Tag Archives: Cash Back Mortgage

Which is Better? RRSP Loans or Cash Back Mortgages

Have you made your RRSP contribution yet? This year’s deadline is February 29th, so don’t wait too long. Contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) can have a major impact on your financial situation, saving you hundreds on your annual tax statement. And that’s just the beginning! Budget-savvy individuals will also enjoy the long-term growth of their investment.

Unfortunately, finding the money to invest in an RRSP isn’t always easy. According to a recent report from the Investor’s Group, it’s estimated that nearly 58% of Canadian’s won’t invest in their RRSP this year because there simply isn’t enough money left after paying for basic living expenses.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, now’s the time to consider a cash back mortgage or an RRSP loan. Both will help you free up extra capital to cover expenses, but in very different ways. Here’s what you need to know in order to make a well-educated decision. Continue reading →

Should You Use Your RRSP To Buy Your First Home?

Purchasing your first home can be tough, especially when it comes to scrounging up a sizable down payment. In Canada, you must be able to cough up a 20% down payment in order to avoid purchasing costly mortgage insurance. If you’re struggling to find enough cash to meet this requirement, don’t throw in the towel quite yet. Under the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), first time home buyers in Canada can borrow up to $25,000 tax free from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) in order to help with their down payment and lower their monthly mortgage requirements. Continue reading →

Things to Consider Before Buying a House

Buying a home is a big investment – both financially and emotionally. Make sure you’re properly prepared by considering the following things prior to submitting a purchase offer.

Your Credit Rating
If you aren’t aware of your credit rating, now is the perfect time to do a little investigating. Making sure your finances are in order is probably the most important step you’ll need to take prior to purchasing a home. Your credit report will play an important role in the mortgage approval process, plus it will also help determine many of your mortgage terms, including the all important interest rate.

Mortgage Types
There are numerous laws and options associated with mortgages. While you don’t need to know all the ins and outs of the mortgage process (there are lawyers for that!) it is important that you understand the different options available to you. From fixed rates to variable arrangements, there are lots of things to consider when deciding on a lender. A professional mortgage broker can help you narrow down your options, but ultimately it’s up to you to determine which lender is best for your needs.

Mortgage Pre-Approval

Being pre-approved for a mortgage can be a huge advantage to any home buyer. Not only does a mortgage pre-approval allow you to better understand and set your budget, it also gives you an advantage when putting in an offer on a property. Sellers have a tendency to favour offers accompanied by proof that a buyer has a mortgage pre-approval from their bank or lender. This shows there is one less obstacle in the transaction process, and could give you the edge to successfully purchasing the home or property you want.

Needs, Wants, and Real Estate Agents

Before you even start looking for homes, sit down and create a well-defined list of needs and wants. Clearly knowing what you need in a home, what you want, and what you get within your budget, will help you and your realtor find an ideal property. Speaking of realtors; before hiring a real estate agent, take the time to understand the particular duties, loyalties, and roles a real estate agent should, and will play in the home buying process

How to Find Your Home

Today, the most obvious tool available in the home search adventure is the internet. There are dozens of quality home search websites in North America that will put photos, amenities, and prices at your fingertips. Just because the Internet is convenient, doesn’t mean you should neglect “old fashioned” methods like driving to visit neighbourhoods, flipping through newspaper ads and classifieds, or grabbing a local real estate magazine.

Time to Make an Offer

One of the most stressful moments for any home buyer is putting in an offer. You’ve got a mortgage pre-approval, you’ve found a home you love; now it’s time to put your money on the table, and sign the papers. As a standard feature to any offer, it’s important to include a home inspection. This protects you against any hidden issues with the structure and construction of a home. Similarly, when it comes to navigating what can often be a long and confusing contract, be sure to have the paperwork checked over by your real estate agent and a lawyer.

Buying a home can be a long and stress-filled event, but if you follow these tips, and do your research before buying a home, you’ll be well prepared, and find a property that meets your unique needs and wants.

Call the Knowledgeable Staff at FamilyLending.ca today to learn more 866-941-6678

Chantielle Kennedy writer for FamilyLending.ca

First-time Home Buyer Help: Mortgage Pre-Approvals and Down Payment Options

 

First-time Home Buyer Help: Mortgage Pre-approvals and Down Payment Options

Purchasing your first home can be a stressful experience. From listings to viewings, paperwork to inspections, there are a lot of things that first-time home buyers need to think about prior to making an offer on a potential home. Luckily, the mortgage brokers at FamilyLending.ca are here to help make your first time-home buying experience as easy as possible. This includes providing you with expert financial advice and assistance on the FamilyLending.ca blog. Today on the blog, we’ll help you understand the importance of mortgage pre-approval, as well as discuss the different types of down payment options available to first-time home buyers.

The Many Benefits of Mortgage Pre-approval

Securing a mortgage pre-approval is an important first step before purchasing your new home. Taking the time to obtain a pre-approval will demonstrate to sellers and realtors that you are a serious buyer, and could potentially help you during purchase negotiations.

A mortgage pre-approval will also help you set a realistic budget for your house hunt. This is because a mortgage pre-approval will tell you exactly how much money you can spend on your new home and what your mortgage payments will be. A mortgage pre-approval also allows you to lock in your interest rate for up to 120 days. With interest rates on the rise, it’s only logical that first-time home buyers should complete the mortgage pre-approval process as soon as possible.

Get A Mortgage Pre-Approval Now

Securing a mortgage pre-approval is easier than you think. The mortgage brokers at FamilyLending.ca can help get you pre-approved today – simply fill out our online mortgage pre-approval questionnaire to get the ball rolling.

Deciding on a Down Payment

There are many different down payment offers available to first-time home buyers. The following are three popular down payment options:

  • A Conventional Mortgage A conventional mortgage requires a down payment of at least 20% and involves either a fixed or variable interest rate. Conventional mortgages are the most affordable option since they don’t have to be insured against default.
  • Low Down Payment Insured Mortgage Don’t have a large down payment, but still want to buy a house? Then consider applying for a low down payment insured mortgage. Many lenders now offered this type of financing for both new and resale homes. These mortgages have a much lower down payment requirement than conventional mortgages – some are as low as 5%! The one big drawback to low down payment mortgages is that they must be insured to cover potential default of payment. These insurance premiums can be quite high, resulting in a higher carrying cost than that of a conventional mortgage.
  • Cash Back Mortgage

There are options where you may receive a Cash Back option to your mortgage. This type of mortgage allows the buyer to have as little as the closing costs and 1% down payment. They tend to carry a little higher interest rate (about 1 % higher than best rates). There are other options than using cash back mortgages and best to consult with your mortgage broker.

 

  • Using Your RRSP as a Down Payment The federal government’s Home Buyer’s Plan allows first-time home buyers to use up to $25,000 per person in RRSP savings for a down payment on a home. This means that a couple can pull a total of $50,000 from their RRSP to help fund their first home. This withdrawal is not taxable, provided you repay it within a 15-year period. To qualify, the funds you plan to use must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days.

Talk to our Agents at Family Lending Financial for any of your RRSP questions or needs today!

Mortgage pre-approvals and down payment decisions are just a few of the factors you’ll have to consider when purchasing your first home. For more first-time home buyer help, consult with a FamilyLending.ca  mortgage broker.

At FamilyLending.ca we do more than help with your financing, we make the whole home hunting process easier.

 

Chantielle Kennedy writer for Familylending.ca