Tag Archive for: mortgage broker

Plan of Attack

Do you have a plan of attack for your days, your month or your year? Or do you just react to what life throws at you and hope for the best? Sure you’re probably really busy if you are always in reactive mode, but are you really getting anything accomplished as you are most likely just treading water?

If you really want to make progress toward your goals, then you definitely need a plan of action. This applies if your goals are getting in better shape, paying off your debts or buying your first home or your dream home.

Plan your workouts, plan what you will be eating, use YNAB to plan your budgeting and talk with a mortgage professional to get pre approved then work with one of the excellent Realtor’s in the market.

The best way to do it is in 24 hour blocks by planning out your day. Set your priorities ( no more than 6-8) for the next day, then schedule your time and work your plan.

Today I am thankful for a quiet peaceful walk with my dog early this morning, a 90 minute power zone endurance ride on my bike courtesy of Peloton and people who I have cold called calling me back.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Stress Test

The purpose of a stress test is see if you have any weaknesses that need to be addressed. Like those who have heart disease and are required to jump on the treadmill to see how their heart responds to exercise, we have a stress test( since Jan 2018) for those looking to purchase a home or refinance their mortgage.

The purpose of the stress test for your mortgage is just to make sure that you will still be able to afford the payments in the event that mortgage rates increase rapidly. Until rather recently the rate used for qualification was 4.79%. While fixed and variable rates are much lower than this rate, it is used as a benchmark to make sure that you can still afford a mortgage if rates were to increase to that point. Now the government ( more specifically The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions or OFSI) took action and changed the qualifying rate to 5.25% or the mortgage contract rate +2% whichever is greater. These changes take effect as of June 1st/2021.

What this essentially does is decrease your buying power by about 5%. Now I don’t think it will do anything to address the overheated real estate market. The problems that we are facing today have to do more with a overwhelming lack of supply rather than people spending more than they can afford to get into a home. Yes I know ( cause I am doing one for a client right now) that CMHC has programs available for developers of multi unit properties where they will finance up to 95% of costs if a certain percentage of units are deemed affordable housing units. However at the rate that these new developments are coming on the market it may take years for our real estate market to balance out. So tit tight, hang on and enjoy the ride.

Today I am thankful for a refreshing light rain during my morning run, reminders that come up in my calendar just in time to make sure that I don’t miss important events and a wonderful sales book written by an author that left us far too early.

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. –  William James

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

3-2-1 GO!

Those who have done a few crossfit classes are uniquely familiar with the expression above. It signifies the start of massive action. What have you been putting off that really needs to get done? Do you need to start exercising, then 3-2-1 go and do it. The same applies to eating better, calling and staying in better touch with your loved ones. What ever it is that you have been putting off or afraid to start just 3-2-1 and do it.

I faced the same thing a few months ago. I wasn’t happy with my current results that I was generating. I realized that if it is going to be then it is up to me so I really need to do something. 650 cold calls latter my business is in a vastly different place that it was at the start of the year.

Yes taking massive action is scary, but you know what it’s not as scary as standing still and doing nothing. Focus on where you want to go and start moving in the right direction.

Today I am thankful for a call out of the blue from an old friend, new perspective on an old game plan and renewed optimism towards the future.

“People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.” ―Lewis Cass

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Victoria Day

Happy Victoria Day fellow Canucks! Celebrated in honour of Queen Victoria’s birthday it is also the official kickoff of the summer season here in Canada. Now only if the weather would cooperate. Short post so get out there an enjoy yourself.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” -John Steinbeck

Today I am thankful for the banks being closed today so it’s much slower pace in the office, early morning sunrises when everyone else is still sleeping and new business relationships and new clients.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

30 Years in the making

Just like sometimes people choose to take 30 years to pay off their mortgage. Good things take time. Growing up takes time. Personal development takes time. Getting fit takes time. Growing your nest egg takes time. Just like building a life takes time.

I found out yesterday that our beloved Tragically Hip, yes almost 4 years after loosing lead singer Gord Downie to cancer, have just announced the release today of 6 previously unreleased tracks. They had planned to make Road Apples a double album but now thankfully that didn’t happen. The new album is called Welcome to Saskadelphia, and I have already listened to it when I got up at 6 today. This was also 30 years in the making, further proving the point that good things take time.

Today I am thankful I have been able to hear new tunes from one of my favourites bands, good music no matter when it was originally recorded or released is timeless and the tears of joy at hearing Gord’s voice again.

“I had my hands in the river and my feet back up on the banks I looked up at the lord above and said hey man thanks” The Hip

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Rock Stars

I freely admit that there are Rock Stars in my life and they are the people who go out of their way to help other people. My wife is a Rock Star for how she consistently puts our family first and well before her wants or needs. The Rock Stars in my business are my referral partners. I have spent a lot of time recently cultivating and growing my referral network. I am so happy and grateful for those who have thought of having me help their clients over the multitude of other financing options available in our marketplace.

