Are you a first-time home buyer looking for a way to save for your down payment? Look no further than the First Time Home Buyers tax-free savings account program! This new initiative allows Canadians to contribute up to $8,000 per year (up to a lifetime limit of $40,000) towards their first down payment within 15 years of opening their account. The best part? Contributions are tax-deductible, just like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), and withdrawals for the purpose of purchasing a first home are non-taxable. So, who can open a First Home Savings Account (FHSA)? Any Canadian resident who is at least 18 years old and has not owned a qualifying home as their principal place of residence for the year the account is opened or the preceding four calendar years. You can contribute up to $8,000 in any given year, including 2023, when the program is set to launch. Unused contribution room can be carried forward, and you can even hold more than one FHSA, as long as the total contributions don't exceed your annual and lifetime limits. The FHSA can also be combined with the Home Buyers' Plan, which allows you to withdraw up to $35,000 from

Are you dreaming of a simpler, minimalist lifestyle in the beautiful province of Alberta, Canada? Are you yearning for the freedom and flexibility that comes with tiny home living on leased land? Look no further! I have over 20 years of experience, am here to help you turn those tiny home dreams into a reality. In this blog, we'll explore the world of tiny home living in Alberta, the financial aspects of it, and how I can guide you through the process. **The Alberta Tiny Home Revolution** Alberta, with its stunning natural landscapes and a growing interest in minimalist living, is the perfect place to embark on your tiny home journey. Whether you're considering a serene escape in the Rockies or a rustic homesteading future, owning a tiny home on leased land in Alberta offers countless possibilities.  Here are some key points to consider: **Tiny Living as a Lifestyle Change**: Tiny home living is not just about downsizing; it's a lifestyle change. It's about reducing clutter, simplifying life, and focusing on what truly matters. Embracing minimalism can be a refreshing departure from the norm and an opportunity to live more intentionally. **Less Stuff, Less Maintenance**: One of the most

Becoming a first-time homebuyer is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with its share of challenges and responsibilities. To ensure a smooth and successful home buying journey, it's important to be well-prepared and well-informed. We’d like to help in any way we can, to make this transition as seamless and enjoyable as can can. Let’s explore the key steps and helpful tips that every first-time homebuyer should consider before making this significant investment. Mortgage Pre-Approval Before you start house hunting, obtaining a mortgage pre-approval is a MUST-DO! You’ll want a detailed assessment of your financial situation so you can understand your budget and get specific about your home search. A pre-approval not only gives you a clear picture of what you can afford, but also makes you a more attractive buyer in the eyes of sellers. In this market, you want all of your ducks-in-a-row (for lack of a better term) so when you find your house, you are ready to make an offer without any hesitation. Home-Ownership Costs While the allure of homeownership is easy to get caught up in, it's also important to be mindful about the ‘other’ associated costs beyond your mortgage payment. Property taxes, utilities,

Recently, the Bank of Canada has taken significant steps to address economic change, inflation and maintain financial stability. How? A prime interest rate increase, which can have significant implications on a number of financial aspects, including rate renewals. As a consumer, understanding these changes and taking proactive measures can help you save money and avoid falling for enticing (and potentially misleading) promises from certain financial institutions. Let’s explore the impact of the Bank of Canada interest rate increase rate renewals where I’ll provide actionable tips on how you can save money by shopping around. The Bank of Canada Interest Rate Increase The Bank of Canada periodically adjusts its benchmark interest rate in response to economic conditions. An increase in the interest rate can have a domino effect on borrowing costs, impacting various financial products offered by banks. Two key areas that often feel the impact of interest rate changes are prime rates and mortgage rate renewals. Understanding Prime Rates and the Impact Prime rate serves as the foundation for many lending products, including variable-rate mortgages, lines of credit and personal loans. When the Bank of Canada raises its interest rate, banks may follow suit and increase their prime rates accordingly.

