By Emily Miszk | Mortgage Broker & Team Leader, BRX Mortgage | Ontario & British Columbia I've been in the mortgage industry since 2009, and over the years, I've learned a lot about what it takes to build a successful mortgage business. I've also learned that success looks different for everyone. For some, it's about closing more deals. For others, it's about creating flexibility, building financial security or having more time with family. For me, it's always been a combinat

You don't have to have everything figured out to start understanding your financial options. There are conversations in my business that stay with me long after I've closed my laptop for the day. Some are happy conversations. A first-time buyer getting the keys to their first home. A family finally finding a property with enough room for everyone. Someone realizing that homeownership might actually be possible when they had spent years believing it wasn't. And then there are

What If You Could Become Mortgage-Free 4.4 Years Sooner Without Increasing Your Monthly Payment? By Emily Miszk | Mortgage Broker, BRX Mortgage | Ontario & British Columbia What if I told you that you could keep making the exact same mortgage payment you're making today, but potentially become mortgage-free 4.4 years sooner? Sounds pretty good , doesn't it? That's exactly the opportunity we uncovered for clients who recently closed a mortgage switch with our team. And the bes

October 29, 2026 | By Emily Miszk, Mortgage Broker, BRX Mortgage If you've been watching mortgage rates and wondering what's next, this week's economic news is worth paying attention to. Inflation is rising again, the Bank of Canada has increased its overnight lending rate, and we're also seeing fixed mortgage rates move higher. For Canadians preparing to purchase a home, renew their mortgage or refinance, the conversation around interest rates is changing. For much of the pa

Sometimes the best mortgage conversations start over coffee. I have a favourite coffee shop about 2 km from my home. I love walking there when I can. It gives me a chance to get outside, clear my head, admire the neighbourhood and, if I'm being completely honest, check out what everyone is doing with their homes. On this particular morning, I stopped along the way to look at a renovation happening on one of the houses. I couldn't help myself. A new addition, some exterior upd

Last week, I was away at Broker Talks and MPC, surrounded by some pretty incredible people in our industry. I came home inspired, motivated, and with a realization that was a little harder to admit. I haven't been the best leader I can be. There. I said it. Back in January, I booked a call with my friend, who I fondly refer to as "THE MEGAN MCDONALD." I told her I wanted to be a better leader. I wanted to be more intentional, more connected, and more present for my team. And

Friday, October 16, 2026. 3:10 AM PST. It's dark. Really dark. I'm driving my truck through our neighbourhood, passing the deer who are casually helping themselves to everyone's beautifully maintained gardens. Apparently, 3:10 AM is breakfast time for them. For me? It's conference time. I'm headed to the airport for a weekend in Calgary for the Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC) conference, and despite the ridiculous hour, I am excited. I pull up to airport valet, grab my ba

If you’ve been following the headlines lately, there is a lot happening. Interest rates. Inflation. Bond yields. Oil prices. Government spending. Global investment. The U.S. Federal Reserve. The Bank of Canada. It can feel like every new headline should change what you’re doing with your mortgage. My advice? Stay the course. That doesn’t mean ignoring what’s happening in the economy. It means understanding that your mortgage decisions should be based first and foremost on you

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

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

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

If you've been following the headlines lately, you've probably seen the word "recession" appearing more frequently. Technically speaking, Canada has now recorded two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth—Q4 2025 and Q1 2026—which is the traditional textbook definition of a recession. But is Canada truly in a recession? The answer depends on who you ask. For many Canadians, the slowdown has felt like it has been building for some time. We've seen "For Lease" signs appear

There’s a bit of a push and pull happening in the market right now, and it’s important to understand both sides. On one hand, rising oil prices and inflation concerns are pushing bond yields higher, which is putting upward pressure on fixed mortgage rates. On the other hand, the Canadian economy is clearly slowing, and that should limit how aggressive the Bank of Canada can be moving forward. My main takeaway: Don’t just watch prices right now. Watch supply. Listings are star

The Bank of Canada has announced that it is holding its benchmark interest rate at 2.25% . This decision was widely expected, but the reasoning behind it matters—especially if you have a mortgage, are up for renewal, or are thinking about buying. Let’s break it down in a simple, easy-to-understand way. What’s Happening in Canada Right Now? The Canadian economy is showing mixed signals : The economy shrank slightly (0.6%) at the end of 2025 Consumer and government spending ar