6 Essentials to be Financially Literate-no math required

General Angela Calla 20 Nov

Courtesy of The Globe and Mail Nov 20th 2012

Here are six essential things you need to understand to be financially literate – no math required. They’re presented in recognition of November as Financial Literacy Month.

1. It’s not a competition
Stop comparing your financial position to your friends and neighbours. Appearances are never more deceiving than in financial matters. Huge homes and fancy cars can mean big debts, not a genius mind for saving and investing. Anyway, the biggest measure of financial success is the extent to which you live within your means. Also, don’t measure the success of your borrowing and investing choices against those made by other people. The right financial decision for your needs isn’t always the one that generates the biggest return or results in you paying the least interest.

Mortgages are a great example. A fixed rate comes at a higher cost than a floating rate, but it shields you from interest rate increases for a period of time. There’s value in having that kind of security, but it’s not reflected in the interest rate you pay. Make financial choices that are right for you and forget about playing to an audience.

2. Saving is its own reward
The weakest excuse of all for not saving for the future is that interest rates are low. We’ve somehow decided that we must be rewarded for saving – otherwise it’s not a smart use of our money. Wrong. Saving is about having money safely at hand to accomplish goals and to carry you in emergencies. Making interest is a bonus.

Interest rates are, in fact, pathetically low right now. It’s a result of weak economic conditions in Canada and globally, and not a plot against savers. People saved heroically in the early 1980s thanks to double-digit rates. Saving today, with rates barely in single digits, is just as important; okay, more important – when you consider how high debt levels are, on average.

3. Information overload is a good thing
Think back 15 or 20 years ago. In that pre-Internet time, personal finance was a niche topic fit only for the back of newspaper business pages. In the financial industry, this age of unenlightenment was a golden period. No bold customers coming in to bargain for better rates, or asking questions about fees and credentials.

Today, there’s a vast amount of personal finance and investing coverage in media of all types. It’s overwhelming, but it’s healthy because it gives people exposure to all kinds of views. We don’t have to take the financial industry’s word for it any more.

4. Some cynicism is healthy, but too much is a cop-out
More than providing sound advice, it’s the selling of products that brings big profits at banks and investment firms. If that’s not enough to make you cynical about the investment industry, then its misadventures through the past five years should do the trick.

Just don’t get so carried away that you pass up on all the good products and services that are available. Mad at your mutual funds? Consider exchange-traded funds. Disappointed in your adviser? Find a better one – possibly someone who works for a fee and doesn’t get paid in commissions. You don’t have to thrash around on your own in the mistaken belief that no one else can be trusted with your money. Do the work to find the best people and products. Anything less is a cop-out.

5. Being wrong is normal
You will pick bad investments. You will overspend at some point. You will take on debt and not pay it off as quickly as you could. Well, so what? The mark of a financially literate person isn’t a mistake-free record – it’s a willingness to change course or adapt when things don’t go right.

The mark of a financial illiterate is to make a bad choice and then do nothing about it. Help is almost always available, whether you took on too much debt, made a bad mortgage choice or messed up your investments. There’s usually a cost to fixing your mistakes, but it’s a good value compared to doing nothing.

6. Financial literacy begins with you
Government, schools, non-profit groups and even the financial industry have a role in teaching people about money. But nothing will change unless Canadians make it a personal priority to become more financially literate.

There are no stupid questions in personal finance. Ask and ask again until you understand fully. Don’t know where to go? I’m here to help. callateam@dominionlending.ca 604-802-3983

Angela Calla, AMP

Dominion Lending Centres

Host of The Mortgage Show Saturdays @ 7pm on CKNW AM980

@angelacalla

www.angelacalla.ca

Bankrupcy Sale Kelowna 1/2 off regular price luxury condo’s

General Angela Calla 14 Nov

Good Afternoon

I have access to a one-of-a-kind BLOW-OUT/ BANKRUPCY SALE in West Kelowna,
called LAKEWIND.  EVERYTHING IS 50% OFF THE ORIGINAL PRICE!

This 4-story building has been here for 3 years, and has recently gone into
receivership by the Bowra Group, from Vancouver BC. They want it gone asap!

There are only 47 luxury condo homes, all move-in-ready and finished in
high-quality items. Interested parties
and currently selecting their desired suites and getting ready to purchase.

The feedback has been exceptional! We anticipate that the homes will all
sell out in 1 day. This will happen at the end of this month/ early
December.  Radio, Newspaper and On-line advertising will continue to pump
through the city until we sell out.

You can have your opportunity early be contacting me today 604-341-3009 robboies@royallepage.ca

HOMES START AT APPROX. $160,000. NOTHING IS OVER $250,000 (INCLUDING NET
HST)!!!! There is nothing that compares to this in Kelowna right now. AND,
the market activity is going up here as it has been at its lowest point now for a while.

