Archive
Article Archive
Ontario Variable Rate Mortgage Strategy
Reverse Mortgage: Independent Legal Advice (ILA)
Reverse Mortgages and the Affluent Retiree
Funding Your Retirement: Reverse Mortgage
Reverse Mortgage to a Second Dream Home
Reverse Mortgage: Cushion Against Inflation
Struggling Financially as a Senior
Key Features of a Consumer Proposal in Ontario
Mortgages: Consumer Proposal & Bankruptcy
Key Features of Bankruptcy in Ontario
Mortgage Availability in a Flood Zone
Who are Canada’s Private Lenders?
Who are Canada’s Mortgage Finance Corporations?
Canada’s Non-Federally Regulated Mortgage Providers
Who are Canada’s Mortgage Investment Corporations
Does the Stress Test Apply to Private Mortgages?
How Does the Stress Test Work?
American Financial Crisis in Canada?
What is Canada’s Mortgage Default Risk?
Why Canada Needed the Mortgage Stress Test?
What does the Stress Test Prevent?
5 Reasons to Escape the Rent Trap
Why Mortgages are Important to Canada’s Banks
Price of Commuting: Lost Time, Lost Life
Price of Commuting: The Daily Journey into Toronto
Is Ontario’s 407ETR The World’s Most Expensive Highway?
10 Ways Interest Rates Impact Housing Prices
10 Reasons Why Investment Demand Impacts Real Estate Prices
10 Ways Inflation Impacts Real Estate Prices
10 Ways Economic Conditions Impact Real Estate Prices
10 Reasons Real Estate is So Expensive
10 Ways Supply and Demand Impact Real Estate Prices
10 Ways ‘Location’ Impacts Real Estate Prices.
10 Ontario cities with Strong Property Value Appreciation
10 Fastest Growing Ontario Cities
Ontario’s Top Historical Cities
10 Factors Impacting Housing Supply
10 Shortest Ontario Commute Cities
Ontario’s 10 Most Affordable Cities
The Most Wanted Community Amenities
Ontario’s Top Lifestyle Cities
10 Variable Mortgage Strategies
How the Trigger Point Impacts Canadians
How to Take Advantage of Refinancing Opportunities
Difference between the Economy and Markets
Canadian Real Estate Lacks Capital
How to Control Inflation with Interest Rates
Interest Rates and the Canadian Dollar
How the Bank of Canada Steers the Economy
The Perfect Time for a Variable Rate Mortgage
How to Choose the Right Term Length for a Fixed Mortgage
What is Critical Illness Insurance
How to Make the Most of Prepayment Privileges for a Fixed Mortgage
Why Life Insurance is the Best Mortgage Insurance
How to Optimize Payment Frequency for a Fixed Mortgage
Record Wildfires Impact Lumber Pricing
How Alberta Leaving CPP Impacts You
Why Canadian Interest Rates Remain High
How Much is Airbnb Driving Up Rents
Experts Predict Canadian Dollar Fall
Re-Zoning to Create Affordable, Safe Neighbourhoods?
Why America Thrives and Canada Struggles
Small Business Debt: A Growing Concern for Canada’s Economy
The Housing Market and the Power of Lower Rates
Navigating Changing Interest Rates and Debt in Canada
The Importance of Private Sector Involvement in Affordable Housing
Investing in Real Estate and Infrastructure: Harnessing Long-Term Cash Flows
Defaulting on Your Mortgage? Exploring the Consequences and Solutions
Why a 3-Year-Fixed Mortgage May be a Bad Choice in 2024
Buy a property for $10 in Ontario: Town Makes Homeownership Affordable
Why Immigrants are Crucial for Canada’s Economy
Millennials Brace for Economic Pain
Toronto Real Estate: Dominance of Investors and Its Implications
Are You Prepared? Homeowners Brace for Mortgage Renewals
40-Year Canadian Mortgages: What you need to know.
London Addresses Homeless Crisis
The Impact of Mortgage Rates on Residential Property Values
Household Financial Stress Over High-Interest Rates
What’s So Special About 2% Inflation
How Much is Air BnB Driving Up Rent Prices?
Know the Dow, Build Your Down Payment
Mortgage Cash-Out Refinance in Ontario
Mortgage Refinance Options in Ontario
Mortgage Co-Signer: Risks & Responsibilities
Understanding Tenants in Common Ownership
Understanding Joint Tenancy Ownership
Why the First Time Home Buyer Incentive Program was Cancelled.
