Getting a Mortgage Shouldn’t Be Stressful—We Can Help

Kambi Heywood • February 5, 2026

Buying a Home? Follow These 6 Key Steps for a Smooth Experience

Buying a home is likely one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. It’s exciting—but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding how mortgage financing works.


To help make the process smoother (and far less stressful), here are six essential steps every homebuyer should follow:


1. Start With a Mortgage Professional—Not MLS

It’s tempting to start your home search by scrolling through listings and booking showings—but the real first step should be speaking with an independent mortgage professional.


Unlike a bank that offers only one set of products, an independent mortgage expert has access to multiple lenders and options. That means better advice, better rates, and a better chance of finding a mortgage that truly fits your needs.


2. Build a Personalized Mortgage Plan

Unless you’re buying your home with cash, you’ll need a solid financing strategy. That means:

  • Reviewing your credit score
  • Running affordability calculations
  • Exploring different mortgage types, terms, and features
  • Understanding down payments and closing costs

The sooner you start planning, the more confident you’ll feel. Don’t wait until you’ve found the “perfect” property—get ahead of the process now.


3. Figure Out What You Can Actually Afford

What a lender says you can borrow doesn’t always match what you can comfortably pay each month.

Take a close look at your budget, lifestyle, and spending habits. Think about how your mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and other costs will fit into your everyday cash flow.

Avoid the stress of being house-poor by knowing your real-life affordability, not just your paper pre-approval.


4. Get Pre-Approved the Right Way

A true mortgage pre-approval isn’t just entering numbers into an online calculator. It means:

  • Completing a mortgage application
  • Submitting all your required documentation
  • Having a mortgage professional fully assess your file

When you’re officially pre-approved, you’ll shop for homes with confidence, knowing what you qualify for and that you’re financially ready.


5. Submit Your Documents Promptly and Stay Flexible

Once you find a property and your offer is accepted, time is of the essence. That’s when all the upfront work you’ve done really pays off.

Be ready to:

  • Provide additional documentation if requested
  • Respond to your mortgage professional quickly
  • Stay flexible and proactive throughout the approval process

Your lender needs to verify everything before finalizing the loan, so staying organized is key.


6. Don’t Make Big Financial Changes Before Closing

Once you’ve secured financing and waived your conditions, freeze your finances until after you get the keys.

Seriously—don’t:

  • Change jobs
  • Apply for new credit
  • Take out a loan
  • Make a large withdrawal


Even small changes can throw off your approval. Keep everything status quo until you officially take possession.


Recap: 6 Steps to a Smooth Home Purchase

  1. Connect with an independent mortgage professional
  2. Create a mortgage plan early
  3. Know what you can afford (not just what you qualify for)
  4. Get fully pre-approved
  5. Stay on top of documentation
  6. Avoid major financial changes before possession


Ready to Buy with Confidence?

If you’re thinking about buying a home—or just want to know what’s possible—let’s talk. I’ll help you map out a personalized plan that makes your homebuying journey feel simple, strategic, and stress-free.

Reach out anytime. I’d love to help you get started.


