Rachael Brew Mortgage Broker

07/18/2025

💡 Getting mortgage-ready doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little planning (and the right advice 🙋🏻‍♀️), your BC homeownership dreams are closer than you think.
📥 DM me “READY” and I’ll send you my Mortgage Prep Checklist for free.

12/12/2024

Exciting news this morning!!

The Bank of Canada has yet again decreased their policy lending rate. With this 0.50% rate cut, variable rate mortgage holders as well as other variable products like personal lines of credit will see some relief in their payments.
That’s a payment decrease of approximately $29 per month per $100,000 balance over a 25 year amortization.

This creates opportunities to revisit mortgage strategies. Message me to find out how you can benefit!

📲 778-245-5430
📧 [email protected]

05/24/2024

Credit card 19.99%
Financed vehicle 5+%
Rent 100%

Why are we so comfortable paying high interest on items that do not appreciate or offer us equity or leverage for future investments?

Food for thought. 🍕💬

If you want to know how to use your current situation to your advantage or get into a financial routine in order to obtain home ownership I am your person!

📧 [email protected]
📲 778-245-5430

03/21/2024

Come see my friend Niki and I this Saturday at her gorgeous listing in Upper Mission! From 11:30am to 1:30pm we will be there to answer all your real estate and mortgage questions!

678 PERIDOT Court, Kelowna, British Columbia V1W5E7

03/15/2024

SPRING CLEANING 🌷🧹

It’s that time of year again! Longer days, more sunshine, warmer temperatures but with that comes some post winter property check ups. Be proactive with your homes health so you can avoid unwanted expenses down the road!
Below are some of my personal spring non-negotiables when it comes to my home, hope this helps!

1. Change your furnace filter
Depending on the type of filter you use they may last longer or shorter. My rule of thumb is a filter change with every new season as well as an annual furnace service! Consider getting your ducts cleaned every 3-5 years as well to keep your system running smooth and maintain excellent indoor air quality!

2. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. 💨
Ensure these important devices are working correctly and have new batteries. While you’re at it check your fire extinguisher too!

3. Check your AC ❄️
Heading into the warmer months air conditioning units are extremely important. Check that your air conditioning / HVAC system connections and filter are working efficiently and have it serviced if necessary.

4. Test your electrical panel ⚡️
An often overlooked home maintenance item. To prevent future issues test the ground fault interrupters and electrical panel.

5. Exterior home inspection 🏡
Do a walk around your property while keeping a close eye on the condition of your gutters, downspouts, home foundation, window and door seals. Catching minor issues can save you a lot down the road if dealt with in a reasonable time period.

Are there any other spring home cleaning / maintenance tips you do that I didn’t mention? Leave your other suggestions in the comments!

01/12/2024

Some good news to start the new year!

Inflation data over the past few months skewed slightly higher than preferred however there is ample reason to suggest interest rates have peaked and the BOC will begin to ease monetary policy next year.

The unemployment rate is rising, the economy has slowed significantly as has consumer spending as monthly mortgage payments rise at renewal. Although the road to 2% inflation will be bumpy it is believed the overnight policy rate is high enough to return inflation to its target.

While core inflation has been sticky, and wages continue to rise, trying to catch up to past inflation, events continue to trend in the right direction. It is unknown when interest rates will get cut as policymakers and regulators are worried about the dampening effects of significant increases in monthly mortgage payments for the 60% of loans that will be renewed or refinanced in the next three years.

It is a balancing act to avoid financial instability, significant layoffs and damaging the livelihoods of many Canadians. Yet there are many reasons to believe the Bank of Canada will begin to ease monetary policy in 2024. Bond and money markets are building in this expectation.

Swipe for this years BOC announcement schedule, the next one coming up on January 24.

01/05/2024

How is it 2024 already?! 🤯

I hope all my friends, followers and clients had an amazing holiday season!
I spent the last few months laying low, networking and doing the behind the scenes work to ensure I’m showing up for YOU to provide the BEST mortgage guidance possible!

My helper, Ozzy, and I are ready to help you crush your goals this year! Whether that looks like a purchase, refinance, debt consolidation, investment or to game plan the next step in your journey I can not wait to be a part of your year!

Let’s make 2024 the best one yet 🙌🏻🔥

12/14/2023

Curious what monthly payments would look like in todays market? Check out these slides to see the difference between a 5 year variable vs. 5 year fixed product on gorgeous West Kelowna listing!

11/17/2023

Whether you’re a glass half empty or glass half full kind of person there is ALWAYS more room for wine! This week is all about Chenin Blanc! 🥂

Flavour Profile
Chenin Blanc is a versatile grape that can produce sparkling, sweet, oaked, and unoaked dry wine styles. This grape delivers high levels of acidity no mater the style. Think the acidity of riesling with the body and texture of a chardonnay. Primary flavours can include quince, yellow apple, pear, chamomile, and honey.

Origination
Originating from (you guessed it) France 🇫🇷 , Chenin Blanc may also be known as Vouvray, Steen, or Coteaux du Layon. This pale gold grape is also common in South Africa, Argentina and the USA.

Pairings
Thanks to its awesome acidity, you’ll find Chenin Blanc pairs well with foods that have a sweet and sour element. A richer and sweeter style Chenin Blanc with Southeast Asian cuisine or pork belly with apples are sure to blow your mind! Oaked versions are a good substitution for Chardonnay and work well with roast chicken or turkey dinners. If you prefer sparkling you can pair it with salted nuts and potato chips.

My Recommendation
Next time you’re at a liquor store try out a bottle of T&V Careme Terre Brûlée Le Blanc 2020. This Chenin Blanc is light to medium bodied wth layers of brioche and pastry cream and lively flavours of honey crisp apple, yellow plum, lemon, and herb.

11/08/2023

Don’t ask me why I love wine. I have my RIESLINGS 😉

Flavour Profile
Rieslings flavours will vary by ripeness. Moving from less ripe to more ripe the flavours you may experience can include lime, Meyer lemon, pineapple, and apricot. This is a very aromatic wine that offers primary fruit aromas of orchard fruits like nectarine, apricot, honey-crisp apple, and pear. You may also smell honeycomb, jasmine, or lime peel, along with a striking aroma that smells similar to petrol or petroleum wax (more often in aged rieslings).

Origination 🇩🇪
It is widely accepted that Riesling was born in the Rhine River region and is native to Germany/Alsace. It is a natural derivative of Gouais Blanc, that is a grandmother grape to many of today’s most well-known wines including Chardonnay, Riesling, Petit Verdot, Chenin Blanc, and Muscadelle.

Pairings
Rieslings sweetness and acidity makes it the perfect accompaniment to spicy food. Strong Indian and Asian spices are a perfect match. Meat pairings can include duck, pork, bacon, chicken, shrimp and crab. Highly spiced and aromatic herbs including cayenne pepper, ginger, clove, cinnamon, allspice, turmeric, soy sauce, sesame, and rice vinegar compliment riesling well. Softer, less stinky cheese such as a soft cows milk cheese and dried fruit pair well along with roasted vegetables with natural sweetness including coconut, red onion, bell pepper, eggplant, squash, and carrot.

My Recommendation
I’m not typically a sweet wine drinker however 2022 Riesling 🤤 is my favourite white wine! With bright acidity and layered fruit, look for notes of lime, guava and florals. This beautifully balanced riesling is a summer staple in my household!