
Mortgage Blog
Ontario's Mortgage Expert
Category: Home Ownership (46 posts)
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 moreTop 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 moreHome 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 moreHow 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 moreExploring 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 more10 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 more7 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 moreBuying 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 moreBuying 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 moreThe 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 moreReal 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 moreFive 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 more5 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 moreHouse 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 more6 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 moreThings 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 moreHow 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 moreGreat 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 moreTips 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 moreFive 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 moreThinking 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 moreLooking 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 moreThe 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 moreWhat 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 moreSeven 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 moreBuying 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 morePreparing 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 more10 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 more5 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 more4 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 moreGathering 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 more3 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 moreHome 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 moreGetting 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 moreThree 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 morePrice 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 moreTiming 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 moreGoing 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 moreCurb 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 more5 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 more7 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 more5 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 moreTips 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 moreRent 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 moreShould 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 moreTake 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 ...
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