Sandra's Mortgage Blog

A real estate agent working with a calculator

Refinancing for Secondary Suites – A Homeowner’s Perspective

A significant new financial option will be available to Canadian homeowners on January 15, 2025: the possibility to refinance up to 90% of the value of their home using default-insured mortgages to build secondary suites. Supporting homeowners in the face of growing expenses and increasing the supply of rental units

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Stress Test Removal for Uninsured Mortgage Switches: What It Means for Canadian Borrowers

Starting November 21, 2024, Canada’s banking regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), will eliminate the Minimum Qualifying Rate (MQR) requirement for straight switches of uninsured mortgages. This landmark policy change is a significant win for Canadian homeowners, granting them greater flexibility and negotiation leverage during mortgage

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Hands holding a model house with keys, placed on a document clipboard.

The Impact of Property Location on Mortgage Rates and Approval

Price, interest rates, and financial preparedness are some of the main considerations for many Ontario homebuyers. However, the location of the home is a crucial factor that frequently influences both mortgage rates and approval possibilities.  The rates you obtain and whether you are approved for a mortgage can be greatly

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A mortgage contract, keys and a calculator

The Benefits of Mortgage Prepayment

For the majority of people managing their finances is crucial and getting rid of a mortgage is probably one of the greatest commitments they wish to achieve. This is simply because people feel daunted knowing they need to keep making monthly payments for years to come.  Prepayment is a good

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