There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to mortgages. Both financial situations and mortgage needs can differ from person-to-person. With that said, people need options outside of what the standard lenders and big banks have to offer if they fall outside their lending criteria. That’s where alternative mortgage lenders come in. In this blog, we’ll cover everything that you need to know about alternative mortgages. Keep scrolling to learn about: What an alternative lender is How alternative mortgage lenders differ from prime and private lenders The benefits of using an alternative ..read more

Let’s face it, no one likes high-interest debt. Luckily, debt consolidation offers a way out of these high-interest loans for those who aren’t able to pay them off with one lump sum. In this blog, we dive into how homeowners can benefit from rolling their high-interest debt into their mortgage to cut costs significantly. Keep scrolling to learn about: What debt consolidation is and why you need it How to consolidate debt with your mortgage The benefits of debt consolidation The steps to consolidate debt Other debt consolidation options Let’s get started! What is Debt Consolidation and Why do ..read more

You conquered Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but you still have time to go until your holiday shopping list is completely checked off. We’re back to finish our How to Efficiently Shop for the Holiday Season blog series and to help you become a holiday shopping superstar by utilizing what’s in your wallet, your credit cards and loyalty programs. Did you know that over 90% of companies offer loyalty programs and that there are close to 130 million loyalty memberships in Canada? That averages out to four memberships per Canadian, which means you’re well on your way to saving money with ..read more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Spending time with family and friends, spreading the holiday spirit, eating delicious foods, getting dressed up in your cozy clothes and snuggling with a loved one are only some highlights of the holiday season. This time of year also comes with many stresses like making sure your holiday dinner doesn’t get ruined, fighting the shopping lines at the grocery store or the inevitable increase in your household debt.  Isn’t this supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year? Don’t worry; it still is, and Pineapple has your back! We want you to en ..read more

Looking to purchase a rental property? Then you’ve come to the right place. We know how much time, effort, and research goes into finding a rental property that will be a strong investment for years to come. So, in this blog, we’ll provide a one-stop shop with all the information you need so that you can head into the buying process for your rental property with confidence. Here we’ll cover: Mortgage terms you should know The differences between residential and commercial lending What lenders look at for qualification Rental property vs. standard mortgage interest rates Lender limitations on ..read more

Sitting on my couch in the condo I now live with my two children, I can’t help but remember how I felt when I went through my second separation. Yes, I went through it twice: my first separation was very friendly and my second one educated me on how to stand up for myself. I remember feeling like I was losing everything and that I had no power because at the time I only owned a bed frame and he owned the rest.  Everything was so uncertain and the life of owning a beautiful house had quickly transformed into the stress of carrying more debt and losing everything that made me feel safe and ..read more

When it comes to selecting the perfect mortgage for you, it’s essential to realize that there’s much more that goes into it than just choosing between a fixed or variable rate mortgage and finding the best available rate. There are plenty of mortgage products available that you need to be aware of to ensure you find the one that best fits your needs. In this blog, we’ll tell you what those different options are and provide you with the tips and information that you need to help ensure you are getting the best mortgage product for your needs. Let’s get started! Canadian Mortgage Products Option ..read more

The Canadian housing market is cooling off, causing home prices to fall from the record highs experienced during Covid. With prices falling, some homebuyers’ mortgage appraisals are coming up short of the actual purchase price, affecting the amount of financing they can receive.    Because lenders offer mortgage loans based on a home’s appraised value and not the purchase price, appraisals that come up short mean that you qualify for less mortgage! In this blog, we’ll dive into what an appraisal coming up short could mean for you and how you can prepare and protect yourself if i ..read more

It’s safe to assume that most Canadian homeowners would welcome the opportunity to save money on their mortgage and pay it off faster. Luckily, many mortgage lenders in Canada offer prepayment privileges that will enable you to do so by allowing you to put a specified amount toward your mortgage’s principal in addition to your regular payments – without being charged a prepayment penalty. In this blog, we’ll tackle the topic of prepayment privileges to give you a better understanding of how they work. Keep scrolling to learn: What the prepayment privilege is How the prepayment privilege can b ..read more

Are you looking to purchase your first home? That’s awesome! But before you get the home buying process underway, it’s essential to be aware of all the unexpected costs you might run into that could affect your budget. In this blog, we’ll go over all the unexpected costs associated with purchasing and owning your home so that you won’t be blindsided. Keep reading to learn about the cost associated with: The home buying process, including Deposits and mortgage insurance What are closing costs, and how much are they? Appraisal, inspection and more Costs of Homeownership, including Tax and i ..read more