Background Image

Mortgage Blog

Ontario's Mortgage Expert

Category: Home Ownership (46 posts)

Top 10 Considerations When Moving to a New Area

Top 10 Considerations When Moving to a New Area

March 24, 2021 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Peak Moving Season being just around the corner, most movers and other professionals in the industry will tend to encourage moving during the offseason. No matter where you are moving to, here are som ...

read more
Top 3 Home Improvement Ideas to Increase the Value of Your Home

Top 3 Home Improvement Ideas to Increase the Value of Your Home

August 12, 2020 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Homeowners are often excited about home renovations and updates. Some property owners also use that opportunity to fulfill their wish lists, such as adding a master bedroom or hardwood flooring. Wit ...

read more
Home Inspections, How They Can Benefit Home Buyers and Sellers

Home Inspections, How They Can Benefit Home Buyers and Sellers

July 15, 2020 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Owning a home is one of the most valuable investments you can make. While good living spaces should be as comfortable as possible, with time they should also be able to increase their ROI. That's why ...

read more
How Many Homes Should You Tour Before Buying?

How Many Homes Should You Tour Before Buying?

October 23, 2019 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you are beginning the home-buying process, you may begin to wonder how long it will take until you find the perfect home for you and your family. The answer to that varies due to different factor ...

read more
Exploring the Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Condo

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Condo

August 28, 2019 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

When you decide to take your first step on the property ladder, you will have plenty of property-types to choose from. Many buyers prefer to buy an existing single-family home, some want to buy a plot ...

read more
10 Benefits of Buying a Newly Constructed House

10 Benefits of Buying a Newly Constructed House

August 14, 2019 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

There are two options available when seeking a new home for your family. You can purchase a resale (meaning an older home that has already been lived in) or a new construction. While each choice pro ...

read more
7 Reasons to Start House-Hunting in the Winter

7 Reasons to Start House-Hunting in the Winter

February 13, 2019 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

In most parts of the country, spring and summer are the peak periods for the property market. If you're planning to buy a home, it's traditional to start looking for property in April or May, with the ...

read more
Buying Your First Home: When Are You REALLY Ready

Buying Your First Home: When Are You REALLY Ready

January 9, 2019 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Purchasing your first home is the dream of a lifetime and a massive investment toward your future. The process is full of hopes and aspirations but is also a huge commitment to take on. For those who ...

read more
Buying Your First Home: When Are You REALLY Ready?

Buying Your First Home: When Are You REALLY Ready?

December 12, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Purchasing your first home is the dream of a lifetime and a massive investment toward your future. The process is full of hopes and aspirations but is also a huge commitment to take on. For those who ...

read more
The Pros And Cons Of Reverse Mortgages - A Quick Guide

The Pros And Cons Of Reverse Mortgages - A Quick Guide

November 28, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

No matter how carefully you plan, life can put a dent in your retirement funds. A life-altering accident or illness can turn your life upside down. Dipping into your retirement to meet uncovered expen ...

read more
Real Estate: Four Features of Profitable Rental Property

Real Estate: Four Features of Profitable Rental Property

October 24, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Investing in real estate can be a frightening task for a first-time buyer. While the rewards can be huge, there are also a number of risks that you will need to consider. However, if you know what to ...

read more
Five Surefire Ways to Ensure You are ready to Buy a Home as a Recent College Graduate

Five Surefire Ways to Ensure You are ready to Buy a Home as a Recent College Graduate

October 10, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you are a recent college graduate, you might think that buying a home is still many years off, but that's not necessarily the case. If you dream of homeownership, even as a young adult, there may b ...

read more
5 Reasons Why Your Home Isn't Selling

5 Reasons Why Your Home Isn't Selling

August 22, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

You've put your house on the market, and you're ready to start spending all the money you know you'll make from the sale. There's only one problem. Your house isn't selling. After trying to figure ...

read more
House Flipping 101: How to Prevent Injuries During Demolition Days

House Flipping 101: How to Prevent Injuries During Demolition Days

July 25, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Demolition days are a major perk for those engaging in house flipping. You get to smash kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms to smithereens as you demolish the interior of the home you're ...

read more
6 Home Renovations That Will Increase Your Home's Value

6 Home Renovations That Will Increase Your Home's Value

June 27, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Home renovations can be an expensive and time-consuming commitment, and whether you plan on staying put for the long haul or flipping the house right away, it's worth knowing which renovation projects ...

