Alta West Capital's Nomination

We are proud to announce that Alta West Capital has been selected as a finalist for the Private Lender of the Year award.

For over 29 years, Alta West Capital has been striving towards being a leader in the Alternative Lending space. This is a great recognition of our commitment to providing a comprehensive suite of products and services for our industry partners. We are truly thankful for your continued support.

Congratulations to all the 2020 nominees!

Putting Canadians into Homes

Alta West Capital (AWC) is a dynamic Alternative Lender lending in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. We have a 29-year history in serving Canadians by providing mortgage financing for those that fall outside of conventional banking guidelines, providing investments for financial independence, and performing philanthropic work in Canada and abroad. We take pride in providing alternative financing that puts Canadians in their homes. We do this by providing our broker partners the products, resources, transparency, and underwriting consistency that they require to do what they do best.

Whether you’re a mortgage professional, an investor or a client looking to borrow, the Alta West team has the experience and knowledge to provide a solution that fits your needs.

Helping the Everyday Entrepreneur

At Alta West Capital, half of our team of thirty are either first or second-generation Canadians. With staff born in countries as varied as Egypt, Cambodia, China and Argentina, amongst others, there are eleven languages spoken in our office. Naturally, we love lending to new Canadians, helping people like ourselves thrive and excel as they become part of the Canadian landscape.

Hand in hand with new Canadians, are those who make a living for themselves. The self-employed are an underserved segment of the Canadian housing market and another population we love helping in their dream of home-ownership. We really do appreciate helping the everyday entrepreneur.

New Canadians and the self-employed, these are two of our largest market segments and in our experience, very rewarding people to work with.

Our investor base are predominantly Mom and Pop family investors, saving for their retirement dreams. Investors are often an overlooked demographic of Private Lending and one that we are proud to serve. Mortgage Investment Corporations (MIC’s) were created back in 1973 as a vehicle to allow everyday Canadians to participate in mortgage investments, and to profit, just like the big banks. We’re proud to do our little part to provide this important option to Canadian investors.

Our People-first Approach

Taking feedback from our broker partners, we continue to update and expand our suite of products as well as improve our service to provide the best overall solution we can. Our experienced team operates on the philosophy of “making it happen, not letting it happen”. Find as many ways as you can to remove the obstacles to success for the client, the broker and the investor.

The broker community has long known us for our fast and efficient underwriting and our “do what we say we’ll do” service. We are continually seeking to innovate and grow by adopting technology to further improve our processes, evolving to equip our team with the tools they need to improve efficiency in our application submission, underwriting and funding process.

But it can’t just be technology for technology sake.

The key to successfully integrating software, software that actually makes a difference, is to have a “people-first” approach.

When evaluating a new piece of software, we ask some simple questions. How will this help us provide better service to our brokers and their clients? What efficiencies will this bring? How will this make life easier for our staff, our brokers, our clients and our investors? The benefits of this approach were recently highlighted with the outbreak of Covid-19.

Thrive, Not Survive

When Covid-19 broke, our mantra was “thrive, not survive”. We didn’t want our staff living with a “survival mentality”, we wanted them to thrive and to come out the other side of the pandemic along with the company, it’s brokers and clients, in a better place than before.

Our strategy and success caught the eye of our technology provider, Salesforce, who were impressed enough to outline our success in this blog, now available on the Salesforce website. We are very proud of being recognized for this achievement.

Alta West Capital has made a considerable investment in technology, but not all new technology is to simply to create efficiencies, it must also protect customer information. In the mortgage industry we handle a lot of sensitive data and it’s our responsibility to ensure that the technology we implement is as safe as it is efficient. Every software implementation is made with security in mind to ensure that our client’s data is handled properly and is well protected.

We take a people-first approach with cybersecurity and managing data, if it's important to them, it's important to us.

The Path to Homeownership

Our company, full of immigrants, has found pride in providing new Canadians with homes. We have extended our vision to help even more people in to homes outside of Canada. We realize the importance of giving back, not only to our community but to those less fortunate in some of the poorest parts of the world.

