Accreditaion for Mortgage Brokers

Okay, that may have been an easy one if you read the headline of this column. For most Canadians, their home is their biggest investment - and their most powerful financial tool.

When it comes to mortgage financing, more and more Canadians are choosing to work with a professional mortgage broker. According to a recent study by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), 23 per cent of mortgages written were arranged through a broker.

There are many stresses associated with home buying - both financial and emotional. And frankly speaking, it doesn't help that the process comes with its very own foreign language.

"A penny saved is a penny earned"... or so the old proverb goes. Of course, the value of a penny has changed somewhat from the time when your mother offered her wisdom on the value of keeping what you earn. Today, you could save thousands of dollars by simply making the right mortgage decision.

What if there was such a thing as a magic card that you could carry with you, which had the power to open doors for you all over the world? You show someone your magic card and 'voila', you can have what you wish for. You would want to protect that card very carefully, wouldn't you? Your credit is a little like that.

"Wow!" you say to your spouse as you hit the brakes on the car. "Did you see the mortgage rate those guys are advertising?" Your worries are over, you're thinking. Just lock in a rate like that for the next ten years, and you've got it made.

"Lower than prime," you heard someone say. Like most Canadians, you were probably first skeptical and then confused. We tend to think of the prime lending rate as the invisible "floor" of lending rates. The very best customers can get very close to that floor. It is theoretically possible, we reason, to actually be ON the floor, but not possible to be below it.

It takes time, after filing bankruptcy, to be able to buy a mortgage, it's not even a real consideration for two years. However, during that time, you can work on building credit for a mortgage after bankruptcy so that you'll be able to get the best deal possible.

Homeowners are typically receiving loan modification approvals in 90 days. This fast turn around rate is prompting more individuals to enter into this type of mortgage relief program.

There are many different types of mortgages, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, it is very important that you do your research. Understanding these differences will enable you to choose the right mortgage for your financial situation and housing goals.

The concept behind a reverse mortgage is simple, it enables senior to take the equity in their homes and convert it into cash. This concept is sometimes referred to as "The loan that pays you" A reverse mortgage does not require borrowers to make any payments to the lender until he or she sells the home or passes away.

To find a reliable and reputable Loan Modification Company should not be that hard to do.

Does loan modification hurt your credit ratings? Well, that depends on a few factors... The first thing you want to think about is your past payments, have they all been on time or did you fall behind every once in a while?

Unless the only negative item that you have on your credit report is the mortgage that has fallen behind your credit rating will not be fixed by modifying your loan.

The answer to this question is simple. No. To opt for a modification to your loan and look for a program that will help you getting through the payments you are still struggling to finish will not hurt your credit at all.

Once the kids have grown and moved out, it often makes less sense to hold onto a big home. Ongoing maintenance costs and taxes may be difficult to justify when only one or two people are occupying the home.

For many people, mortgage payments are their single largest expense. Yet, when financing a home, most Canadians don’t comparison shop to ensure they’re getting the best mortgage rate and terms available. This mistake can cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over the course of their mortgage.

The lure of a stunning gourmet kitchen or sparkling spa-style bathroom may have you chomping at the bit to begin a home renovation. But if you heed the advice of experienced renovators, pre-planning and advanced preparation are the secrets to renovation success. Here’s a helpful checklist to get your renovation started on the right track

Whether it's called a cottage, a chalet or a country house, the lure of a recreation property far from the hustle of the city is too much for many of us to resist.

The resale housing market is expected to remain at near record sales levels in 2008, according to The Canadian Real Estate Association.

Local mortgage broker Peter House also named to national awards shortlist for Canada’s Broker of the Year

Okay, that may have been an easy one if you read the headline of this column. For most Canadians, their home is their biggest investment - and their most powerful financial tool.

"Wow!" you say to your spouse as you hit the brakes on the car. "Did you see the mortgage rate those guys are advertising?" Your worries are over, you're thinking. Just lock in a rate like that for the next ten years, and you've got it made.