First-Time Home Buyers2023-02-18T02:54:25-05:00

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS

First-time home buyers

Thinking about buying your first property?

Tired of passing your hard-earned rent over to your landlord? Maybe you’ve built up some savings, or have been offered a generous gift, allowing you to make a down payment for your own property. Buying your first home should be fun and exciting. It is also a substantial financial undertaking and likely the largest investment you will have made to date. No matter what your situation is, we help simplify the buying process and worry about all the financing details so you can get down to finding just the right property as fast as possible.

Be sure to get pre-approved first and you can lock in your rate!

Each mortgage application is different. We can help you figure out the numbers so you can make an educated purchasing decision and strengthen your bargaining power with the seller. You and your local real estate agent will know exactly how much you can comfortably afford along with the assurance of a locked in rate – all at no cost to you.

RELATED SERVICES

mortgage pre-approval

Mortgage pre-approval

Find out how much you can afford for your home purchase. A mortgage pre-approval is an important step in the home buying process and we can help you out. We can help with your financial strategy, your mortgage amount, down payment amount, purchase price and give you an overall idea of what you can realistically afford.

New to Canada

New to Canada

Most lenders have policies in place which can accommodate clients who have immigrated to Canada within the last 36 months and who are looking for an insured mortgage. We can connect you with those lenders and incentives to help you get settled.

Investment/Rental

Investment properties

Real estate is a very attractive investment choice in Canada. Whether you’re looking to support your mortgage with rental income on a condo property, or profit on a desirable seasonal rental through online bookings, Team Brantford would love to discuss options and strategies for the financing you require for your income property.

RELATED MORTGAGE CALCULATORS  (Select one below)

RELATED QUESTIONS

What are the monthly costs of owning a home?2019-04-01T14:40:48-04:00

Needless to say, you’ll have financial responsibilities as a home owner. Some of them, like taxes, may not be billed monthly, so do the calculations to break them down into monthly costs. Below you will find a list of these expenses.

  • The mortgage payment: For most home buyers, this is the largest monthly expense. The actual amount of the mortgage payment can vary widely since it is based on a number of variables, such as mortgage term or amortization.
  • Property taxes: Property tax can be paid in two ways – remitted directly to the municipality by you, in which case you may be required to periodically show proof of payment to your financial institution; or paid as part of your monthly mortgage payment.
  • School taxes: In some municipalities, these taxes are integrated into the property taxes. In others, they are collected separately and are payable in a single lump sum, usually due at the end of the current school year.
  • Utilities: As a home owner, you’ll be responsible for all utility bills including heating, gas, electricity, water, telephone and cable.
  • Maintenance and upkeep: You will also have to cover the cost of painting, roof repairs, electrical and plumbing, walks and driveway, lawn care and snow removal. A well-maintained property helps to preserve your home’s market value, enhances the neighbourhood and, depending on the kind of renovations you make could add to the worth of your property.
What should the length of my mortgage term be?2019-04-01T14:46:16-04:00

The length of mortgage terms varies widely – from six months right up to ten years. As a rule of thumb, the shorter the term, the lower the interest rate, the longer the term, the higher the rate. While four or five-year mortgages are what most home buyers typically choose, you may consider a short-term mortgage if you have a higher tolerance for risk, if you have time to watch rates or if you are not prepared to make a long-term commitment right now. Before selecting your mortgage term, we suggest you answer the following questions:

  1. Do you plan to sell your house in the short-term without buying another? If so, a short mortgage term may be the best option.
  2. Do you believe that interest rates have bottomed out and are not likely to drop more? If that’s the case, a long mortgage term may be the right choice for you. Similarly, if you think rates are currently high, you may want to opt for a short to medium-length mortgage term hoping that rates drop by the time your term expires.
  3. Are you looking for security as a first-time home buyer? Then you may prefer a longer mortgage term, so that you can budget for, and manage, your monthly expenses.
  4. Are you willing to follow interest rates closely and risk their being increased mortgage payments following a renewal? If that’s the case, a short mortgage term may best suit your needs.
What are the costs associated with buying a home?2019-04-01T14:49:01-04:00

First and foremost, you have to make sure you have enough money for a down payment – the portion of the purchase price that you furnish yourself. To qualify for a conventional mortgage you will need a down payment of 20% or more. However, you can qualify for a low down payment insured mortgage with a down payment as low as 5%.

Secondly, you will require money for closing costs (up to 2.5% of the basic purchase price). If you want to have the home inspected by a professional building inspector – which we highly recommend – you will need to pay an inspection fee. The inspection may bring to light areas where repairs or maintenance are required, and will assure you that the house is structurally sound. Usually the inspector will provide you with a written report. If they don’t, then ask for one.

You will be responsible for paying the fees and disbursements for the lawyer or notary acting for you in the purchase of your home. We suggest you shop around before making your decision on who you are going to use, because fees for these services may vary significantly. There are closing and adjustment costs, interest adjustment costs between buyer and seller and, depending on where you live, land transfer tax – a one-time tax based on a percentage of the purchase price of the property and/or mortgage amount.

Finally, you will be required to have property insurance in place by the closing date. And you will be responsible for the cost of moving. Remember, there will be all kinds of things you’ll have to purchase early on – appliances, garden tools, cleaning materials etc. So factor these expenses into your initial costs.

