Real Estate Articles
Your Home, Your Life!
Canada’s Employment Crisis
Mortgage agents are boots-on-the-ground financial professionals who know what is going on in the economy in real time. As I talk to people, I often feel like a counsellor, as people share with me what is going on in their lives and what is happening with their employment situation.
Toronto Real Estate: Dominance of Investors and Its Implications
Explore the challenges faced by real estate investors in Toronto and how it impacts tenants and the rental market. Discover how rising mortgage rates and investor-owned properties are reshaping the real estate landscape.
The Real Story Behind Inground Pools
Welcome to the spring real estate market. As the temperature warms and leaves return to the branches of trees, homes for sale with inground pools return to the market as a point of appeal to would-be buyers. As a professional home inspector and mortgage agent in the Greater Toronto Area, I’ve had countless conversations with buyers and sellers alike about the appeal—and the reality—of owning an inground pool. Pools can be a luxurious, lifestyle-enhancing feature, especially in the spring and summer months when outdoor living is at its peak. But like all major home features, pools come with both benefits and responsibilities.
Understanding Course of Construction Insurance
Building a new home, undertaking a major renovation, or adding a legal secondary suite can be one of the most exciting — and financially rewarding — projects you ever take on. But before the first shovel hits the ground, it’s critical to understand one of the most important protections you’ll need along the way: Course of Construction Insurance.
Australia’s Warning to Canada
Discover the challenges faced in Australia’s housing market, from soaring prices to limited supply. Explore the impact on buyers, sellers, and construction firms, and the need for affordable solutions.
What is Title Fraud
Did you know title fraud costs Canadians tens of millions of dollars every year? It's a serious issue in Canada where someone changes property records without permission. This can lead to big problems for homeowners, affecting their rights and money. It's important...
Canadian Real Estate Lacks Capital
As the real estate landscape in Canada encounters challenges related to capital scarcity and financing, industry players are navigating an uncertain terrain in 2024. Scarcity of Capital and Cautionary Approach With the increasing scarcity and cost of capital,...
Housing: A Business or a Right?
For much of the past century, the dream of owning a home has been a cornerstone of Canadian life — a promise of stability, security, and prosperity. But today, for many Canadians, that dream feels more out of reach than ever before. What happened? How did we go from a nation of builders and homeowners to a country where homes are increasingly treated not as places to live, but as financial assets?
Introducing Accurity Canada: Your Trusted Appraiser
Whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, or investing, choosing the right appraiser can make a critical difference in the smoothness and success of your transaction. Let me share why Accurity Canada stands apart and why I confidently recommend them to my valued clients.
Private Mortgages Help Self-Employed / On Commission
Mark is a self-employed contractor in Vancouver who earns $150,000 per year, but his reported taxable income is only $50,000 due to business write-offs and tax deductions. His wife, Sarah, is a real estate agent who earns commission-based income that fluctuates from...
Private Mortgages Enable Real Estate Investors
Lisa is an experienced real estate investor and house flipper based in Toronto. She identifies a distressed property listed for $600,000 in a desirable neighbourhood. The house requires $100,000 in renovations, but after the improvements, it is expected to sell for...
What are Negative Interest Rates
Decoding Negative Interest Rates: A Game Changer in Economics Negative interest rates have the potential to revolutionize the financial landscape, with central banks using this unconventional tool to spur economic activity. The concept of charging lenders for holding...
Private Mortgages: Fast Approvals
Rachel, a marketing executive in Ottawa, Ontario, found her dream condo in a competitive real estate market. The property was listed for $550,000, and she placed a firm offer (no financing condition) to secure the deal. Rachel was pre-approved for a mortgage with a...
Financing Renos and Remodels
Renovating a home can be a smart investment, but strategic financing is crucial to maximizing returns while avoiding unnecessary financial strain. Choosing the right funding option can determine how much you can invest in upgrades, and understanding how appraisers...
Private Mortgages Support Divorce
Discover how getting a private mortgage can be a solution during divorce and can solve a multitude of challenges
Private Mortgages: Purchasing Non-Traditional Properties
Daniel and Rebecca, a couple from Kelowna, British Columbia, are looking to purchase a 10-acre rural property with a small off-grid home and a separate guest cabin. The property is listed for $800,000 and includes a mix of woodland and farmland, making it an ideal...
Featured Publications
Articles
- Extended Amortizations and Hypothetical Calculations
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Minimum Qualifying Rate for Uninsured Mortgages
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Guideline on Existing Consumer Mortgage Loans in Exceptional Circumstances Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Book: “The Program”
- Part 1 – Building Your Down Payment
- Part 2 – Mortgage Payoff Strategies
- Part 3 – Building Wealth Through Real Estate