When it comes to Mortgages, Think Outside the Branch
Why Me?
Because I love what I do. Purchasing a home is an important decision, that you should feel confident about.
As a mortgage broker I love helping you find that confidence by offering valuable insights throughout the process, saving you time, and finding the best mortgage rate that suits you and your family. But don’t just take my word for it, see what my clients say.
expertise
Independent and expert advice on your financial options. I am not tied to a specific mortgage lender or product so can offer you the best mortgage rate that matches your specific needs.
One-stop Shopping
Make your comparison-shopping fast, easy, and convenient. Instead of spending your valuable time taking time off work to meet your bank, I can help you with an evening or weekend call and it can be done all online or by email. I can quickly narrow down the list of lenders that will help you achieve your financial goals.
No Charge to You
Just as it says! There's absolutely no charge for my services on typical residential mortgage transactions.
Frequently Asked Mortgage Questions
What is a mortgage broker?
Mortgage brokers are trained professionals licenced to represent and give you the best advice for your home loan. Mortgage brokers are experts in locating funding for your home financing and finding the best rates.
Why use a mortgage broker?
Mortgage brokers are critical members of your real estate team. Good brokers can save you thousands of dollars in mortgage costs and make the application process simple. A skilled mortgage broker can be the difference between getting approved or declined by a lender.
How much does it cost to use a mortgage broker?
Mortgage brokers are paid by the lender, so there is no cost to you! If you require a private lender, however, you will be charged a fee since private lenders do not pay the mortgage broker. In this case, you will be made aware of the fee upfront.
Why should I go to a mortgage broker before I look for houses?
Talking to a mortgage broker and getting a pre-approval should be your first step in the home buying process. A pre-approval will allow you to understand how much you qualify for so that you can look for homes in that range.
Do mortgage brokers get better deals than many banks?
Mortgage brokers have access to numerous lenders including both public and private sources. Different lenders provide different financing products, some of which are not available at most banks and conventional sources. Brokers will get you the best deal for your situation.
How do mortgage brokers find the best rates?
Mortgage brokers have connections with lenders and brokers and thorough knowledge of interest rates. They know which homes attract favourable interest rates from certain institutions but higher rates at others. They keep current on changing interest rates and know which lenders to approach.
How much can I afford for a home?
The amount that you think you can afford and the amount that a lender thinks you can afford might not always match. Lenders compare your pre-tax monthly income with the monthly mortgage payment and other fees. They also consider your credit score and any outstanding loans including vehicle loans, credit card balances, etc. Getting a pre-approval is a great way to understand what purchase price you can afford.
What is the minimum down payment I will need to buy a home?
The minimum down payment is 5% of the purchase price. Lenders will need to see where your down payment is coming from through a 90-day history of accounts, a gift letter, or a paper trail. While it is possible to qualify for a mortgage without a down payment, specific conditions must be met.
What is a mortgage pre-approval?
A pre-approval is a basic application that determines the purchase price of a home that you can afford. Once you have a pre-approval, you can begin house hunting with a budget in mind. You also don’t have to worry about a spike in interest rates since the pre-approval gives you a guaranteed interest rate for up to 120 days.
Is applying for a mortgage online secure?
Applying online is very secure. If you are not comfortable providing specific information such as Social Insurance Numbers or other details online, you can leave that information blank and I will get those details from you later.
Can I get extra money for renovations with my mortgage?
Yes, it is possible to get money for renovations if you plan on doing renovations in your new home. This is called purchase plus improvement, and it requires quotes for the work, and you will have to pay for the renovations up front. Once they are completed, the bank will release the funds to you.
What is mortgage default insurance?
Mortgage default insurance is a requirement for all homeowners who put less than 20% down for a down payment. The smaller the down payment, the larger percentage the insurer will charge. Default insurance is often referred to as CMHC insurance, although three companies in Canada offer this insurance.
Do I need mortgage life and disability insurance?
