3 Feb

The HST – it’s coming July 1, 2010!

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

Whether you like it or not, the Harmonized Sales Tax is going to be implemented on July 1, 2010. Here are some keys points for what you need to know if you are a home buyer. The federal and provincial government will combine the 7% PST and 5% GST into one 12% HST. Generally, if […]

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1 Feb

Happy 4th Birthday, DLC

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

Prior to officially launching Dominion Lending Centres on January 27th, 2006, Gary Mauris and Chris Kayat, the founders, flew under the radar for more than a year while they researched all the active mortgage brokerage models in Canada, the US and Australia.   They discovered a gap in the Canadian marketplace for a national mortgage brokerage […]

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29 Jan

Home Renovation Tax Credit, Ends Soon!

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

February 1 is the last chance for homeowners to qualify for the Home Renovation Tax Credit. Based on eligible expenses, the assistance means a maximum tax creidt of $1,350.00. The Program was first introduced by the federal government as part of its Economic Action Plan. The government estimated the stimulus measure would cost $500 million in 2009-10 […]

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21 Jan

Re-financing to Payoff Debt Using Existing Equity

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

With the high cost of holiday gift-buying and entertaining now behind you, this may be the perfect time to get the New Year off to a fresh start by refinancing your mortgage and freeing up some money to pay off that high-interest credit card debt, LOCs or other loans. By talking to me. you may find […]

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19 Jan

Tips to Keep in Mind Between Your Mortgage Approval and Funding Dates

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

In light of the new market realities and tightening of credit underwriting standards by both lenders and mortgage default insurers as of late, keep in mind that now – more than ever – it’s important to be careful what you do between the time your mortgage is approved and when it funds (receive your money). A […]

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15 Jan

Mortgage Life Insurance…explained!

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

Mortgage professionals can help protect their clients’ families and their homes through a mortgage life insurance policy. Mortgage life insurance is simply a life insurance policy on the homeowner which will allow their family or dependents to pay off the mortgage on their home should something tragic happen to them. This is not to be […]

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13 Jan

Budgeting Toward Home Ownership

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

Transitioning from renter to homeowner is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make throughout your lifetime. It can also be a stressful experience if you don’t plan ahead by building a budget and saving prior to embarking upon homeownership. Budgeting is a core ingredient that helps alleviate the stress associated with money issues that can […]

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12 Jan

Getting a Mortgage Pre-Approval

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

If you are looking for a new home, be sure you are pre-approved! I can do a more complete verification prior to sending you shopping for a home, and with that done, the dollar figure you are going shopping with is actually what you can spend. I will work with to get pre-approved and let you […]

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8 Jan

Fixed or Variable Rate Mortgage

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

The decision to choose a fixed or variable rate is not always an easy one. It should depend on your tolerance for risk as well as your ability to withstand increases in mortgage payments. You can sometimes expect a financial reward for going with the variable rate, although the precise magnitude will ebb and flow […]

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7 Jan

Beware of Mortgage or Title Fraud

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

In a time where identity theft and Ponzi schemes are plastered across the daily news, the last thing you want to worry about is yet another way to lose your hard-earned money. But as a homeowner, you need to be aware of crimes on the rise known as mortgage fraud and real estate title fraud. […]

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