read more
Things to Consider Before Moving Into an Over-55 Community

Things to Consider Before Moving Into an Over-55 Community

June 13, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Many people, as they approach retirement age and the kids are gone, begin thinking about downsizing. One of the more popular choices for reduction is moving to one of the over-55 communities that ar ...

read more
How to Know If You Should Buy a Home or Continue Renting

How to Know If You Should Buy a Home or Continue Renting

May 23, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

While owning a home and a plot of land was once part of the 'American Dream' for many people, the times have shifted. The global financial crisis which resulted in a massive shift in the housing marke ...

read more
Great Buy on a Home? - Don't Expect the Appraisal to Prove It

Great Buy on a Home? - Don't Expect the Appraisal to Prove It

May 9, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Buying a home can be fun and exciting, especially when you drive a hard bargain and get that seller over a barrel.  You did your research, caught a home with higher than average days on the marke ...

read more
Tips to Ease the Moving Process Along

Tips to Ease the Moving Process Along

April 25, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Moving can be a stressful process, no matter how far you are traveling. Planning your move minimizes the stress associated with this task while also simplifying the process. Here are several tips that ...

read more
Five Things to Consider Before Flipping a House

Five Things to Consider Before Flipping a House

March 28, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

House flipping can be a tempting way to make fast money, but not every fixer-upper has the potential to be profitable. Here's five things to consider before buying a property to flip.   1. Ti ...

read more
Thinking of Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions First

Thinking of Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions First

March 14, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Many people simply assume that buying a home is always better than renting, but that is not always the case. Owning a home makes sense in certain circumstances, just as renting is a smart move in othe ...

read more
Looking to Invest? Pay Down Your Mortgage Instead

Looking to Invest? Pay Down Your Mortgage Instead

January 24, 2018 | Posted by: Roar Solutions

 With all the gloomy news about pension plans in the press you may be worrying whether you should actually be investing in a pension plan or not. A new wave of thinking suggests possibly not. The ...

read more
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a New Home vs an Existing Home

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a New Home vs an Existing Home

January 10, 2018 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you're planning on investing in real estate, then you're going to have two main options: to buy an existing home or buy a new home. An existing home is a house that has been lived in before, wherea ...

read more
What to Look for When Buying Your First Home

What to Look for When Buying Your First Home

December 13, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Buying a first home is an exciting time in an individual's life. You may already have a family that needs more than simply being a good structure to protect against them against the elements. In addit ...

read more
Seven Inexpensive Home Staging Ideas for a Quick Sale

Seven Inexpensive Home Staging Ideas for a Quick Sale

November 22, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

When your home is on the market, first impressions matter more than ever. If a potential buyer doesn’t like what they see in the first few minutes, that bad start could color the rest of their e ...

read more
Buying Your First Home? Be Prepared for These 5 Startup Expenses

Buying Your First Home? Be Prepared for These 5 Startup Expenses

October 24, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you are in the market for your first home, you’ve probably saved a substantial amount of money for the down payment. You researched closing costs, sought out the best deal on a mortgage, and ...

read more
Preparing to Sell? Do This First

Preparing to Sell? Do This First

September 27, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

So you've made the decision to sell your home. What you do to prepare - from the outside in - will make all the difference in whether prospective buyers choose to take a look.  First impr ...

read more
10 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make

10 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make

August 23, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Buying your first house can be an exciting and stressful time. There are so many things to consider that you can find yourself getting overwhelmed. Here are some common mistakes first-time homebuyers ...

read more
5 Things First Time Home Buyers Should Do Before They Go Shopping

5 Things First Time Home Buyers Should Do Before They Go Shopping

July 26, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Shopping for your first home is exciting, and it is only natural to want to get right to it. The idea of trading in that monthly rent check for a mortgage payment that builds equity and wealth for the ...

read more
4 Things You Need To Know When Buying A Vacation Home

4 Things You Need To Know When Buying A Vacation Home

June 28, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Everyone looks forward to a vacation, and many people return to their favorite spot each year. If you really enjoy your annual destination, you might be ready to invest in a vacation home. There are m ...

