According to recent reports, more than one in eight adult Canadians are expected to declare bankruptcy or negotiate a debt settlement with creditors. And yet, Canada’s homeownership numbers are currently at a record high. This just goes to show you that devastated credit doesn’t have to leave you high and dry when it comes to entering the housing market. Granted, credit-challenged consumers are bound to encounter more than their fair share of bumps along the road to homeownership. Even so, poor credit history isn’t insurmountable. Here’s what you need to know if you’ve recently gone through a bankruptcy or consumer proposal but are still optimistic about buying your first home. Continue reading
Category Archives: Credit Rating
Planning to Retire With a Mortgage? You’re Not Alone
Canadian’s won’t be retiring their mortgage debt anytime soon, according to a recent survey by the Bank of Montreal. Data shows that more than half (51%) of Canadian homeowners plan to carry their mortgage into their retirement. But there’s more to this figure than meets the eye, says Phil Soper, chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. Soper argues that changing demographics and approaches to money management are what’s causing this increase, rather than just increased consumer debt. Continue reading
Subprime Problems on the Horizon?
A hot housing market is pushing borrowers farther and farther away from mainstream financing and it’s causing quite the stir in the Canadian subprime mortgage industry. The source of the excitement? A growing pile of mortgage debt that’s coming from outside of Canada’s big six banks. Continue reading
Mortgage Brokers Offer Tangible Benefits
Very few people can afford to pay for their property in full. This is by no means a bad thing – property is expensive and it’s perfectly normal for an investment of this size to require long-term financial planning.
That’s what mortgages are all about.
Banks and lenders provide individuals with the option of borrowing money in order to afford a property purchase. But how do you know what kind of lending agreements are out there? The most obvious course of action is to head to your bank. But let’s not be hasty. Banks can only provide you with access to a small slice of the mortgage pie. A qualified mortgage broker, on the other hand, can connect you with lenders of all shapes and sizes, including trust companies, chartered banks, credit unions and private funds. Continue reading
How to Get a Mortgage When You’re Self-Employed
More and more Canadians are leaving the head office for a home office, quitting corporate jobs in order to start their own companies. In fact, statistics show that nearly 20% of all income earners in Canada are now self-employed. Which is fantastic… until you need to apply for an affordable mortgage rate. Securing a mortgage when you own your own company can be difficult, especially if your business is relatively new. Today, lenders want proof of a stable income before considering adding you to their accounts. Here are a few ways to ease the process and increase your chances of qualifying for the best mortgage rates. Continue reading