Navigating the CMHC Newcomers Program
Manulife One: Mortgage and Bank Account
Leverage Simcoe County Homeownership Program
Leveraging Peel’s BNI Homeownership Bridge Program
Leveraging GTA’s Habitat for Humanity
Leveraging the Kingston Homeownership Program
Leveraging the Dufferin Country Homeownership Program
Leveraging the Chatham/Kent Homeownership Program
Leveraging Gateway Muskoka Homeownership Program
Brantford’s B-Home Homeownership Program
Region of Waterloo Affordable Home Ownership Program
Leverage the Niagara Homeownership Program
Regional and Municipal Homeownership Programs
Mortgage Term: Balloon Payment
A large, lump-sum payment due at the end of a mortgage’s term. You make a balloon payment when you pay out your mortgage, renew, refinance, or transfer your mortgage to another lender for better rates and terms. A balloon payment is often part of loans that have lower...
Waterloo Region Affordable Home Ownership Program
Unlock the dream of homeownership with the Waterloo Region Affordable Home Ownership Program. Learn how you can benefit today.
Leveraging Gateway Muskoka Homeownership Program
Explore the Gateway Muskoka Homeownership Program to turn your dream of affordable housing in Muskoka into a reality. Learn more today.
From Residential to Commercial
So you’ve been picking up rental properties over the years—maybe it started with a duplex, then a triplex, and next thing you know, you’re sitting on a healthy portfolio under your holding company. You’ve figured out the tenant game, you’re cash-flowing, and the equity’s stacking up nicely.
But then one day, you’re applying for financing on property number six, and your lender says:
“Sorry, this now falls under commercial lending.”
Understanding Commercial Mortgage Fees
Commercial Mortgage Fees: You’ve been building your portfolio, collecting rent, and watching your equity grow. Then, you spot it—a six-unit apartment building with long-term tenants and stable cash flow. You’re excited. You call your mortgage agent (hopefully me), and you start running the numbers.
Then you hear it:
“Because it’s six units, this will be a commercial deal.”
Divorce Documents & Mortgages
So let’s walk through what lenders are actually asking for, why it matters, and what you can do if you don’t have formal divorce paperwork.
Using a Holding Company
You’ve been steadily growing your real estate portfolio, collecting keys and cash flow along the way. You’ve got the landlord rhythm down, maybe even set up a joint venture or two. But then someone at a networking event leans in and asks:
“So… are you holding those properties in a company yet?”
It’s a loaded question—and one that might leave you scratching your head. What is a holding company? And should you be using one?
Get Your Lender’s Permission
If you already have a mortgage on your home—especially with a bank or a prime lender—adding a second mortgage without getting their blessing can create a legal mess you don’t want to deal with. This is one of the most common mistakes homeowners and even realtors make when dealing with short-term financing.
What Is a POTL? And Why You Should Care
That “freehold” might actually come with something called a POTL—a Parcel of Tied Land—and it’s something every buyer, realtor, and mortgage agent should understand before signing on the dotted line.
How I Saved My Clients $269,795!
I am able to save my clients hundreds of thousands of dollars getting them the same mortgage at the same bank. But I can save them even more!!!
Paying Out a Private Mortgage
You’ve probably heard the mantra: “Get out of your private mortgage as soon as you can—move to something cheaper!” And it’s true—most mortgage professionals (myself included) spend our days helping clients transition from private to alternative to prime lending. It’s what we call the mortgage ladder.
Are You a “First-Time Buyer?”
Buying your first home is one of life’s big milestones, but here’s the kicker: being a “first-time buyer” isn’t as cut-and-dry as it sounds. Depending on the program, you might be considered a first-time buyer even if you’ve owned a home before. Crazy, right?
Why Canada Needed the Mortgage Stress Test?
Why was it necessary for OSFI to mandate the implementation of the mortgage stress test? The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) mandated the implementation of the mortgage stress test in Canada for several key reasons, primarily aimed at...
Subject and Non-Subject Properties
If you’ve ever worked with a mortgage agent or lender, you know the paperwork can feel endless. But one topic that often catches people off guard is this: lenders don’t just look at the property you’re buying—they want to know about all the real estate you own. Whether it’s your cottage, a rental condo, or a student house in your kid’s university town, these “other” properties matter.
The Costs of Getting a Mortgage
Most people focus on one thing when thinking about a mortgage—the interest rate. And yes, your rate matters, but it’s not the whole picture. Whether you’re buying, refinancing, or switching lenders, there are other costs directly tied to getting a mortgage. Some are mandatory for every borrower, while others only apply in special situations.
When Is a Full Appraisal Required?
If you’ve been through the mortgage process a few times, you’ve probably noticed that not every deal requires the same level of scrutiny. Sometimes lenders are perfectly happy with an automated valuation or a quick drive-by. Other times? They want the full treatment—a boots-on-the-ground, inside-and-out, full appraisal.
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
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