The Spire Journal
Newcomer to Canada Mortgage: How to Buy a Home in Alberta Without Canadian Credit
Most newcomers are told they need to wait two years before buying a home in Canada. That advice is outdated. Here's how the Newcomer to Canada mortgage program actually works — and how clients are buying with as little as 5% down and zero Canadian credit.
RRSP Home Buyers' Plan in Canada: How First-Time Buyers Use $60,000 Toward a Down Payment in 2026
The RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan lets first-time buyers in Canada pull up to $60,000 from their RRSP, tax-free, toward a down payment. Here’s how the rules work in 2026, who qualifies, and how to stack it with the FHSA.
Variable or Fixed in 2026: How to Pick the Right Mortgage Rate in Canada
Variable is cheaper than fixed for the first time in years. But cheaper today does not mean cheaper over five years. Here is how I help clients choose, with the actual numbers.
The First Home Savings Account Explained: Who Qualifies (and How to Actually Use It) in 2026
The FHSA is arguably the most powerful tool Ottawa has rolled out for first-time buyers, and most Canadians are using it wrong. Here’s exactly who qualifies, how the rules work in 2026, and what a Calgary couple saved by using theirs properly.
Mortgage Renewal 2026: How to Beat the $622 Payment Shock Hitting Over 1 Million Canadians
If you locked in your mortgage in 2020 or 2021, your renewal letter is about to land, and the average Canadian homeowner is looking at a $622/month payment increase. Here's what the new OSFI rules mean for you, and exactly how to avoid paying your bank more than you have to.
Can You Get a Mortgage in Alberta with Less Than 2 Years of Self-Employment?
Self-employed in Alberta with less than 2 years of income history? Here is how mortgage approval can still be possible.
What Counts as Income for Self-Employed Mortgages in Alberta? Understanding Add-Backs
Self-employed in Alberta? Learn how add-backs can increase your qualifying income and expand your mortgage options.
You Don’t Have a Mortgage Problem. You Have a Focus Problem.
If you want to buy a home in 2026, motivation is not enough. Here is what real mortgage goal setting actually looks like.
What is a HELOC, and how does it work in Canada?
Wondering how a HELOC works in Alberta? Here's when it makes sense, how to qualify, and how much equity you can access without refinancing.
Get It Out of the Chat — Part Two: Where Problems Go to Become Solutions
The inbox where problems go to become solutions—and how we’re making real change, one decision at a time.
Get It Out of the Group Chat
Mortgage brokers: if you want 2026 to feel different, close your execution gap. Here’s how to shift from ideas to action and actually fix your business.
How Does Incorporating My Business Affect My Mortgage?
Incorporating your business? Here's how it impacts your mortgage, what lenders look for, and how to plan for smooth approvals in Canada.
Can You Get a Mortgage Without 2 Years of Income as a Self‑Employed Individual?
If you're self‑employed in Alberta and don’t yet have two years of tax history, we’ll walk you through how to qualify for your mortgage now.
What Do Lenders Actually Look For in Someone Who Is Self‑Employed and Trying to Get a Mortgage
If you're self-employed in Alberta and wondering how to get a mortgage, here's what lenders are really looking for — and how to prepare.
Using Chat GPT for Mortgage Advice – When to Use It, and When to Call Your Broker
Learn when to use ChatGPT for mortgage advice in Alberta—and when to bring in a licensed broker to protect your financial future.
Owning a Rental Property Allows You Three Advantages
Learn the 3 advantages of rental property ownership in Alberta and how to structure your mortgage for the biggest benefit.
Interim Financing in Alberta Just Got Cheaper — Is Calvert Homes’ 6.70% Promo Right for You?
Interim Purchase mortgage now 6.70% up to 70% LTV—Spire breaks down when this offer works, what to watch for, and how to use it smartly.
How to Position Yourself to Build a Rental Portfolio in Canada
Alberta-based tips to build a rental portfolio the smart way — real examples, financing tactics, and mistakes to avoid.
Is Using ChatGPT Safe for Mortgage Advice in Alberta?
ChatGPT is a great research tool—but Alberta mortgages need real strategy. Here's how to use AI wisely and when to talk to a broker.