19 May

Industry Jargon Explained

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

Baffled by some of the phrases realtors and bankers throw at you? Here are some commonly used—but not always understood—words to describe mortgages: Amortization Period This is the number of years it will take to repay the entire mortgage in full and is determined when you are approved. A longer amortization period will result in […]

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21 Mar

The Credit Challenge

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

For most people, credit score isn’t something you spend much time thinking about. Especially if you are someone who is making good money and paying all your bills on time. When you are in that boat, it feels pretty good! But, when you miss a payment or you struggle to pay all those credit cards, […]

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1 Mar

Power Up Your Finances.

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

Let’s face it, mere mention of the word “money” can make people shift in discomfort. In an era in which the veils are being lifted off many societal taboos, a shroud of shame hangs stubbornly over money talk – we’re taught to fear it, we’re taught it’s too complicated, and those are all messages meant […]

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8 Feb

Get Your Home Equity Working for You with a Reverse Mortgage

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

The notion that we should be mortgage-free is a focus many of us strive to achieve the moment we realize the dream of homeownership. But, the fact is, many outstanding expenses and debts could be powered down faster – and more economically – by tapping into your home equity with a CHIP Reverse Mortgage. There’s […]

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1 Feb

Reverse Mortgage Myths

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

Reverse mortgages have come a long way. They have evolved from a needs-based product to a solution that many financial planners recommend as an important component of a comprehensive retirement plan. Unfortunately, there are still many misconceptions regarding reverse mortgages. Below, the myths are separated from the facts. Myth: The bank owns the home. Fact: […]

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31 Jan

Love Where You Live

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

Canadians genuinely celebrate livability within their neighborhood when it comes to choosing a property to buy and live in. These are the qualities that give each homeowner the true satisfaction of his/her home. They are generally determined by a delicate balance of available green spaces, arts and culture, public institutions and local small businesses, as […]

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27 Jan

Renting Vs. Buying: What You Need to Know!

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

When it comes to the Canadian housing market, there are lots of options for where to live! From renting an apartment to owning a single-family home, it all comes down to where you see yourself living and what you can afford! The beauty is, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to […]

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20 Jan

First-Time Home Buyer

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

First-Time Home Buyer Being on the path to purchasing your first home is one of the most exciting and most rewarding moments in life! While people don’t always dream of the perfect mortgage, we do grow up thinking of a white picket fence and our dream home. Even if you imagined your dream home as […]

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22 Jun

How the CHIP Reverse Mortgage Can Help You Support Your Adult Children

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

As I’m sure you know, Canada’s housing market is on fire, and has been for several years. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), between April 2020 and April 2021 – despite a global pandemic – the average house price rose by a whopping 41.9%, rising to $696,000. And data from previous years is […]

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10 Jun

5 Approval Roadblocks

General

Posted by: Kimberly Livingston

When in the process of buying a home, there is nothing worse than having your mortgage broker or lawyer call and say “there is a problem”. If you have found your dream home and negotiated a fair price, which was accepted, and you have supplied all the documentation to your broker, you probably assume everything […]

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