In a Manulife survey in 2011, almost 2 out of 3 respondents failed to compare mortgage products and rates from various lenders when their mortgage came up for renewal.  Not knowing what your options are could cost you thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars in extra interest and fees.

Here are some things you should know about mortgage renewals...

When you're writing out your New Year's resolutions this year, why not add "improve my credit score" to your list?  By including a resolution to improve your personal financial literacy, you will not only be boosting your credit score, but will also be putting yourself in a much stronger financial position when it comes to getting better rates on future credit and helping you buy a home.  Follow these small steps below to get you started on your way...

One of the first steps in buying a new home is to take a realistic look at what you can afford and how you are going to pay for it. If you are like most people, you will probably have to finance your home purchase with a mortgage loan.

What is a mortgage....