Tag Archive for: Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Recession Proof

With all the talk about an upcoming recession in 2023, now is the best time to prepare for the effects of a shrinking economy. While there may not be much you can do to influence the overall economy, there is plenty that you can do to influence your own personal finances.

  • Make sure that you have an emergency fund of at least 90 days of your personal expenses in the event of employment interruption. The best way to do this is to be using YNAB.
  • Sorry to those who work in restaurants & hospitality, but cut back or eliminate unneeded trips and meals out.
  • Trim back or eliminate streaming services that you no longer use, sorry Netflix.
  • Workouts at home were all the rage during the lockdown and may soon be again once people cut back on time spent at the gym.
  • Keep your credit score high by making sure that all your obligations are paid in full and on time.
  • Diversifying your income by taking on a side hustle if possible
  • Keep your debts to a minimum
  • Update your skills so that you are more desirable in the workforce
  • If self employed then 10X your efforts to grow your business by radically increasing your prospecting and client management.

We don’t all feel the same effects of an economic downturn, but if you’re prepared then the effects will be much less severe on you personally. The economy is constantly changing and a downturn next year may also be followed by economic growth the following year. Be prepared for the changes ahead so you can adjust accordingly.

Today I am thankful for the 5K run with my neighbour when I really didn’t feel like going, that my wife is an amazing home cook and that some of the best food I have ever eaten was here at home.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Spoiled Rotten

We have been spoiled rotten with the rock bottom low interest rates that we have had for the past 15 or so years. I am reminded of this fact now that the five year discounted rate is 5.14%. However this sill pales in comparison to high rates of the mid 80’s at 16 or 17%.

People keep asking me when do I see rates coming back down. Well if you listen to the central bankers like Tif Macklem who is the head of the Bank of Canada, it’s going to keep going up before it comes back down. This is because our overall inflation rate is till too high. With the last monthly report from August which had us at 7%. Yes it is coming back down from it’s record high this summer, it’s just not coming back to earth fast enough.

All this means that we will have to suffer out with higher interest rates until the inflation rate comes back down. So the sooner we can reduce our spending, the less action the Bank of Canada will have to take to force us to tighten our belts. Buckle up, it may be a bumpy ride for the next 6-12 months.

Today I am thankful for a trip to the valley with my wife and daughters yesterday to celebrate their birthday, having them home during their reading week from university and the perspective that things are not as out of control as they were in the 80’s.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

My Miracles

Exactly 18 years ago today my two little miracles came into this world. My girls Ella & Georgia were born today 18 years ago at 08:41 & 08:42. When they arrived 11 weeks early at 29 weeks gestation, they were 2″11 and 2″13 respectively. As they were quite pre mature the first few days and weeks were very anxious as it was going to take miracles for them to get through and make it. Fortunately they did and are now no worse for ware.

As they were born on Thanksgiving Monday in 2004, they have continued to be something I am thankful for each and everyday. If you think about it, we all have miracles in our lives. You just have to appreciate everything that you got through that allowed you to get to this very day. My Mom who passed away from breast cancer in sept of 2005 used to say that every day above ground was a good day. So it’s best if we appreciate and are thankful for everything in our lives as it makes life that much better.

Today I am thankful for my two little miracles who are now in their first year of university, the positive frame of mine that my mom always had and for the excellent NICU care they received at the IWK.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Ella Sawler
Georgia Sawler
Georgia @University
Ella @University

R&R

I love the slower pace and the chance to rest and relax that holiday’s bring. This weekend is a great time to get the extra yard work done before the weather turns too cold. Sleep in and not have to worry about traffic or work. Also a great time to sit back and enjoy a good book. I know what I will be doing, so enjoy yourself today.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Giving Thanks

As we move closer to Thanksgiving here in Canada, it’s the perfect time to reflect on all the things that you are thankful for.

  • I am thankful for my girls coming home from university
  • I am thankful for my cousin who is able to pick them up from the train stain and guide them through the in’s and out’s of the airport checkin
  • I am thankful for a neighbour who was able to help me move a heavy filing cabinet
  • I am thankful for all the great conversations I have been able to have with my referral sources lately
  • I am thankful for my health and i’ve realized that it’s important to invest in it daily
  • I am thankful for all the amazing things that my wife does to make this weekend perfect for everyone.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Fight against inflation

Yesterday the Bank of Canada governor gave a speech to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. He said that even though core inflation started to come back from it’s all time highs, prices on food and other items are still at all time highs. As a result he said that we should expect further rate increases as more work needs to get done to further tame inflation.

