So, you’ve finally decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and buy your own home… how exciting! You are ready to fulfill your dream of having a place to call your own.Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you’ll ever make. Prepare by learning about the process of homebuying and the responsibilities of homeownership. The differences between renting and buying a home are vast, and there’s a long list of pros and cons for both options. And, remember — there is no one best decision for everyone. Before moving forward, though, here are some questions to consider.
There are pros and cons for both renting and buying. Everyone must make his or her own best decision. Buying a home is not for everyone. Take a moment to think through the advantages and disadvantages of both owning and renting. Use this worksheet to guide you. Read over your completed worksheet and then think carefully. Are the advantages of owning your home really bigger than the advantages of renting? Are the disadvantages of owning your own home really smaller than the disadvantages of renting? If homeownership is for you, you must be both financially and emotionally ready. Buying a home isn’t only about money. You should listen to your heart… and take an honest look at your lifestyle. Videos Take a look at some other people’s experience of homebuying.
Posted By : Robb Nelson FamilyLending.ca |
Tag Archives: Home Ownership
Home Prices Rise for Second Consecutive Month: Teranet
According to the latest numbers the correction of housing prices late in 2010 seems to have been a short-lived phenomenon, as for the second consecutive month prices increased overall in four of six Canadian metropolitan markets.
Canadian home prices in January were up 0.4 per cent from the previous month, according to the Teranet–National Bank National Composite House Price Index. It was the second consecutive monthly rise, following on three consecutive monthly declines. January prices were up from the previous month in four of the six metropolitan markets surveyed: 0.9 per cent in Vancouver, 0.5 per cent in Toronto, 0.4 per cent in Halifax and 0.3 per cent in Montreal. Prices were down 0.6 per cent in Ottawa, a fifth straight monthly decline, and one per cent in Calgary, a fifth decline in six months.
“January’s price increase confirms that the correction experienced towards the end of 2010 was short-lived,” said Marc Pinsonneault, senior economist with National Bank Financial Group. “In fact, market correction is now a local phenomenon (Ottawa and Calgary). At the national level, January’s prices were still one per cent below those in August 2010, but they were 5.5 per cent above their pre-recession peak.”
The 12-month gain in the composite index slowed to 3.9 per cent in January, the seventh consecutive month of deceleration. The largest 12-month rise was 8.2 per cent in Halifax. The 12-month increase was 6.4 per cent in Montreal, 5.3 per cent in Ottawa, 5.1 per cent in Vancouver and 3.9 per cent in Toronto. Only in Calgary were prices down from a year earlier, by 3.4 per cent.
Data for February from the Canadian Real Estate Association show generally balanced conditions in major urban markets. Relative to the average, conditions in Calgary were better for buyers and conditions in Vancouver better for sellers, a finding consistent with the movement of the Teranet–National Bank indices for these markets. The Toronto market is no longer tightening. Between January 17, when the federal minister of finance announced that the maximum amortization period for an insured mortgage would be reduced to 30 years from 35 years, and March 18, the announced effective date, the resale market may have been influenced by the prospect of this change.
According to Pinsonneault, market conditions are currently balanced in Canada. However the situation differs among regions. Conditions look somewhat tight in Vancouver and Toronto, while they are still favourable to buyers in Calgary. While house prices are high relative to income and rents, and a reduction in the maximum amortization period for insured mortgages from 35 to 30 years took effect recently, “there is no perspective of a sudden and severe price correction in Canada, given the fact that employment is well into expansion territory,” said Pinsonneault.
Source MortgageBrokerNews.ca
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Here Is A Method That Is Helping Home Owners Save Thousands On Their Mortgage
There is an age old debate that exists in the mortgage industry. This debate is centered on what entity is the best mortgage provider. Some argue that it is the major banks that are the best option, while others are convinced that the mortgage broker industry is the best bet.
The reality is that the average person has limited to no knowledge of the mortgage industry. As a result of this, they may believe that there are no differences between banks and mortgage brokers and the mortgage products that they offer.
In fact, it is no secret that sometimes the mortgage broker industry is looked upon as a sub par option when compared to major banks. Unfortunately, the general public has a misconception that mortgage brokers are not looking out for the best interest of their customers. This friends, could not be further from the truth.
I can tell you from my first hand experience that obtaining a mortgage through a mortgage broker, in most cases is the best option versus obtaining a mortgage through a chartered bank. Here is the reason why:
Mortgage Brokers Work With Multiple Lenders
Mortgage Brokers like FamilyLending.ca have established relationships with multiple mortgage lenders. It is not uncommon for a mortgage broker to know and work with 40 or more different lenders. These lenders can be major banks, medium sized mortgage companies, or new, up and coming private mortgage lenders. Because the mortgage broker, in this case FamilyLending.ca, has multiple relationships with a variety of lenders, they also have the ability to pick and chose mortgage interest rates and mortgage terms for their customers.
Mortgage Interest Rates Offered By Banks
If a customer obtains a mortgage from a bank, the bank is going to offer this customer their available rates on their mortgage products. If the customer is not happy with the rate offered, and they are proactive enough to make a request for a reduced rate, chances are they may obtain a slight discount on the interest rate. Please note though that just because the customer asks for the discount here does not necessarily mean that they will obtain it.
Mortgage Interest Rates Offered By Mortgage Brokers
Due to the fact that Mortgage Brokers work with a large network of lenders, this allows them to have more flexibility when picking an interest rate for their customers. For example, if a customer asks to have the most competitive mortgage interest rate currently available, chances are that the mortgage broker will be able to deliver on this for their customer. This is simply achieved by the mortgage broker surveying their existing lenders in order to see who has the most competitive interest rate offer. Once it is determined which lender has the desired interest rate for the customer, the mortgage would be set up through this particular lender.
Mortgage Terms Offered By Banks
The mortgage terms offered by banks are pretty much set in stone. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Banks are very much set on their ways and don’t easily deviate from their business strategies. However, what this does mean is that there is very little to no flexibility at all when it comes to adjusting the mortgage terms. Examples of mortgage terms would be things such as the maximum amortization allowed on a mortgage. Most recently in Canada the maximum amortization length of a mortgage was reduced from 35 years to 30 years on March 18th 2011. As a result, this means that most, if not all of the major banks in Canada will only be offering a maximum amortization of 30 years. This is done by the banks in order to keep in line with the rule changes implemented by the Government.
Mortgage Terms Offered By Mortgage Brokers
Again, due to the fact that Mortgage Brokers work with many different lenders, this means that they also have many different options in picking the appropriate mortgage terms for their customers. For example, in using the example above, if a customer requests a mortgage amortization length longer than 30 years, chances are that the Mortgage Broker can deliver on this for their customer. The Mortgage Broker is not limited to selecting the mortgage products for their customers from traditional lenders such as banks. Therefore, they may choose to obtain the mortgage for their customer from a lender that offers amortization periods longer than 30 years. There are still some lenders out there that are offering up to 40-year mortgages, despite the mortgage rule changes that occurred on March 18th 2011.
Overall, I am personally a fan of obtaining mortgages through Mortgage Brokers. The majority of the mortgages that I have obtained have been through mortgage brokers, and I have been very happy with my decision regarding this. I can confidently say that mortgage brokers have helped to save me thousands of dollars. Not to mention, their advice has been instrumental in helping me to make thousands as well.
Best Regards,
Neil Uttamsingh
Neil Uttamsingh is the President of First Rental Property. He provides knowledge and confidence to individuals looking to buy their first rental property. Follow Neil’s blog @ www.firstrentalproperty.com
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