Some info:

·         Free-hold strata land

·         Conveniently situated right by Lake Okanagan and all amenities

·         No rental restrictions, making it a great investment opportunity

·         Excellent quality and workmanship

·         Solid modern contemporary finishings that pay attention to detail

·         Brand New 2/5/10 year new home warranty

·         Only 10% deposit, and closing/ possession this January 2013

·         Strata fees are exactly .24 cents per sq. ft/ month (inc. heating,
cooling, hot water, maintenance, insurance, landscaping, garbage, all other
up-keep, etc.).

·         826- 1262 sq. ft homes with spacious outdoor balconies/ patios

If you, or anybody you know are interested, please call or email me ASAP so
we can narrow down your suite selection and get you all the necessary
information.

Call me first if your interested and I’ll make all of the viewing arrangements.

Regards;

Rob Boies

604 341 3009 

Huge Thank You to Rob Boies for sharing this with our team in advance of the public, you continue to provide our clients and listeners of The Mortgage Show on CKNW @ 7pm Saturdays with great oppertunities.

Angela Calla

Be careful about trusting the banks

General Angela Calla 8 Nov

A few key points highlighted below. click here for the full article from the Globe and Mail http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/household-finances/are-we-placing-too-much-faith-in-banks-advice/article5077728/

In the banks we trust.

A question to ponder for Financial Literacy Month is why this is so.

 There’s no onus on the banks to offer the products or advice that work best for your needs. Some of the people you deal with at bank branches may in part be paid through commissions or bonuses on products sold, or they may be under instructions to emphasize one product over another.

Either way, what’s best for the bank may not be ideal for you.

Banks may also withhold key information that would help you make informed choices. If you don’t know the intricacies of a product, you can’t count on them to wise you up..

You get a different view when you look how the number of bank-related complaints flowing into the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments has risen to 448 from 240 in the past five years, or 87 per cent. OBSI hears from people only after they have exhausted every avenue within a bank to resolve a complaint.

It’s never been more important to apply the principles of financial literacy to the way we deal with banks. More and more, the banks are moving beyond chequing accounts and mortgages into selling investments and financial planning. Have you noticed how more bank branches are opening on Saturday and Sunday? It’s all about helping you find time to come in for advice.

Go on in to talk, but remember that a key rule of financial literacy is to be careful about trusting the banks.

11 ways we are different than you dealing with the bank directly

General Angela Calla 8 Nov

1. We are licensed, trained professionals governed by a licensing body that requires us to continue our education to ensure we stay on top of the market-working in your best interest.

2. Banks can only sell you their products. Bankers and “mobile mortgage specialists” are employees of a bank and are paid by that bank for selling the bank’s products. We are independent professionals. We have access to hundreds of products from dozens of banks and lenders. The lender pays us a finders’ fee for bringing them business, but we only place you with the best available product.

3. We protect your credit. We only use one application to shop all the lenders. If you shop on your own, however, a new credit report is required for every lender you approach. This pulling of multiple credit reports can negatively impact your chances of receiving the best possible rate.

4. We have your best interests in mind throughout the mortgage financing process and over the long term. We look for the best solution for YOU to become mortgage-free faster, as opposed to turning a profit for the banks.

5. We are proactive. We continually educate you on how and when to take advantage of the market. We build a plan so you know how we’re planning to stay in touch (IHS Protection from Payment Shock, Market Optimization and Debt Restructure, just to name a few). A borrower operating lender direct, in most cases, is only going to get the best solution that is most profitable/beneficial for the lender. Don’t be upset by this – it’s their job! When borrowers know better, they can do better! Ask yourself this: when was the last time your provider followed up suggesting a way for you to save money (and them to make less)? Can you say with absolute confidence based on results there is a specific plan in place from your lender for you to use the market to your advantage? Are you confident you didn’t miss any money-saving opportunities?

6. We offer a vast selection of mortgage products. Having access to multiple lenders, we know the ins and outs of all of their offerings and restrictions. Why make the process frustrating for yourself? Our service is free!

7. We provide timely information. When there’s a change in the market, we can execute a plan faster due to our extensive financial education – not only of products, but also the market, government and insurer changes, and so on. Have you ever heard the saying: “It’s all in who you know”?

8. We understand the entire home-buying and mortgage-financing processes. Most lenders have layers of staff with different knowledge and oversight capabilities. As your mortgage originator, we oversee dozens of people on your behalf right up until your mortgage is funded.

9. We don’t sell you products that are more profitable for the bank. We see borrowers receive bad advice from lenders all the time. For instance, they take a short-term borrowing solution. These generally come at higher rates with no amortization and people fall into debt traps as a result. This is because part of bankers’ goals/target reviews and opportunity for advancement are based on cross-selling products that are more profitable for the bank.

