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Buy the Home, Build the Suite, Create More Value with Purchase Plus Improvements
What if the home you want is close, but not quite perfect? Purchase Plus Improvements can help. Buy the home. Build the suite. Create more value. A Purchase Plus Improvements mortgage may help you purchase a home with potential, include eligible renovation costs, and create future rental income through a legal suite. Maybe the basement is unfinished. Maybe the home needs updates. Maybe there is an opportunity to add a legal rental suite and create rental income. For many buye
Shawn Mooney
2 hours ago3 min read


Non-Traditional Lending Explained: Flexible Mortgage Solutions for Complex Income and Credit Recovery
In the mortgage world, Non-Traditional Lending is still often miscategorized as “B lending.” Non-traditional lending is often misunderstood as “B lending,” but that label does not tell the full story. That label can create confusion. For many borrowers, the term “B lending” sounds negative. It can make people think of second-class lending, poor credit, financial trouble, declined applications, or borrowers who have no other options. But that label does not tell the full story
Shawn Mooney
Jun 259 min read


Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25% Again: What It Means for Mortgage Clients in Alberta
The Bank of Canada holds its key interest rate at 2.25%, marking the fifth consecutive announcement with no change. The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate at 2.25% again. For mortgage clients, this means variable rates and credit products tied to prime should remain unchanged for now, while fixed rates may still move with bond yields. A mortgage review can help you understand what this means for your renewal, refinance, or future home purchase. For many Canadians, this
Shawn Mooney
Jun 106 min read


Bank of Canada Rates Remain Unchanged: What It Means for Mortgage Clients in Alberta
The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% at today’s meeting. For many homeowners and buyers, that means short-term stability. But it does not mean your mortgage strategy should be left alone until the next headline. The next scheduled Bank of Canada rate announcement is June 10, 2026. The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25%. If you have a variable mortgage, HELOC, or renewal coming up, now is a great time to review your strategy. Why today’s rate hold m
Shawn Mooney
Apr 292 min read


How One Alberta Homeowner Saved Nearly $3,000/Month with a Mortgage Refinance
A Real Example of How Refinancing Can Transform Your Finances If you’ve ever wondered whether refinancing your mortgage is worth it, this real-life example from a recent Alberta client shows just how powerful the right strategy can be. (Details have been anonymized for privacy.) What would you do with an extra $2,992/month? This is the power of a smart mortgage refinance strategy. This homeowner wasn’t struggling to make payments—but like many Canadians, they had accumulated
Shawn Mooney
Apr 72 min read


Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25%: What It Means for Variable Mortgages, HELOCs, and Renewals in Alberta
Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25%: What It Means for Variable Mortgages, HELOCs, and Renewals in Alberta Bank of Canada holds its overnight rate at 2.25%—a sign of stability for now, but still a good time to review how your mortgage could be affected. The Bank of Canada announced on March 18, 2026 that it is holding the overnight lending rate at 2.25%. For many Canadians, this was expected and offers a sense of stability in the current lending environment. From a mortgage pe
Shawn Mooney
Mar 182 min read


Tax Season Mortgage Planning 2025 in Alberta: Why You Should Talk to a Mortgage Broker Before Filing
Tax Season Is Here — Is Your Mortgage Strategy Ready? A focused workspace setup featuring a laptop, notebook, calculator, and a bright red alarm clock—capturing a productive moment of planning and organization. Tax season mortgage planning in Alberta isn’t just about filing returns — it’s a powerful financial planning opportunity. Whether you're: Planning to buy your first home Renewing your mortgage this year Considering refinancing Self-employed and managing taxable income
Shawn Mooney
Mar 22 min read


Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25%: What This Means for Airdrie Homeowners
By Shawn Mooney | Jan 28, 2026 The Bank of Canada made its first major move of 2026 this morning—by making no move at all. The Bank of Canada released its latest interest rate decision on January 28, 2026. Read on to discover why they chose to hold the rate steady at 2.25% and what it means for your mortgage. In a decision that was widely anticipated by economists, the Bank announced it is holding the overnight interest rate steady at 2.25% . While many homeowners were hoping
Shawn Mooney
Jan 283 min read


Beating the January Blues: When Holiday Bills Meet Winter Gloom
The "Third Monday" Slump is Real (And So Are the Credit Card Bills), January Blues or Blue Monday. "We can't fix the January weather, but we can definitely brighten the financial forecast." Did you know that today, the third Monday in January, is often referred to as "Blue Monday"? It has an unofficial reputation as being the most difficult day of the year. It’s not hard to see why. The decorations are down, the days are still short, daylight is scarce, and the festive cheer
Shawn Mooney
Jan 192 min read


