Mortgage advice you can trust

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MICHAEL HALLETT 
Passionate about Mortgages, Mountain Biking and Craft Beer

Mortgage financing can be frustrating. It doesn't have to be when you follow this 3 step plan.

Get started right away

The best place to start is to connect with me directly. The mortgage process is personal. My commitment is to listen to all your needs, assess your financial situation, and provide you with a clear plan forward.

Get a clear plan

Sorting through all the different mortgage lenders, rates, terms, and features can be overwhelming. Let me cut through the noise, I'll outline the best mortgage products available, with your needs in mind.

I'll handle the details

When it comes time to arranging your mortgage, I have the experience to bring it together. I'll make sure you know exactly where you stand at all times. No surprises. I've got you covered.

MICHAEL HALLETT

Mortgage Broker

Thank you for coming to check my website. If you only have time to read one paragraph, I can summarize everything below in one sentence. I’m a 13-year veteran mortgage broker, addicted mountain biker for over 26 years, passionate big mountain skier for even longer, rookie dirt biker, outdoor enthusiast for over 45 years and lover of craft beer.

 

As a BC boy born and bred, I can proudly say I’ve lived my entire life in BC. Growing up on the north end of Vancouver Island in a small logging town (Holberg), it helped cement my love for the outdoors. From there we moved to the Coquitlam area when I was 10 years old where my dad opened a business with my uncle.

 

After graduating high school, I moved to Victoria for 1 year where I enrolled in an Outdoor Eco-tourism Program. From there my then girlfriend and I, now my wife Kirstin, moved to Whistler to pursue a lifestyle of playing and working outside. It was there that my entrepreneurial spirit had started to take shape. Over the next couple of years, I self-started two small businesses in the tourism industry including a guided mountain bike adventure company.

 

It was around this time in Whistler that Kirstin and I bought our first home and I started to become interested in the mortgage financing space. Our son Aidan was born in 2007 and a year later we decided to move back to Coquitlam to pursue different careers. After purchasing our second home in 2008, I knew that I wanted to make a career out of being a Mortgage Broker, so I did. I have been assisting clients achieve their goals of real estate ownership since August 2009. Currently I am ranked in the top 5% of brokers at Dominion Lending across Canada. In 2021 I received the DIAMOND award for my mortgage practice.

 

When we are not working or Aidan’s not in school you can usually find us being active somehow; hiking, mountain biking, skiing, camping, boating, playing hockey, golfing, traveling or on the road headed out on our next adventure. We love being busy and we would not have it any other way!

On a more personal note...

BEERS, BIKES & MORTGAGES

I am passionate about mortgage brokering, mountain biking and craft beer.


My commitment is to navigate you through the entire mortgage process, guiding you every step of the way. I have the ability and experience to help you achieve your mortgage goals.


Mountain biking is a true lifestyle and I absolutely love it. I also enjoy good tasting beer and Parkside Brewery is one of my favorite places.


Watch my 'Beers, Bikes & Mortgages' video here.

Obviously there are a lot more services I can offer and a lot more information I can share with you. Consider this my invitation to contact me with your questions, I would love to work with you and help you figure out a plan not only to get you a mortgage, but to help you get rid of it.

BURKE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENTS

If you are looking to purchase a home in the new Burke Mountain Development, I know the project very well and would love to help you arrange mortgage financing. I live in Coquitlam and spend most of my free time in Pinecone Burke Mountain Provincial Park. If you are looking for an inside man to help you navigate the area, you’ve found him.

Okay, so maybe a calculator really isn’t a service, but if you click through this link, it will take you to a page with a some really fun options to run some calculations on your own. When you have things somewhat figured out, give me a shout and we can see exactly where you stand.

