HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE MORTGAGE PROCESS

BY TANYA APPEL

I've been in the mortgage industry for over ten years, and in that time, I've seen a lot of first-time home buyers make the same mistake: getting too excited about what's out there without really understanding the math. A pre-approval is so important because it helps you understand what you can actually afford. And that's not just the purchase price of the home, but also the taxes, the insurance, the maintenance, etc. Without a pre-approval, you could end up in a situation where you can't actually afford the home you've purchased, and that can be a real nightmare.

Here are the steps you need to follow: 1. Know who you are 2. Know what you want 3. Know how you want to do business 4. Do your research

1. Know who you are When it comes to real estate, it is important to know who you are as an individual. This means understanding your personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as your goals and values. Once you have a good understanding of yourself, it will be easier to navigate the ever-changing landscape of real estate. In addition, it is also important to be clear on what you want out of a real estate agent or broker. Are you looking for someone who is knowledgeable and can offer guidance, or someone who is more hands-off? Asking yourself these types of questions will help you find the right fit for you.

In addition to knowing who you are as an individual, it is also important to be clear on your budget. This means understanding how much you can realistically afford to spend on a home, as well as any associated costs. Once you have a clear understanding of your budget, you can start to narrow down your search to homes that fit within your price

RESILIENT WOMEN MAGAZINE

range. In addition, it is also important to be aware of your financial limitations when it comes to taking out a mortgage. By understanding your budget and your financial limitations, you can avoid any financial surprises down the road.

2. Know what you want The second step in the process is to know what you want. This means being clear about your goals and objectives, and having a good understanding of the market and what is available to you. You need to be clear about what you are looking for in a property, and what you are willing to compromise on. It is also important to be realistic about your budget, and to have a clear idea of what you can afford. Once you know what you want, you can begin to narrow down your search and focus on properties that meet your needs.

The third step is to start your search. This means looking at properties that meet your needs and budget, and contacting real estate agents to set up viewings. It is also important to research the area you are interested in, and to find out as much as you can about the market. Once you have found a property you like, the fourth step is to make an offer. This means negotiating with the seller to try and get the best price possible. If your offer is accepted, the fifth and final step is to move in and enjoy your new home.

3. Know how you want to do business When you're looking for a mortgage broker, it's important to find someone who you feel comfortable with and who you feel confident in. The best way to get to know a mortgage broker is to schedule a consultation, either in person or over the phone. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions, get to know their process, and see if they're a good fit for you. It's also important to make sure that you're working with a licensed professional who has the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the mortgage process.

4. Do your research When you're ready to start looking for a mortgage broker, it's important to do your research. You can start by asking friends and family for recommendations, or by searching online for reviews. Once you've found a few mortgage brokers that you're interested in, be sure to schedule a consultation so that you can get to know them and their process. 5. Ask questions When you're meeting with a mortgage broker, it's important to ask lots of questions. Find out about their experience, their process, and what kind of guidance they can provide. You should also ask about their fees and how they typically work with borrowers. By asking questions, you can get a better sense of whether or not a particular mortgage broker is the right fit for you.

By following Tanya's advice, you can set yourself up for success in the mortgage process.

For more on this topic and perspective, check out this episode From Corporate to Mortgage Broker: How Tanya Appel Made the Switch and Thrived on my podcast 500 Doors Real Estate Podcast.

Connect with Tanya Twitter: @TanyaAppel LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tanya-appel-443b8a6a Instagram: @instaappelgram

Pumpkin Bread

INGREDIENTS 1 ½ cup sugar ½ cup water ½ cup vegetable oil 1 cup canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) 2 eggs 1 ⅔ cup flour 1 tsp nutmeg 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp baking soda ¾ tsp salt ¼ tsp baking powder

INSTRUCTIONS Mix first five ingredients and set aside Sift together dry ingredients Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture Mix until smooth Bake in large loaf pan for 50 minutes or a muffin tin for 30 minutes Cooking times may vary so be sure to test with a toothpick in the centre and the pick comes out clean

You can add raisins and nuts. For dessert option serve with whipped cream cheese or a cream cheese buttercream.

RESILIENT WOMEN MAGAZINE

KIM'S CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

WHETHER ITS FOR YOURSELF OR THE PODCASTER IN YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THESE GREAT GIFT IDEAS!

A

B C

E D

A Heated massage slippers when I am doing my podcast https://www.sharperimage.com/view/product/ Warming+Foot+Massager/205761 C A cool new apple watch band https://www.pythonhuntress. com/shop

B A fun on air sign https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1062798810/on-air-vintagestyle-illuminated-sign D Air tags so I can find my keys and phone https://www.apple.com/ca/airtag/ E A daily and monthly planner for planning and scheduling my interviews, recording dates and publishing schedule. https://www.amazon.com/gp/ product/B08DDHGVX6

RESILIENT WOMEN MAGAZINE

F H

G

F A weekend away to Banff Springs https://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings

G Award-winning bonbons from local chocolatier, cōchu https://cochu.ca/ H A tea subscription… I love tea and winter is almost here https://drinkalmost.com/

I A floral subscription, because who doesn't love fresh cut flowers all year long https://www.smallflower.ca/subscriptions

I

RESILIENT WOMEN MAGAZINE

HOW TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU'RE WORTH

Laura Browne is a certified business coach with more than 20 years of experience in global human resources and management development. She has trained and coached female leaders from Fortune 100 companies and is a regular contributor to Forbes. Her straightforward and actionable advice has helped women in all stages of their careers achieve their goals.

Laura helps her clients identify areas of opportunity and develop strategies for success. She is also the author of the book The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Making Mistakes, and Becoming Your Best Self.

Kim: I am excited because I think today and moving forward, everybody wants to make more money. Why shouldn't we? So where I'd like to start is just diving right in a little bit of that origin story. I am in Phoenix, Arizona, and it's over 100 degrees today. So I am loving it. I love the heat because I grew up in New York, loved it, spent years in California. But I decided I want to be where the sun shines all the time.

So what brought me here? So it was years and years ago, and I was working in human resources, and I remember thinking, I want to make more money. I I remember talking to my boss at the time we went into the conference room, and I started saying, I want more money. And he shut me down immediately. I mean, he said no so fast, and I don't remember the rest of the meeting. I just remember being so upset and so embarrassed because I just thought, oh, my gosh. He basically told me that I'm terrible and maybe I shouldn't go back to work.

He didn't say any of those things. He just said no. And so that night, I talked to a friend of mine, and again, I was feeling really bad for myself and I don't know that I can go back to work and all this other stuff. And she said, well, what did he say? He said no.