13 Feb

What to Know about Second Mortgages

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

A second mortgage is a mortgage that is taken out against a property that already has a home loan (mortgage) on it. Generally, people take out second mortgages to satisfy short-term cash or liquidity requirements, have an investment opportunity or to pay off higher-interest debts (such as credit cards and student loans) that a second […]

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10 Jan

Alternative Lending

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

When traditional lenders (such as banks or credit unions) deny mortgage financing, it can be easy to feel discouraged. However, it is important to remember that there is always an alternative! If you’re seeking a mortgage, but your application doesn’t fit into the box of the big traditional institutions, you’ll find yourself in what’s commonly […]

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19 Dec

Budgeting for the Year Ahead

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

With the recent inflation and rising prices occurring across the country, it is time to take control of your finances. One of the quickest ways to understand where your money is going and where you can make changes, is to create a monthly budget. This will help you get a snapshot of your income compared to […]

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6 Oct

Don’t Get Spooked! First-Time Homebuyer Tips

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

Whether you’re currently in the process of looking for your first home or have just started to think about it, I have some first-time homebuyer tips to help make your journey as easy as possible! Some of these you may already know about, and some you might not, but they are sure to make your […]

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26 Sep

Understanding Mortgage Trigger Points

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

While inflation has now likely peaked, we will still be dealing with the repercussions from these heightened levels for a while before things balance out. As  inflation is corrected, we are also seeing home prices moving back to normal post-pandemic era. However, we are still anticipating some final rate hikes from the Bank of Canada […]

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19 Sep

Have you Started to Use your Credit Cards to Cover your Living Expenses?

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

Equifax released a recent report that shows Canadians are starting to use their credit cards to pay for groceries and fuel.  This trend indicates that people are using credit to cover their everyday living expenses because their income and savings are no longer enough.  I would caution you against increasing credit card debt since the […]

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25 Jul

Purchase Plus Improvements Mortgage.

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

When it comes to shopping for your perfect home, it can be hard to find the exact one ready to go! If you are looking into a home that requires improvements, there is a mortgage product known as Purchase Plus Improvements (PPI). This type of mortgage is available to assist buyers with making simple upgrades, […]

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23 Jun

6 Reasons to use a Mortgage Broker instead of a Bank?

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

For most people, it’s a habit to go to your bank to get a mortgage.  However, it’s not always your best option. I recommend going to a Mortgage Broker, obviously because I am one.  But let me give you six reasons why it’s probably a better option for you. Mortgage Brokers Study Mortgages.  That’s it! […]

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22 Feb

Help for First Time Home Buyers

General

Posted by: Jenni MacDonald

The Cornwall and Area real estate market has been hot for over 10 months now and by the looks of the current trend, it will just get hotter for the spring market.  Prices are increasing at an unprecedented rate.  If you are getting ready to purchase your first home, there are some basic steps that […]

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