4 ways to make buying a home easier for first-time buyers Image

4 ways to make buying a home easier for first-time buyers

I recall seeing young couples buying new detached homes in Brampton, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Oshawa, all across the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions. Today, I’m seeing fewer and fewer first-time buyers, even in new condo sales centres.

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5 things to consider when applying for a mortgage Image

5 things to consider when applying for a mortgage

When you buy a new home preconstruction, there can be a few years between getting pre-approved for your mortgage and your final closing (when you actually need to qualify for your mortgage).

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3 ways to improve the mortgage stress test Image

3 ways to improve the mortgage stress test

At the end of 2018, I wrote about the idea of reducing or repealing the mortgage stress test. Now I want to suggest some possible amendments that would make the stress test more fair now that interest rates are rising and home prices are still high. 

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2019 will be another challenging year for first-time buyers Image

2019 will be another challenging year for first-time buyers

You thought first-time buyers had it tough in 2018 - it’s looking like 2019 may be even harder on singles and couples looking to step onto the homeownership ladder. 

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Is it time to repeal the B-20 stress test? Image

Is it time to repeal the B-20 stress test?

An interesting article caught my eye at the end of last week - executives at Mattamy Homes and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association believe that the B-20 stress test should be repealed or at the very least reduced. 

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See what this first-time buyer has to say about applying for a mortgage Image

See what this first-time buyer has to say about applying for a mortgage

Getting pre-approved is one thing, but when it comes to applying for a mortgage, the process can be confusing and intimidating, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. There’s an extra layer to the process if you’re buying a new

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Homeowners still wary of growing legal weed: survey Image

Homeowners still wary of growing legal weed: survey

Legalization day is officially upon us – Canadians can now buy and consume cannabis, as well as grow up to four plants within a private residence in most provinces, under the newly-minted federal Cannabis Act. However, while it’s no

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A surprising amount of couples aren’t talking about money and debt issues Image

A surprising amount of couples aren’t talking about money and debt issues

Manulife Bank of Canada recently commissioned Ipsos to conduct a survey about financial issues at home and confiding in a significant other. The results are shocking and unsurprising at the same time.  

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It will soon be easier for self-employed Canadians to qualify for a mortgage Image

It will soon be easier for self-employed Canadians to qualify for a mortgage

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is making it easier for self-employed Canadians to apply and qualify for mortgages.

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See what scares this first-time buyer the most Image

See what scares this first-time buyer the most

Going through the homebuying process for the first time can be intimidating. There are many steps, a lot of paperwork, lawyers get involved, and you’re making deals with hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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