Home ownership articles

Shouldn’t a mortgage make life easier?

Twenty-five years ago, we challenged traditional banking by creating Manulife One—an all-in-one mortgage, line of credit and bank account to help homeowners take control of their money.

Home ownership

Canadians facing the mortgage renewal cliff have options

Tap into the power of all-in-one banking.

Home ownership

What is Bridge Financing

Bridge financing is a short-term loan homeowners use when they need funds to close a real estate deal on a new home, before their current home sale closes.

Home ownership

What to know about selling your home in retirement

Many Canadians downsize near retirement but may not realize the risks. Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re thinking about selling your home when you retire.

Home ownership

All-in-one mortgage vs traditional mortgage: what’s the difference?

Learn the difference between an all-in-one, readvanceable mortgage like Manulife One, and a traditional mortgage such as Manulife Bank Select.

Home ownership

What is renovation mortgage financing?

Are you considering mortgage financing for your home renovation? Whether you’re buying a fixer-upper or ready to update your current home, here’s what you should know.

Home ownership

Fixed or variable mortgage rate? Get both with Manulife One sub-accounts

Learn about the benefits of a mortgage sub-account, tracking vs. term sub-accounts, and how to use a sub-account to pay off your debt faster.

Home ownership

How much does it cost to build a house?

Learn how much it costs to build a house in Canada, including often-overlooked expenses as well as financing options for building your own home.

Home ownership

How to finance home renovations in Canada

If you’re eager to fix up your home but not sure how to go about financing your home renovations, here’s what you need to know about the options for Canadians.

Home ownership

7 common mortgage mistakes and what to do instead

These common mortgage mistakes could cost you thousands and make it tough to meet your long-term financial goals. Here’s what to do instead.

Home ownership

What you need to know about helping your child with a down payment

Here’s what you need to know about helping your child with a down payment to buy a home.

Home ownership

What is the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive – and is it a good idea?

In case you weren’t aware, there’s a federal program just for home-buying rookies like you: Canada’s First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. But is it a good idea? Let’s find out.

Home ownership

First-time homebuyers: should you buy a condo or a house?

Learn about what to consider, what to watch for, and how to go about making the wisest decision when getting into the real estate market.

Home ownership

How to stage your home for a quick sale

Want to stage your home for a quick sale? Here are 5 simple home staging tricks you can do yourself to increase your home’s potential to prospective buyers.

Home ownership

Buying a home: what to do after your offer is accepted

You found your dream home, submitted an offer, and it’s been accepted. Congrats! Here’s what you need to do after the sellers accept your offer.

Home ownership

Best DIY home projects to increase the value of your home

Learn which DIY home projects offer the best return on your investment and which updates don’t offer great value, so you can make the smartest decision for your situation.

Renovating

What is home equity and how do I use it?

Learn about how to use the equity in your home, how to calculate it, and the pros and cons of using it to help you reach your financial goals sooner.

Home ownership

What is a readvanceable mortgage?

Buying a home or refinancing your mortgage? Here’s what you need to know about readvanceable mortgages, one of the less-familiar – but oh-so powerful – mortgage options.

Your first home

Financing your home: how does mortgage insurance work?

Your home might be the biggest investment you make. Understanding how mortgage insurance works could help you make wiser decisions about saving for a home.

Your first home

How new CMHC mortgage stress test rules impact first-time home buyers

Learn about new Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) mortgage rules coming on July 1, 2020 and how they could impact your home buying plans.

Spending

Financial literacy 101: home ownership

In part two of our three-part series on financial literacy, we want to help break down some common questions about home ownership.

Home ownership

9 homeowner tax credits you should know about this tax season

This tax season, invest some time to learn how to keep more of your money in your own pocket. These nine homeowners' tax credits are a great start.

Home ownership

What should your credit score be to buy a house?

What should your credit score be to buy a house? Here's what you'll have to know about your credit before signing the dotted line on your next home.

Home ownership

Is buying a house with debt a smart decision?

Buying a house with debt isn't ideal — then again, life rarely is. Find out when it's a good financial move to buy a home, even with debt.

Home ownership

Considering a home reno? Ask these 9 questions when hiring a contractor

Whether you want to create your dream home or increase your house’s value for sale, you need to find a contractor you can trust. Here’s what to ask when hiring a contractor.

Home ownership

Homebuying checklist: 7 factors that affect home value

It's easy to fall in love with a house at first sight. Here's how to create a homebuying checklist that'll keep you grounded at your next open house.

Home ownership

5 ways to reduce mortgage stress

Is mortgage stress keeping you up at night? Use these five tips to gain peace of mind about managing your mortgage and financial stress.

Mortgages

What to know before listing your home on Airbnb

If you've been thinking about renting out your space on Airbnb, here are five questions to ask yourself before you turn your space into an income property.

Home ownership

Why buying a house when single makes more sense than you think

It's a common myth that buying a house when single doesn't make financial sense. Here's how to become a homeowner on a single income.

Home ownership

7 things I wish I knew before I bought my first home

Breathe easy, first-time homebuyer. As intimidating as the homebuying process can seem at first, if I figured it out, you can too.

Your first home

How to save for a down payment

Buying a home is a huge commitment. Here's how to make it manageable, from initial planning to putting a down payment on a house.

Home ownership

Update your home without going into debt

Take these 8 home improvement steps to keep your home up to date without taking on a lot of debt and stress.

Home ownership
Standing in front house

A 5-step guide to buying a rental property

A rental property can be a great investment, but it’s a big commitment and the rules associated with being a landlord can be complex. These five steps will help you prepare.

Home ownership
Couple lying on floor

A 5-step guide to buying your first home

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but these five steps will help you prepare. And step 5? It’s “make an offer” – so you’re that close to owning your own home.

Home ownership
Coin model house

What does it cost to buy and own a home in Canada?

Buying a home is exciting, but no one ever said it’s cheap. There’s your mortgage payment, of course. But there are also several one-time costs and ongoing expenses you need to plan for.

Home ownership
Table and laptop

Understanding common mortgage terms

The process of buying a home is easier when you understand what it all means. These clear definitions of common mortgage terms will help you learn the lingo.

Couple arranging sofa

Which type of mortgage is right for you?

Buying a new home or property? Or, maybe your mortgage is up for renewal soon? Either way, you should understand your options. Let’s start with a few key facts about mortgages.

Home ownership