With house prices rising, it can be difficult to afford a home on your own. You and a friend might be in the same situation and feel that if you pool your resources, you can invest in a home instead of throwing your money away by paying rent. What all parties have to realize is that this is a business partnership and should be treated as such.

You have just found the home of your dreams and can’t wait to make an offer but you still have your own home to sell. There are options as to what you can do so that you don’t miss out on this opportunity, depending on your situation.

The challenge today is saving for a sizable deposit for a down payment and closing costs. Credit scores are critical, but so are income and assets when you are applying for a mortgage.

With spring just around the corner you might be thinking about renovating the house, sprucing up the backyard or even purchasing your first cottage. Refinancing your mortgage may allow you to find the money that you need for these aspirations.

Thinking of buying a home but not sure where to start when it comes to finding a down payment? The minimum down payment in Canada is 5% of the home purchase price with the average range for most down payments being 5 to 20%. As of July 9th, 2012, all homes over $1 million dollars will require a 20% down payment.

Is a budgeting plan a part of your new year’s resolution? Why not start with lowering your energy bill…There are a lot of little things you can do to make a big difference in your heating or cooling bill. Here are just a few examples…

In this day of low-interest rates, the temptation to buy a home versus renting one is higher than ever. While it’s true that homeownership isn’t an ideal choice if it’s going to leave your house poor, or if you’re not ready to settle down in one location, there are definitely a lot of positives involved for those willing to take the plunge.

The biggest monthly expense for most Canadians is their mortgage payment. So before you decide to renew with your current mortgage lender, take a look at these tips to help lower your payments come renewal time.

Secondary suites, commonly known as basement suites, are a form of housing that can be put in single family homes. These rental units are a great way for homeowners to generate extra revenue.

If you have a mortgage coming up for renewal this year, it’s a good idea to check on a few details well in advance of your current term’s expiration date.

With the availability of credit, you may have a car loan, credit cards, or other debt starting to mount, and maybe taking a toll on your budget. For some, it can be easy to max your credit card, get that new car loan, but then find it hard to keep your payments under control.

It’s quite often that we receive calls from prospecting clients who are new to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Canada and wish to buy a home for their family. In the mortgage industry, lenders have different programs and will look for different specifications for each client.

Many people may believe getting a mortgage while self-employed is difficult or even impossible. The truth is, it’s not! The mortgage approval process for a self-employed individual can be very easy.

When it comes to deciding how often you’d like to make your regular mortgage payments, you can choose which mortgage payment frequency option will best benefit you. You have the option to synchronize your mortgage payments with your pay schedule.

Thinking of Purchasing a Smaller Home? Moving into a smaller space does have its benefits, and there are a variety of reasons for downsizing your home, even if you’re not retiring.

Are you having problems finding the right home? Maybe you have found a great home but the kitchen was outdated. You can stop overlooking these properties. There are mortgage programs available that can help you move into a home with a new kitchen or beautiful hardwood flooring.

The first step in your home buying journey should be to obtain a Pre-Approval.

The question you should ask yourself is: can you afford a second home? Financial institutions offer several methods to pay for the cottage, such as increasing the mortgage on your city home or creating a second mortgage, but you have to have the income to make the payments.

Over and above your down payment, there are always last-minute costs such as legal fees, appraisal fees, moving expenses, and house insurance to pay before you are finally a new homeowner.

Applying for a mortgage can be a nerve-wracking experience when you’re not sure what to expect. Before you go looking for credit, take a few minutes to understand what lenders are looking for