Roberto Westbrook
It makes me angry because it means I have little control over protecting my clients.
08/18/2017 12:28 EDT
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One of the most beautiful times of year here on the west coast, spring has traditionally been a season that ushers new homebuyers into the Vancouver real-estate market. Whether you're new to Canada or making the leap to home ownership for the first time this season, here are some considerations.
05/30/2017 12:47 EDT
Chris Helgren / Reuters
A simple Google search of "political promises in Canadian real estate market" gives you an idea of where our minds are at this election. The sentiment is pretty clear. Canadians want to know what our next provincial government is going to do about the simmering B.C. real estate market?
05/08/2017 04:35 EDT
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By license, mortgage brokers are legally entitled to lend money secured by a mortgage; regardless of whether it is their own or comes from another party. As a result, during a refinance/renewal, if there is enough equity a mortgage broker typically looks into whether their client has any outstanding debts and, if so, will pay them off and include the debt into the borrower's mortgage.
04/07/2017 12:38 EDT
Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
I think I speak for (almost) all Canadians when I say that Donald Trump's win came as a wee surprise. Now that the shock has worn off, just weeks before he takes office, Canadians everywhere are asking what this means for us. While the rumour mill churns, I'm left wondering what Trump's presidency means for Canada and our real estate market. Will Vancouver too, get trumped?
01/04/2017 07:18 EST
Ben Nelms / Reuters
As a mortgage broker working almost exclusively in B.C. for the last five years, I was curious to see how B.C.'s new foreign buyer tax and new mortgage qualifications would change my business. While some of the impact was predictable, I've been wholly surprised by its effect on other aspects.
01/04/2017 06:23 EST
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There is no shortage of people out there talking about why you shouldn't put your money into a home. But in my opinion, particularly for women and minorities who have traditionally been disenfranchised, owning your own home can be nothing short of an awakening.
11/15/2016 04:07 EST
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As many as 21 in total have the potential to be shut down. If residents of the east side are forced to move into more expensive neighbourhoods just in order to find a school for their children, homeowners may be forced to turn into renters as they arrive outside the comfort zone of their financial capabilities.
09/28/2016 08:05 EDT
Jason Lee / Reuters
Today the cost of a home in Metro Vancouver is more than triple what it was between 1976-1980. B.C. has seen a greater drop in earnings than any other province between the same period, with full-time earnings down $9,000 for 25 to 34 year-olds compared to 1976-1980. What is happening here?
08/10/2016 09:42 EDT
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Are micro units, small condos and bachelor suites the way of the future; able to douse our city's precariously overheated housing market in a cool shower of affordable, convenient rental units? It seems the question is still up for debate here in the third least affordable housing market on the globe.
06/10/2016 11:37 EDT
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Pre-approval and approval are terms we hear thrown around a lot in real estate, and yet all too seldom do homebuyers know what's necessary to secure one in the first place. The fact is, a pre-approval should be one of the first steps in the property search process.
05/11/2016 04:40 EDT
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With the numbers of women purchasing real estate at an all-time high, the trend shows no signs of slowing down. The message then, at least when it comes to real estate, seems pretty clear: Prince Charming can keep the horse; his damsel in distress already owns the house (and decorated it too).
03/08/2016 10:03 EST
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Before you opt out of the real estate game entirely, give some thought to the following considerations. Sound financial planning, a realistic budget and a few good habits will go a long way to ensuring your mortgage is affordable.
02/23/2016 11:32 EST
Peter Dazeley via Getty Images
Owning a home with someone also comes with some strings attached, so it is very important to know exactly how it can change your life both as a primary residence and also as an investment property. Being stuck on a mortgage that you no longer want can have a great impact on your financial freedom.
12/09/2015 02:15 EST
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Mortgage portability allows you to move an existing mortgage to a new home and keep the same interest rate without incurring prepayment penalties on the sale of your previous home. Not all mortgages allow for porting, but if yours does, this sounds like a great way to right avoid penalties, right? Not necessarily.
08/24/2015 04:50 EDT
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With high prices and many potential buyers struggling to enter the market, some buyers are considering stretching out their payments with a 35-year amortization rather than the typical 25-year amortization that most Canadian homebuyers use.
06/09/2015 03:57 EDT
Ariel Skelley via Getty Images
While an offer with no subjects could certainly be more attractive to the seller, I do not advise my mortgage clients to go in without subjects due to the potential risks involved.
03/24/2015 02:58 EDT
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With talk about interest rates lowering even further after the Bank of Canada's surprise announcement several weeks ago, many homeowners across B.C. are likely wondering if it's time to refinance their mortgage and take advantage of lower rates.
02/12/2015 04:19 EST
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Here are a few rookie mistakes that can complicate your closing process, especially given how competitive Vancouver real estate can be.
01/21/2015 10:45 EST
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Bidding wars for Vancouver real estate can have unintended consequences if a buyer offers more than the property's appraised value.
12/12/2014 07:01 EST
