Tag Archive for: mortgage options

Not Now?

If not now, then when? We all arrive on this rock with an expiration date, yet most of us live life as if it will never come to pass. More or less just existing rather than truly living. Knowing what we should do but never doing it. How is that living?

We all know that we should eat better but we never do it. We all know that we should exercise more but we never do it. We all know that we should save our money but we never do it. We should read more, study more, love more and try new things but we never do that.

Yet people come to a tipping point all the time and make the changes and stick with it. However it should not take surviving a heart attack to cause you to wake up and finely take care of your health. An eviction or foreclosure notice to wake you up about taking care of your finances.

I’ve said this before many times, the easy decisions in life more often lead to a hard life, while the hard decisions will lead to an easier one. Yes working out, eating right or watching your money may not be the easiest things to do when all your friends are eating pizza, drinking and spending every penny they make. Yet the hard decisions that you make today will pay dividends in the future.

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to discover new music while I workout, great idea’s from all the books I have been reading and growth from going outside my comfort zone.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Know your number

For this post I am not talking about your SIN number or your age, phone number, work or student ID number. For this I am taking about your credit score. In order to qualify for a mortgage you must know your credit score and if it is poor how to improve it quickly.

Although you are way more than a number in so many ways, when it comes to mortgage lending there are hard stops when it comes to getting you approved based on your credit. Because the products I have available are so diverse I am not going to focus on one number for qualification but just to say that the higher the number the better the credit and the lower the risk of default for the lenders and easier to get you approved.

If you are reading this and you are new to Canada then you need to establish your credit as soon as possible. Opening a credit card, line of credit or getting a car loan will all help as they will report to the credit bureau’s. According to Equifax the new to Canada people are scoreable within 4 months of having a credit file created here in Canada with 80% over 660 beacon score.

In terms of the make up of your score, 35% comes from your payment history ( so make your payments on time and in full), 30% comes from utilization ( so the lower your balance is in relation to your limit the better), 15% from your history ( how you have paid your bills in the past), 10% from new credit ( takes time to develop a history) and the last 10% from the type of credit that you have. Knowing this you should pull your own credit ( this will not lower your score when done from the provider) once a month so you know exactly what is going on as your creditors report to Equifax monthly. So click on this link to go Equifax Canada and pull your own report today. If you find something that is not right then contact Equifax or your friendly broker so we can help you get it fixed.

Today I am thankful for the cool crisp morning and all the stars that were still out as Augie ( my dog) and I did our morning walk, new knowledge gained from a seminar this week and zoom meetings where I told my cousin that pants are optional.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Down Payment Assistance

Sometimes clients have the desire, the income, the credit but not the means to make home ownership possible. It’s for this reason that Nova Scotia created the down payment assistance program. Through this program they will lend you interest free a down payment up to 5% of the purchase price of your new property.

There are some requirements for the borrower:

  • You must be pre approved by a recognized financial institution and have a strong credit rating.
  • Have never purchased property before
  • Have a combined household income less than 145K
  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • Have been a resident in Nova Scotia for a minimum of 12 consecutive months
  • Are unable to come up with the down payment by any other means
  • Yet still have the capacity to come up with the closing costs

These are the requirements for the property:

  • Property must be here in Nova Scotia
  • This needs to be your principal residence, no rentals, cottages or commercial properties.
  • Needs to be on a foundation on your own land. So no mobile homes in parks or tiny homes on wheels.
  • Have a purchase price that does not exceed 500K in Halifax & East Hants, 375K in Annapolis Valley, West Hants & South Shore and 300K everywhere else.

If this sounds like the path that will finely lead you to home ownership then reach out to me so I can get you pre approved to start the process.

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to attend my 1st industry event since the start of Covid, all the great people I got to meet even while wearing my mask and the chance to learn so many new things.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Dress for success

Jeans and a t-shirt may be comfortable but don’t always convey your status as someone who is successful. It also helps to improve your mood and attitude about what you are doing. You take yourself much more seriously when you dress for success and start to walk the talk. The same applies if the success you are aiming for is of an athletic nature, I’ve not seen anyone running in jeans and sandals. Show up and dress for the part and you’re well on your way.

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to addend my first networking event since Covid started, that my dress clothes still fit even though I’ve lost a few pounds and an opportunity to change up the routine for a day.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Be a Player

  • Be a player rather than a bystander
  • Be a creator rather than a consumer
  • Be an athlete rather than a spectator
  • Be a leader rather than a follower
  • Be kind rather than being critical
  • Be an investor rather a spender
  • Be hungry for knowledge rather than satisfied with your status quo
  • Be a lover rather than a hater
  • Be a listener rather than a talker
  • Be active in living your life rather than passively letting time go by

Today I am thankful for the ideas I get from the book’s I’ve read, the conversations that I have with clients and that our kids text us in the middle of the night instead of calling.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

It’s all your fault

To interpret that another way, you current situation or your lot in life is 100% your responsibility. It’s not your parents, your teachers, your bosses or your spouses fault. The faster that we all come to the realization that we are responsible for our results or the lack thereof, the happier and more successful we will be.

