https://www.mpamag.com/ca/mortgage-industry/industry-trends/gta-homeowners-eye-year-end-refinancing-surge/560243 In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), licensed mortgage broker, Leah Zlatkin said refinancing has been a big recent trend in the mortgage market as homeowners look to the year ahead. Plenty of those owners, Zlatkin said, are “reflective” as 2026 looms. “They are looking at their credit‑card balances before the holidays, thinking about what […]

https://www.mpamag.com/ca/mortgage-industry/market-updates/mortgage-industry-economist-reaction-pours-in-as-boc-reveals-latest-decision/559669 “Affordability stays exactly where it is with today’s hold, and that consistency is meaningful for buyers,” said Leah Zlatkin, licensed mortgage broker. “Many who’ve been waiting for clearer direction see a hold as confirmation that we’re at the bottom of the rate cycle. That sense of predictability often encourages buyers to act before spring […]

https://www.thestar.com/business/personal-finance/mortgage-rates-are-coming-down-should-you-break-your-mortgage-to-reduce-your-payments/article_68c7b0ef-2674-4359-9412-b9b9ccba5ee7.html If you renewed your fixed-rate mortgage in 2022 or 2023 you may be regretting it now. Fixed rates have been falling since October 2023, with five-year rates dropping as low as 3.79 per cent as of the end of November, according to Ratehub. There is a way out: Even if you’re locked in, you […]

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/article-toronto-home-sellers-high-inventory-low-prices/ Mortgage broker Leah Zlatkin says rates for a five-year fixed-term mortgage have fallen below 4 per cent in recent weeks. Still, first-time buyers remain very cautious and tend to plan for every cost, Ms. Zlatkin says. She adds that people who have the financial security to buy can often find a good deal by […]

https://www.mpamag.com/ca/news/general/stricter-lending-standards-push-self-employed-borrowers-to-home-equity-options/556304 Mortgage broker Leah Zlatkin says showing reliable credit behavior can help offset perceived risks. Zlatkin, highlighted the differences between how salaried employees and self-employed borrowers report their income and how tax strategies can affect their application. “Self-employed Canadians often face dtricter requirements because their income can fluctuate from month to month,” she said. “Unlike salaried employees […]

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/boc-rate-decision-job-fears-u-s-trade-uncertainty-to-keep-lid-on-any-housing-market-recovery/ar-AA1Pgwgt Another 25-basis-point cut won’t make much of a financial difference for many, notes Leah Zlatkin, a licensed mortgage broker. “For every $100,000 borrowed, you’re going to lower your monthly payment by something like $13 to $15,” she said. “For somebody in a province where their mortgage is $200,000, that’s 30 bucks a month.” Rate […]

https://www.mpamag.com/ca/mortgage-industry/industry-trends/renters-urged-to-plan-early-as-homeownership-hurdles-persist/554096 Licensed mortgage broker Leah Zlatkin said she has seen a shift in mindset among prospective buyers, with more clients scrutinizing their finances and mapping out long-term goals before making the leap from renting to owning. “Renters often think the only hurdle to homeownership is saving enough for a down payment, but that’s just one […]

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/article-sellers-buyers-navigate-frustrating-housing-market/ Mortgage broker Leah Zlatkin cautions that even experienced homeowners can make mistakes in the current challenging environment. Some are trading up, while others are downsizing, she notes, but they need to be wary of the fine print in their existing mortgage agreement. Breaking a mortgage early can trigger substantial penalties, Ms. Zlatkin says in […]

https://www.mpamag.com/ca/mortgage-industry/industry-trends/toronto-condo-buyers-find-new-leverage-in-shifting-market/553150 “Even with a 15% down payment on a condo and 20% on a detached home, the affordability gap in Toronto remains significant,” said Leah Zlatkin, licensed mortgage broker. “At today’s average prices, a condo costs about $655,000 compared to roughly $1.35 million for a detached house. A buyer with a five-year fixed rate mortgage […]

https://globalnews.ca/news/11436984/renewing-mortgage-bank-of-canada-rate-cut/ Whether you’re planning to renew with a fixed- or variable-rate mortgage should depend on what your housing needs are, said Leah Zlatkin, licensed mortgage broker and COO of Mortgage Outlet. If you’re planning to move in a few years, a variable mortgage might make sense since it typically has a lower penalty if you […]