Daily Blogs by Deion Au
Notes on Buying, Refinancing, Investing and Financing a Home
Setting up a home maintenance fund after you buy
Why new homeowners benefit from a dedicated repair fund, what it covers, and a simple way to start building one.
Read postThe expensive mistake of skipping the home inspection
Why a home inspection is worth your time and money, what it can and cannot tell you, and how to use it before you commit.
Read postPicture a buyer deciding how much cash to keep in reserve
A composite scenario about a buyer weighing a bigger down payment against keeping savings in the bank, and the questions worth asking first.
Read postWhy your early mortgage payments build equity slowly
A plain-English look at how a mortgage payment is split between interest and principal, and why equity builds slowly at first.
Read postHome equity is not the same as cash in the bank
Home equity can be a real part of your net worth, but it isn't money you can spend. Here is the difference in plain English.
Read postWhat to expect at your closing appointment
A plain-English walkthrough of signing day: what you will sign, what to bring, what to review beforehand, and what happens after.
Read postHabits to build in the months before you apply for a mortgage
Simple money habits to start months before you apply for a mortgage, so your file is easier to review and your options stay open.
Read postBuying a home when you're not sure how long you'll stay
Not sure how long you will stay in a home? Here is how to think through your timeline before you buy, in plain language.
Read postWhat "wholesale" lending means for you
A plain-English look at how a mortgage broker works with multiple wholesale lenders, what that can mean for your options, and what to ask any lender.
Read postWhat a mortgage broker's day is really like
A plain-English look at what a mortgage broker actually does all day, from early messages to late-day file reviews, and why it matters to you.
Read postThe expensive mistake of comparing only the monthly payment
Looking only at the monthly payment can hide real costs. Here is what else to compare when you look at mortgage options, in plain English.
Read postThinking about extra mortgage payments? Questions to ask first
Paying extra toward your mortgage can be a smart move, but it is not right for everyone. Here are the questions I suggest asking first.
Read postPicture a self-employed buyer getting loan ready
A self-employed buyer often has strong income but a file that reads differently on paper. Here is how to prepare.
Read postReady to see what you qualify for?
It takes five minutes and a soft credit check. No obligation, no pressure, just a clear picture of your options.