Straight answers about your mortgage.
A tailored mortgage solution for every client, built to reach your goals today with your future in mind. Whether it's your first home, a renewal, or your next investment property, I break down your options in plain language and structure your mortgage so it keeps working for you long after closing.
Mortgage Agent | Vine Group | Brokerage Licence #13511
Smith Manoeuvre Certified Professional (SMCP)
What I help with
Buying, renewing and refinancing
Pre-approvals
Know your real budget before you start viewing homes, with a full breakdown of how mortgages work and a setup that makes sense for your financial goals.
Purchases
Once you've found the place, I line up the right lender and walk you through every step from accepted offer to getting your keys.
Renewals
Your lender's renewal offer compared against the market before you sign, so you only stay if staying is your best deal.
Refinancing
Lower payments, debt consolidation, or equity for renovations and investing, with the costs and penalties laid out first.
Home equity lines of credit
Access to your home's equity when you need it, ensuring your HELOC makes sense not only for today but for your future mortgage strategy.
Private mortgages
Short-term financing when a bank has said no, paired with a clear plan to get you back to a traditional lender.
Investing and wealth strategies
Rental and investment properties
Financing for your first rental or your fifth, and a plan for using the equity you've built to grow your portfolio.
The Smith Manoeuvre
Restructuring your mortgage so, over time, the interest you pay becomes tax-deductible investment interest. Planned alongside my Vine Wealth partner and your accountant.
Cash damming
For rental owners: your rental income goes toward paying down your home mortgage faster, while rental expenses are paid from a line of credit. Non-deductible debt gradually becomes deductible. Planned alongside my Vine Wealth partner and your accountant.
Offset mortgages
Your mortgage and everyday banking linked in one account, so every dollar you deposit reduces the balance you're paying interest on.
How it works
Intro call
A quick conversation about where you are in your real estate journey and what matters most to you in a mortgage. I'll walk you through how the application process works and answer all your questions. No obligation.
Full mortgage analysis
A complete breakdown of your options with everything that matters in mind: your monthly payments, cash flow, affordability, lender eligibility, and most importantly, your overall mortgage strategy.
A purchase or refinance with full clarity
I handle the lender, the paperwork, and the deadlines. You know what's happening at every step, and nothing comes as a surprise.
Ongoing monitoring and advanced strategy
Every client's mortgage is enrolled in free daily monitoring, so it keeps working for you long after closing. If you'd like to go further, I can also introduce you to my Vine Wealth partner for advanced strategies.
Your mortgage, checked every day.
After you close, my mortgage monitoring tool keeps working for you. Every single day, it checks whether a change to your mortgage could put money back in your pocket.
When breaking your mortgage early would actually save you money after penalties, you'll hear from me. The same goes for lowering your monthly payment, paying your mortgage off sooner, or adjusting your strategy when life changes.
- Save interest by breaking early Checked today
- Lower your monthly payment Checked today
- Pay off your mortgage sooner Checked today
- Adjust for a life change Checked today
You'll be contacted only when there's a real opportunity.
About Mike
Mike Schinas is a proud Etobicoke resident whose deep roots in the community have shaped his thriving career in real estate finance. Having grown up immersed in the neighbourhood, Mike built lasting relationships through his family-owned restaurant, a local gathering place that connected him with generations of families, business owners, and investors.
Those early relationships developed into a trusted network and a deep understanding of the local market, which Mike now applies to help clients confidently navigate one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. Mentored by respected industry leaders, Mike approaches every mortgage with a strategic mindset, focusing not just on securing financing, but on positioning his clients to come out ahead in any market cycle.
With a passion for turning homebuyers into long-term investors, Mike helps clients think beyond the purchase and build real wealth through smart mortgage structuring and forward-looking strategy. As a Smith Manoeuvre Certified Professional (SMCP), he can also show eligible homeowners how to restructure their mortgage so the interest becomes tax-deductible over time. His personalized, education-first approach has earned him a trusted reputation as a mortgage advisor who puts clarity, confidence, and client outcomes first.
What clients say
Elaine M.RealtorI recently had the pleasure of working on a transaction with Mike Schinas from Vine Group, and I have to say the experience was fantastic. As a realtor, I was thoroughly impressed with how Mike works with first-time home buyers. He leaves no questions unanswered, and his follow-up is absolutely stellar. When working with brokers, it is really important for me that whoever is servicing my clients does so with the same level of care. He is extremely responsive, knowledgeable, and service-oriented. 5-star experience for myself and my client!
Tayia S.Working with Mike Schinas was an absolute pleasure! He not only guided me through the entire mortgage process but took the time to explain everything in a way that made sense to me. What stood out most was his personal approach—he treated me like a friend he wanted to see succeed, not just another client. Mike was always available, patiently answering all my questions and making sure I felt confident every step of the way. If you're searching for a mortgage broker who brings expertise and a genuine commitment to your success, look no further than Mike!
