The Bank of Canada increases the overnight lending rate by 1% today. The largest increase in over 20 years. It is expected that banks, credit unions and monolines will increase their prime rate over the following weeks. This will increase the cost of variable rate (VRM) and adjustable rate (VRM) mortgages as well as home […]

There’s something magical about summer and no matter where you live in Canada, summer is the perfect opportunity to spend a little time with family and friends. Nothing says party vibes more than food on the grill and summer drinks flowing. Whether you live in a country house, a suburban townhome or a city condo, […]

Building a new home is an exciting adventure but requires very different considerations. To help you have the best experience, here are 5 of the most important things to consider:  It’s All In The Numbers: Whether you are shopping for a pre-built home, or are looking to create your own from the ground up, it […]

With recent Bank of Canada interest rate hikes, and more on the way, here is what you need to know about how these policy changes affect your mortgage. First and foremost, the interest rate hikes directly affect individuals that currently have an adjustable-rate mortgage. Depending on your mortgage amount, you’re looking at a potential mortgage […]

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (“Ontario Teachers’”) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of HOMEQ Corporation (“HomeQ”), the parent company of HomeEquity Bank, from Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc. (“Birch Hill”) and the other minority shareholders of HomeQ, in a deal that was first announced in September 2021. The acquisition by Ontario […]

Recently, our segment on the Marc & Mandy show aired in which we discussed the top five tips for mortgage renewals. To put it succinctly, the tips you should follow are as listed: Plan your mortgage renewal four months in advance Understand the difference between fixed and variable rate mortgages Consolidate your debt Assess and […]

Today, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) released a new Advisory (Clarification on the Treatment of Innovative Real Estate Secured Lending Products under Guideline B-20). The Advisory complements existing expectations under Guideline B-20, which articulates OSFI’s expectations regarding underwriting practices and procedures for reverse residential mortgages, residential mortgages with shared equity features and combined loan […]

Recently, Angela was interviewed on the Vancouver Consumer, hosted on CKNW 980, to talk about the current real estate market. In this 30-minute interview, Angela covers the recent rise in interest rates, why it is happening, what we can expect in the future, and what you can do to prepare yourselves to be in the […]

After two years of ultra-low, pandemic-induced core lending rates, inflation in Canada is now the highest it has been in 30 years. To accommodate, the Bank of Canada is hiking those rates back up. For mortgage seekers and current borrowers, payments could be on the rise. Add in record-high home prices and a constantly changing real estate market, and […]

Mounting fears of a recession have gripped equity markets, with the S&P/TSX Composite Index now firmly in correction territory. The S&P/TSX is down 13 per cent from its record closing high of 22,087, reached on March 29. The Globe and Mail recently spoke with Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist at CIBC Capital Markets, who shared […]