Mortgages With Geri

10/15/2026

Is now actually a good time to buy a home in Barrie?

The answer isn't simply yes or no.

A lot of buyers focus on two things: home prices and mortgage rates. Both matter, but neither tells the whole story.

Here are a few things I think Barrie buyers should be looking at right now:

Purchase price matters just as much as rate.
A slightly higher mortgage rate on a home you were able to negotiate for less can sometimes put you in a better long-term position than waiting for rates to fall and competing with more buyers.

Rates don't have to be permanent.
The mortgage you choose today doesn't necessarily have to be the mortgage you keep for the next five years. Term selection matters, especially when rates are changing.

Qualification and affordability are NOT the same thing.
Just because a lender says you qualify for a certain mortgage doesn't mean that payment will feel comfortable every month. We prefer to build a realistic budget that includes the mortgage, property taxes, heating, utilities, condo fees if applicable and your other monthly obligations.

Being prepared gives you options.
Getting your financing organized before you find the house means you understand your budget, know what your payments could look like and can make an offer with much more confidence.

And here's the big one:

Trying to perfectly time both the housing market AND mortgage rates is almost impossible.

Instead, I encourage buyers to ask:

👉 Can I comfortably afford the home?
👉 Do I plan to stay long enough for buying to make sense?
👉 Do I have enough savings left after the down payment and closing costs?
👉 Is there room in my budget if expenses increase?
👉 Does buying support my longer-term financial plans?

If those answers are yes, that tells me a lot more than trying to predict exactly where rates or Barrie home prices will be six months from now.

Thinking about buying in Barrie or Simcoe County?

You don't have to be ready to make an offer before talking to us. In fact, I'd rather have the conversation before you start shopping.

We'll help you understand the numbers first. Then you can decide whether now is your opportunity.

10/09/2026

Happy Thanksgiving!

This weekend is all about slowing down, gathering around the table and appreciating the people who make life a little sweeter.

I’m incredibly grateful for my family, friends, clients, referral partners and everyone who has supported Geri Janes & Associates throughout the year. Thank you for trusting us, referring us and allowing us to be part of some pretty important moments in your lives.

From our family to yours, wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, lots of laughs and time with the people you love most.

10/05/2026

🍂 Renewing your mortgage this fall?

Before you sign that renewal letter, here's what Barrie-area homeowners should know:

📅 Oct 28: The Bank of Canada makes its next rate announcement. Inflation rose to 3% in August, so it's worth watching.

🏡 +5.4%: Barrie's average sold price is up compared with this time last year, now about $669K.*

🔍 Compare first: Your renewal letter is a starting point. Your lender's first offer isn't always the best one, and a quick review could save you money over your next term.

Let's go over your renewal together, with no pressure and no obligation.

*Barrie average sold price, Aug 31–Sep 28, 2026 vs. last year. Source: Zolo.ca. For information only, not financial advice.

09/21/2026

🏡 Fixed or variable? It’s the question we’re hearing A LOT right now.
But here’s the thing—choosing a mortgage shouldn’t be about trying to predict exactly what rates will do next.
It should be about you.

✔️ How important is payment certainty?
✔️ How much flexibility do you need?
✔️ Could your plans change before the end of your term?
✔️ How comfortable are you with rates moving up or down?
Sometimes fixed makes sense. Sometimes variable does. And sometimes the lowest rate on paper isn’t actually the mortgage that will cost you the least.
In our latest article, we break down fixed vs. variable mortgages, what’s driving rates right now, and the questions you should be asking before choosing.

👇 Read the full article

https://www.mortgageswithgeri.ca/blog/fixed-vs-variable-which-mortgage-makes-sense-right-now

Fixed or variable? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. With today’s changing rate environment, the right mortgage isn’t simply about chasing the lowest rate, it’s about finding the right balance of payment stability, flexibility and long-term cost. Here’s what to consider before making yo...

09/16/2026

🍂 Feeling the fall financial squeeze?

Back-to-school costs, activities, home maintenance and everyday expenses can add up FAST and suddenly those credit card or line-of-credit balances are hanging around longer than planned.
If you’re a homeowner with equity in your home, your mortgage may give you options you haven’t considered.

The key? Don’t just move debt around. Have a strategy.
A mortgage check-up can help determine whether consolidating higher-interest debt could lower your borrowing costs, simplify your payments and give your monthly budget a little more breathing room.

Sometimes the numbers make sense. Sometimes they don’t. We’ll run them first and show you the difference.