For the past couple of years, Alta West has partnered up with Shelter Canada and recruited a team of volunteers to travel to El Salvador to change the lives of people far less fortunate than us. We wanted to extend our ability to provide safe housing beyond our borders, in some of the poorest communities, in Central America. In addition to raising tens of thousands of dollars in donations, we have sent teams of staff to El Salvador, who with the aid of other volunteers, working in tandem with local leaders, have helped build over 500 homes for some of the world’s poorest people.

However, this year with Covid-19, and with the inability to travel south to build homes, we changed our focus and have given back to our local community by donating to the Calgary Food Bank. We hope to be back in El Salvador in 2021.

We love what we do. For some Canadians, we are the path to homeownership, for others the path to financial independence. Alta West Capital has a great, dedicated team, who enjoy what they do. We are very thankful for the opportunity to be considered for this award and would like to thank those who nominated Alta West Capital as well as the Mortgage Award of Excellence committee for considering our nomination.

Most Canadians have some type of debt obligation, including one or more of the following: a mortgage, car payment, line of credit, consumer loan, or credit card debt. For some individuals and families, debt is a source of major concern and cause severe anxiety, stress, and financial instability. While you may choose to deal with your debt in your own way, some people do not know or understand all of the options available when it comes to paying off and getting rid of debt. In this article, we will dive into two concepts that can make your journey towards financial stability both possible and accessible: debt consolidation and mortgage refinancing.

What is Debt Consolidation?

Debt consolidation involves combining multiple loans into one. If your credit card carries a high-interest rate, it may be beneficial to transfer the balance to an existing line of credit or to consolidate the loan by refinancing your mortgage. The benefits of debt consolidation include having only one monthly payment to worry about and, depending on the debt you carry, paying less than before. A mortgage lender can help you determine if debt consolidation is a good option for you.

What is Mortgage Refinancing?

Refinancing is different than mortgage renewal. Refinancing essentially allows you to replace your current mortgage or loan with a new one under different terms. Individuals may choose to refinance in order to change mortgage lenders, access lower interest rates, shorten the loan term, or consolidate debt. When making any decisions regarding changes to your mortgage, you should seek advice from a professional mortgage investment corporation to help you understand the pros and cons of your unique situation.

Consolidation Through Refinancing

Refinancing your mortgage as a means of consolidating loans allows you to replace high-interest debt with low-interest debt. Mortgages typically have significantly lower interest rates than credit cards and other typical consumer debt. Tapping into the equity built up in your home can potentially free up hundreds of dollars in cash flow each month and save you from high and unnecessary payments. Even though your total mortgage will increase, your ability to pay off debt faster will also be enhanced.

If you choose to consolidate your debt through mortgage refinancing, you should be prepared to avoid racking up additional debt on your credit cards once the balance is paid off. Debt consolidation can help you get out of debt faster, but it shouldn’t be a catalyst for spending even more down the road.

Advantages of Refinancing to Pay Off Debt

1.Lower Interest Rates

Take advantage of the low-interest rates offered by your mortgage investment corporation or another mortgage lender. Paying less in interest each month can help you pay off debt faster.

2. Fixed Interest Rates

When you enter into a mortgage contract, you may choose to select a fixed-rate loan. While credit card companies can increase interest rates at any time, locking in to a fixed-rate mortgage will allow you to set a consistent budget for debt repayment and eliminate any future surprises.

3. One Monthly Payment

Taking care of only one monthly payment will significantly simplify your monthly financial obligations. Having several monthly payments can make it easy to forget or miss one, which can impact your credit score. Keep it simple with a single amount you won’t easily forget.

4. Lower Monthly Payment

Not only will your debt be consolidated into one overall payment, but it could also end up being a significantly lower amount. The remainder left between what you were previously paying and your new monthly payment could mean an extra few hundred dollars each month. You may choose to pocket this residual cash, invest it, put it towards your mortgage, or keep it in a savings account.

5. Improve Your Credit Score

When you refinance your mortgage to consolidate your debt, your mortgage will increase slightly while your credit card will be paid down to zero. The Canadian credit bureau highly favours loan payment in full. As a result, your credit score, whether good or bad, will show significant improvement.

