homebuyer tips

The Stress-Busting Tip No One in Real Estate is Talking About

Rising interest rates. Inflation. Recession. A competitive housing market. The return of Covid?(!) Is it me, or does everything feel a...

Do I Have to Commit to One Mortgage Broker? (Hint: This Isn't Tinder)

I know, I know. You want to make sure you get the best rate. Well, first of all, that's my job, not yours. But more importantly, don't...

A Powerful Way to Boost Your Homebuying Budget That Has Nothing to Do with Interest Rates

In Alberta, we have a love affair with our wheels. However, at some point, many Albertans must decide what they love more: Owning a home...

Why Can't a Mortgage Broker 'Just Run Quick Numbers' Without a Full Application?

A number of times over the last few weeks, clients have asked "Can you just run some quick numbers for me, Karri, and tell me how much...

If You Need a Mortgage, You Also Need Cash. Lots of It!

Even though you’re borrowing to buy a home, cash is King. And there remains a great deal of confusion regarding how much cash you need at...

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, And Now You Want to Buy a House??

Seems that, before the sheets are even cold, the first thing people want to do after a split is buy another house. While understandable,...

The True Cost of a Fixed Rate Mortgage: Are You Aware of These Payout Penalties?

Six out of ten borrowers break their mortgage before the term is up. Why would the lender let you off the hook for lost profit?

Stop Doing Real Estate Over Text! How Extreme Digitization is Costing Homebuyers Thousands

A few days ago I was swapping war stories with a real estate lawyer and wow, the state of 'customer service' out there is kind of...

Is Your Mortgage Pre-Approval Worth the Paper It's Written On?

If your broker (or lender) is running 'back of napkin' numbers on your mortgage pre-approval, well, that's not a pre-approval. That's a...

Can the Bank Really Cancel Your Funding Before Possession Day?

YES, yes they can. The lender can and will cancel (or delay) funding if you don't 'behave' between time of purchase and possession day....

Should You Use a Bank or a Broker to Get a Mortgage?

When I got my mortgage license, someone very smart said to me "Congratulations! Which bank are you working for then?" To which I happily...

The 4 (Sorta Messy) Ingredients Required for a Mortgage Pre-approval

Hint: it may or may not include a DNA sample and your first born 👶 Seriously though, the lender needs a ton of documentation before they...

Does Your Mortgage Broker Apply These 3 Communication Strategies?

If not, your home ownership journey could turn into a nightmare. Why? Because you don't know what you don't know. Poor communication...