What this means for you and me is that we will have increased borrowing costs until inflation finely comes under control. Those of us on variable interest rates will increases as will those with home equity line of credits. The main goal of all the rate increases is to get us to reduce our spending, thus lowering demand and then prices will start to come down.

The rampant need to travel post lockdown has been like gasoline on a fire which has further pushed inflation upward. Yes it sucked being stuck at home not being able to dip our toes in the sand some place sunny, however the resulting inflation from all the demand to travel, buy new vehicles and new homes has caused us to experience inflation that we have not seen in over 40 years. Whether we want to or not, it’s time to tighten our belts and pull back some of the discretionary spending before the overall economy spirals into a recession.

Today I am thankful for the daily motivational texts my buddy in Montreal sends me each day, that my girls will be home tomorrow for a week and for all the great conversations I am having as a result of my increased prospecting calls.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Enthusiasm

enthusiasmĕn-thoo͞′zē-ăz″əm

noun

  1. Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause.

It’s really amazing what you discover when you read books printed almost a century ago. I was reminded of this while reading “How I raised myself from failure to success in selling”, by Frank Bettger. One of the first things he talks about was how adding enthusiasm to whatever he did drastically changed his life.

Truthfully it’s difficult to achieve anything great without first being enthusiastic about it. This applies to getting in shape, having better relationship, improving your finances or raising a family. Being ho hum all the time will not make you fun to be around and basically just gets you through the day.

Here are two thoughts from Steve Jobs whom I admired greatly, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” and “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected”. This does not matter if you are a barista, an accountant or a senior vice president at a public company, put a little enthusiasm into your work and your days will go so much better.

Today I am thankful for discovering literary treasures written ages ago, that by adding enthusiasm to every day tasks makes them that much more enjoyable and when you love what you do, it’s never really work.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Fortune favours the brave

I have always loved the quote from Thomas Jefferson, ” I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have”. We can make our own luck by getting out there and working our tail off. As my headline states, fortune does favour the brave. Those who are brave enough to make the calls, to do the speeches, attend the meetings, go to the classes, read the books and just do the work.

Nothing bothers me more than when someone says that so and so is lucky or smart, without acknowledging how hard they worked to get to where they are. People don’t see all the calls or training that came before the big sale or the olympic medal, they only see the end result.

So instead of being jealous or envious of your friend or neighbour who just purchased their 3rd rental property, learn from their example instead. Read the books, go to the seminars and manage your finances to it can be you too someday soon. Success leaves clues, find what worked for them and put in the work so you can achieve it too.

“Opportunity is missed by out people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas A Edison

Today I am thankful for the inspiration I receive from the books i’ve read, the feeling of accomplishment of pushing myself through a hard workout and I am thankful for the fact that the harder I work the luckier I get.

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Double down

If you are not getting the results that you wanted in your sales, then double down with you efforts. The same applies in regards to your physical fitness, personal finances, relationship or education. If you are not getting the result that you wanted, don’t let a little hard work scare you off.

It’s easy to do what we have always done, but we will end up getting what we have always gotten. Growth is uncomfortable so don’t expect this to be easy but it certainly will be worth it. Failures are not permanent, they are learning experiences meant to show you want doesn’t work so you can find a way that does. Keep going, you got this.

Today I am thankful for the ability to get up and try again on a new day, all the lessons learned when things did not go exactly to plan and using my experience to help others with similar problems.

“At the end of the day, you can’t control the results; you can only control your effort level and your focus”. Ben Zobrist

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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

Recovery Day

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, or so how the saying goes. It could also be true of all training and no recovery makes Jack a broken boy. Thus the reason that I did as little as possible yesterday after biking 100k for the ride for cancer on Saturday.

We can’t work or train all out all the time and expect to forever operate at peak capacity. It’s just not logical. The rare but important off or rest days are just as important as the days that you give it your all. It’s the rest and recuperation that allows us to then return to peak capacity as quickly as possible.

Today I am thankful for 30 minutes of stretching this morning to recover from a busy weekend, getting to see the stars while walking my dog early this morning and big plans for the month ahead.

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

– George Eliot

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 (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

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