mortgage expert

Testimonial: Robert D’Orazio

Posted on by admin
Andy, Your insight and guidance have been invaluable to my family and I to help us navigate through some very important and generational decisions.  Thank you for the wisdom and transparency that fostered a trust that is so important at times like these and during decision making of such consequence.  We are forever grateful. Robert D’Orazio Oakville, Ontario
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The Road Less Travelled

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
Yesterday, I went for a walk in the woods on a road that was abandoned long ago. It reminded me of the journey we take in life. Sometimes the road is clear and other times we must look a little harder for that road. The outline of it is there but we might have to climb over a few obstacles or cross a brook to find our way.  My professional journey started back in 1989. I would have taken my first mortgage application while working as a Loans Clerk at Canada Trust. That would have been t...
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The Struggle in Canada is Real!

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
As a card-carrying member of Gen X, I grew up at a time when life was affordable in Canada. No matter where you were on the socio-economic spectrum the basic necessities of food and shelter were attainable even if you just made minimum wage. If you needed transportation, you could always find a beat-up old car for a nominal price and if you aspired to be a homeowner that too was affordable. For perspective, my first apartment in London, Ontario, was $250 per month for a bachelor apartment in...
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The Vice is Tightening!

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
The vice is tightening for many Canadian households!If your mortgage is maturing this year, you may find the following:- Your interest rate is higher- Your payments are higher- You do not have the option to roll other consumer debt into your mortgage because your home has decreased in valueFor some, the news is even more concerning:- Your private mortgage lender refuses to offer a renewal-  Your institutional lender is making you requalify for your mortgage (rumour has it that Equitable Ba...
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Testimonial: Amy Halliday

Posted on by admin
mortgage
I have worked with Andy on two separate mortgages and really appreciate his knowledge and guidance.  He takes the time to understand your financial goals and presents the best options clearly. The process was smooth and stress-free. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Andy to anyone in need of a mortgage broker. Amy Halliday Mississauga, Ontario
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The Domino Effect

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
I was recently hired to write an expert witness report for a case that perfectly illustrates the domino effects of the real estate correction that started in 2022. As you may recall, the Bank of Canada began to raise interest rates in the spring of 2022, signalling the beginning of the end to the real estate party that had been going on since the start of the Pandemic. From March to October 2022 the Bank of Canada raised interest rates by 3.50%. The days of cheap money and real estate hyster...
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The Value of Human Judgement

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
SOCAN
About seven years ago I stumbled into songwriting. It wasn’t a calculated decision; it was on a whim and a prayer. For me it was therapeutic and a new challenge. It allowed me to use a completely different part of my brain that was probably well on its way towards atrophy. I was fortunate to find Murray Foster and the Toronto Songwriting School. Murray and his co-pilot, Mary Krause, have created a truly amazing community of aspiring songwriters from all walks of life. Their Songwriter Getawa...
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Work With A “Mucker”

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
Andy MacDonald, The Mucker of Noon Hockey
Back in my late twenties I had the privilege of playing hockey with a Canadian icon, Mr. Paul Henderson. We played Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at noon hour at the old barn in Oakville on Kerr Street. To my clients, I was at a “lunch meeting", but for me it was a time to get some exercise while learning from a bunch of guys that were ten to twenty years my senior. It was a diverse bunch including veterinarians, fire fighters, cops, lawyers, ex NHL’ers, realtors etc. The dressing room was a gr...
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An Expert Witness Can Offer Clarity

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
Sometimes, the most valuable thing an expert witness can provide is a reality check.I had a call the other day with a litigator and their client. The day before, the lawyer had sent me a brief summary of their case as they were considering retaining me as an expert witness.The conversation lasted only 15-20 minutes, but in that time, I was able to offer some key insights. Their theory hinged on the idea that a private mortgage lender was somehow tied to an embezzlement scheme. After reviewing t...
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Two Daughters & The Secret Ballot

Posted on by Andy MacDonald
Tomorrow, Canadians across the country will head to the polls to cast their votes in the federal election. It's a moment that always fills me with a mix of pride, hope, and reflection. This year is extra special; I get to watch my daughters navigate their relationship with voting and democracy. I have two daughters who are now of voting age. I have tried my best to instill in them the importance of exercising their vote. To research the candidates and their party platforms. To critically jud...
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