Tips From a Mortgage Investment Corporation

While debt consolidation and mortgage refinancing may be excellent options for some people, they may not make sense for everyone. Be sure to discuss your options with your bank, broker, or mortgage investment corporation. A professional can help evaluate the long-term advantages and disadvantages of these changes. They will encourage you to consider any fees associated with the transaction, whether or not you should consolidate all debts or just a few, how long you plan to stay in the home you are currently in, and how current interest rates are forecasted to rise or fall based on the ever-changing economic climate.

Whether you’re looking to consolidate your debt, refinance your mortgage or apply for a new mortgage, Alta West Capital can help. We offer a number of lending solutions for first time buyers, individuals and families that are new to Canada, self-employed business owners, real estate investors and more. Alta West loans are fast and flexible to fit your needs. Visit our website to apply online or contact us directly — call (403) 254-9075 or email info@awcapital.ca.

In today’s housing climate, mortgage pre-approval is a key element of the house-buying process. More and more individuals and families are choosing to be pre-approved as a way to help plan for and evaluate the burden of owning a house and having a monthly mortgage payment. But what is pre-approval exactly?

What is Mortgage Pre-Approval?

In order to understand the importance of mortgage pre-approval, it’s first essential to have an understanding of what it is. You can apply for mortgage pre-approval with any mortgage broker or lender, including a bank, private mortgage lender, or mortgage investment corporation. Pre-approval will let you know the maximum amount you can afford for a home and will thus give you an idea of viable options on the market. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will also unfold what your monthly mortgage payment will be based on your maximum purchase price. This information is crucial; many first-time home buyers focus strictly on the amount of the down payment but forget about working the mortgage payment, utility bills, and property taxes into their monthly budget. Pre-approval is one way for people to understand and evaluate the costs, risks, and benefits of owning a home prior to taking the plunge.

Why Is Pre-Approval Important?

If you’re the type of person who is more likely to throw caution to the wind, or preparedness just isn’t your strong suit, you should know there are several additional benefits to applying for mortgage pre-approval.

1. Saves Time

Receiving pre-approval from a mortgage lender can save you time spent looking at houses outside of your price range or trying to work out a budget based on hypothetical numbers. While pre-approval does not guarantee you will receive formal approval for your mortgage, it’s still useful information to have.

2. Locks-In Rates

Something that many individuals do not realize is that applying for mortgage-pre-approval protects you from increases in rates that may occur while you search for a new home. While you are not obligated to proceed with a particular lender, the mortgage lender you do choose is obligated to honour the rate given under your pre-approval for at least 120 days.

3. Shows Commitment

Mortgage pre-approval with a mortgage investment corporation or a bank indicates to home sellers and real estate agents that you are serious about buying. Realtors may be inclined to provide more attentive service and sellers may be more willing to negotiate, knowing how serious you are about proceeding.

4. It’s Free!

There can be a lot of hidden or extra costs surrounding buying a house, but applying for mortgage pre-approval is not of them. There are virtually no risks, meaning you have no reason not to get pre-approved!

How to Get Pre-Approved

While the company that you choose to get pre-approval from does not necessarily need to be the same company that you eventually choose for your mortgage, it’s a good idea to begin the process by looking for mortgage lenders you can trust. Keep in mind that banks may be able to offer better rates, but are also more difficult to receive approval from; when you apply for a mortgage with a bank, you are obligated to undergo a federal stress test. A private mortgage lender or a mortgage investment corporation does not have to follow all of the same requirements. You can check out this blog for more information on choosing the mortgage lender that’s right for you.

As you sit down with a mortgage broker or lender, they will likely ask you a series of questions surrounding 3 main factors:

Credit Score
Down Payment
Debt-Service Ratio

With a decent credit score, a healthy downpayment, and a balanced debt-service ratio, you should be able to qualify for the mortgage of your choice. If any of these factors are not where they should be, a mortgage investment corporation may still pre-approve your mortgage.

Tips From a Mortgage Investment Corporation

A mortgage investment corporation specializes in helping individuals with poor credit, low savings, or experiencing other dis-advantages, (such as self-employed business owners, families that are new to Canada, or first-time homebuyers) access the loan they need to move forward with the purchase of the house. While MICs may be more forgiving or less strict about some aspects of applying for a mortgage, there are still some things that you can do to help the process run more smoothly.

Don’t Spend the Maximum

Just because you received approval for a $400,000 mortgage does not mean you should spend that much. If you are approved for $400,000, you may want to consider looking at homes with listing prices closer to $350,000.