For many new homeowners, the idea of a mortgage can be frightening, mix in the costs associated with being a homeowner and it’s a double-whammy. The idea of paying off a mortgage early may even feel like a dream, but it’s very doable with a little planning! While there are various strategies to achieve that goal, one option that has gained popularity is making bi-weekly mortgage payments. Let’s explore some of the benefits of bi-weekly mortgage payments, including how they can help save you money and reduce your debt. 1. Accelerated Reduction of Principal One of the biggest advantages of bi-weekly mortgage payments is the ability to accelerate the reduction of your mortgage principal. By making payments every two weeks instead of monthly, it goes without saying that you end up making an additional payment each year. This extra payment goes directly toward reducing your principal amount, which can have a significant impact on the overall duration of your mortgage. 2. Interest Savings Reducing your principal amount through bi-weekly payments also means substantial interest savings over the life of your mortgage. With each extra payment, the outstanding balance decreases, resulting in less interest accruing on your loan. Over time, this

Buying a home is an exciting and very significant milestone in life. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or planning to upgrade your current home or area, it's essential to be well-prepared. We’re in mid-May and we are seeing a unique market right now with low inventory and higher prices. As the second half of 2023 approaches, now is the perfect time to start taking the necessary steps to ensure a smooth home buying process. I’d like to go over some of the crucial aspects to consider and actions you can take to prepare yourself to buy a home in the latter part of 2023. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage 1. One of the most important initial steps is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves meeting with a mortgage broker or lender to assess your financial situation and determine the loan amount you can qualify for. Pre-approval gives you a clear understanding of your budget, streamlines the home search process and makes you a more competitive buyer. Especially in a market where we are seeing bidding wars and homes going for OVER list-price. Have a Pre-Approval Letter Ready 2. Once you've obtained pre-approval, ensure you have a pre-approval letter

Divorce is a challenging time for many people, and it can be even more challenging when trying to navigate assets (such as a home) so it's important to consider how mortgage decisions can be impacted. These are some solutions and advice I offer on the mortgage side of the transaction: Understand your options: If you own a home together, there are a few options for handling the mortgage. One spouse could sell the home and divide the proceeds, one spouse could keep the home and use our spousal buyout program to obtain a mortgage in their name (I can do this up to 95% of the home value to include all debt payouts as agreed in their agreement), OR you could continue to co-own the home and both contribute to the mortgage payments. Consider the financial implications: Each option has financial implications to consider. Selling the home could result in a loss if the home has decreased in value since it was purchased. Spousal buyout of the mortgage in one spouse's name could result in higher monthly payments if that spouse has a lower credit score or income. Continuing to co-own the home requires a high level of trust and

​​If you're in the market for a home loan because you’re looking for your dream home, you should consider working with us, a mortgage brokerage, to help you find the right financing solution. We are a licensed professional who works as an intermediary between you and lenders to help you secure the best home loan on the market. Want to know more about what we can do to help, here are a few services that we can provide: Access to Multiple Lenders: One of the primary benefits of working with a mortgage broker is that we have access to multiple lenders. This means we can shop around for you and find the best loan options and rates available for your specific situation. Expertise and Guidance: A mortgage broker can provide expert guidance throughout the home buying process. We can help you understand the different types of loans available, including fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and government-backed loans. We can also help you determine which loan options are best for your financial situation and help you navigate the loan application process. Loan Pre-Approval: A mortgage broker can help you get pre-approved for a home loan. This can be particularly useful if you're shopping for

Rural financing refers to the funding of agricultural or (other rural-related projects) in a rural area. When considering building or buying a home on raw land (raw land = land that has not been developed, subdivided, or improved in any way ie: in its natural state, without any infrastructure or buildings on it) or running a hobby farm, it is important to take into account the all of the factors. Let’s take a closer look at a few. Building on Raw Land Buying a parcel of land and building your dream home is an exciting venture – but here are some key points to consider: Higher down payment (35 - 50%) Higher interest rates Zoning laws and building codes Access to utilities (water, electricity, sewage) Soil quality and topography Environmental factors (flood zones, endangered species, etc.) Permits and fees, transportation access Proximity to amenities (schools, stores, hospitals) Future resale value.  Rural financing on raw land typically involves obtaining a loan from a specialized lender or government agency that provides financing for rural properties. The loan terms may vary depending on factors such as the size of the property, intended use, and creditworthiness of the borrower so it’s important to do

Ready to Purchase? When it comes time to purchase a home, one of the most important factors to consider is your credit score. A credit score is a three-digit number that reflects how you have managed your financial responsibilities in the past. It is used to determine how likely you are to repay a loan and it is a key factor in determining your ability to obtain a mortgage. A good credit score is generally considered to be any score over 700. However, it is important to remember that banks and/or lenders may not just look at your credit score, but also the amount of debt you have, the length of your credit history, and other factors. Having a good credit score can help you get better interest rates on your mortgage, and it can also open up more options for you when it comes to mortgage lenders. It’s important to make sure you maintain a good credit score before you apply for a mortgage, and also to be aware of any potential issues that could affect your ability to get a loan. The Five C's of Credit There are five C's of credit: Capacity, Capital, Collateral, Conditions and