Most homeowners know the interest rate on their mortgage. But here’s a better question: Do you know if your mortgage is still working for you? A lot can change between the day you get your mortgage and the day it comes up for renewal. Interest rates move. Your income can change. Your home may increase in value. Your debt might look different. And the financial goals you had two or three years ago may not be the same goals you have today. Yet many homeowners simply put their m

When someone asks me what I do as a mortgage broker, the simple answer is that I help people get mortgages. But after working in mortgages since 2009, I can tell you that what I actually do goes much further than finding a mortgage rate. I help people make sense of their options. I help families figure out what they can comfortably afford. I help homeowners look at their mortgage, debts and monthly cash flow differently. I help self-employed clients navigate income that doesn

If you’re searching for the best Kelowna mortgage broker to guide your 2026 purchase, start with a clear plan. The Okanagan market has shifted since the frenzy of recent years, and the right mortgage strategy can save you time, money, and stress. Whether you’re buying your first home, upsizing for a growing family, or relocating to Kelowna, here are five things to know before you start shopping. Interest rates still matter — but strategy matters more Chasing the lowest headli

Meet Sarah and Mike. They’re first-time home buyers who are hoping to buy a home before the end of the year. They’ve been talking to me early — before they’ve even found the house — and we’re looking at their mortgage strategy, down payment and FHSAs. Here’s something interesting we discover. 120 days from today is December 12th. So let’s say Sarah and Mike find the right home and have a choice between closing on December 12th. But those days could matter. Sarah and Mike bot

One of the questions I get asked from time to time is: How does a mortgage broker structure her own mortgage? The answer might surprise you. We don’t have one mortgage. We currently have three separate pieces attached to our home: A variable-rate mortgage A fixed-rate mortgage A home equity line of credit (HELOC) Each piece has a different purpose, different features, and, in the case of our two mortgage portions, different maturity dates. And we structured it this way intent

If you've followed me for a while, you know I spend most of my time talking about mortgages, homeownership, and building wealth. Today, I'm stepping outside of that for a moment to share something a little more personal. I have ADHD. I was diagnosed as a child, and for over 40 years I've been learning how my brain works. I also haven't been medicated for well over 25 years. That was the right decision for me, but I want to be clear that this isn't a statement against medicati

If you've ever shopped for a mortgage, you've probably seen an advertisement promising the "lowest mortgage rate." At first glance, it seems like an easy decision. Why wouldn't you choose the cheapest option? The truth is, the lowest interest rate doesn't always mean the lowest overall cost. A mortgage is much more than a rate. It's a legal contract that affects your finances for years, and the flexibility built into that contract can save—or cost—you thousands of dollars ove

For much of the past two years, many Canadians have been waiting. Waiting for interest rates to come down.Waiting for home prices to stabilize.Waiting for the "perfect" time to buy, refinance, or make a move. Now, we're starting to see something change. Consumer confidence is improving, people are spending again, and many Canadians are beginning to feel more optimistic about their financial future. While this doesn't mean the housing market is about to explode overnight, it d

If you've been watching mortgage rates or wondering what the Bank of Canada might do next, today's inflation report is worth paying attention to. At first glance, the numbers look encouraging. Canada's annual inflation rate dropped to 2.8% in June 2026, down from 3.2% in May and slightly better than economists were expecting. That's welcome news for borrowers, homeowners, and anyone hoping interest rates continue to The bond market seemed to like the report too. Shortly after

Many Canadians are wondering when the next interest rate cut will arrive. The reality is that the Bank of Canada would likely welcome the opportunity to lower rates, particularly as economic growth remains sluggish. However, one major obstacle continues to stand in the way: energy inflation. Higher energy prices affect nearly every part of the economy. They increase transportation costs, manufacturing expenses, and ultimately the price consumers pay for goods and services. Wh