Have a Question About Mortgages? Ask Steph!
604-575-2710
The Advantage of Choice
Hi, I’m Stephanie Barritt, a mortgage professional serving clients in the lower mainland from my office in Surrey BC. Choosing the right mortgage is a big decision. Finding the right mortgage is a powerful tool to help you achieve your financial goals, while getting stuck with a bad one has the potential to cost you a lot of money.
So with so many mortgage choices and ongoing decisions to make, how do you know you are making the right choice for you? You need an independent mortgage broker to help guide you! A banker works for the bank, paid by the bank to make money for the bank. As a mortgage broker I can represent you to several different lending institutions who offer a wide choice of products.
The combination of unbiased advice, access to more products, and the fact that my business that is built on customer service and client education means that when you work with me, you can be assured that your needs are being put first. And in most cases, my services come at no cost to you! Regardless of where you are in the mortgage process,
I can help! Ask me about mortgages anytime!
Everything you need, all in one place
As a trusted mortgage provider, I can help you with these services.
Testimonials
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Stephanie came recommended to me and she did a great job with our mortgage. She’s the kind of person that really fights to find the best product to suit our needs and she puts long-term service over any other considerations. I highly recommend her for any mortgage or other real estate finance needs.
Stephanie came recommended to me and she did a great job with our mortgage. She’s the kind of person that really fights to find the best product to suit our needs and she puts long-term service over any other considerations. I highly recommend her for any mortgage or other real estate finance needs.
Peter Crisp
FAST AND PROFESSIONAL
I use Stephanie Barritt almost exclusively for my real estate clients because she is fast, professional, and if there’s any difficulty, she can handle it! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her!
I use Stephanie Barritt almost exclusively for my real estate clients because she is fast, professional, and if there’s any difficulty, she can handle it! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her!
Dianne Moscrip, ReMax Advantage Realty
EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE
Stephanie has done such a great job for many of my clients. On more than one occasion, she has gotten my clients great mortgages when other brokers could not find a way. Her exceptional product knowledge is second to none in my opinion and I look forward to sending her more business, as I know that she can do for my clients, what no one else can.
Stephanie has done such a great job for many of my clients. On more than one occasion, she has gotten my clients great mortgages when other brokers could not find a way. Her exceptional product knowledge is second to none in my opinion and I look forward to sending her more business, as I know that she can do for my clients, what no one else can.
Eldon Whalen
PROFESSIONAL AND FRIENDLY SERVICE - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
As first time buyers we were very unsure of what we were doing, but Steph provided us with all the support and help we needed. Answering any questions we had, whilst being very patient and lovely in the process. Alongside her assistant Jennifer, Steph offered us a smooth end to end service, finding us a great deal and moved things along quickly for us when needed. We will definitely be returning customers when the time comes!
As first time buyers we were very unsure of what we were doing, but Steph provided us with all the support and help we needed. Answering any questions we had, whilst being very patient and lovely in the process. Alongside her assistant Jennifer, Steph offered us a smooth end to end service, finding us a great deal and moved things along quickly for us when needed. We will definitely be returning customers when the time comes!
Marie Norton and Andrew Mills
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
Stephanie was referred to us by our real estate agent. Everything happened so fast and only in a matter of days, Stephanie was able to help us as we didn’t have much time to remove conditions and our financing wasn’t approved yet. Stephanie along with the help and collaboration of Jennifer were able to help us out and get everything sorted in the very short time we had and by help I mean gather all the required documents (this can become a tedious task), and get me approved within a matter of days only.
It was a very stressful time and I don’t know how I would have done it without them. The quality of service provided was exceptional and we were so relieved that we were able to remove conditions on time, with my financing being fully approved and complete. Stephanie and Jennifer remained very professional throughout the whole process while being very friendly and keeping stress levels as low as possible. I would strongly recommend working with them, especially being a first time buyer, it was very important that I worked with someone who could answer many annoying questions and they both always responded to me so quickly and every time with a smile, which as a customer made me feel very comfortable and that really helped reduced my stress levels too.
In terms of negotiating the mortgage details, I will admit that after looking around, Stephanie was also able to provide me with the best interest rate available! Without asking, I was informed that a better rate was negotiated for me (what better can one ask!).
When it’s time to redo the paperwork, I can guarantee that I will be a returning customer. My experience applying for a mortgage for the very first time was very smooth, very easy and extremely professional, allowing for the best experience any first time home owner could ask for 🙂 Thank you Stephanie and Jennifer
C. Ramdoyal
Some of My Lenders
I Keep My Blog Updated So You Can Stay Informed
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. For Canadian homeowners, buyers, and anyone with a mortgage on the horizon — here's what you need to know.
