It’s Time to Crush Your Credit Card Blues. Although credit cards interest rates have not been affected by the recent surge in the prime lending rate, the fact remains that credit card debt is usually the most expensive debt you can have. The average is around 20% and even the so-called ‘low interest’ cards carry […]

Debt Reduction Key as Interest Rates Soar. There are lots of reasons people fall into debt but only one way out — and it requires a combination of planning, discipline, and persistence. With the rise in interest rates, there is no better time to map out an action plan to reduce your debt. Start by […]

3 Things You May Not Know About Cash-Back Mortgages. It can get pretty exciting to see campaigns around “cash-back mortgages” but, before you get too far along, here are three things you might not know about these types of mortgages: Occasionally you will see campaigns on cash-back mortgages, so don’t jump at the first one […]

After You Buy – Closing Tips. Now that you have finished signing your mortgage paperwork and getting the keys to your first home, there are a few things to keep in mind after you buy to protect your investment and ensure future financial success! Maintaining your home and protecting your investment: Becoming a homeowner is a […]

Title fraud is a danger in B.C., and home insurance can’t protect you from it. It’s not just Ontario: title fraud cases are on the rise in B.C. as well. Daniela DeTommaso, President of FCT, recently sat with Weekend Mornings with Stirling Faux on 980 CKNW to discuss the rising threat. “[Fraud has become] so sophisticated,” Daniela explains. […]

Will the May Inflation Decline Thwart Another Rate Hike in July? The May inflation data, released this morning by Statistics Canada, bore no surprises. The year-over-year (y/y) inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at 3.4% was just as expected–down a full percentage point from the April reading. This is the smallest increase since June 2021. Economists […]

How Job Loss Affects Your Mortgage Application. Whether you’ve made an offer on a home already or are still in the process of looking, you already understand that buying a home is likely the largest investment you’ll ever make. When it comes to your mortgage application, there are a few things that you should avoid […]

Second Mortgages: What You Need to Know. One of the biggest benefits to purchasing your own home is the ability to build equity in your property. This equity can come in handy down the line for refinancing, renovations, or taking out additional loans – such as a second mortgage. What is a second mortgage? First […]

When you’re looking for a new mortgage or refinancing, lenders will look at both your debt servicing ratios and your credit score as part of the process. Your debt servicing ratios give lenders information about your ability to repay the money you borrowed, while your credit score provides information about the way you manage credit. […]

What You Should Know About Mortgage Amortization. Your mortgage amortization period is the number of years it will take you to pay off your mortgage. Depending on your choice of amortization period, it will affect how quickly you become mortgage-free as well as how much interest you pay over the lifetime of your mortgage (longer […]