How can you be a Rock Star today? What can you do to help someone personally or professionally? Can you offer to pick up the groceries for a neighbour who lives alone and has not been getting out due to the pandemic. Can you order take out from that local restaurant that is struggling due closure of indoor dining. Or better yet can you volunteer at one of the Covid-19 rapid testing sites. What may be a small price to pay for you could be a big impact for the recipients of your generosity.

Today I am thankful for all my great “Rock Star” referral partners, my “Rock Star” underwriters who are so overwhelmed this year and yet they continue to do an awesome job and the leadership and humility of my “Rock Star” friend Dustan Woodhouse from whom I have learned so much this year.

“Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.” Helen Keller

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Liar, Liar

What’s the age old expression, liar liar pants on fire. Let’s face it as humans we have all told a white lie from time to time. From did you do this to who ate the last cookie. I am not suggesting that you lie, exactly the opposite I am going to show you the consequences if you do. I am going to cover three areas and how lying can effect you and those around you.

People lie to impress a potential mate or flat out lie to someone that they are in a committed relationship with. The end results of either situation are the same whereby you lose their trust and now are no longer in a relationship with them.

People lie to gain employment. They lie about past experience on their resume, hoping that nobody will notice and that if they get their foot in the door they can prove their worth and it will all work out. Companies protect themselves by screening applicants and if hired placing them on probationary periods so they can prove that they are good fit for the role and culture.

People lie to get a loan or a mortgage. In this instance it’s called fraud. People try to create their own job letters, alter their bank statements or tax forms. All this in an effort to get a loan that they would otherwise not qualify for. This is why I underwrite each file prior to sending it to the lender. Lender’s also google applicants and call each and every employer to verify information that was provided.

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything”. Mark Twain

Today I am thank for for my wife picking me up just after the lighting started flashing last night as I was out on a tree covered trail walking our dog, wonderful neighbours with great advice and having several “Rock Star” referral sources they know who they are. Rock on!

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Quickly & Emphatically

Dale Carnegie said it best when trying to win people over to your way of thinking, if you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. Let’s face it we are only human and we do make mistakes from time to time. Here is an example to illustrate that fact.

I run on the rails to trails system which starts near Old Ashburn Golf course and continues down past Hubbards and to Lunenburg. I am on the trail almost every day, from walks with my dog to long bike rides on the weekend. Today I was doing a 5K run on the trail and came up upon someone smoking which normally one does not run into very often. To make matters worse I yelled out at them for smoking as I ran past. Exercise is how I control my asthma, but poor judgement on my part is not how you win friends and influence people. So on my run back down the trail I stopped when I saw them and apologized emphatically. Thankfully this person was much wiser than me and accepted my apology.

Own your mistakes quickly and apologize sincerely and emphatically when you commit them. Nobody is infallible. Making mistakes proves we are human, learning from them is how we grow.

Today I am thankful for the kind stranger who forgave my error in judgement, my wife’s birthday yesterday which met all her expectations and a change in format in a zoom call yesterday which allowed me to lean so much from others in my field.

“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” Benjamin Franklin

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Last minute

Who else oddly gets inspired at the last minute? You see today is my wife’s birthday and even though I had already purchased her a few things online I was compelled and inspired to get a little extra something just as the store’s ( the one’s that are allowed in lockdown) opened. You see she is the person who always without exception goes the extra mile for those she cares about, from baking cakes for co-workers to going all out for the special day’s for her family. That’s why I couldn’t just let it go with what I had ordered online mostly at her request. A little surprise is much better than none at all.

Today I am thankful for being able to pamper the one who takes care of the rest of us 364 days a year, online shopping being easy as it is and beautiful flowers that make our whole house smell like spring.

“A birthday is just another day where you go to work and people give you love. Age is just a state of mind, and you are as old as you think you are”. Abhishek Bachchan

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

Superpowers

With Mother’s day going by recently it had me thinking of my Mom. Even-though she has been gone since Sept 2005, she was a force to be reckoned with and me and my two brothers have lots of fond memories of her. Also since I am a bit of a geek I am going to call some of her strengths superpowers.

Of all the potential superpowers to have she had the best ones in that she had unconditional love and unwavering forgiveness for her boys. While we were not perfect she made us feel better and helped make us better people. I miss being able to call he and tell her what was on my mind without being judged and just listen. Mom’s are great like that.

Who do you love unconditionally, and if you don’t have someone then you must start with yourself. Once you are able to do that everything changes, you no longer function for praise or the opinions of others.

Now as for forgiveness the opposite is easy to recognize as it is holding grudges. Because we are human and nobody is perfect we will make mistakes from time to time. Those who have done us wrong whether intentional or not will not pay it any heed after the event has passed. It honestly serves us no purpose to keep rehashing it and carrying the burden for an untold period of time. It is much more freeing to practice forgiveness and just let it go.

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” –Bryant H. McGill

Today I am thankful for my daughter’s homemade cookies, a long run in the sunshine this morning and wonderful conversations because curiosity and friendly people allowed me to ask a new question.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here