Investing in real estate is a popular wealth-building strategy for many Canadians. Whether you’re considering purchasing your first investment property or expanding your existing portfolio, understanding the ins and outs of investment properties and mortgages in Canada is crucial.  In this article, I get into what you should know before diving into the world of real estate investment. The Appeal of Investment Properties Investment properties offer numerous benefits to an investor. From generating passive income to building equity over time, real estate can be a lucrative long-term investm ..read more

If you have an insured mortgage up for renewal this year, things may have just gotten a lot easier for you. In this article, I’m sharing exactly what I’m talking about and what you need to know! Is your mortgage up for renewal this year? If your mortgage is up for renewal this year, there are several things you need to understand. I recently published this article “Renewing Your Mortgage in 2024? Here’s What to Expect”. It has everything you need to know from receiving your mortgage renewal letter to switching lenders.  Is your mortgage insured? As I touched on in that article, if your mo ..read more

As 2024 unfolds, Canadian homeowners find themselves at a crucial point in their mortgage – renewal time! In this article, I will explore the current dynamics of the Canadian mortgage market, what to expect when renewing your mortgage, and considerations to ensure a seamless process. How this year is different. If there’s a topic that homeowners are discussing in 2024 it’s mortgage renewals!  It’s true that fixed and variable rates have increased dramatically since the Bank of Canada did one its most aggressive increases in 2022. Do you remember how in early 2022, the overnight lending ra ..read more

One of the most asked questions I receive is not actually about mortgages at all – rather it’s about payment! In this article, I’m going to talk about how you pay a mortgage broker and how it’s different from working with a bank.  Do you pay a Canadian mortgage broker? The answer is quite simple… you don’t pay a mortgage broker! A lot of people think that if they work with a mortgage broker, they have to pay for our time and efforts out of their own pocket. Sometimes this assumption will push them to go to the bank instead of giving me a call all together.  But I want to share with ..read more

Becoming mortgage-free sooner is a financial goal that many Canadian homeowners aspire to achieve. Imagine the freedom of owning your home outright, without the burden of monthly mortgage payments.  In this article, I share practical tips to help you pay off your mortgage faster. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to expedite your mortgage repayment, these strategies can make a significant impact on your journey to becoming mortgage free! Make bi-weekly payments. One effective way to pay off your mortgage faster is by switching to bi-weekly payments instead of monthly. Over ..read more

A new survey by BMO Investment has found that over half of first-time home buyers in Canada will use a first home savings account (FHSA), but many of them aren’t even aware of the features and benefits of the account. Have you heard of a First Home Savings Account? In this article, I will share about this new type of account and why so many people are using it to purchase their first homes. What is a FHSA account? A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) combines some of the benefits of a Registered Savings Plan (RRSP) as well as a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).  The First Home Savings Accou ..read more

If you’ve been thinking about doing some home renovations, I’m here to tell you that they are not all equal! In this article, I will share what the top renovations are for return on investment. If you’re considering upgrading your home, read this to make sure your updates will benefit your future.  How is ROI measured?  There are three ways that payback on your home renovations are measured.  The value when it comes to increasing the sale price The value when it comes to maintaining the worth of the property The value when it comes to enjoying living in your renovated space T ..read more

Two things that you’ll discuss during your home buying process are home appraisals and home inspections. These two key elements are part of the greater picture of getting you approved for your mortgage and your home sale finalized.  In this article, we’ll discuss home appraisals and home inspections and why they’re needed/recommended.  What is a home appraisal? A home appraisal is the benchmark for your home’s worth. It’s a legal document that will state the fair market value of a property. This is determined by taking the home, the neighbourhood and available historical data into ac ..read more

Have you been toying with the idea of buying a second property? If you have, the thought of budgeting and money has probably crossed your mind. In this article, I’ll share 6 budgeting tips to help save for a second property. Is it possible to buy a second home? Before you start saving up, it’s important to figure out if it’s even possible to purchase a second property. I wrote a full article about buying a second property that you can read! In it I discuss buying a second home with 5% down, renting out your first and living in your new home and how exactly you can afford this purchase.  N ..read more

There is a big difference between homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance. Sometimes people don’t realize that these types of insurance are two different kinds, so I wanted to write an article to explain the differences.  The major difference. To start, let me explain the main difference between homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance. Homeowner insurance protects the home and the contents inside the home.  Mortgage insurance protects the lender and the loan.  What is homeowners insurance?  Homeowner insurance or home insurance protects your property in the event of ..read more