ANDREW MACRAE

Mortgage experience you can rely on

Creative Mortgage Solutions & Exceptional Service
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Mortgage financing can be frustrating

It doesn't have to be with these 3 easy steps

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The best place to start is to connect with me directly. The mortgage process is personal. My commitment is to listen to all your needs, assess your financial situation, and provide you with a clear plan forward.

Get a clear plan

Sorting through all the different mortgage lenders, rates, terms, and features can be overwhelming. Let me cut through the noise, I'll outline the best mortgage products available with your needs in mind.

Let me handle the details

When it comes time for arranging your mortgage, trust that I will make it happen. I'll make sure you know exactly where you stand at all times. No surprises. I've got you covered.


Everything you need, all in one place

As a trusted mortgage provider, I can help you with the following:

  • Home Purchase
  • Mortgage Refinance
  • Mortgage Renewals
  • First Time Home Buyers
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Are you ready to buy a new home, refinance, or renew an existing mortgage? Start your application now.


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Andrew Macrae

Founding Partner / Mortgage Expert

ANDREW MACRAE

Thanks for visiting my website, I’m a partner and mortgage professional with Bluetree Mortgages WEST, working out of Kelowna since 2009. My office is located near the city centre on Clement Avenue however I’m also happy to assist you over the phone or by email, whatever is most convenient.


As a mortgage broker I can provide you with access to a wide range of lenders including banks, trust companies, credit unions and mortgage specific lenders. Once we decide on a structure, my team will source the best rates and terms for approval and coordinate all the lender paperwork on your behalf. In almost all scenarios the lender compensates me directly so you receive the advice and service of a licensed mortgage professional, access to the best available rates, all at no cost to you.


I look forward to helping you with your next mortgage! 

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What people say about working with me
John Doe's Image
My wife and I worked with Andrew to purchase our second home. Not being the most experienced or savvy home buyer, I came with a lot of questions, and needed a great deal of guidance. Andrew always took the time to thoughtfully explain every aspect of the mortgage process. No question was too silly, and his recommendations were always in our best interest. There was never a moment where we didn’t feel completely cared for. Highly recommended. Thank you Andrew!

Brad Marshall

John Doe's Image
We’ve had the pleasure of dealing with Andrew for three mortgages.  We wouldn’t even consider going elsewhere and certainly not to a bank.  He works tirelessly to get us the best rate possible with the best possible terms.  He’s professional, reliable, courteous, confidential, and efficient and as an added bonus when we sign papers we often get to snuggle with his coolest dog ever, Morten .  We’ve been so confident working with Andrew we referred him to our kids who have also used his services twice! Thank you again Andrew for your excellent work!

Leslie and Barry Smith

John Doe's Image
My wife and I feel fortunate to have  had Andrew  broker several mortgage transactions for us. I  recommend Andrew as a highly knowledgeable and competent mortgage broker. He is  experienced, has strong relationships within his profession and understands the fine points of the real estate trends, market values and financing options. He is  thorough and  works  hard to ensure his client`s interests are well looked after.

