Q: How are your Mortgage Planners different from a mortgage lender?

A: A mortgage lender makes loan approval decisions and provides the money for the loan. As a result, mortgage lenders provide you with only the mortgage products offered by their institutions. In contrast, our Mortgage Planners will assist you with the entire process, including determining the mortgage product that is best for you in order to meet your short- and long-term financial goals. Your Mortgage Planner will shop various lenders in order to secure the best rate, and then negotiate the deal for you. He or she will also provide you with a regular RateWatch and an annual Equity Review. Most importantly, a Mortgage Planner will be your lifetime advisor and resource to ensure that the mortgage plan is successfully achieving your goals.

Q: What is Mortgage Planning?

A: Mortgage planning is the strategic positioning of a mortgage into a greater financial plan to maximize safety and return on the dollar. In reality, mortgage planning is much more. In this section we'll explore the concepts, realities, and what mortgage planning can really do for you.

Q: What is an Annual Equity Review?

A: The annual Equity Review, which is provided to you free of charge, is an analysis of your assets, liabilities and tax benefits. The annual Equity Review ensures that you are on track to achieve your goals and that you continue on a path that is consistent with your initial strategy.

Q: What is a RateWatch review?

A: As new products become available and as interest rates change, a Mortgage Planner will keep track of your mortgage and ensure that you always have the information you need to make positive adjustments to your debt strategy. This will give you the comfort of knowing you always have the best mortgage possible.

Q: What's the difference between a debt consolidation and a personal loan?

A: A debt consolidation loan is typically backed by collateral such as a house. The idea behind a debt consolidation loan is to consolidate all of your high interest debts – such as credit cards – by paying them off with a loan that will give you one lower payment a month. A debt consolidation loan should be obtained at an interest rate that is lower than the rates of the debt you are paying off. A personal loan is often not secured by collateral and therefore may carry a much higher interest rate. In fact, many banks will not offer personal loans because of the risk involved if you do not pay the loan back.