http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Crystal+Mate Finances Crystal Mate Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=267894&ca=Finances What volume of debt are you carrying right now? If you are like most Canadians, you have debts that exceed your annual net income. Getting a handle on all of this debt can put a lot of strain on today’s households. Home mortgage refinancing is one possible solution to the debt load problem. Where is... Finances Crystal Mate Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=268718&ca=Finances There are many viable options for tapping into a home’s equity, including 2nd mortgages and refinancing. Both provide a way to help manage existing debt or get a low-cost loan for other expenses. “I will likely use my home equity to help finance other investments”. This statement was included in a 2... Finances Crystal Mate Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=268724&ca=Finances Most experts say that your housing costs should not be more, and preferably less, than 30% of your income. Is that a reasonable figure for most Canadians? The answer is a resounding “no”. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) prepares annual research on the number of work hours in one... Finances Crystal Mate Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=268730&ca=Finances In a November, 2007 report, the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) stated that in the previous 12 months, 17% of mortgage holders took out home equity loans or increased their mortgage. The average equity loan was $35,400. What are people doing with all this money? Pay... Finances Crystal Mate Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=267474&ca=Finances Choosing the right mortgage may seem easy enough. Find the best rate and sign on the dotted line, right? Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Choosing the right mortgage involves a lot of research and planning. To make the right decision, you need to wade through a variety of mortgage products, all... Finances Crystal Mate Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=267475&ca=Finances When buying your first home, you should be prepared to ask yourself some important questions. Analyze your needs, your financial state and your future plans to ensure you make the right home buying decision. The Dollars and Cents of Buying Your First Home Cost is, of course, the primary consideratio... Finances Crystal Mate Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=267523&ca=Finances Signing the agreement to secure your first home loan can be more than a little nerve-wracking. With the average Canadian house price hovering at around $300,000, the amount of most first home loans is well over $200,000 – a significant sum, to say the least. To keep costs manageable over the short a... Finances Crystal Mate Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=267526&ca=Finances Is your home less than it could be? After living a few years in a home, many homeowners find they want to make some changes. Whether they want to convert the bedrooms vacated by their kids into a luxurious ensuite bathroom, or make room for a home office, or open up their kitchen and dining area, th... Finances Crystal Mate Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=267889&ca=Finances High ratio mortgages. The term conjures up frightening images of high risk loans and unbearable levels of debt. In reality, high ratio mortgages are pretty common these days. And with the price of housing, it is no wonder. Housing Costs and Down Payments High ratio mortgages are those that require h...