DOWNLOAD MY MORTGAGE TOOLBOX

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH MY APP:

 

  • Calculate your total cost of owning a home
  • Estimate the minimum down payment you need
  • Calculate Land transfer taxes and the available rebates
  • Calculate the maximum loan you can borrow
  • Stress test your mortgage
  • Estimate your Closing costs
  • Compare your options side by side
  • Search for the best mortgage rates
  • Email Summary reports (PDF)
  • Use my app in English, French, Spanish, Hindi and Chinese

 

TESTIMONIALS

It was definitely a pleasure working with Michael. From day one he was upfront and honest about my unique credit situation, however he was also the positive reinforcement I needed to keep going and give it a try. Even when the banks wouldn’t give me the time of day, he was certain we would find someone who would give me a chance. He was very patient with my questions (I am sure they seemed to be never-ending at times), and helped to guide me through the many different stages of purchasing a home.

Thanks to Michael and his dedication, he found a lender that would work with my situation and I now own my first home. He also has coached me on how to fix my credit rating, and I am pleased to say that my credit score is already considerably higher than when we began this process. I would highly recommend Michael to anyone looking for a mortgage!

Jillian

As first time home buyers, we had many questions and concerns. Even if not directly related to the mortgage, Michael was always readily available to provide answers or direct us to them. Despite some unforeseen changes on our end including shifting our purchase to a different home, he provided us with everything we needed and made the mortgage process nearly free of any stress.

Would highly recommend him to friends and family!

Ryleigh & Jeff

John Doe's Image
I was connected with Michael through my realtor. Michael found me the type of mortgage I was looking, for which helped me purchase my home. The experience was seamless. Michael was always available, customer focused and kept in constant communication with me.

The whole experience working with Michael was perfect.

Boky

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NEWS FROM THE DESK OF MICHAEL HALLETT

Standard or Collateral Charge Mortgage. What’s best for you?

By Michael Hallett • January 15, 2025
When arranging mortgage financing, your mortgage lender will register your mortgage in one of two ways. Either with a standard charge mortgage or a collateral charge mortgage. Let’s look at the differences between the two. Standard charge mortgage This is your good old-fashioned mortgage. A standard charge mortgage is the mortgage you most likely think about when you consider mortgage financing. Here, the amount you borrow from the lender is the amount that is registered against the title to protect the lender if you default on your mortgage. When your mortgage term is up, you can either renew your existing mortgage or, if it makes more financial sense, you can switch your mortgage to another lender. As long as you aren’t changing any of the fine print, the new lender will usually cover the cost of the switch. A standard charge mortgage has set terms and is non-advanceable. This means that if you need to borrow more money, you'll need to reapply and requalify for a new mortgage. So there will be costs associated with breaking your existing mortgage and costs to register a new one. Collateral charge mortgage A collateral charge mortgage is a mortgage that can have multiple parts, usually with a re-advanceable component. It can include many different financing options like a personal loan or line of credit. Your mortgage is registered against the title in a way that should you need to borrow more money down the line; you can do so fairly easily. A home equity line of credit is a good example of a collateral charge mortgage. Unlike a standard charge mortgage, here, your lender will register a higher amount than what you actually borrow. This could be for the property's full value, or some lenders will go up to 125% of your property's value. In the future, if the value of your property appreciates, with a collateral charge mortgage, you don't have to rewrite your existing mortgage to borrow more money (assuming you qualify). This will save you from any costs associated with breaking your existing mortgage and registering a new one. However, if you’re looking to switch your mortgage to another lender at the end of your term, you might be forced to discharge your mortgage and incur legal fees. Also, by registering your mortgage with a collateral charge, you potentially limit your ability to secure a second mortgage. So what’s a better option for you? Well, there are benefits and drawbacks to both. Finding the best option for you really depends on your financial situation and what you believe gives you the most flexibility. This is probably a question better handled in a conversation rather than in an article. With that said, undoubtedly, the best option is to work with an independent mortgage professional. It’s our job to understand the intricacies of mortgage financing, listen to and assess your needs, and recommend the best mortgage to meet your needs. As we work with many lenders, we can provide you with options. Don’t get stuck dealing with a single institution that may only offer you a collateral charge mortgage when what you need is a standard charge mortgage. So if you’d like to have a conversation about mortgage financing, please get in touch. It would be a pleasure to work with you and answer any questions you might have.

