Lora Behm

How Much Equity Can You Access When Refinancing? One of the most common questions homeowners have is: “How much equity can I actually pull out of my home?” The short answer is "it depends". But there are a few key guidelines that can help you understand what’s...

Unexpected Tax Bill from the CRA? Here Are Some Options For many people, tax season comes with the expectation of a refund. So when that turns into a large amount owing to the CRA, it can feel overwhelming and stressful. If you’ve recently been hit with a tax bill you...

What Actually Makes Mortgage Deals Fall Apart? I get asked all the time what actually makes a deal fall apart. Most people assume it’s something complicated or hidden in fine print — but recently, I’ve been seeing two very specific things happen more than usual. And...

Thinking About Buying or Selling This Spring? Start Preparing Now. Spring is traditionally one of the busiest times in real estate. More listings hit the market, more buyers start looking, and competition naturally increases. If you’re thinking about buying, selling,...

What Is a Cash Back Mortgage — And When Does It Make Sense? Did you know there’s something called a cash back mortgage? It’s not something we use every day, but in the right situation, it can be a really helpful tool. What Is a Cash Back Mortgage? A cash back mortgage...

Why Your Credit Score Might Look Different to a Lender Did you know there are actually two different credit bureaus in Canada? The first is Equifax. The second is TransUnion. And depending on the lender, they’ll typically use one or the other when reviewing your...

Monitoring Your Credit: What You See Isn’t Always What Lenders See Monitoring your credit is one of the best habits you can have when preparing for a mortgage. In fact, if you’re checking your credit regularly — gold star for you. Everyone should be doing it. But...

What You May Not Know About Getting a Mortgage After Bankruptcy One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is this: “I can’t apply for a mortgage until seven years after my bankruptcy, once it’s off my credit bureau.” That’s simply not true. While bankruptcy does have a...

Renewal vs. Refinance: Why They’re Not the Same A lot of people use the terms renewal and refinance interchangeably, but they are actually two very different things. And understanding the difference matters — especially when it comes to the rate you’re offered. What...