About Me
Hi, I'm Rita.
I'm a Mortgage Professional with broad experience in all aspects of the financing process - whether it be helping first-time buyers purchase their first home; assisting clients with financing for a renovation to their existing home; building a new home or helping them re-negotiate their mortgage at renewal.
My goal is to help my clients navigate through the process of finding the right financing product for their unique situation.
I specialize in mortgages for self-employed borrowers; borrowers with slightly bruised credit and first time home buyers, home equity Lines of Credit; first & second mortgages; mortgage renewals; re-finances and investment property mortgages.
Cell: 403-502-3330
STEP ONE
Start the conversation.
The best place to start is to connect with me directly. The mortgage process is personal, and it can be daunting. My commitment to you is that I'll listen to all your needs, assess your financial situation, and provide you with a plan to move forward.
STEP TWO
Choose the best option.
Once we’ve had a look at your financial situation, we’ll consider a variety of mortgage options, I’ll outline what documents are necessary to qualify for a mortgage, negotiate with the lenders on your behalf, and arrange the mortgage that best suits your needs.
STEP THREE
Sit back and relax.
Once we’ve arranged the mortgage product that best suits your needs, you’re not alone. I’m your mortgage professional for life. If you’ve got questions in the years to come, I’m always available to make sure that your mortgage is working for you, and not the other way around!
Lenders
I've developed excellent relationships with many lenders across the country.
Let's figure out which one has the best product for you.
Services
As a mortgage professional it's my job to be the go-between between you and a mortgage lender. I make sure that you know all the products available to you, and are equipped with the knowledge to make the best decisions for you and your family.
Flexible Mortgages
As your life can change at any time, I offer a wide range of flexible mortgage products.
Qualified Advice
As a licensed mortgage expert, I'll listen to your needs and answer your questions.
No Cost to You
There are no fees for my services, once you find the perfect product, the lender pays me a commission.
Advocacy
I commit to working on your behalf
to find you the best mortgage for your needs.
Mortgage Articles
One of the benefits of working with an independent mortgage professional is having lots of great financing options! Rather than dealing with a single lender with one set of products, independent mortgage professionals work with multiple lenders who offer a wide selection of mortgage financing options that provide more choice. Increased choice in mortgage products is beneficial when your situation isn’t “normal,” or you don’t quite fit the profile of a standard buyer. Purchasing a new construction home through an assignment contract would be a great example of this. Purchasing a new construction home through an assignment contract can be tricky as not every lender wants the added perceived risk of dealing with this type of transaction. Most of these lenders won’t come out and say it; instead, they add a significant list of qualifying conditions to make the process harder. The good news is, there are lenders available exclusively through the broker channel that have favourable policies for assignment purchases. Here are some of the highlights: All standard purchase qualifications apply, including applicable income verification, established credit, and required downpayment Assignments can be at the original purchase price or current market value Minimum 620 beacon score with no previous bankruptcies or consumer proposals The full downpayment must come from the purchaser and not include any incentives from the seller. As far as documentation goes, the lender will want to see the original purchase agreement signed by all parties, the MLS listing, the assignment agreement signed by the builder, the original purchaser, and the new buyer. The lender will also want to see the side agreement between the original purchaser and the new buyer, including the amended purchase price. The lender will want to substantiate the value through a full appraisal. Now, as every situation is different, this list of conditions is in no way exhaustive but meant to show that assigning a new construction purchase contract is doable while highlighting some of the terms necessary to secure financing. If you’re looking to purchase new construction through an assignment contract, or if you’d like to discuss purchasing a home through traditional means, please connect anytime! It would be a pleasure to outline the mortgage products on the market that won’t limit your financing options!
