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​I was born and raised in Hamilton, but now call Niagara my home. As a lifelong entrepreneur, I understand the inner workings of a business. I have spent more than two decades in the restaurant and real estate investment business; which has made me an expert in budgeting and problem-solving, and given me the ability to think outside the box, along with the determination to push through tough challenges. I am a quintessential numbers guy who believes that having a well-thought-out budget is critical when it comes to calculating mortgage affordability and essential to get you into your dream home. I will work closely with you to put you in the best possible financial position and provide you with authentic advice to help you achieve your home ownership goals. I am also a proud husband, and father to three young boys, as well as an avid sports enthusiast. Once the details of your mortgage are sorted out, you can ask me anything about sports – and good luck stumping me!
WELCOME!
INVESTMENTS
Are you looking for the best rates for your next investment? Whether you are buying to flip or buying to rent, I can secure the right loans that will best suit your needs as a real estate investor.
REBUILDING CREDIT
Is your credit score preventing you from qualifying? The good news is your credit score is repairable. By educating yourself on the best credit practices, making smart decisions and being disicplined you can increase your credit score and improve your mortgage application.
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MORTGAGE GLOSSARY
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Fixed RateAn interest rate that does not change during the entire mortgage term.
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Variable RateAn interest rate that will fluctuate in accordance with the market prime rate throughout the mortgage term.
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Mortgage RateThe percentage of interest that you pay on top of the loan principal.
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Closed MortgageThis type of mortgage must remain unchanged for the term you agree to. Costs will apply if you payout, renegotiate, or refinance before the end of the term.
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Convertible MortgageThis type of mortgage offers the same security as a closed mortgage but can be converted to a longer, closed mortgage at any time without costs.
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High-Ratio MortgageThe type of mortgage you obtain when you have less than 20% of the total purchase price to put down as your downpayment. This type of mortgage is required to be insured.
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Open MortgageThis type of mortgage may be repaid, in part or in full, at any time during the term without any additional costs.
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AmortizationThis refers to the number of years it will take you to pay your mortgage off in full. Amortization periods tend to be 15, 20 or 25 years in length. Your amortization period is not the same as your mortgage term.
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Assuming a MortgageThis is when an individual will take over the obligations of the previous owner's mortgage when they buy the property.
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Buy Down RateThis is the portion of the interest rate on a buyer's mortgage that the seller assumes when their home is bought. For example, if you're selling your home and the buyer does not like the interest rate on their mortgage, you can offer to add a certain percentage of it onto your existing mortgage. You can add a maximum of 3%.
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)This is the title of the Crown corporation that administers the National Housing Act for the federal government and encourages the improvement of housing and living conditions across Canada.
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Down PaymentThis is the money that you pay upfront for a house. Down payments usually range from 5% to 20% of the total value of the home being purchased.
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Home InsuranceThis refers to insurance that will cover both your home and its contents.
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House InspectionThis is the process of having a qualified home inspector identify potential repairs to the for-sale property and their estimated cost.
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Lump Sum PaymentThis is an extra payment towards a mortgage to help pay down the principal faster.
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Mortgage Life InsuranceThis refers to insurance that will pay the outstanding balance of your mortgage in full if you were to die.
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MortgageThis is a loan that you take out in order to purchase a property. The property itself becomes collateral for the loan.
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Multiple Listing Service (MLS)This is an online platform that lists all of the properties available in your area, including information and photos of each property.
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Pre-Approved Mortgage CertificateThis is a written agreement from a lender stating that you will get a mortgage for a set amount of money at a set interest rate.
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Offer to PurchaseThis is a legally binding agreement between the buyer and the seller of a home for sale. It includes the price you are offering, what you expect to be included with the house, and the financial conditions of the sale.
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PortingThis is when someone transfers an existing mortgage from one home to a new home when they move. This is known as a "portable" mortgage.
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Pre-PaymentThis refers to an individual repaying part of their mortgage ahead of schedule. Depending on the mortgage agreement, there may be a prepayment cost.
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RefinancingThis is the process of paying out the existing mortgage for purpose of establishing a new mortgage on the same property under new terms and conditions. This is usually done when a client requires additional funds or wants to consolidate their debt.
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RenewalThis is when the original term of your mortgage expires, and you have the option of renewing it. You can choose to either renew with the original lender, change lenders, or pay off all of the balance outstanding.
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Mortgage TermThis is the length of time during which you pay a specific rate on the mortgage loan. This is different from the amortization period. A mortgage is usually amortized over 20-25 years, with a shorter term, typically 6 months to 5 years. After the term expires, the interest rate is usually renegotiated with the lender.
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AppraisalThis refers to the process of determining the lending value of a property. There tends to be a fee to have an appraisal done.
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Closing CostsThese are the costs that are in addition to the purchase price of a property and which are payable on the closing date. Closing costs will include legal fees, land transfer taxes, and disbursements.
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Closing DateThis is the date on which the sale of a property becomes final and the buyer takes possession of the property.
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Interest AdjustmentThe amount of interest that is due between the date your mortgage starts and the date the first mortgage payment is made. Sometimes there is a gap between the closing date of your home purchase and the first payment date of your mortgage. For example, if your closing date could be on March 26th, but your mortgage payments are due on the 1st of the month. Your first payment would be calculated for April 1st - May 1st, but that leaves 5 days unaccounted for. You have to make an extra payment to make up for these 5 days and is generally due on your closing date.
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Land Transfer TaxThis refers to the tax that is levied on any property that changes hands.
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Legal Fees and DisbursementsThese are the legal costs that are associated with the sale or purchase of a property. It's in your best interest to use the services of a real estate lawyer.
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Prepaid Property Tax & Utility AdjustmentThis is the amount you will owe if the person selling you the home has prepaid any of the property taxes or utility bills. The amount to reimburse them will be calculated according to the closing date.
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Property SurveyThis is a legal description of your property, its location and its dimensions. An up-to-date survey is usually required by your mortgage lender. If not available from the vendor, your lawyer can obtain the property survey for a fee.
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Sales TaxThese are the taxes that are applied to the purchase cost of a property. Some properties are sales tax exempt, and some are not. For instance, residential resale properties are usually GST exempt, while new properties require GST.
Getting lost in all the different mortgage terms?
Browse our database of the most common terms and their definitions to help you gain a better understanding.
MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
Wondering what the monthly cost of owning a home will look like for you?
​Use the mortgage calculator below to get a better idea of your monthly expenses.
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