Loan Types to Consider

Brush up on these mortgage basics to help you determine the loan that will best suit your needs.

  • Mortgage terms. Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms. In general, the longer the term, the lower the monthly payment. However, you pay more interest overall if you borrow for a longer term.
  • Fixed or adjustable interest rates. A fixed rate allows you to lock in a low rate as long as you hold the mortgage and, in general, is usually a good choice if interest rates are low. An adjustable-rate mortgage is designed so that your loan’s interest rate will rise as market interest rates increase. ARMs usually offer a lower rate in the first years of the mortgage. ARMs also usually have a limit as to how much…

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Lender Checklist: What You Need for a Mortgage

  • T-4 forms — or business tax return forms if you're self-employed — for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan.
  • Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan.
  • Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.
  • Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts.
  • The lender, loan number, and the amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans.
  • Addresses where you’ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate.
  • Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any…

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How High Tech is Your Home?

If the latest technology or entertainment options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist.

1. Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups?

2. Are there ample telephone extensions or jacks?

3. Is the home pre-wired for home theater or multiroom audio and video? Does it have in-wall speakers?

4. Does the home have a local area network (LAN) for linking computers?

5. Does the home already have wiring for DSL or another high-speed Internet connection?

6. Does the home have multizoning heating and cooling controls with programmable thermostats?

7. Does the home have multiroom lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation…

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Day 1

Make Intro Call (Initial Call Script or VM) – No Script

Day 2

Follow Up Call – V/M - Hello [lead], just trying you again regarding [address] I came across another property. If you could just give me a call back, I'd appreciate it.

Day 3

Follow-up Call – VM - Hi there [lead], it's [name] from The Group at RE/MAX First calling to connect with you and share some more information about [property] I’ve also found some similar homes I think you'll like, but I want to connect with you first to make sure they match your preferences. I'll reach out again tomorrow to hear what you're looking for in a new home.

If you have 5 minutes to chat, please call me at [phone number). Thanks, and Talk Soon!

Day 5

Follow-up…

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How Big of a Mortgage Can I Afford?

Not only does owning a home give you a haven for yourself and your family, it also makes great financial sense because of the tax benefits — which you can’t take advantage of when paying rent.

The following calculation assumes a 28 percent income tax bracket. If your bracket is higher, your savings will be, too. Based on your current rent, use this calculation to figure out how much mortgage you can afford.

Rent: _________________________

Multiplier: x 1.32

Mortgage payment: _________________________

This calculator estimates the monthly payments you would be able to afford, for a personalized and more comprehensive analysis of your unique situation book an appointment with a mortgage associate.

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Get Your Finances in Order: To-Do List

1. Develop a household budget. Instead of creating a budget of what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget that reflects your actual spending habits over the last several months. This approach will factor in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, as well as predictable costs such as rent, utility bills, and groceries.

2. Reduce your debt. Lenders generally look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. This figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 and 28 percent of your net household income. So you need to get monthly payments on the rest of your installment debt — car loans, student loans, and revolving balances on credit cards — down to between 8 and…

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Most Common Terms

Terms and Clauses

Alarm System | Commission Protections | Cash Back at Close (use Carefully) | Holdback | Late Signing | Permits | Pro Ceaning | Property Inspection (seller side) | RPR | Vacant possessions | Walk Through | Coming soon to MLS

Foreign Buyers
  1. Ensuring housing market remains available to Canadians
  2. Map of AB Showing Census Areas and Census Metropolitan Areas
  3. Seller Term for Foreign Buyer
  4. Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act
  5. CMA CA Map (User Friendly Version)
FSBO
  1. For Sale By Owner
New Build - Single Family - Table of Contents
  1. 10 Day Rescision Period
  2. Commision Not Paid on GST
  3. GST Rebate
  4. Warranty
Buyer Side -…

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Sometimes a spouse tries to get around the rights that their spouse has. Doing so can include harsh penalties. The cost is often equal to half the value of the home -  Not half of the equity in the home and land but half the value of the home and land itself.    For an example of the consequences of ignoring the Dower Act, click on the button below to download the case titled JONCAS V. JONCAS 2017 ABCA 50 (Gordon & Zwaenepoel, 2017) provided by the Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) legal library.    

Dower Summarized

While the Dower Act can at times seem complicated, it is in fact quite simple. The three questions triggering the need for Dower consent are:

  1. Is there only one…

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