read more
Gathering the Money for a Down Payment in Two Years or Less

Gathering the Money for a Down Payment in Two Years or Less

June 14, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Whether you are looking to purchase a home in the next two years or you intend to wait another five, you must find a way to save up enough money to use for a down payment. Without the money to make a ...

read more
3 Simple Updates to Help Sell Your Home Fast

3 Simple Updates to Help Sell Your Home Fast

May 24, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you're getting ready to sell your home, you may be wondering what you can do to help it sell quickly. How can you make your home more appealing without investing a lot of time or money? The answer ...

read more
Home Buying 101 - Why the Relationship with Your Broker Should Be a Positive Partnership

Home Buying 101 - Why the Relationship with Your Broker Should Be a Positive Partnership

May 10, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Whether you are looking for your first home or moving up to the home of your dreams, having an experienced real estate broker or agent in your corner is a must. Real estate is a very specialized indus ...

read more
Getting Your Whole Family on Board When Selling Your Home

Getting Your Whole Family on Board When Selling Your Home

April 26, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you are selling your home, this can be a challenge when you are in charge of getting your family on board as well. Selling a home with kids has its own challenges, but it isn't impossible. Here are ...

read more
Three Ways to Get on the Property Ladder

Three Ways to Get on the Property Ladder

March 29, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Property investment is more challenging than ever due to a buoyant housing market in major cities and the rising cost of living. Many people are concerned they'll never be in a position to buy a prope ...

read more
Price Your Home Realistically If You Want It To Sell

Price Your Home Realistically If You Want It To Sell

February 28, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Setting a price for the home you are selling requires serious thought and research. Homebuyers have choices in today's market, and that means you should not list your home at an unreasonably high pric ...

read more
Timing Your Home Sale

Timing Your Home Sale

January 25, 2017 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Timing the sale of your home is easier said than done. There are all sorts of factors to consider, from seasonal advantages to the economic climate of a particular region. And that's in addition to po ...

read more
Going Away for the Holidays? Protect Your Home against Burglars!

Going Away for the Holidays? Protect Your Home against Burglars!

December 14, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Burglars look for opportune moments to enter homes in search of valuables, and they don't take breaks for the holidays. In fact, many burglaries take place during the holidays, especially when people ...

read more
Curb Appeal on a Budget

Curb Appeal on a Budget

November 9, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you're like most people looking to sell your home quickly, you already know the importance of curb appeal. While more and more homebuyers are looking online for homes for sale, a majority still do ...

read more
5 Tips for Buying Your First Rental Property

5 Tips for Buying Your First Rental Property

October 26, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Investing in a rental property is a great step toward earning passive income and building wealth. Unfortunately, becoming a landlord for the first time can also be challenging and lead to a financial ...

read more
7 Tips for Buying a Condominium

7 Tips for Buying a Condominium

September 28, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

There are many advantages to living in a condominium. You aren't required to mow the grass or shovel the snow (if any). You have access to amenities such as pools and fitness centers. And you probably ...

read more
5 Simple Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

5 Simple Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

August 24, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

If you are working up to selling your home, there are a few quick updates that you can do to get it in better shape for the market. Minimal time upfront getting your property ready to sell can make al ...

read more
Tips to Ease the Moving Process

Tips to Ease the Moving Process

August 10, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Moving can be a stressful process, no matter how far you are traveling. Planning your move minimizes the stress associated with this task while also simplifying the process. Here are several tips that ...

read more
Rent or Buy? 3 Tips to Help You Decide

Rent or Buy? 3 Tips to Help You Decide

July 27, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

The decision to buy or rent a home in is one that should not be taken lightly. After all, the choice you make is going to affect you for at least a year and probably much longer than that. While this ...

read more
Should You Spend the Full Mortgage Amount You're Approved For?

Should You Spend the Full Mortgage Amount You're Approved For?

June 1, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Before you start shopping for a new home, you'll need to know exactly how much house you can afford. Otherwise, you could end up in a home that is way out of your budget. What you qualify for may not ...

read more
Take Advantage of Low Interest Rates – Refinance Your Mortgage Today!

Take Advantage of Low Interest Rates – Refinance Your Mortgage Today!

May 25, 2016 | Posted by: Aaron Phinney

Borrowers are loving the current record low interest rates, and homeowners stand to benefit even more. If you bought your home more than a few years ago, you could probably benefit from a refinance ...

read more