Received Your 2026 Property Assessment? Here Is What It Means For Your Property Taxes
It is that time of year again— 2026 Property Assessment Notices are arriving in mailboxes across the province. Your 2026 Property Assessment Notice is the baseline for your upcoming tax bill. Is the number accurate? For many homeowners, opening that envelope brings a mix of emotions. On one hand, it is validating to see your investment grow; seeing a higher figure on paper confirms that your home has appreciated in value. However, there is a flip side to that equity boost th
Shawn Mooney
Jan 152 min read


From Empty Lot to Dream Home: The Smart Way to Finance Your Build | Construction Mortgage
Have you found the perfect plot of land and thought, "I would love to build my dream home here," but weren't sure how to finance the purchase before you are ready to break ground? Don't let the perfect spot slip away while waiting on construction plans. Raw land loans can help you secure the lot today. We are breaking down Raw Land Loans —a specialized financing solution for clients who want to secure their lot now and start building shortly after. Buying raw land is differe
Shawn Mooney
Jan 122 min read


No Change: Bank of Canada Keeps Key Interest Rate at 2.25%
📰 Bank of Canada Holds Steady at 2.25%: What it Means for Your Mortgage Rate stability confirmed! The Bank of Canada kept the overnight rate at 2.25% , meaning the Prime Rate for variable mortgages and HELOCs remains steady at 4.45%. Today's announcement from the Bank of Canada confirms that the target for the overnight rate will remain unchanged at 2.25% . This was a widely anticipated decision that signals a period of immediate stability in the Canadian interest rate envir
Shawn Mooney
Dec 10, 20252 min read


Bridge Financing: How to Buy Before You Sell (Without the Stress) 🌉🏠
Bridge Financing: How to Buy Before You Sell (Without the Stress) 🌉🏠 Bridge the gap between your "Sold" sign and your new keys. Have you found your dream home, but the possession date is before the closing date of your current home? Don't panic! This is a common scenario in real estate, and there is a specific tool designed exactly for this moment: Bridge Financing . If you are trying to juggle moving dates and down payments, here is everything you need to know about bridg
Shawn Mooney
Nov 26, 20253 min read


Mortgage Renewal 101: Don’t Just Sign the Paper! ✍️🏡
Mortgage Renewal 101: Don’t Just Sign the Paper! ✍️🏡 Before you lock in with your current lender, let’s look at the "Big Picture." ✅ Are you getting the best rate in the market? ✅ Can we lower your monthly payments to manage "payment shock"? ✅ Is it time to consolidate debt or use your equity? Is your mortgage maturity date approaching? If you are like many homeowners, receiving that renewal letter in the mail can bring on a mix of stress and confusion. Many people simply si
Shawn Mooney
Nov 24, 20253 min read


🛠️ Transform Your Home Dreams into Reality: The Power of a Purchase Plus Improvements Mortgage
Unlock Your Home's Full Potential in Alberta. Finding the "perfect" home can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. What if you find a house in an ideal location, with the right number of bedrooms, but the kitchen is stuck in the 80s, or the basement is just unfinished concrete? Many buyers walk away, thinking they can't afford the purchase and the necessary renovations. But what if you could finance both with one convenient mortgage? Dream home or "fixer-upper"? Wh
Shawn Mooney
Nov 20, 20253 min read


🏡 Bank vs. Mortgage Broker: How to Find the Best Mortgage Rates and Unbiased Advice
Choosing the right mortgage partner is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Whether you work with a bank or a licensed mortgage broker can significantly impact your interest rate , approval success, and overall experience. Here’s a clear, optimized breakdown to help you decide which option is best for securing your home loan. Choosing your mortgage path: On the left, a mortgage broker offers personalized service and access to a network of lenders. On th
Shawn Mooney
Nov 19, 20253 min read


📣 Support for Alberta Teachers During the Strike
Alberta teachers have now been on strike for nearly two weeks, and I’ve started receiving inquiries from educators concerned about their mortgage payments during this challenging time. Since teachers aren’t compensated while on strike, many are facing financial strain. If you're in this situation, please know that most lenders offer options like mortgage payment deferrals or skip-a-payment programs to help ease the burden. Here’s what you should know: 🔹 During a Deferral:
Shawn Mooney
Oct 16, 20251 min read


🏡 Buying a House? What You Need to Know About Property Taxes
🏡 Understanding Property Taxes When Buying a Home in Alberta — Learn how closing costs, TIPP plans, and reimbursements impact your...
Shawn Mooney
Sep 8, 20252 min read


🏡 What You Need to Know About 6-Month Special Mortgage Rates
Short-term mortgage products like the 6-month special rate can be a smart tool for homebuyers—especially in a fluctuating rate...
Shawn Mooney
Aug 13, 20252 min read


📣 Bank of Canada Holds Steady — What It Means for You
The Bank of Canada has announced that the overnight lending rate will remain unchanged for now. While this decision might seem uneventful...
Shawn Mooney
Jul 30, 20251 min read
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