Read the full article to learn when using home equity for debt consolidation may be worth considering https://www.mortgageswithgeri.ca/blog/feeling-the-fall-financial-squeeze-your-mortgage-may-be-able-to-help

08/18/2026

🏡 SELF-EMPLOYED? YOUR TAX RETURN DOESN’T ALWAYS TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

If you own a successful business, you probably work with your accountant to structure your income as efficiently as possible.
Smart for taxes.

Not always so helpful when it’s time to qualify for a mortgage.

Here’s the good news: your taxable income isn’t necessarily the only number we can work with.

There are mortgage programs specifically designed for established self-employed Canadians whose business is healthy, credit is strong, and overall financial picture supports more income than what appears on their personal tax return.

Depending on your situation, options may be available for:
🏠 Purchases with as little as 10% down
📈 Established businesses operating for 2+ years
👩‍💻 Sole proprietors, partnerships and incorporated businesses
🔑 Owner-occupied properties with up to 4 units
📅 Amortizations up to 30 years in qualifying situations

The key is knowing which lenders and programs to look at, and how to properly present your business and income.
So before assuming you don’t qualify because of the income showing on your tax return, let’s take a closer look at the whole picture.

You might have more options than you think.

📩 Send me a message and let’s chat.

08/12/2026

Why Are More Canadians Choosing Mortgage Brokers Over Banks?
Buying a home — or even renewing or refinancing a mortgage — has become a lot more complicated than it used to be.

And Canadians are noticing.

According to a recent July 2026 survey from Mortgage Professionals Canada, 38% of buyers — and nearly HALF of new buyers (48%) — are choosing to work with mortgage brokers instead of simply walking into their bank.
Why?
Because today, getting a mortgage isn’t just about finding the lowest advertised rate.
It’s about finding the right mortgage strategy for you.

✅ Access to more lender options
✅ Advice tailored to your actual financial situation
✅ Help navigating qualification rules and stress tests
✅ Guidance on fixed vs. variable rates
✅ Understanding penalties, restrictions and fine print
✅ Having someone in your corner throughout the process

Your bank can offer you their mortgage products.
As a mortgage broker, we can look across multiple lenders and help determine which option actually makes the most sense for your goals.
And that matters.

The wrong mortgage term, lender or product can potentially cost you thousands of dollars over time — even if the rate looked great on day one.
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up, investing, refinancing or planning your next chapter, your mortgage should be a strategy — not just a rate.

📍 If you’re in Barrie, Simcoe County or beyond and wondering what your options look like, let’s chat.

More lenders. More choices. Advice built around you.

08/05/2026

We're incredibly honoured to have been nominated for the 2026 BarrieToday Reader Favourites Awards!

If we've helped you buy your first home, refinance, renew your mortgage, or simply answered your questions along the way, we'd be so grateful for your support.

✨ Voting is now open until August 31, and every vote means the world to our team.
If you'd like to vote for Geri Janes Mortgage Broker, simply:

🏡 Visit the BarrieToday Reader Favourite Awards page
🔍 Search for Geri Janes Mortgage Broker
🗳️ CLICK HERE TO VOTE https://chat.google.com/dm/kwandCAAAAE/uJ8I8NqubNY/uJ8I8NqubNY?cls=10

Thank you for trusting us with one of life's biggest financial decisions! It's a privilege to help so many amazing families, and your support allows us to continue doing what we love.

From the bottom of our hearts... THANK YOU! ❤️

07/29/2026

💰 Where Does Your Home Deposit Actually Go?

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from home buyers is that their deposit is an extra expense. The good news? It's not!

Your deposit is actually part of your down payment and is credited toward the purchase price when your home closes.

Here's what happens:
🏡 Your offer is accepted.
💼 Your deposit is held safely in a regulated trust account.
⚖️ On closing day, it's transferred through your lawyer and applied toward your purchase.

Knowing how your deposit works can help you buy with confidence and avoid unnecessary stress during one of life's biggest purchases.

Whether you're buying your first home or your fifth, we're here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the mortgage process.

📞 Thinking about buying a home in Barrie or Simcoe County? Let's chat before you start shopping so you know exactly what to expect.

https://www.mortgageswithgeri.ca/blog/understanding-your-home-deposit-where-does-it-go-when-buying-a-home

07/06/2026

Looking beyond the lowest mortgage rate? Learn why mortgage flexibility, portability, and prepayment options matter with a Barrie mortgage broker.

Looking beyond the lowest mortgage rate? Learn why mortgage flexibility, portability, and prepayment options matter with a Barrie mortgage broker.