Tag Archives: Agricultural Mortgages

Less risk to invest in Canadian farms than US Ag land, but get the right mortgage

Canadian farmers have an advantage over their US counterparts when it comes to the amount of risk of land investment.

Although both Canadian and US agricultural land is at a historic high, Canadian growers are less leveraged to corn and soybean prices than American growers. Canadian growers also enjoy less competition when it comes to canola, lentils and vegetables more prolific in our more northern climate. And our Canadian to US exchange rate works in our favour, too, at this time.

When considering investing in farmland, make sure you get an agricultural mortgage that is specifically designed to get the borrower the best rates possible. Plus you’ll get a flexible payment plan that works with the agricultural growing cycle. Some borrowers only pay interest for the first year in order to put profits back into the farm.

Talk to a mortgage broker you can trust that understands farming. You’ll talk the same language…profit from wise investment.

How to Avoid Mortgage Fraud

Real estate fraud is happening at an alarming rate in Canada, according to a recent report published in the Vancouver Sun. The report from consumer credit company Equifax uncovered roughly $400 million worth of mortgage fraud in Canada last year. And many experts believe that’s just the tip of the iceberg. These figures represent only frauds that Equifax was able to uncover within their client holding.

Data from the report revealed that nearly two-thirds of all fraud committed in Canada last year was real-estate related, thanks in part to more stringent lending practices. In fact, mortgage fraud increased by 150 percent in 2011. Continue reading →

Should You Pay Off Debt or Invest in Your RRSP?

With the RRSP deadline looming, many Canadians are trying to make sense of their investment options. Personal debt levels in Canada have hit record highs, most of us don’t have a pension to fall back on and our retirement savings are far from adequate. Which leads us to the perennial problem: Should Canadian’s focus on paying off their mortgage and lowering debt or invest in RRSPs?  Continue reading →

CMHC Backing Fewer Loans: A Look at the Repercussions

Last week, The National Post reported on the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and their growing insurance load coverage. According to the story, the CMHC is edging closer to a $600-billion government-imposed limit on mortgage default insurance, backing nearly $541-billion in mortgages. If the demand grows for mortgage default insurance, the CMHC will need to request a limit extension – something that could create increased risk for taxpayers should the Canadian housing market collapse. Continue reading →

CAAMP Releases Highlights From Fall 2011 Consumer and Industry Surveys

The focus of these surveys was to gather Canadians’ opinions of the mortgage industry. The report includes specific questions on experiences with their mortgage professional as well as information and feedback from industry members.

The survey results were presented by Maritz Research at Mortgage Forum 2011 in Toronto.

Click here to review the entire report.