Understanding "Purchase Plus Improvement" Mortgages
Unlock the hidden potential of your home with 'Purchase Plus Improvement' mortgages, a unique financial solution offered by Universal Mortgage Solutions. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to upgrade your current residence, this mortgage option allows you to finance both the purchase and the renovation costs. Imagine transforming your property into the dream home you've always envisioned, all while managing your finances efficiently. Discover how you can enhance your living space and increase your property's value with the expert guidance of Leann Scarlett, your trusted mortgage refinance broker in Red Deer and surrounding areas.
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Get Pre-Approved
Are you thinking about buying a house in 2025 and you don't know where to start. The first thing to do is to speak with a mortgage broker. When you have a call with me, I will find out what is important to you. I will give you a list of documents you need to send to me. I will make sure in those documents you have everything in order that the lenders will want to see. I will see what you have available for a down payment and how much the lenders will approve you for based on your qualifiable income. Once this……
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Mortgage Rewewing
Do you have a mortgage renewing in the next 5 months? If you do you need to reach out and have a conversation with me. Why? to see what options you have :) What do I mean by options. With the increase in value in your property, perhaps this is the year we take a look at getting rid of your other debts and doing a refinance instead of a straight renewal. What term and interest rates make sense for you this renewal. It shouldn't be a sign and done process anymore. Take some time to have a conversation with me, it could save……
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CRA Arrears
Do you have past due amounts owing to CRA? I was talking with an accountant the other day and he was saying that Canada Revenue Agency charges 8% on amounts owed to them. He said they usually apply the interest on a daily basis. Yikes. This is a very expensive debt to carry. Did you know I can help with this (even if your banker has said no). I have mortgage lenders that will help pay Revenue Canada off. All it takes is a phone call with me, we can go through where your finances are sitting and I will give……
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Welcome to 2025
Happy New Year, I hope this blog meets you in good health and your ready to achieve more of your hopes and dreams in 2025. I said this before and I'll say it again. One thing that is consistant in the mortgage world and that is change. In 2024 we saw the Bank of Canada start reducing the key interest rate which led the banks to reduce their prime lending rates. These reductions led to variable rate mortgage holders to have less interest costs, thereby, reducing their mortgage payments. Good News for many. What hasn't changed much is the fixed lending……
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First Home Savings Account
The deadline is approaching to contribute to the First Home Savings Account for 2023 tax year. If you are considering buying a home in 2024 or beyond this may be a great way to start saving for that home. I will refer to this progarm as "FHSA" as we go forward. The FHSA is a combination between an RRSP and a TFSA account (I wrote a blog in September bout this that can be found under blogs on my website) This post is just a quick "Hey, Don't miss the window to contribute for 2023" (it's December 31, 2023) Call me if you have……
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What A Ride 2023
Wow the 12th Month of the Year… (how did that happen) 😊 2023 had some ups and downs. Higher interest rates, lack of inventory in the real estate market, uncertainty of where interest rates may go, the scare of a housing shortage, on and on. Interest rates have spooked some buyers, and honestly the interest rate really isn’t that high. Did you know that the average 5 year fixed rate over the past 10 years is 4.17% (twenty five year average 5.26%). We aren’t to far off that right now. At this writing, we are currently in the mid 5’s (this……
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First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
Here is a fantastic savings plan that the government has created. It's a hybrid of an RRSP and a TFSA, for the purpose of home ownership. What is it... here are the details... -As of April 1, 2023, financial institutions have the ability to offer the new First Time Home Buyers Tax Free Savings Account -Under the new plan, prospective first-time home buyers have the ability to save $40,000.00 on a tax-free basis -Similar to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), any contributions will be tax deductible -Withdrawals' from the FHSA to purchase a home are non-taxable, similar to a TFSA -The Plan includes an $8,000.00……
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Graduation
Graduation is such a special time in ones life. The 1st accomplishment for many. A minimum of 12 years of perseverance, determination and hopefully some fun in the mix. For some of the Grads in Red Deer, I have had the pleasure of meeting them, being in their classrooms (or on zoom), doing a presentation on credit. The do's and the don't of applying for credit, of maintaining credit and how to keep a good credit score. Each presentation I give them 3 take a-ways, take a-ways to go home with, to tell their parents about what they should be doing to help……
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Alberta Proud
Alberta on the Rebound... What does that mean to you... Where are property values going... What about those interest rates So many questions for people wanting to get into home ownership or wanting to upgrade their homes. Is it time to buy and move? the simple answer is absolutely YES Alberta's economic cycle is one that is Unique in Canada. We have big swings. The Alberta "Boom and Bust" effect So from a life time resident of Alberta and having strong ties to the Oil and Gas sector my advise for you is this, hang on for the ride :)) The wave of people from other provinces en route to Alberta is astonishing. ……
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