Sam Himyary - Ottawa Top Mortgages

06/02/2026

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Start with the basics:
• Know your budget
• Understand your down payment options
• Get pre-approved before house hunting
Preparation can make the entire homebuying process smoother and less stressful.

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

Many Canadians are renewing mortgages taken during record-low rate years. That means payments could look very different in 2026.
If your mortgage renewal is coming up, don’t just sign the first offer your lender sends.
A quick review could help you:
• Lower your payment
• Access better rates
• Adjust your strategy for today’s market
Start planning 6–12 months before renewal so you have options.

04/29/2026

Being self-employed shouldn’t stop you from owning a home.
However, mortgage approvals for entrepreneurs can look different than traditional salaried applications.
Lenders may review:
• Business income
• Tax returns
• Bank statements
• Business stability
Working with a mortgage professional who understands self-employed financing can make a big difference in finding the right solution.

04/22/2026

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Start with the basics:
• Know your budget
• Understand your down payment options
• Get pre-approved before house hunting
Preparation can make the entire homebuying process smoother and less stressful.
Thinking about buying your first home in 2026? Start with a plan.

04/16/2026

Hitting a major milestone of $500,000,000 is something our team is really proud of, not just for the number itself, but for the trust, relationships, and hard work behind it.

It’s truly rewarding to be among the top performers in such a strong organization like Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, and we don’t take that lightly. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far, excited to keep building from here.

MortgageBrokers Ottawa

04/15/2026

Should you choose a fixed or variable mortgage in 2026?
Each option has advantages:
Fixed rate
• Stable payments
• Protection from rate increases
Variable rate
• Potential savings if rates fall
• More flexibility
The best option depends on your financial goals and risk comfort.
A quick strategy review can help you choose wisely.

03/23/2026

Your payment schedule matters more than most people realize.

Same mortgage. Same rate. Different payment terms = very different results.

Mortgage details:
$300,000 mortgage
25-year amortization
5-year fixed at 4.25%

📅 Monthly Payments
💰 Approx. $1,620/month
Lowest feeling payment
Slowest principal paydown
Highest interest cost over time

📅 Bi-Weekly Payments
💰 Approx. $747 every two weeks
Same total paid per year as monthly
Slightly faster principal reduction
Modest interest savings

🚀 Bi-Weekly Accelerated Payments
💰 Approx. $810 every two weeks
Significantly faster principal paydown
Thousands saved in interest
📉 Over just the first 5-year term, accelerated bi-weekly can result in:
✔️ ~$6,000–$7,000 less interest paid
✔️ ~$8,000–$10,000 more principal paid down
✔️ A mortgage that shrinks faster without feeling like a lump sum payment

The takeaway 👇
👉 Same rate
👉 Same mortgage
👉 Smarter payment structure = real savings

Accelerated bi-weekly is one of the easiest ways to:
✔️ Build equity faster
✔️ Reduce interest
✔️ Shorten your mortgage timeline
Sometimes the biggest wins aren’t about the rate; they’re about the strategy.

03/19/2026

Not all income shows up on a paystub or your annual T4, and some lenders know that.

Many buyers assume only traditional employment income counts. In reality, some lenders will consider additional income sources, depending on the lender type and overall strength of the file.

Here are examples that may be used:
✔️ Child or spousal support (with history and continuity)
✔️ Disability or long-term benefits
✔️ Foster care income
✔️ Rental income or rental equity from investment properties
✔️ Pension income
✔️ Self-employment income (even when taxes are optimized)
✔️ Liquid net worth as a strength factor in some cases
✔️ Contributory income from:
• A family member living in the home
• A roommate renting a room

📌 Here’s where lender type matters:
🏦 Banks
Typically the strictest. They focus heavily on formal, provable income and standard guidelines.
🏢 Monoline lenders
Often more flexible, with room for exceptions and alternative ways to support income strength.
🔑 Alternative lenders
The most flexible when income doesn’t fit the traditional box, especially when there’s strong equity, credit, or net worth.

The takeaway?
👉 If your income isn’t “typical,” it doesn’t mean you don’t qualify.
👉 It means you need the right lender and the right strategy.

There’s often more than one path to approval; you just need to know where to look.