For the hockey pool addicted...

On The Lighter Side of Mortgage blogging...

It is pretty bad when the most frequent marketing tip I read about it in regards to mortgage brokering is to provide a newsletter to your contacts (I still have a bit of a crisis of identity when I try to think of my friends, family and ex-co-workers as a 'database').  

In reality, most of my friends won't use me - knowing a friend's finances crosses a social etiquette path few care to broach; we all have images to maintain including what is actually in our bank account or how much we have banked for our retirement. We are okay with telling strangers this information although we generally have no idea who they are outside of the office (however my former bank financial adviser also played in a country band). Depending on which friend it is, I might not even offer to buy them a drink or vice versa, I might insist that they buy me a drink.

Yet while only a small percentage might use me for their financial needs, ninety percent of them will refer me to a friend of theirs. That's a nice thought that keeps me going. Meanwhile, I might throw out a newsletter or two (because it must be really successful what with everyone pointing out I need to put one out there too) but I think i can count on one finger the number of my contacts that are passionate about their mortgages and the mortgage industry. It doesn't help me as he's a mortgage broker too.

So in the meantime I will just keep bloggin' along, singin' my song...

ATT'N BC Teachers

There's an old story about a guy that is going around the scene of a battefield, pulling the boots from dead soldiers. Asked why he was doing that, he says "Hey, a guy has to make a living somehow."


For those in the Internet world with No Boundaries, in British Columbia, Canada there is a pretty big ideological fight going on over our public education system. Our public school teachers are on strike and have been since last June. The current government (called the Liberals but ironically more right wing than what the term suggests) have not negotiated a new contract with the teacher's union in over 10 years. In fact, they were found guilty 2x of attempting to union-bust and are currently appealing for the second time in Canada's Supreme Court.

BC's current public education system is represented by the guy on the right

Anyways, all you BC teachers know this; I'm just updating the dozens outside BC that are unaware of your situation. Keep reading and I will get to a small way I may be of help financially.

As this drags on the 90% of BC parents who rely on the public education system are caught in a war of words and mis-information. Everyone has picked a side but as the dispute plays out in the game of public opinion, it belies the fact that there are a lot of teachers out there that are starting to have troubles paying their bills. Much has been said of how the extended legal battle (again, original verdict in 2002) has drained the union's coffers. Food drives are being organized on behalf of teachers standing strong and walking the picket lines, other unions are starting to pledge financial help to the teachers while the government continues to state there is no money in the system to provide decent wage increases to make up for a decade of declining economic worth. Like I said, I'm going somewhere with this...

Renewal Time - Should I Stay or Should I go (to a Different Lender)

RENEWAL TIME – Switching a Mortgage (to a new lender)

So there you are, grooving to The Clash and thinking 'Where did the time go?' as you are opening your mail. You then notice a letter from your bank or credit union, which is curious as that means they have paid the cost of a postage stamp to contact you. That probably will be added to your monthly bank fees. And if they are contacting you, that means they probably want money.

You open it and find out its actually not that bad - just a friendly note reminding you that your mortgage term is coming up for renewal and hey, why not stop in and renew early before rates rise? They will even disregard any fees or penalties that may have occurred because they care about you.

You get suspicious at that word 'care'. If they cared would they be charging you that $15/month banking fee? Would they charge you $100 for an NSF check when they know that you obviously don't have or else that check wouldn't be NSF?

Buying a Home, the Basics

How many times have you asked this; "If there was only some visual representation of what I need to do as someone who wishes to buy a new home?"

Well, that's what Kiss Mortgages is here for, to Keep It Simple Simple. Feast your peepers on this.  

While it's meant for your basic mortgage broker 101 course, I believe it helps to take away the mystery of what a mortgage broker does and why. After all, we may understand why we need a T1 General (Canada represent) or two years NOAs but do you? Do you even know what that means? Let me be your tour guide. Follow me down the rabbit hole...

1) Initiate Client Contact - Whatever the marketing pros want to call it - 'touches' 'collisions' 'interactions' all it is really is someone saying 'I might need help one day and I will remember you first.'