Shelby Bragg Mortgage Broker

09/08/2026

Our back to school, back to reality giveaway is on until September 11th!

We're giving away $5,000!
To get your entry, all you need to do is enter the form below and tell us how you would spend the grand prize. Whether planning for a trip, paying some bills, or working on a home renovation, let us know how you would spend the cash!

https://www.mortgagenb.ca/giveaway/

09/04/2026

Student debt can make the idea of buying a home feel more complicated, but it does not automatically take homeownership off the table. Many Canadians carry student loans while also working toward a down payment, improving their credit, and planning for a mortgage. The key is understanding how lenders view those payments and how they fit into your overall financial picture.

A student mortgage plan is really about balance. You need to show that your income, debt payments, credit score, and savings can support both your existing obligations and the new costs of owning a home.

Learn how student debt can affect mortgage approval, budgeting, credit, debt ratios, and home buying plans in Canada.

09/02/2026

The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%.

The continuing conflict in the Middle East is keeping energy prices high. As well, new US tariffs and Canadian counter-measures have been announced following the breakdown of trade talks between Canada and the United States. Both situations remain fluid.

Automatically view the rate announcement the moment it is published.

09/02/2026

Deciding whether to build or buy your next house is about more than personal taste. It can affect your budget, mortgage options, timeline, stress level, and long-term comfort in the home. For many Canadians, buying an existing property is the more familiar route, but building can be appealing when you want more control over location, layout, materials, and finishes.

The right choice depends on how much flexibility you need, how patient you can be, and how prepared you are for the financing side of the process.

Compare build or buy options, including budget, financing, timelines, control, convenience, and mortgage planning for your next home.

09/01/2026

It's time for our back to school, back to reality giveaway!

We're giving away $5,000!

To get your entry, all you need to do is enter the form below and tell us how you would spend the grand prize. Whether planning for a trip, paying some bills, or working on a home renovation, let us know how you would spend the cash!

The back to school back to reality giveaway runs until September 11, 2026, at noon, so be sure to get your entry early!

https://www.mortgagenb.ca/giveaway/

08/31/2026

Autumn is a beautiful season in Canada, but it is also a reminder that colder weather is on the way. For home owners, this is the right time to look after seasonal maintenance before rain, frost, snow, and freezing temperatures create bigger issues.

Getting your home autumn-ready is not just about comfort. It is about protecting your property, managing energy costs, and avoiding preventable repairs. A little work now can make winter much easier on your home and your budget.

Get your home autumn-ready with practical tips for gutters, heating, drafts, roof checks, pipes, yard cleanup, and winter safety.

08/28/2026

If you own a home in Canada, the Bank of Canada is worth paying attention to even if you do not follow financial news closely. Its decisions can influence mortgage rates, borrowing costs, household budgets, and the choices you make when buying, renewing, refinancing, or paying down debt.

You do not need to become an economist to understand the basics. The goal is simply to know when a Bank of Canada announcement could affect your mortgage plans, and when it might be time to ask questions before making a financial decision.

Learn why Canadian home owners should follow the Bank of Canada and how rate decisions can affect mortgages, renewals, and budgets.

08/21/2026

Moving day can be exciting, but it can also be one of the easiest parts of buying a home to underestimate. After saving for a down payment, preparing for closing costs, and managing all the steps of a purchase, the cost of actually getting into your new home can feel like one more big expense.

The good news is that moving day expenses are often easier to control when you plan ahead. A few practical choices around timing, packing, movers, and supplies can help you reduce costs without creating unnecessary stress.

Reduce moving day expenses with practical tips on budgeting, timing, packing, movers, supplies, and avoiding costly surprises.

08/19/2026

Buying your first home in Canada is a major milestone. For newcomers, it can also come with extra questions about credit history, mortgage rules, down payments, paperwork, and what lenders expect to see.

The process becomes much easier when you understand the steps ahead of time. A clear newcomers home buying plan can help you prepare before you start viewing properties, so you know what is realistic and what needs attention first.

Newcomers home buying tips for Canada, including credit, down payments, pre-approval, mortgage basics, and first-home support.

08/14/2026

Planning for retirement is about more than deciding when you want to stop working. For Canadian home owners, it also means thinking carefully about how your property, mortgage, savings, debts, and future lifestyle all fit together.

Your home may be one of your biggest assets, but it can also be one of your biggest ongoing expenses. Property taxes, utilities, insurance, maintenance, condo fees, and mortgage payments can all affect how much cash flow you will need once your regular paycheque changes or stops. Starting early gives you more time to make calm, practical decisions instead of rushing into choices later.

Planning for retirement as a home owner? Learn how to review your mortgage, budget, debt, savings, and future housing plans.