People all the time take it in their own hands to improve their health and their finances. The internet is full of before and after success stories. However on the down side there is also many that blame their lack of results on so called external events outside their control.

Don’t blame the economy if your business is slow and you are also not doing sales calls with clients and following up with leads. There are many people excelling in this market and reaching out to new people every day and putting in the work. The same applies if you are 50 pounds over weight. We all have the same 24 hours a day, so don’t make that excuse as there are many that get up early fit in a workout before going to work for a full day.

Don’t fall into the trap because you heard a prominent business leader or politician blame their poor performance on something else. Put in the work and take the time to create your own future success story. It won’t happen overnight but with persistence and belief in yourself it will happen.

Today I am thankful for another good book that I discovered, that I am about to finish my 30th book of the year all by only committing 20 minutes a day to reading and the more I realized that it’s my responsibility the better I feel.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Network speed

As I have discovered lately is that your wifi network is only has fast my 7 year old router is capable of broadcasting it. This is similar to the fact that a business rises or falls at the pace of it’s leader.

Not getting the results that you want, maybe it’s time upgrade your network. By this I mean, more calls, more meetings, more networking, read more books, listen more, more workouts, more sleep and more and bigger goals.

Life is meant to be lived and experienced to the fullest, not just existing and passing the time. Upgrade your network and take yourself to the next level.

Today I am thankful for the text from my neighbour saying that it was time to go for a run, without a pacer today I may not have finished or even started and that my new favourite sports team is now tops of the league.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Adaptability

Life comes at you fast, make sure that you are flexible and adaptable to meet the changes head on. For example just two short days ago it was 21 c and felt like 26. Today on the other hand it feels more like -2. We don’t know what will happen in our lives from one day to the next. The best way is to be prepared.

We have been hearing economists talking the last few months about a pending recession next year. Are you prepared for the down turn to the economy with the possibility of losing your employment? Do you have several months of expenses saved up in the event that the worse does happen.

Being fit is being prepared for what ever life throws at you physically. Having a close circle of friends and family will help you if you need emotional support. Living in Canada means always having access to your winter coat then two days later a spring jacket.

This is why it is vitally important to plan ahead financially. An emergency account is just one way, there are others like have adequate insurance long term financial planning in place for when you no longer want to continue working.

Today I am thankful for the down filled winter coat that I received for Christmas last year, that I have put in the time in maintaining my fitness and that my family has always been there when there have been stressful days.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Know you care

Mortgage brokering is a knowledge based business. It is also a fact that if you have been in the business long enough that there will be many like you who process the same level of knowledge. What will separate us at that point is demonstrating how well we care about those clients who come to us for help with their mortgage.

It’s not just in my field it will also apply to whatever product or service that you are selling. I remember when my wife and I were shopping for a new car a few years ago and we had gone to several different dealerships and looked at quite a few different models. While everyone one quoted us payments and features, there was only one sales person who cared enough to follow back up with us.

I was thinking about this today as I was recently referred a client who had been working with someone else who could not find the time to call them back. The sad thing about this is that we are in a 100% commission business, meaning that we only get compensated once a file has funded. So it’s in our own best interest to follow up and take care of our clients. This also applies to most of the main sales positions from insurance to automotive sales. So where product knowledge can be consistent across the board, by showing how much you care will allow you stand apart from the rest of the field.

Today I am thankful for referral sources who care enough to call me to help with their clients, electricians who come well before their scheduled appointment and people who call you back after you have left them a message.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

A Sure Thing

People are always bouncing around from one thing to another trying to figure out what it will take to be successful. Looking for that one sure thing that will push them over the top. Well the thing is that it’s not the latest gadget or app or weekend course or book, it’s something that all high achievers share. It’s belief in their own abilities to get things done.

The one sure thing is to bet on yourself. Have overwhelming confidence in your own abilities to get things done and you will achieve far more than you could every imagine. Start small if you have to and think of all the things that you have overcome to get to where you are today. I bet there there are even things in the past year that you overcame to get to where you are today.

Recognize and celebrate all the little wins and they will stack up to monumental achievements in no time. I know someone who was struggling just 15 years ago and is now one of the tops in his field in the whole country. Just because you are not where you want to be today does not mean that you will not get there. Believe in yourself and then take the necessary actions to make it happen. It all starts with believe then action, not the other way around.

Today I am thankful for the extra hour of sleep I got over the weekend, beautiful fall weather that made cleaning up the yard a breeze and that Wrexham AFC won yesterday.

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 Brokerage (2022-3000179) Broker (2022-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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