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make. That’s why lenders want to be sure you can handle your mortgage payments—not just today, but also if interest rates rise in the future. This is where the mortgage stress test comes in. Many Canadians hear the term but aren’t entirely sure what it means or how it affects them. Let’s break it down in plain language. What Is the Mortgage Stress Test? The stress test is a rule introduced by the federal government that requires all mortgage applicants to qualify at a higher rate than the one they’ll actually pay. Currently, you must qualify at the greater of your contract rate + 2% or the benchmark qualifying rate (set by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions). For example: If your lender offers you a 5-year fixed mortgage at 5.25%, you must show you could still afford the payments at 7.25% . Even if rates don’t rise that high, the stress test ensures you won’t be overextended if they do. Why Does It Matter? The stress test protects both borrowers and lenders by: Preventing over-borrowing : It ensures you don’t take on more debt than you can realistically handle. Preparing for rate hikes : With interest rates fluctuating, it’s a safeguard against sudden increases. Strengthening financial stability : It lowers the risk of defaults, protecting the housing market as a whole. While it can sometimes feel like a barrier—reducing the amount you qualify for—it’s ultimately designed to keep you from becoming “house poor.” How Does It Impact Buyers? The stress test can significantly affect your homebuying budget. For example, without it, you might qualify for a $600,000 mortgage, but with the stress test applied, you may only qualify for $500,000. That doesn’t mean your dream of homeownership is out of reach—it just means you may need to adjust expectations or explore other strategies, such as: Increasing your down payment Paying down existing debts Considering alternative lenders who may have different qualification standards Why Work With a Mortgage Professional? Every lender applies the stress test, but not every lender views your application the same way. An independent mortgage professional can: Shop multiple lenders to find the best fit Run affordability scenarios at different rates Help you understand how much house you can truly afford—without stretching your finances too thin The Bottom Line The mortgage stress test isn’t meant to stop you from buying a home—it’s there to protect you from financial strain down the road. By understanding how it works and planning ahead, you can make smarter choices and buy with confidence. If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, refinancing, or simply want to know how the stress test affects your options, connect with us today. We’ll help you stress-test your budget and find the mortgage solution that works best for you.
You’ve found the right home, your offer’s been accepted, and your financing is approved—congratulations! But before you can pick up the keys and celebrate, there’s one more important stage: the closing process. Closing is the final step in your homebuying journey, where all the paperwork, legal details, and financial transactions come together. It can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect, but with the right preparation, closing can be smooth and stress-free. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand the process. Step 1: Hire a Lawyer or Notary A real estate lawyer (or notary, depending on your province) handles the legal side of closing. They will: Review the purchase agreement and mortgage documents Conduct a title search to confirm the seller has the legal right to sell the property Ensure the mortgage lender is properly registered on the title Handle the transfer of funds between you, the lender, and the seller Your lawyer or notary will be your main point of contact during closing, so choose one you trust and who communicates clearly. Step 2: Finalize Your Mortgage Your lender will send the mortgage instructions directly to your lawyer or notary. At this stage: You’ll provide proof of property insurance (lenders require this before releasing funds) You’ll confirm your down payment and closing costs are available in your lawyer’s trust account The lawyer will prepare all documents for your review and signature Step 3: Pay Closing Costs Closing costs typically range from 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price. These can include: Legal fees Title insurance Land transfer tax (where applicable) Adjustments for property taxes or utilities prepaid by the seller Home inspection or appraisal fees (if not already paid) Your lawyer will provide a final statement of adjustments so you know exactly how much is due on closing day. Step 4: Sign the Paperwork A few days before closing, you’ll meet with your lawyer or notary to sign all the necessary documents, including: Mortgage agreement Title transfer Insurance confirmations Statement of adjustments Bring valid government-issued ID to this appointment. Step 5: Transfer of Funds On the day of closing: Your lender sends the mortgage funds to your lawyer Your lawyer combines these funds with your down payment and pays the seller Legal ownership of the property is transferred into your name The lender is registered on title as a secured creditor Step 6: Get the Keys! Once the paperwork is filed and the funds have cleared, your lawyer will confirm that the transaction is complete. You’ll then get the keys to your new home—officially making it yours. The Bottom Line The closing process is a series of important steps, but with the right team in place, it doesn’t have to be stressful. By working closely with your mortgage professional and lawyer, you’ll have guidance every step of the way—from signing the documents to turning the key in the front door. If you’d like help preparing for the closing process—or want a clear breakdown of your own closing costs— connect with us today.
Stephanie Barritt
Phone: 1-604-575-2710
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