 Calvin and Tamara Kettner

Articles

By Andrew Macrae July 8, 2025
The idea of owning a vacation home—your own cozy escape from everyday life—is a dream many Canadians share. Whether it’s a lakeside cabin, a ski chalet, or a beachside bungalow, a second property can add lifestyle value, rental income, and long-term wealth. But before you jump into vacation home ownership, it’s important to think through the details—both financial and practical. Start With Your 5- and 10-Year Plan Before you get swept away by the perfect view or your dream destination, take a step back and ask yourself: Will you use it enough to justify the cost? Are there other financial goals that take priority right now? What’s the opportunity cost of tying up your money in a second home? Owning a vacation home can be incredibly rewarding, but it should fit comfortably within your long-term financial goals—not compete with them. Financing a Vacation Property: What to Consider If you don’t plan to pay cash, then financing your vacation home will be your next major step. Mortgage rules for second properties are more complex than those for your primary residence, so here’s what to think about: 1. Do You Have Enough for a Down Payment? Depending on the type of property and how you plan to use it, down payment requirements typically range from 5% to 20%+ . Factors like whether the property is winterized, the purchase price, and its location all come into play. 2. Can You Afford the Additional Debt? Lenders will calculate your Gross Debt Service (GDS) and Total Debt Service (TDS) ratios to assess whether you can take on a second mortgage. GDS: Should not exceed 39% of your income TDS: Should not exceed 44% If you’re not sure how to calculate these, that’s where I can help! 3. Is the Property Mortgage-Eligible? Remote or non-winterized properties, or those located outside of Canada, may not qualify for traditional mortgage financing. In these cases, we may need to look at creative lending solutions . 4. Owner-Occupied or Investment Property? Whether you’ll live in the home occasionally, rent it out, or use it strictly as an investment affects what type of financing you’ll need and what your tax implications might be. Location, Location… Logistics Choosing the right vacation property is more than just finding a beautiful setting. Consider: Current and future development in the area Available municipal services (sewer, water, road maintenance) Transportation access – how easy is it to get to your vacation home in all seasons? Resale value and long-term potential Seasonal access or weather challenges What Happens When You’re Not There? Unless you plan to live there full-time, you'll need to consider: Will you rent it out for extra income? Will you hire a property manager or rely on family/friends? What’s required to maintain valid home insurance while it’s vacant? Planning ahead will protect your investment and give you peace of mind while you’re away. Not Sure Where to Start? I’ve Got You Covered. Buying a vacation home is exciting—but it can also be complicated. As a mortgage broker, I can help you: Understand your financial readiness Calculate your GDS/TDS ratios Review down payment and lending requirements Explore creative solutions like second mortgages , reverse mortgages , or alternative lenders Whether you’re just starting to dream or ready to take action, let’s build a plan that gets you one step closer to your ideal getaway. Reach out today—it would be a pleasure to work with you.
By Andrew Macrae July 3, 2025
With the latest stats claiming that about half of marriages end in divorce and with around three-quarters of Canadians being homeowners, it’s important to know how to handle your mortgage if you decide to separate. Here’s a quick list of things to consider. Keep making your payments. A mortgage is a legally binding contract between you and the lender. It doesn’t take marriage into account. If your name appears on the mortgage, you're responsible for making sure the regular payments are made. A marital breakdown does not give you an excuse not to make your mortgage payments. If, during your marriage, you've relied on your spouse to make the mortgage payments and you aren’t certain payments are being made after separating, it's in your best interest to contact the lender directly to verify your mortgage is being paid. If payments aren't being made, it could affect your credit score or worse; the lender could start foreclosure proceedings. There is always a financial cost to break your mortgage. When working through how to split your finances, you decided to either refinance your mortgage, remove someone from the title, or sell the property, keep in mind that you will incur legal costs. If you’re in the middle of a term, the penalty for breaking your mortgage might be significant, especially if you have a fixed-rate mortgage. It’s certainly worth contacting your mortgage lender directly to verify the cost of breaking your mortgage. Having that information accessible when writing out your separation agreement will provide increased clarity. Listing your marital status as separated or divorced. When completing a mortgage application for securing new mortgage financing, when you list your marital status as separated or divorced, you can expect that a lender will want to see your legal separation agreement or your divorce papers. The lender wants to make sure you aren’t responsible for support payments. So if you haven’t finalized the paperwork, expect delays in securing mortgage financing. It could be harder to qualify for a new mortgage. With the separation of assets also comes the separation of incomes. If you qualified for your existing mortgage on a double income, you might find it hard to maintain the same quality of lifestyle post-separation. This is where careful planning comes in. Working closely with your independent mortgage professional will ensure you understand exactly where you stand. You’ll want to put together a plan for how to handle the mortgage on the matrimonial home. Purchasing the matrimonial home from your ex. There are special considerations given to people going through a separation to buy out the matrimonial home. Instead of looking at the transaction like a refinance where you can only borrow up to 80% of the property’s value, lenders will consider one spouse buying out the other up to a 95% loan to value ratio. This comes in handy when dividing assets and liabilities. Navigating the ins and outs of mortgage financing isn’t something you have to do alone. If you're going through a separation and you’d like to discuss all your mortgage options, please connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to walk you through the process.
By Andrew Macrae June 20, 2025
If you’re a first-time homebuyer eyeing a new build or major renovation, there's encouraging news that could make homeownership significantly more affordable. The federal government has proposed a new GST rebate aimed at easing the financial burden for Canadians entering the housing market. While still awaiting parliamentary approval, the proposed legislation offers the potential for thousands in savings —and could be a game-changer for buyers trying to break into today’s high-cost housing landscape. What’s Being Proposed? Under the new legislation, eligible first-time homebuyers would receive: A full GST rebate on homes priced up to $1 million A partial GST rebate on homes between $1 million and $1.5 million This could mean up to $50,000 in tax savings on a qualifying home—a major boost for anyone working hard to save for a down payment or meet mortgage qualification requirements. Why This Matters With interest rates still elevated and home prices holding steady in many regions, affordability remains a challenge. This rebate could offer meaningful relief in several ways: Lower Upfront Costs: Removing GST from the purchase price reduces the total amount of money buyers need to save before closing. Smaller Monthly Payments: A lower purchase price leads to a smaller mortgage, which translates to more manageable monthly payments. Improved Mortgage Qualification: With a reduced purchase amount, buyers may find it easier to meet lender criteria. According to recent estimates, a homebuyer purchasing a $1 million new home could see monthly mortgage payments drop by around $240 —money that could go toward savings, home improvements, or simply everyday expenses. Helping Families Help Each Other This proposal also offers a win for parents who are supporting their children in buying a first home. Whether through gifted down payments or co-signing, a lower purchase price and more affordable monthly costs mean that family support can go further—and set first-time buyers up for long-term success. Is This the Right Time to Buy? If you’re thinking about buying a new or substantially renovated home, this proposed rebate could dramatically improve your financial position. Now is the perfect time to explore your options and make sure your mortgage strategy is aligned with potential policy changes. 📞 Let’s connect for a free mortgage review or pre-approval. Whether you’re buying your first home or helping someone else take that first step, I’m here to help you make informed, confident decisions.
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