As housing affordability challenges persist across Canada, innovative solutions are reshaping the way homeowners can contribute to housing supply. Starting January 15, 2025, new mortgage insurance rule changes will allow Canadian homeowners to access insured refinancing options to create secondary suites, such as basement apartments or laneway homes. This move, announced in Budget 2024 and detailed by the Department of Finance Canada, is part of a broader strategy to increase housing density and improve affordability while offering homeowners the chance to generate additional income. Why These Changes Matter Historically, converting extra space into rental units has been both costly and mired in municipal red tape. Recent zoning reforms across Canada’s major cities, driven by Housing Accelerator Fund agreements, are reducing these barriers. The creation of secondary suites not only expands housing supply but also provides financial benefits to homeowners, such as offering seniors additional income to support aging in place. Key Parameters for the New Rules The new mortgage insurance program is designed to enable homeowners to build legal, self-contained secondary suites that comply with municipal requirements. Here are the essential details: Eligibility Requirements Homeowners must already own the property. The homeowner or a close relative must occupy one of the existing units. Additional units must not be used as short-term rentals. Project Specifications New units must be fully self-contained with separate entrances (e.g., basement suites, laneway homes). Up to four total dwelling units are allowed, including existing units. Financial Parameters The “as improved” property value must be less than $2 million. Homeowners can refinance up to 90% of the property’s value, including the enhanced value from secondary suites. The maximum amortization period is 30 years. Additional financing must not exceed the project’s costs. When Do These Rules Take Effect? Starting January 15, 2025, lenders can submit applications for mortgage insurance under these updated parameters. This applies to all eligible properties across Canada, provided the new units align with municipal zoning requirements. What This Means for Homeowners For homeowners with underutilized space, such as basements or detached garages, this new program offers an opportunity to increase property value and create a source of long-term income. By building legal secondary suites, homeowners can contribute to Canada’s rental housing market while gaining financial security. A Step Toward Housing Solutions As housing supply remains a pressing issue, these mortgage insurance changes reflect a commitment to practical, homeowner-driven solutions. Whether you’re a senior looking to age in place or a family seeking to maximize your property’s potential, these changes represent an exciting opportunity to invest in your home and your community. Stay informed and explore your options with your lender to determine if this program is right for you. The path to unlocking your property’s potential begins in 2025.
You’ve most likely heard that there are two certainties in life; death and taxes. Well, as it relates to your mortgage, the single certainty is that you will pay back what you borrow, plus interest. With that said, the frequency of how often you make payments to the lender is somewhat up to you! The following looks at the different types of payment frequencies and how they impact your mortgage. Here are the six payment frequency types Monthly payments – 12 payments per year Semi-Monthly payments – 24 payments per year Bi-weekly payments – 26 payments per year Weekly payments – 52 payments per year Accelerated bi-weekly payments – 26 payments per year Accelerated weekly payments – 52 payments per year Options one through four are straightforward and designed to match your payment frequency with your employer. So if you get paid monthly, it makes sense to arrange your mortgage payments to come out a few days after payday. If you get paid every second Friday, it might make sense to have your mortgage payments match your payday. However, options five and six have that word accelerated before the payment frequency. Accelerated bi-weekly and accelerated weekly payments accelerate how fast you pay down your mortgage. Choosing the accelerated option allows you to lower your overall cost of borrowing on autopilot. Here’s how it works. With the accelerated bi-weekly payment frequency, you make 26 payments in the year. Instead of dividing the total annual payment by 26 payments, you divide the total yearly payment by 24 payments as if you set the payments as semi-monthly. Then you make 26 payments on the bi-weekly frequency at the higher amount. So let’s use a $1000 payment as the example: Monthly payments formula: $1000/1 with 12 payments per year. A payment of $1000 is made once per month for a total of $12,000 paid per year. Semi-monthly formula: $1000/2 with 24 payments per year. A payment of $500 is paid twice per month for a total of $12,000 paid per year. Bi-weekly formula: $1000 x 12 / 26 with 26 payments per year. A payment of $461.54 is made every second week for a total of $12,000 paid per year. Accelerated bi-weekly formula: $1000/2 with 26 payments per year. A payment of $500 is made every second week for a total of $13,000 paid per year. You see, by making the accelerated bi-weekly payments, it’s like you end up making two extra payments each year. By making a higher payment amount, you reduce your mortgage principal, which saves interest on the entire life of your mortgage. The payments for accelerated weekly payments work the same way. It’s just that you’d be making 52 payments a year instead of 26. By choosing an accelerated option for your payment frequency, you lower the overall cost of borrowing by making small extra payments as part of your regular payment schedule. Now, exactly how much you’ll save over the life of your mortgage is hard to nail down. Calculations are hard to do because of the many variables; mortgages come with different amortization periods and terms with varying interest rates along the way. However, an accelerated bi-weekly payment schedule could reduce your amortization by up to three years if maintained throughout the life of your mortgage. If you’d like to look at some of the numbers as they relate to you and your mortgage, please don’t hesitate to connect anytime; it would be a pleasure to work with you.
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