Last week, I wrote about the challenges of having a variable rate mortgage when mortgage rates are increasing. This week, I’d like to discuss how fixed rate mortgages (FRM) offer a measure of safety. Depending on when your FRM is up for renewal, you have some breathing room to figure out how to handle the […]
When it comes to mortgages, you never want to be underwater. Repeat after me – living underwater is for fish, not people! A person is underwater on their mortgage when the mortgage amount owing is higher than the value of the house. For example, if you have a $450,000 mortgage but you would only be […]
According to the various talking heads in financial media, mortgage rates are set to rise over the next two years. They’re predicting that almost everyone is going to see their mortgage payments rise on renewal. If you’re on your last mortgage term, then you have my heartfelt congratulations. You don’t have to worry about your […]
One of the eternal questions that’s raised in the personal finance world is whether one should be investing or paying of a mortgage. I made my choice 15 years ago. In hindsight, my choice could qualify as a mistake but, if so, it’s not the worst one I’ve ever made. As I’ve said before, personal […]
Quick! Do you have a variable rate mortgage? Has your lender given you the opportunity to lock in your next mortgage rate today since it’s up for renewal in the next 90-120 days? If the answer to either question is yes, then I’m going to suggest that you seriously consider locking down a fixed-rate mortgage […]
HELOC is an acronym that stands for home equity line of credit. It is a way for homeowners to access the equity in their homes without actually selling the home. Banks love these kinds of loans because they are secured by the property. For this reason, HELOCs are risky – they put your shelter at […]
In the interests of complete transparency, I’m going to say that I am a homeowner. I’ve owned my current home since 2004, and I bought my first home in 2001. I only ever rented for a few years – maybe 2? – before I got my very first mortgage and jumped on the property ladder. […]
When I was a kid, one of the things I learned from my mother was that interest rates are inversely correlated to housing prices. If interest rates are going down, then housing prices are going up. Over the last 12 months, I’ve seen this lesson play out in real life. By the time this blog […]
It’s taken me a few years but I finally understand how to create money from real estate re-financing. It’s another aspect the money-making magic of properly investing your money. Right off the top, I want to tell you that I have never done this. In other words, my understanding of the process is only theoretical […]
House-hacking can be an amazing tool for building wealth. You know how sometimes you’re on YouTube watching one thing and then a suggestion pops up on the side of the screen? And you decide to hit play instead of scrolling past it? Well, this week held one of those so I indulged my curiosity and […]