Welcome to Plan My Mortgage
by Katherine Martin
You Plan Your Home, I'll Plan Your Mortgage.
Katherine Martin
Hi, I’m Katherine, thanks for visiting my website. If you are looking for someone to help you arrange mortgage financing, look no further, I would love to help you plan your mortgage.
A little bit about me… I was born and raised in Montreal and after attending Concordia University I moved out west to Vancouver. Honestly, I have never looked back, I absolutely love it here. I spent 8 years in the mutual fund industry before starting my career as a mortgage broker in 2004. In 2005 I was voted “Rookie of the Year” and over the next 10+ years I have enjoyed helping my clients plan for the biggest investments of their lives!
I have a wonderful husband (I say wonderful because he truly is wonderful) and two children (who are also wonderful, but I didn’t want to sound too repetitive!), I have a career that inspires me and I live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Life is good!
Mortgage Services
Home Purchase
If you are looking to purchase a property, understanding all the mortgage options available to you can seem overwhelming. That’s where I come in; I do this everyday and I love it. I will help you make sense of all the numbers and provide you with options that make sense to you and arrange the mortgage that suits your goals!
Preapproval
Before you go out and start shopping for a new house, you need a plan. It doesn’t matter if this is your first time buying a home or your hundredth, financial situations change, rules change, interest rates change. The best place to start is with a preapproval, so you know exactly how much buying power you have.
Professional Clients
Throughout my career I have been fortunate to have worked with many professional and self-employed clients. As such, I have developed relationships with lenders who offer exclusive products to high net worth and professional individuals. So if you are a young professional starting out in your career or if you are well established in the business community, I understand your specific needs and can accommodate them perfectly.
Refinance
Are you looking to access some of the equity built up in your property? Maybe you want to consolidate some debts, start a new business, buy a vacation or investment property or travel the world… regardless, I can discuss all your mortgage refinancing options with you!
Renewal
The best time to start looking at renewing your existing mortgage is 120 days before your maturity date. If your existing lender has sent you a renewal offer in the mail, the first thing you should do is send it to me so I can give you a second opinion. Never just sign the offer, there is always room to negotiate, and I am here to help you so that you don’t have to do those negotiations alone!
Contact Me Anytime!
Obviously there are a lot more services I can offer and a lot more information I can share with you. Consider this my invitation to contact me with your questions, I would love to work with you and help you figure out a plan not only to get you a mortgage, but to help you get rid of it. Talk soon!
Lenders
I have developed excellent relationships with lenders across the country; let's figure out which one has the best product for you.
I was introduced to Katherine through my financial planner 10 years ago and she has assisted me in the sometimes complex financing of several properties since that time. Her commitment to providing prompt service with responsible, comprehensive and professional service truly makes her stand out in the industry. To say she goes above and beyond what’s expected would be an understatement.
I have referred several friends to her with confidence that they will receive excellent personalized service and they have been equally impressed with her work.
I have referred several friends to her with confidence that they will receive excellent personalized service and they have been equally impressed with her work.
S. Fitzpatrick
Katherine has been an absolute SUPERSTAR for my family’s mortgage needs. We are thrilled with her professionalism, honesty, and knowledge. She has gone above and beyond to make sure that we always have a painless experience and don’t regret our decisions. It’s not just about the paperwork and phone calls with Katherine, it’s about her clients and guiding them through a huge life decision!
I would highly recommend Katherine to anyone who is looking for a mortgage Broker.
I would highly recommend Katherine to anyone who is looking for a mortgage Broker.
J. Bilodeau
Katherine took the time to get to know my individual financial situation and objectives, and gave me pragmatic and tailored advice based on those factors. She has always been very responsive and I have complete trust in her abilities to execute. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a mortgage broker with great client service delivery.
M. Stephens
Katherine has been our mortgage broker for 10 years now and has brokered 4 mortgages for us. We had a unique and challenging situation arise with our last renewal. Katherine’s expertise, confidence and tenacity was invaluable as she navigated us through the intricacies of this situation. She not only went to bat for us, she went above and beyond. Her knowledge, skill, support and guidance are greatly appreciated.
Katherine is a mortgage broker of the highest quality and integrity.
Thank you Katherine for your excellent service.
Katherine is a mortgage broker of the highest quality and integrity.
Thank you Katherine for your excellent service.
Lesli and Robert
Katherine is amazing to work with. As a first time home buyer I appreciated that she was there to answer any and all questions and concerns I had. She went above and beyond for me. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a mortgage broker.
T. Holbeche
Mortgage Blog
This is the main education hub on my website, have a look around, let me know if you have questions!
How to Use Your Mortgage to Finance Home Renovations Home renovations can be exciting—but they can also be expensive. Whether you're upgrading your kitchen, finishing the basement, or tackling a much-needed repair, the cost of materials and labour adds up quickly. If you don’t have all the cash on hand, don’t worry. There are smart ways to use mortgage financing to fund your renovation plans without derailing your financial stability. Here are three mortgage-related strategies that can help: 1. Refinancing Your Mortgage If you're already a homeowner, one of the most straightforward ways to access funds for renovations is through a mortgage refinance. This involves breaking your current mortgage and replacing it with a new one that includes the amount you need for your renovations. Key benefits: You can access up to 80% of your home’s appraised value , assuming you qualify. It may be possible to lower your interest rate or reduce your monthly payments. Timing tip: If your mortgage is up for renewal soon, refinancing at that time can help you avoid prepayment penalties. Even mid-term refinancing could make financial sense, depending on your existing rate and your renovation goals. 2. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) If you have significant equity in your home, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can offer flexible funding for renovations. A HELOC is a revolving credit line secured against your home, typically at a lower interest rate than unsecured borrowing. Why consider a HELOC? You only pay interest on the amount you use. You can access funds as needed, which is ideal for staged or ongoing renovations. You maintain the terms of your existing mortgage if you don’t want to refinance. Unlike a traditional loan, a HELOC allows you to borrow, repay, and borrow again—similar to how a credit card works, but with much lower rates. 3. Purchase Plus Improvements Mortgage If you're in the market for a new home and find a property that needs some work, a "Purchase Plus Improvements" mortgage could be a great option. This allows you to include renovation costs in your initial mortgage. How it works: The renovation funds are advanced based on a quote and are held in trust until the work is complete. The renovations must add value to the property and meet lender requirements. This type of mortgage lets you start with a home that might be more affordable upfront and customize it to your taste—all while building equity from day one. Final Thoughts Your home is likely your biggest investment, and upgrading it wisely can enhance both your comfort and its value. Mortgage financing can be a powerful tool to fund renovations without tapping into high-interest debt. The right solution depends on your unique financial situation, goals, and timing. Let’s chat about your options, run the numbers, and create a plan that works for you. 📞 Ready to renovate? Connect anytime to get started!