Buying a Second Property

By Michael Hallett • January 8, 2025
If you’ve been thinking about buying a second property and you’re looking to put some of the pieces together, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re looking to buy a vacation property, start a rental portfolio, or help accommodate a family member, there are many reasons to buy a second property (while keeping your existing property), which might make sense for you! Now, while there are many great reasons to buy a second property, there is also a lot to know as you walk through the process. The key here is to have absolute clarity around your why. Ask yourself, why do you want to buy a second property? This isn’t a decision to be taken lightly or one that should be made too quickly. Buying a second property should be a strategic decision that allows you to accomplish your goals, and it should include an assessment of your overall financial health. So with clear goals in mind, the best place to start the process is to have a conversation with an independent mortgage professional. This will allow you to assess your financial situation, outline the costs, and put together a plan to make it happen. While purchasing a second property is similar to buying a primary residence, there are some key differences. Just because you’ve qualified in the past for your existing mortgage doesn’t mean you’ll qualify to purchase a second property. One key difference is the amount of downpayment you might be required to come up with. A property that is owner-occupied or occupied by a family member on a rent-free basis will require less of a downpayment than if the second property will be used to generate an income. So, depending on the property's intended use, you might have to come up with as much as 25%-35% down. This is where strategic planning comes in. Consider unlocking the equity in your existing home to finance the downpayment to purchase your second home. Here are a few ways you can go about doing that: Securing a new mortgage if you own your property clear title Refinancing your existing mortgage to access additional funds Securing a home equity line of credit (HELOC) Getting a second mortgage behind your existing first mortgage Securing a reverse mortgage The conversation about buying a second property should include assessing your overall financial health, leveraging your existing assets to lower your overall cost of borrowing, and figuring out the best way to accomplish your goals. And as it's impossible to outline every scenario in a simple blog post, if you’d like to discuss your goals and put a plan together to finance a second property, connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to work with you.

Mortgage Insurance Rule Changes Enable Homeowners to Add Secondary Suites

By Michael Hallett • January 2, 2025
As housing affordability challenges persist across Canada, innovative solutions are reshaping the way homeowners can contribute to housing supply. Starting January 15, 2025, new mortgage insurance rule changes will allow Canadian homeowners to access insured refinancing options to create secondary suites, such as basement apartments or laneway homes. This move, announced in Budget 2024 and detailed by the Department of Finance Canada, is part of a broader strategy to increase housing density and improve affordability while offering homeowners the chance to generate additional income. Why These Changes Matter Historically, converting extra space into rental units has been both costly and mired in municipal red tape. Recent zoning reforms across Canada’s major cities, driven by Housing Accelerator Fund agreements, are reducing these barriers. The creation of secondary suites not only expands housing supply but also provides financial benefits to homeowners, such as offering seniors additional income to support aging in place. Key Parameters for the New Rules The new mortgage insurance program is designed to enable homeowners to build legal, self-contained secondary suites that comply with municipal requirements. Here are the essential details: Eligibility Requirements Homeowners must already own the property. The homeowner or a close relative must occupy one of the existing units. Additional units must not be used as short-term rentals. Project Specifications New units must be fully self-contained with separate entrances (e.g., basement suites, laneway homes). Up to four total dwelling units are allowed, including existing units. Financial Parameters The “as improved” property value must be less than $2 million. Homeowners can refinance up to 90% of the property’s value, including the enhanced value from secondary suites. The maximum amortization period is 30 years. Additional financing must not exceed the project’s costs. When Do These Rules Take Effect? Starting January 15, 2025, lenders can submit applications for mortgage insurance under these updated parameters. This applies to all eligible properties across Canada, provided the new units align with municipal zoning requirements. What This Means for Homeowners For homeowners with underutilized space, such as basements or detached garages, this new program offers an opportunity to increase property value and create a source of long-term income. By building legal secondary suites, homeowners can contribute to Canada’s rental housing market while gaining financial security. A Step Toward Housing Solutions As housing supply remains a pressing issue, these mortgage insurance changes reflect a commitment to practical, homeowner-driven solutions. Whether you’re a senior looking to age in place or a family seeking to maximize your property’s potential, these changes represent an exciting opportunity to invest in your home and your community. Stay informed and explore your options with your lender to determine if this program is right for you. The path to unlocking your property’s potential begins in 2025.
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