General Craig Barton 13 Jan
How Refinancing Your Mortgage Can Help You Take Control of High-Interest Debt As a mortgage broker here in Canada, one of the most common conversations I have with clients isn’t just about buying a home—it’s about managing debt. Credit cards, lines of credit, car loans, and other high-interest obligations can quietly build up over time, […]
Read MoreGeneral Craig Barton 29 Dec
Why Your Credit Score Matters More Than You Think When Buying a Home As a mortgage broker, one of the most common conversations I have with clients is about credit. Many people assume their credit score only matters at the very beginning of the mortgage process—but in reality, it plays an important role from pre-qualification […]
Read MoreGeneral Craig Barton 19 Nov
Renting vs. Buying in Canada: The Pros and Cons If you’re exploring your housing options in Canada, you’ve likely asked yourself the classic question: Should I rent, or is it time to buy? As a mortgage broker, I have this conversation with clients every day. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but there is a […]
Read MoreMortgage Tips Craig Barton 25 Aug
Thinking of Buying a Second Property in BC? Here’s What You Need to Know As a mortgage broker here in beautiful British Columbia, one of the questions I get asked more and more is:“Can I afford to buy a second property?” Whether it’s for a vacation home, a rental investment, or a place for a […]
Read MoreGeneral Craig Barton 9 Jul
Understanding Property Transfer Tax in B.C. — And How You Might Avoid Paying It As a mortgage broker here in beautiful British Columbia, one of the most common surprises I see for first-time homebuyers and even experienced buyers is the Property Transfer Tax (PTT). It’s not a small fee, and it’s important to know how […]
Read MoreGeneral Craig Barton 13 May
Why Getting Pre-Approved Should Be Your First Step in the Home Buying JourneyBy Craig Barton, Licensed Mortgage Broker in British Columbia If you’re thinking about buying a home in British Columbia—whether it’s your first purchase or you’re upgrading—there’s one essential step you should take before you even start browsing listings: getting pre-approved for a mortgage. […]
Read MoreGeneral Craig Barton 7 May
🏡 Top Mortgage Solutions for First-Time Homebuyers in Canada 1. First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (FTHBI) This federal program offers shared equity loans of 5% or 10% of the purchase price of your home. The government essentially helps you with part of the down payment in exchange for a stake in the home’s future value. Reduces […]
Read MoreGeneral Craig Barton 9 Apr
Why Purchasing Real Estate is a Smart Investment Over Renting in British Columbia As a mortgage broker in British Columbia, I’m often asked by clients whether it’s better to rent or buy a home. It’s an important decision, and the right choice varies depending on personal circumstances. However, more often than not, purchasing real estate […]
Read MoreMortgage Tips Craig Barton 24 Mar
How Adjusting Your Mortgage Payment Frequency Can Save You Time and Money When it comes to paying off your mortgage, small changes can lead to big savings. One of the simplest yet most effective strategies to cut down on your mortgage’s amortization period (the time it takes to fully repay your loan) is adjusting your […]
Read MoreGeneral Craig Barton 4 Mar
The Benefits of Refinancing Your Mortgage to Pull Equity: A Smart Way to Manage Debt, Fund Renovations, or Plan a Family Trip As a mortgage broker, one of the most common questions I get asked is whether refinancing a mortgage makes sense when it comes to managing personal debt or funding significant life expenses like […]
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