Ready to Buy Your First Home? Here’s How to Know for Sure Buying your first home is exciting—but it’s also a major financial decision. So how can you tell if you’re truly ready to take that leap into homeownership? Whether you’re confident or still unsure, these four signs are solid indicators that you’re on the right path: 1. You’ve Got Your Down Payment and Closing Costs in Place To purchase a home in Canada, you’ll need at least 5% of the purchase price as a down payment. In addition, plan for around 1.5% to 2% of the home’s value to cover closing costs like legal fees, insurance, and adjustments. If you’ve managed to save this on your own, that’s a great sign of financial discipline. If you're receiving help from a family member through a gifted down payment , that works too—as long as the paperwork is in order. Either way, having these funds ready shows you’re prepared for the upfront costs of homeownership. 2. Your Credit Profile Tells a Good Story Lenders want to know how you manage debt. Before they approve you for a mortgage, they’ll review your credit history. What they typically like to see: At least two active credit accounts (trade lines) , like a credit card or loan Each with a minimum limit of $2,000 Open and active for at least 2 years Even if your credit isn’t perfect, don’t panic. There may still be options, such as using a co-signer or working on a credit improvement plan with a mortgage expert. 3. Your Income Can Support Homeownership—Comfortably A steady income is essential, but not all income is treated equally. If you’re full-time and past probation , you’re in a strong position. If you’re self-employed, on contract, or rely on variable income like tips or commissions, you’ll generally need a two-year history to qualify. A general rule: housing costs (mortgage, taxes, utilities) should stay under 35% of your gross monthly income . That leaves plenty of room for other living expenses, savings, and—yes—some fun too. 4. You’ve Talked to a Mortgage Professional Let’s be real—there’s a lot of info out there about buying a home. Google searches and TikToks can only take you so far. If you're serious about buying, speaking with a mortgage professional is the most effective next step. Why? Because you'll: Get pre-approved (and know what price range you're working with) Understand your loan options and the qualification process Build a game plan that suits your timeline and financial goals The Bottom Line: Being “ready” to buy a home isn’t just about how much you want it—it’s about being financially prepared, credit-ready, and backed by expert advice. If you’re thinking about homeownership, let’s chat. I’d love to help you understand your options, crunch the numbers, and build a plan that gets you confidently across the finish line—keys in hand.
Mortgage Registration 101: What You Need to Know About Standard vs. Collateral Charges When you’re setting up a mortgage, it’s easy to focus on the rate and monthly payment—but what about how your mortgage is registered? Most borrowers don’t realize this, but there are two common ways your lender can register your mortgage: as a standard charge or a collateral charge . And that choice can affect your flexibility, future borrowing power, and even your ability to switch lenders. Let’s break down what each option means—without the legal jargon. What Is a Standard Charge Mortgage? Think of this as the “traditional” mortgage. With a standard charge, your lender registers exactly what you’ve borrowed on the property title. Nothing more. Nothing hidden. Just the principal amount of your mortgage. Here’s why that matters: When your mortgage term is up, you can usually switch to another lender easily —often without legal fees, as long as your terms stay the same. If you want to borrow more money down the line (for example, for renovations or debt consolidation), you’ll need to requalify and break your current mortgage , which can come with penalties and legal costs. It’s straightforward, transparent, and offers more freedom to shop around at renewal time. What Is a Collateral Charge Mortgage? This is a more flexible—but also more complex—type of mortgage registration. Instead of registering just the amount you borrow, a collateral charge mortgage registers for a higher amount , often up to 100%–125% of your home’s value . Why? To allow you to borrow additional funds in the future without redoing your mortgage. Here’s the upside: If your home’s value goes up or you need access to funds, a collateral charge mortgage may let you re-borrow more easily (if you qualify). It can bundle other credit products—like a line of credit or personal loan—into one master agreement. But there are trade-offs: You can’t switch lenders at renewal without hiring a lawyer and paying legal fees to discharge the mortgage. It may limit your ability to get a second mortgage with another lender because the original lender is registered for a higher amount than you actually owe. Which One Should You Choose? The answer depends on what matters more to you: flexibility in future borrowing , or freedom to shop around for better rates at renewal. Why Talk to a Mortgage Broker? This kind of decision shouldn’t be made by default—or by what a single lender offers. An independent mortgage professional can help you: Understand how your mortgage is registered (most people never ask!) Compare lenders that offer both options Make sure your mortgage aligns with your future goals—not just today’s needs We look at your full financial picture and explain the fine print so you can move forward with confidence—not surprises. Have questions? Let’s talk. Whether you’re renewing, refinancing, or buying for the first time, I’m here to help you make smart, informed choices about your mortgage. No pressure—just answers.