Kambi Heywood

Licensed Mortgage Broker

GET STARTED

Bank of Canada Rate Announcement Jan 28th, 2026

By Kambi Heywood • January 28, 2026
Bank of Canada maintains policy rate at 2¼%. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario January 28, 2026 The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. The outlook for the global and Canadian economies is little changed relative to the projection in the October Monetary Policy Report (MPR). However, the outlook is vulnerable to unpredictable US trade policies and geopolitical risks. Economic growth in the United States continues to outpace expectations and is projected to remain solid, driven by AI-related investment and consumer spending. Tariffs are pushing up US inflation, although their effect is expected to fade gradually later this year. In the euro area, growth has been supported by activity in service sectors and will get additional support from fiscal policy. China’s GDP growth is expected to slow gradually, as weakening domestic demand offsets strength in exports. Overall, the Bank expects global growth to average about 3% over the projection horizon. Global financial conditions have remained accommodative overall. Recent weakness in the US dollar has pushed the Canadian dollar above 72 cents, roughly where it had been since the October MPR. Oil prices have been fluctuating in response to geopolitical events and, going forward, are assumed to be slightly below the levels in the October report. US trade restrictions and uncertainty continue to disrupt growth in Canada. After a strong third quarter, GDP growth in the fourth quarter likely stalled. Exports continue to be buffeted by US tariffs, while domestic demand appears to be picking up. Employment has risen in recent months. Still, the unemployment rate remains elevated at 6.8% and relatively few businesses say they plan to hire more workers. Economic growth is projected to be modest in the near term as population growth slows and Canada adjusts to US protectionism. In the projection, consumer spending holds up and business investment strengthens gradually, with fiscal policy providing some support. The Bank projects growth of 1.1% in 2026 and 1.5% in 2027, broadly in line with the October projection. A key source of uncertainty is the upcoming review of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement. CPI inflation picked up in December to 2.4%, boosted by base-year effects linked to last winter’s GST/HST holiday. Excluding the effect of changes in taxes, inflation has been slowing since September. The Bank’s preferred measures of core inflation have eased from 3% in October to around 2½% in December. Inflation was 2.1% in 2025 and the Bank expects inflation to stay close to the 2% target over the projection period, with trade-related cost pressures offset by excess supply. Monetary policy is focused on keeping inflation close to the 2% target while helping the economy through this period of structural adjustment. Governing Council judges the current policy rate remains appropriate, conditional on the economy evolving broadly in line with the outlook we published today. However, uncertainty is heightened and we are monitoring risks closely. If the outlook changes, we are prepared to respond. The Bank is committed to ensuring that Canadians continue to have confidence in price stability through this period of global upheaval. Information note The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is March 18, 2026. The Bank’s next MPR will be released on April 29, 2026. Read the January 28th, 2026 Monetary Report

Get Unbiased Advice: Work with an Independent Mortgage Pro

By Kambi Heywood • January 22, 2026
Why Work With an Independent Mortgage Professional? If you’re in the market for a mortgage, here’s the most important thing to know: Working with an independent mortgage professional can save you money and provide better options than dealing directly with a single bank. If that’s all you read—great! But if you’d like to understand why that statement is true, keep reading. The Best Mortgage Isn’t Just About the Lowest Rate It’s easy to fall for slick marketing that promotes ultra-low mortgage rates. But the lowest rate doesn’t always mean the lowest cost . The best mortgage is the one that costs you the least amount of money over time —not just the one with the flashiest headline rate. Things like: Prepayment penalties Portability Flexibility to refinance Amortization structure Fixed vs. variable terms …can all affect the true cost of your mortgage. An independent mortgage professional looks beyond the rate. They’ll help you find a product that fits your unique financial situation , long-term goals, and lifestyle—so you’re not hit with expensive surprises down the road. Save Time (and Your Sanity) Applying for a mortgage can be complicated. Every lender has different rules, documents, and policies—and trying to navigate them all on your own can be time-consuming and frustrating. When you work with an independent mortgage professional: You fill out one application They shop that application across multiple lenders You get expert advice tailored to your needs This means less paperwork , less stress , and more confidence in your options. Get Unbiased Advice That Puts You First Bank specialists work for the bank. Their job is to sell you that bank’s mortgage products—whether or not it’s the best deal for you. Independent mortgage professionals work for you. They’re provincially licensed, and their job is to help you: Compare multiple lenders Understand the fine print Make informed, long-term financial decisions And the best part? Their services are typically free to you . Mortgage professionals are paid a standardized fee by the lender when a mortgage is placed—so you get expert guidance without any out-of-pocket cost. Access More Mortgage Options When you go to your bank, you’re limited to that bank’s mortgage products. When you go to an independent mortgage professional, you get access to: Major banks Credit unions Monoline lenders (who only offer mortgages) Alternative and private lenders (if needed) That’s far more choice , and a much better chance of finding a mortgage that truly fits your needs and goals. The Bottom Line If you want to: Save money over the life of your mortgage Save time by avoiding unnecessary back-and-forth Access more lenders and products Get honest, client-first advice …then working with an independent mortgage professional is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Let’s Make a Plan That Works for You If you're ready to talk about mortgage financing—or just want to explore your options—I'm here to help. Let's connect and put together a strategy that makes sense for your goals and your future. Reach out anytime. I’d be happy to help.