Pay Off Debt

Before applying for a mortgage, or even pre-approval of a mortgage, it might be a good idea to pay off some of your debt. If you are carrying a large balance on your credit card or you have an outstanding student loan, focusing a portion of your income towards minimizing the amount of total debt you have could help in the mortgage lending process.

Get a Second Opinion

Second opinions can not only help you find the best deals but also give you confidence that you’re on the right track. Keep in mind that a pre-approval does not mean you’re stuck with one lender — feel free to shop around!

Mortgage pre-approval is essential to the house-buying process, and it’s not scary or intimidating. Simply find a mortgage lender you can trust and start the process today!

When you’re looking to borrow, Alta West Capital can help. We offer a number of lending solutions for first time buyers, individuals and families that are new to Canada, self-employed business owners, real estate investors and more. Alta West loans are fast and flexible to fit your needs. Visit our website to apply online or contact us directly — call (403) 254-9075 or email info@awcapital.ca.

If you still owe a balance at the end of your mortgage term, you will either need to pay off the remainder or apply for a mortgage renewal. When you renew your mortgage, you have the option of choosing to switch to a different mortgage lender. Here are some tips to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

When to Start the Mortgage Renewal Process

You can begin shopping around for a different mortgage lender or begin the renewal process with your current lender approximately four months before the end of the term; this is an excellent opportunity to find what lenders are offering what, and how to better negotiate the terms of your renewal.

Reviewing Your Mortgage Renewal Needs

During this time, you should evaluate how your situation has changed regarding your financial goals and mortgage needs. Are you looking to move within the next five years? Is your family growing? Does your budget allow for higher monthly payments? Will you need to borrow more money from your mortgage lender? Are you satisfied with the services offered thus far? Once you ask yourself these questions, you’ll have a better idea of what to do when it comes time for your mortgage renewal.

Renewing with Your Current Mortgage Lender

If you decide to remain with your current lender, the process is rather simple. They will send you a mortgage renewal offer in the mail which you can choose to sign, or you can sit down with them to negotiate better rates and express any concerns you might have.

Switch to Another Mortgage Lender

Switching lenders is not quite as simple, but it’s the best way to access to better mortgage rates, especially if you are unsatisfied with the service offered by your current lender. Keep in mind that switching to a private mortgage lender usually means you will not have to pass the stress test again, whereas switching to a different bank does, and it could end up being more costly than it’s worth.

Whether you’re looking to borrow or invest, Alta West Capital can help. We offer a number of lending solutions for first time buyers, individuals and families that are new to Canada, self-employed business owners, real estate investors and more. Alta West loans are fast and flexible to fit your needs. Visit our website to apply online or contact us directly. Call (403) 254-9075 or email info@awcapital.ca.

When you file for personal bankruptcy, your credit rating takes a significant blow. However, that does not mean there is no chance to repair it. If you have a mortgage payment at the time you file for bankruptcy, you may wonder what will happen when it comes time for your mortgage renewal.

Mortgage Renewal After Bankruptcy

Because your mortgage is a secured investment, Bankruptcy will generally not affect your monthly payments. In fact, bankruptcy may relieve you of some additional commitments, providing you with the opportunity to make consistent mortgage payments and the ability to begin rebuilding your credit. When it comes to mortgage renewal, banks and private mortgage lenders often do not pull your credit score again, and they even offer options for automatic renewal. If you have been able to keep on top of your payments, mortgage renewal following bankruptcy should not be a problem.

Mortgage Refinancing After Bankruptcy

Unfortunately, bankruptcy will likely affect your ability to refinance your mortgage. If you were planning to shop around for a different mortgage provider and better interest rates, that option is almost obsolete following a bankruptcy discharge. The requirements for refinancing your mortgage involve qualifying under the government issued stress test rules. With the black mark of bankruptcy on your credit rating, your chances of qualifying are nearly impossible.

Refinancing With a Private Mortgage Lender

However, if refinancing through the banks is out of the question, there may be another option. Private mortgage lenders do not operate with the same restrictions, meaning you may be able to refinance your mortgage with them, even after filing for bankruptcy. Private mortgage lenders often specialize in providing financing options to individuals with poor credit ratings such as first-time home buyers and individuals that are new to Canada. If you have taken the opportunity to make consistent payments leading up to your mortgage refinancing, your chances of approval with a private mortgage investment corporation will increase.

