded. Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada (BoC) is preparing to increase its overnight rate again, spelling potential changes for new and existing mortgage holders. With these trends in play, it leaves a lot of questions for those looking to make a move in the real estate market in 2022. 

Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist and Director of Housing Data and Market Analysis at the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), has the answers to some of your important real…

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6 Things to Know About the Offer Process

Buying the perfect home is not as simple as it can look on TV. Buyers and sellers must first navigate the offer process, which can involve many steps and quick decisions. Here’s what first-time buyers and sellers can expect, and how your REALTOR® can help guide you throughout.

1) What must happen before you can make an offer?

Many renters think they can move on a house right away. But first, there are some things to take care of, says Katia Samson, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX L’ESPACE in Montreal.

“It’s very important to give your landlord notice three months before the end of the lease, because leases are usually renewed automatically every year,” explains Samson. 

Next, get pre-approved for your mortgage unless you’re paying cash, she adds. 

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