10. We are here for the long haul – this is our career. Have you ALWAYS dealt with the same people at the bank? Some, yes, but most people find that bankers change departments and relocate often. And those people are not always replaced with bankers who have a level of knowledge that should be prudent when dealing with your LARGEST debt – your mortgage. Consider the change of a doctor or dentist. You want long-term, and when you have a good one and they retire, usually it’s a disappointment if they were great at their trade! That’s the type of relationship we strive to build with our clients!

11. We are transparent. This should be most important to ANY borrower. How can someone who is getting compensated from their employer – who only had access to 1-3 products on average – be expected to know they have the best solution for you, when there are over 100 out there AND they change DAILY??!!

We’re not saying the banks are bad. Thank goodness we have so many wonderful lenders to choose from to compete for your business! We simply want to point out the differences so borrowers can understand what’s important to them when making a an educated decision. We don’t want you to have to learn the hard way, as we often see borrowers after they’ve been to their bank and have to help them correct their situations.

Angela Calla, AMP

Dominion Lending Centres-Angela Calla

Host of ” The Mortgage Show” Saturdays @ 7pm on CKNW AM980 Phone :

604-802-3983 Fax: 604-939-8795

Email: acalla@dominionlending.ca

www.angelacalla.ca

 

Angela Calla helping you become Mortgage Free Faster-In The Globe and Mail

General Angela Calla 7 Nov

Knowledge is power and at The Angela Calla Mortage Team when you are our client we have a plan in place to help you understand the market and optimize it accordingly. In case you couldn’t read the font in the article, I typed it out below my quote on the bottom of the page for you.

Enjoy and we are here to help you directly at callateam@dominionlending.ca 604-802-3983

Today’s Low Rates are a gift. But if they’re not utilized properly, you may be faced with payment shock when your mortgage renews at more normal levels. Those who take advantage of today’s low rates to pay their mortgages off faster are typically those who take advantage of the free services provided by their mortgage professionals to create individualized plans. If you understand your own habits, it’s easier to set yourself up for success. If you’re not diligent about saving, for example, it’s important to acknowledge that you’re going to benefit significantly from setting up your mortgage right the first time.

Deal of the week in #westvancouver from @willingtwo heard on @cknw @angelacalla

General Angela Calla 5 Nov

As heard on The Mortgage Show on CKNW with Angela Calla. To get pre approved for this property or any other purchase email us at callateam@dominionlending.ca or call 604-802-3983

This weeks deal of the week has been brought to you by:

Robert Boies
Royal LePage Coronation West
cell: 604 341 3009 t: willingtwo
E-mail: robboies@royallepage.ca
www.willingsellerwillingbuyer.com

http://rboies.mlslink.mlxchange.com/?r=851053801&id=363434333136.312

Please note that properties like this move quickly and getting set up with Rob Boies directly robboies@royallepage.ca will keep you abreast of all of these types of oppertunities meeting your speciafications

Thanks for visiting

Angela Calla, AMP

More mortgage rules changes we expected as we approach many lenders year ends.

General Angela Calla 29 Oct

The Change

Conventional mortgages now to be underwritten using benchmark rate*

Five-year variable rate conventional mortgages  or conventional mortgages with terms less than five years now require that the borrower qualify based on the greater of the Bank of Canada five-year benchmark rate (the series V121764) or the contract rate applicable to the term chosen. For terms of five years or more, the qualifying rate is the contract rate.

example: contract rate or lower term special from lender 2.99 new qualifying rate 5.24% ***

The Affect

This means if you take a term for less than 5 years or choose a variable rate is that you will qualify for less home (but lets get real no less than you would havein 2007 when rates were just below 6% fully discounted)

The Angela Calla Mortgage Team is commited to keeping you informed so when you hear of a change you will understand the affects right away! Questions? Contact us 604-802-3983 callateam@dominionlending.ca

Angela Calla, AMP

 

 

 

Strategies The Angela Calla Mortgage Team use that are different than your bank

General Angela Calla 29 Oct

Mortgages are more than just rates. The Angela Calla Mortgage Team uses the following long-term plans
to help you use your mortgage to create a better life:

1. Inflation Hedge Mortgage Strategy
This is being used by thousands of Canadians and, most important, clients under our mortgage
management who have a mortgage arranged with the Angela Calla Mortgage Team. This results in you
paying the least amount of interest and places more money in your pocket – making you mortgage free
sooner!
Banks hate it – that’s why it’s my favourite 🙂

You will learn terms like:
future payment shock; inflation adjustments; and equity protection, and learn how to be protected from
increasing interest rates.