You are not obligated to have life and disability insurance to have a mortgage, although we do recommend it. Mortgage payments are major financial obligations and insurance is there to help protect yourself and your family if death or accidents occur.
Featured Mortgage Offers
Peace of Mind Cash Back
With Covid-19 mortgage clients are looking for comfort and peace of mind. Available for new clients on a standard fixed mortgage.
- 1 - 3% of the total loan amount
- Receive cash back directly for closing costs, furniture, and other expenses*
*Cannot be used toward down payment
Purchase + improvements
Have you ever walked into a house and love it, but needed some TLC or upgrading?
Get up to 10% of the home value for improvements you want done by rolling the costs of renovation into a purchase-plus-improvements mortgage. You can make a good house GREAT!
- Receive $30,000 for renos on a $300,000 purchase
invest or flip for as little as $10,000 down
In this market there are great opportunities to buy a home to fix up and flip.
That’s right! For as little as 10k down.
Which means you can keep more of your capital to renovate and resell.
Happy Clients
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I have recently bought a home, it was my first time experience working with a mortgage broker. From the very first day we started communicating, I knew Duane is a thorough... read more professional who delivered whatever he promised. Duane was always very transparent and knowledgeable. He had answer to all my concerns. Whenever we are doing a mortgage it's not only about the best rate but it is also about doing the paperwork right and on time. Duane not only provided the best rate but also delivered what he promised. He is a master in his job and he exactly knows what he is doing. I would highly recommend Duane to anyone who is planning to buy a new home. I would have never devoted this much time to write such a lengthy praise for someone if he wasn't the right person. Also Duane's name is listed on google as one of the best Edmonton Mortgage specialists. Thank you soo much Duane for all your help 🙂
July 1, 2023Duane did a couple of transactions for me over the years and I must say that I am very happy with the work that he’s done for me. He is... read more very easy to deal with and works very hard to make sure you get what’s best for you. Very knowledgeable person. Highly recommended! Thanks Duane!
April 25, 2023 -
Have worked with Duane 3 times in 10 years and each time he was responsive in questions, emails and simplified the process. Of course he also helped me make... read more the best choice when it came to choosing a lender.
April 19, 2023Duane provided us with competitive rates that the bank couldn't match. He was patient with us as we moved through a complex mortgage assumption turned purchase and even helped us... read more understand where the bank was attempting to steer us wrong/into their system rather than help us get the best service they could offer. Duane and his team were very responsive and helpful.
April 19, 2023 -
Duane is the best, he was able to secure a lower interest rate than originally proposed. He made himself available and guided us in our 1st home purchase smoothly. Highly... read more recommended.!!
January 14, 2023Duane Is amazing! Being in the industry i deal with mortgage specialists daily. Duane is who i use for all my personal mortgage financing ) he really cares about his... read more clients and offers Great advice in terms of mortgage rates and products available to suit my family's needs)
November 24, 2022 -
Duane worked tirelessly to put the right mortgage solution into play for us. We had an unusual and complex transaction, including a move from out of country. While... read more we were often out of touch Duane continued to advance the process and met the tight and critical schedule. Our entire family is grateful to have had Duane on our team - and he delivered a great rate on top of it all.
November 23, 2022I was very happy with his professional work. He was efficient and thorough with the whole process of getting our home. This is the second time we’ve gone with Duane... read more and we will continue years down the road. Thank you for all you did for me and my family.
November 11, 2022 -
Duane was very helpful and accommodating all the time especially when we felt desperate and he acknowledge what our needs and he top prioritizes what is important and very easy... read more and honest to work with. Definitely will recommend him and will use again his services if needed or any one that I know! More power Duane and God bless!
November 10, 2022Duane helped me purchase my first home! He was very prompt and professional with his responses, and helpful with any questions I had as a first time buyer. Duane came... read more recommended to me, and I can see why, he made the process very easy and took the time to explain things thoroughly!
November 3, 2022