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Five Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
January 06, 2025
Although mortgage debt is ‘smart’ debt, buying your first home is a huge financial decision and there is a lot to think about. It’s one of the most important financial decisions that most Canadians will make in their lifetime. Here are five tips to help you get off on the right foot in your home buying journey.
Determine what you can afford.
Before you start shopping for a home – and long before you consider putting an offer on one – build a realistic budget. Remember that home ownership involves costs beyond the monthly mortgage payment such at utility bills, insurance, taxes, and home upkeep.
Consider opportunities that will help you manage your housing costs. Perhaps you could rent out part of your home, or have a roommate to help offset expenses. Or if you are in a condo, possibly rent out an extra parking space if you have one.
Start off small.
The dream house may be priced too high, so a starter home might be the right option. A smaller home or maybe a house just outside of the expensive area will help get a foot in the door. You can take advantage of today’s low interest rates to pay off the home quicker and use the equity from the first home to buy that dream home later.
Get expert advice.
Work with a mortgage broker to sort through all of the mortgage options and get the right combination of mortgage features, privileges and rate that is best matched to your needs. The right mortgage goes beyond just the rate--it’s important to also consider term, prepayment options, refinancing penalties, restrictions, and fees. I’d be happy to help you build a strong away team so that all aspects of your home buying experience are efficient and professional. Your team will include a realtor, lawyer, and a home inspector.
Plan for closing costs.
There are additional costs that come with buying a home – lawyer fees, reimbursements, land transfer or similar tax, appraisal, home inspection, title insurance – so you’ll need to have some extra funds set aside to cover these costs. Generally, you can expect to pay between 1.5% and 4% of the home’s selling price in total closing costs.
Accelerate your payments – early and often.
A mortgage is the largest debt you will probably ever take on, and paying it down faster can mean large savings on interest costs over the long-term. Get in the habit of making lump sum payments whenever possible, and consider making bi-weekly payments as a way to decrease the life of the loan. I can also provide strategies to help you pay your mortgage off faster and shave thousands off interest costs.
There’s so much to consider. Working together you can get into the market and start your wealth building with smart debt! I look forward to helping you achieve your dream of homeownership!

The Mortgage Broker Advantage
December 18, 2024
Increasingly, Canadians are turning to mortgage brokers for their first and next mortgage, taking advantage of the value and convenience of their services.
One of the most compelling reasons to work with a mortgage broker is choice - access to a wide range of lending sources, making it significantly easier to get a mortgage that best suits your needs. When you’re dealing directly with one financial institution, you just don’t know if you’re getting the best deal because they’ve only got their own menu of products to offer you.
If you are dealing with one of the largest mortgage brokerages in the country, you’ll also enjoy considerable bargaining power. A large brokerage has clout with lenders to negotiate volume discounts and limited time specials. Brokers are generally paid by the lender rather than the borrower, making it a logical choice to always consult with a mortgage broker. Your mortgage broker will shop the market for the best rate and product, doing all the work, and there’s no cost to you (oac).
While securing your financing, your broker will be with you every step of the way, to answer all your questions, outline your best options, and efficiently guide you through the process. Everything relating to your mortgage can be managed around your busy schedule. Your broker will also stay in touch with you after your mortgage closes, keeping you apprised of new mortgage rules, money saving opportunities, and advising when you might want to take action, for instance locking in your variable-rate mortgage.
Ultimately, the role of your mortgage broker is that of a trusted advisor and it’s a relationship that can last a lifetime. Many mortgage brokerage clients have been referred by word of mouth, and many are even second- and third generation client families.
Whether you’re taking on your first mortgage or a long-time homeowner looking to refinance, consolidate debt or leverage your equity to acquire a new property, a mortgage broker is a wealth of information. You’ll get advice about down payment requirements, mitigating credit history issues, mortgage payment and prepayment options, interest-saving strategies, and more. Brokers also specialize in all types of situations - purchasing vacation, investment and commercial properties, self employed mortgages, reverse mortgages, and mortgage options for new Canadians.
When you get a mortgage, likely the biggest financial commitment you’ll make in a lifetime, it’s critical that the person you’re dealing with is knowledgeable and experienced, and has access to a full range of lenders so you get the best mortgage for your needs.

5 reasons to get a second opinion on your mortgage renewal
December 09, 2024
Given the large financial commitment of a mortgage, it's surprising that so many homeowners sleepwalk through the mortgage renewal process and don't look at all their options in the marketplace. Many accept whatever their lender offers or just have a short negotiation to shave a few points off. While it's tempting to choose what is easiest, it's so important to have a mortgage expert give you a second opinion and start working for you as early as 9 months prior to renewal. Here's why:
- With access to over 50 lenders and hundreds of mortgage options I can make sure you are being offered the best rate and mortgage possible.
- If you have enough equity in your home, you may be able to move high-interest debt to your lower-rate mortgage, improving cash flow and saving on interest. Renewal is the perfect time to do this. I can run the numbers to see if this strategy makes sense for you.
- Having a good credit score is important if you want to switch your mortgage to a new lender for a better deal. Your current lender may also take your score into consideration at renewal. You have more control over your credit score than you think, and you may want to discuss credit improvement strategies.
- Taking on new debt or leaving your current employment prior to renewal can affect your ability to move your mortgage to another lender. We can discuss the potential impact of changes to your personal situation.
- If you need to free up cash flow for specific needs or life situations, a 30-year amortization might be an option for you to consider (20% or more in equity required).
At renewal, you can renegotiate everything pertaining to your mortgage – with no penalties – which means this is an important moment of opportunity. So as soon as you hear from your lender about your mortgage renewal, get in touch for an important second opinion!
Ten great reasons to use a mortgage broker
December 02, 2024
For many Canadians, mortgage payments are their single biggest expense. Yet most don’t comparison shop to ensure they’re getting the best mortgage rate and terms available, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars over their mortgage years. Don’t make the same mistake! Here are 10 reasons why you need a mortgage broker working for you:
- Choice. A wide range of lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and other national, regional and private lenders will instantly become accessible to you, ensuring that your specific needs are matched to the right mortgage.
- Great rates. Get money in your pocket by taking advantage of Mortgage Intelligence’s clout with lenders. Our stellar reputation and longstanding experience allows us to negotiate great rates and access limited time specials.
- A focused expert. A mortgage is a very significant financial event. That’s why you want someone who is highly specialized in the mortgage marketplace and focused solely on your needs. You’ll get advice that will make a significant difference in your financial life.
- Independence & objectivity. I work for you, not the lender.
- Solutions when you need them. I can provide funding for bank turndowns, the self-employed, new Canadians, past credit problems, etc. There are mortgages for almost any situation and I know them all.
- Save time. Everything relating to your mortgage can be managed around your busy schedule.
- Service, service, service. I’ll be with you every step of the way, to answer all your questions, outline your best options, and efficiently guide you through the process.
- Ongoing support. My services don’t stop after the mortgage closes. I will stay with you for the life of your mortgage with advice and opportunities.
- No cost (oac). The winning lender pays compensation for the services and solution provided, which means no fees for you in the vast majority of cases.
- Your satisfaction. My goal is to ensure that you are so completely satisfied with your mortgage experience that you will be happy to refer me to your friends, family and colleagues.

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