Valerie G.RealtorWorking with Michael Schinas has been an outstanding experience for both us and our clients. As a realtor, it's crucial to have a mortgage broker who is not only knowledgeable but also dedicated to ensuring smooth transactions. Michael has consistently delivered on both fronts.
His expertise and proactive approach have been invaluable in helping our clients get approved for mortgages on the properties we help them purchase. Michael's ability to navigate complex financial scenarios and provide clear, actionable advice has made a significant difference in our clients' home-buying journeys... We highly recommend Michael Schinas to anyone seeking a reliable and skilled mortgage broker.
A.Mike Schinas was incredible to work with! From day one, he was upfront, honest, and genuinely had our best interests at heart... He encouraged us to shop around and check with banks directly... no pressure, just honest advice.
He went above and beyond throughout the entire process. On offer night, we called him at 10 PM... he didn’t hesitate to jump on the call...
If you want a mortgage broker who is knowledgeable, responsive, and truly puts his clients first, Mike is the one. We’re beyond grateful for his support and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone!
Olumide B.First-time homebuyerIt was such a pleasure working with Mike Schinas, Yanni Schinas, and the rest of the team, including Marta Marroquin. As first-time homebuyers, we were often overwhelmed because so much of the process was new to us. At one point, we even thought about stepping away. But Mike and his team stayed calm and level-headed throughout.
They always had solutions for every challenge we faced, and with their support, our confidence grew. In the end, we were able to close with a fantastic rate, and we’re so grateful for that.
Working with Vine Group made all the difference, and we’re thankful we had them by our side.
Alexis B.First-time homebuyerMy fiance Skyler and I were first time homeowners and had the pleasure of Michael as our mortgage broker.
He was so patient, thorough, helpful and professional and was able to make the task of buying our first home quite smooth.
I would highly recommend Michael to anyone looking to purchase a home.
Thank you so much Mike!
Vanessa C.Mike Schinas is the best! He found me an amazing rate for my mortgage. He was also extremely friendly, helpful and responsive. He was always willing to jump on a call whenever necessary to answer any questions. Highly recommend!
Anthony A.Mike Schinas is an excellent mortgage agent who has a long and successful career ahead of him. Mike's communication, cleverness, and quality of service are top-tier, and I will continue to recommend him to as many people as possible. 10/10!
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Questions people ask
What's the minimum down payment?
For a home you'll live in, it's 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the portion between $500,000 and $1.5 million. For example, an $800,000 home needs at least $55,000 down. Homes priced at $1.5 million or more need at least 20%. If you put down less than 20%, you'll also need mortgage default insurance, which is added to your mortgage. Investment properties you won't live in typically need 20% down. I'll show you how different down payment amounts change your monthly payment and total cost.
Should I just renew with my bank?
It's possible that renewing with your bank is your best option. The only way to know for sure is to run a full mortgage analysis and weigh it against everything else available to you, from rate and payments to prepayment privileges and how the mortgage fits your long-term plans. If staying put comes out ahead, I'll tell you. If it doesn't, you'll see exactly why before you decide.
Will a pre-approval affect my credit?
A pre-approval does require a credit check. Lenders need to see your credit score and history to confirm you qualify, what rate you're eligible for, and how your existing debts affect how much you can borrow. The check may lower your score slightly for a short time, and I'll always let you know before I pull it.
Working with me means that one credit check can usually be used to compare options across many lenders, instead of each bank you visit pulling it separately. You'll also get a full breakdown of what's on your report, how it shapes your borrowing power, and what, if anything, could be improved to get you a better result, so you walk into your home search knowing exactly where you stand.
Is the Smith Manoeuvre right for me?
The Smith Manoeuvre is a strategy that gradually converts your mortgage from non-deductible debt into tax-deductible investment debt. Your mortgage is set up with a readvanceable line of credit, so every time a payment reduces your principal, that same amount becomes available to borrow and invest. Because the borrowed money is used to invest, the interest on it may be tax-deductible, and the tax refunds it creates can go straight back onto your mortgage to pay it down faster.
It tends to work best for homeowners with steady income, a long-term outlook, and comfort investing with borrowed money, since investments can go down as well as up. On an intro call, we'll look at your income, your mortgage, and your goals to see whether it makes sense for you, and what the numbers could look like over time.
How early should I reach out?
Earlier is always better. If you're buying, reach out before you start viewing homes. A pre-approval tells you your real budget and helps you make offers with confidence. If you're planning a purchase six months to a year out, we can also map out your down payment and credit so you're in the strongest position when the time comes.
For a renewal, aim for about four to six months before your term ends. That gives us time to compare your lender's offer against the market instead of signing whatever arrives in the mail. And if you're thinking about a refinance, tapping into equity, or a strategy like the Smith Manoeuvre, there's no wrong time to start the conversation.
Book a call
Pick a time that works for you. Fifteen minutes is usually enough to know whether I can help.