2. Building Futures Plan
What ifthe proper mortgage structure could result in a large annual Government return? If you have
more equity in your home as a result of this plan, you are in more control of how quickly you move up
the property ladder, and will retire with positive cash flow. The equity in your mortgage will pay you,
This is a secret that the ultra wealthy have known for years.
But this program is available for the average family, and only a few banks offer this product. The Angela
calla MortgageTeam can identify if you are a candidate to help you always find the most amount of
money in your mortgage
-to ensure your mortgage is always working for you.

3. Debt Repositioning Analysis
Consumer debt is the number one concern among Canadianstoday. Everyday a new report is released
that suggests most canadians with the proper mortgage review and management can save on average
$500 a month by repositioning their debt into their mortgage. The Angela Calla Mortgage Team has the
tools, expertise and plan in place to make sure you are always best positioned for the life of your
mortgage – and this includes debt management
– as a courtesy for doing business with us. We are passionate about helping you create the best possible
life.

We look forward to showing you how we can get these plans working for you by building a strategy
together that addresses your unique needs

Angela Calla Mortgage Team

Phone: 604-802-3983 email: callateam@dominionlending.ca

Tips to Keep in Mind from Reviewing of a Mortgage to Funding.

General Angela Calla 26 Oct

Tips to Keep in Mind Between Your Mortgage Pre- Approval/Review of Options till Funding Dates

In light of the new market realities and tightening of credit underwriting standards by both lenders and mortgage default insurers as of late,  keep in mind that now – more than ever – it’s important to be careful what you do between the time your mortgage is approved and when it funds. 

A few mortgage lenders and insurers have been doing something lately that they have not done in a long time – pulling new credit bureaus prior to funding, especially if there is a long period between the time of your approval and when the mortgage actually funds.

Following are eight tips to keep in mind between your mortgage approval and funding dates:

  1. Don’t buy a new car or trade-up to a more expensive lease.
  2. Don’t quit your job or change jobs. Even if it’s a better-paying job, you still are likely to be on a probationary period. If in doubt, call your mortgage professional and they can let you know if this may jeopardize your approval.
  3. Don’t change industries, decide to become self-employed or accept a contract position even if it’s within the same industry. Delay the start of your new job, self-employment or contract status until after the funding date of your mortgage.
  4. Don’t transfer large sums of money between bank accounts. Lenders get especially skittish about this one because it looks like you’re borrowing money. Be ready to document cash transactions or money movements.
  5. Don’t forget to pay your bills, even ones that you’re disputing. This can be a real deal-breaker. If the lender pulls your credit bureau prior to closing and sees a collection or a delinquent account, the best you can hope for is that they make you pay off the account before they will fund. You don’t want to have to scramble to pay off a debt at the last minute!
  6. Don’t open new credit cards. Again, just wait until after your funding date.
  7. Don’t accept a cash gift without properly documenting it – even if this is from proceeds of a wedding. If you have a bunch of cash to deposit before your funding date, give your mortgage professional a call before you deposit it.
  8. Don’t buy furniture on the “Do not pay for XX years plan” until after funding.  Even though you don’t have to pay now, it will still be reported on your credit bureau, and will become an issue – especially if your approval was tight to begin with. While you may not risk losing your mortgage approval because you have broken one of these rules, it’s always best to talk to your mortgage professional before doing any of the above

Angela Calla Mortgage Team

callateam@dominionlending.ca 6t04-939-8777

 

8 Benifits of Working with The Angela Calla Mortgage Team

General Angela Calla 26 Oct

8 Benefits of working with The Angela Calla Mortgage Team

  1. 1.       We are independent, unbiased mortgage experts who use our experience in shopping multiple lenders to result in the best long term approach for your needs, keeping in mind your future goals.
  2. 2.       We protect your credit score by using one application to shop the best suited lenders, whereas, if you had done this on your own; it would affect the options available to you.
  3. 3.       Our service is free, as we get compensated equally regardless of where we place your mortgage.
  4. 4.       The consulting we provide is for as long as you have a mortgage; we are continually looking for ways to optimize the market to minimize the interest you pay on your mortgage.
  5. 5.       We place billions of dollars with the lenders where the average consumer may only place a few mortgages in their lifetime; this is our passion and profession.
  6. 6.       With our team being on advisory boards for lenders, insurers and government bodies, we are in the front line of the industry, which allows our clients to benefit from knowledge first, in real time, giving you the ability to be proactive.
  7. 7.       Everyone on our team is qualified to help you, so when it matters most to you, your questions are addressed quickly and properly. We maintain that with our own personal experience, our expertise is used to help you in the same manner as we would for our own mortgages and for those for our families.
  8. 8.       We provide continuous education through our radio program, blog, newsletters, realeases, facebook pages and personal contact and scheduled follow-up.

Angela Calla, AMP
Mortgage Expert
Host of “The Mortgage Show” on CKNW AM980 Saturdays at 7pm