If you file for personal bankruptcy, you can still renew through your current mortgage provider or choose to refinance through a private mortgage lender. The important thing is to focus on rebuilding your credit through consistent mortgage payments and keeping up with all other monthly bills.

Renewing your mortgage can be a stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether your mortgage is with a bank or an alternative, such as a mortgage investment corporation, there are some things you should take note of before beginning the renewal process.

Higher Interest Rates at the Time of Mortgage Renewal

Unfortunately, the interest rates in Canada have been on the rise. In the past, you might have been in for a pleasant surprise when it came time to renew your mortgage, and some have begun to expect lower rates upon renewal. The current trends are a different story, however. Mortgage renewal may be a good time to shop around for a different lender. You may want to consider the benefits of choosing a private mortgage lender.

Review Your Financial Situation Before Mortgage Renewal

Prior to renewing your mortgage, you may want to take the opportunity to review and evaluate your current financial status. Before deciding to renew your mortgage with your current lender or a new institution, consider how your finances may have changed. Has your income increased or changed? What other investments do you have? What is your home equity? Have you had any renovations that have increased the value of your home?

Prepare for Stress Tests at the Time of Mortgage Renewal

In January of this year, the Canadian government introduced new rules in the mortgage industry, one of which is the requirement for a stress test. If you are applying for a first-time buyer mortgage or you want to refinance your existing mortgage, you’ll have to qualify under these rules. Because approval under the stress test is contingent on higher interest rates, it can be more difficult to qualify, thus discouraging homeowners from refinancing and allowing banks to jack-up prices when it comes to mortgage renewal. The good news is, private mortgage lenders are generally not under the same constraints, thus mortgage renewal with an alternative mortgage lender might be easier.

Consider the Need for a Home Renovation Loan

If you have upcoming plans for home renovations or minor construction, it might be wise to apply for a home renovation loan at the same time as a mortgage renewal. Consider how it will affect your rates and if the timing is right for you.

Talk to a Mortgage Broker or a Private Mortgage Lender

For some expert advice when it comes to mortgage renewal, talk to a mortgage professional. Brokers and lenders can give you some direction regarding the current market. Get advice on whether to shop around and how to navigate the new regulations.

Whether you’re looking to borrow or invest, Alta West Capital can help. We offer a number of lending solutions for first time buyers, individuals and families that are new to Canada, self-employed business owners, real estate investors and more. Alta West loans are fast and flexible to fit your needs. Visit our website to apply online or contact us directly. Call (403) 254-9075 or email info@awcapital.ca.

While private mortgage lenders have never been the leading providers of loans to Canadians, they have seen an increase in demand in recent years. It seems many Canadians are seeking alternatives to the banks; this article will explore some of the possible reasons behind this phenomenon as well as the benefits of doing so.

Changes in the Marketplace Lead Canadians to Private Mortgage Lenders

The real estate market is an ever-changing and evolving entity. In Canada, a number of major cities are experiencing rising interest rates and affordability crisis. In some of these cases, individuals that are in need of an emergency sum of money would rather turn to a private mortgage lender who offers loans for other larger investments in addition to homes.

Mortgage Refusal From the Bank

The most significant reason for Canadians to turn to alternative mortgage lenders is when the bank denies their loan. Individuals with poor credit, self-employed business owners or families that are new to Canada are often turned away by the bank, and a private mortgage lender caters to the needs of these individuals.

Mortgage Stress Tests

Laws and regulations that require mortgage approvals based on higher interest rates have led many Canadians to choose a private mortgage lender for a mortgage renewal, second home mortgage and other services. Private mortgage lenders are not under the same regulations as the banks, and as such, when individuals are no longer approved for a mortgage under these stricter stress tests, they turn to an alternative whereby they are more likely to be approved.

When it comes to mortgages, a private mortgage lender is the best alternative to the bank. Whether you need a significant loan for a home renovation, debt consolidation services, or you’re a first-time home buyer, you can trust a private mortgage lender to provide you with the loan you need and unparalleled service.

Tag: mortgage renewal