How can I use my RRSP to help buy my first home?2019-04-08T01:18:36-04:00

Today, about 50% of first-time home buyers use their RRSP savings to help finance a down payment. If you are a first-time home buyer, the Home Buyers Plan (HBP) allows you to withdraw money from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) tax-free to make your down payment. The HBP is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). There are certain conditions you must meet to be eligible for the HBP. For more information, contact the CRA at www.cra.gc.ca.

How much can you withdraw? You can withdraw up to $25,000 from your RRSP. If you buy the home together with your spouse, partner, or someone else, each of you can withdraw up to $25,000, for a total of up to $50,000. The withdrawal from your RRSP does not need to be included in your income on your annual income tax return, and no tax is taken off the money you withdraw.

What is the payback period? You don’t have to start paying back the money to your RRSP until two years after the purchase of the home. You must pay back all withdrawals from your RRSP within 15 years by making RRSP deposits each year, starting the second year following your withdrawal. CRA will determine what your minimum yearly repayment will be, and will notify you once you need to start repaying the amount. If you do not repay the amount due in a given year, it is included in your taxable income for that year and you’ll have to pay income tax on this amount. source: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

How can I acquire a home with as little as 5% down?2019-04-01T14:52:50-04:00

Most lenders now offer insured mortgages for both new and resale homes with lower down payment requirements than conventional mortgages – as low as 5%. Low down payment mortgages must be insured to cover potential default of payment, and their carrying costs are therefore higher than a conventional mortgage because they include the insurance premium. With all low down payment insured mortgages, you are responsible for:

  • appraisal and legal fees
  • an application fee for the insurance
  • the payment of the mortgage default insurance premium (although the amount of the premium may be added to the mortgage amount)
What is a pre-approved mortgage?2019-04-01T14:57:02-04:00

A pre-approved mortgage provides an interest rate guarantee from a lender for a specified period of time (usually up to 120 days), and for a set amount of money. The pre-approval is calculated based on information provided by you and is generally subject to certain conditions being met before the mortgage is finalized. Conditions would usually be things like ‘written employment and income confirmation’ and ‘down payment from your own resources’, for example. Most successful real estate professionals will want to ensure you have a pre-approved mortgage in place before they take you out looking for a home. This is to ensure that they are showing you properties within your affordable price range. In summary, a pre-approved mortgage is one of the first steps a home buyer should take before beginning the buying process.

Can I use gift funds as a down payment?2019-04-01T14:43:35-04:00

Most lenders will accept down payment funds that are a gift from family as an acceptable down payment. A gift letter signed by the donor is usually required to confirm that the funds are a true gift and not a loan. Where the mortgage requires mortgage loan insurance, Canada mortgage and housing corporation (CMHC) requires the gift money to be in the purchaser’s possession before the application is sent in to them for approval. Where mortgage loan insurance is provided by GE Capital, this is not a requirement. See ‘what is mortgage loan insurance?’ for further information.

Can I get a mortgage to purchase a home?2019-04-01T15:00:13-04:00

Subject to qualification, yes you can. In fact, even purchasers with 5% down may qualify to buy a home and make improvements to it. For high-ratio financing, both through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and GE Capital, insured mortgages are available to cover the purchase price of a home as well as an amount to pay for immediate major renovations or improvements that the purchaser may wish to make to the property. This option eliminates the need to finance the renovations or improvements separately. Some conditions apply. Where the improvements are cosmetic, the mortgage loan insurance premium is unchanged from the standard schedule. Where the improvements are deemed to be structural, the mortgage loan insurance premium is increased by .50% over the standard schedule. For information on mortgage loan insurance premiums, see high-ratio home mortgage financing.

How will child support affect mortgage qualification?2019-03-26T12:30:46-04:00

Where child support and alimony are paid by you to another person, generally the amount paid out is deducted from your total income before determining the size of mortgage you will qualify for. Where child support and alimony are received by you from another person, generally the amount paid may be added to your total income before determining the size of mortgage you will qualify for, provided proof of regular receipt is available for a period of time determined by the lender.

How does bankruptcy affect qualification for a mortgage?2019-03-26T12:30:46-04:00

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your bankruptcy, generally some lenders would consider providing mortgage financing.

What is the minimum down payment needed for a home?2019-03-26T12:20:20-04:00

A minimum down payment of 5% is required to purchase a home, subject to certain maximum price restrictions. In addition to the down payment, you must also be able to show that you can cover the applicable closing costs (i.e. legal fees and disbursements, appraisal fees and a survey certificate, where applicable). Regardless of the amount of your down payment, at least 5% of it must be from your own cash resources or a gift from a family member. It cannot be borrowed. Lenders will generally accept a gift from a family member as an acceptable down payment provided a letter stating it is a true gift, not a loan, is signed by the donor. Where the mortgage loan insurance is provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the gift money must be in the your possession before the application is sent in to CMHC for approval. Mortgages with less than 20% down must have mortgage loan insurance provided by either CMHC or GE.

What is a home inspection? Should I have one done?2019-03-26T12:20:20-04:00

A home inspection is a visual examination of the property to determine the overall condition of the home. In the process, the inspector should be checking all major components (roofs, ceilings, walls, floors, foundations, crawl spaces, attics, retaining walls, etc.) and systems (electrical, heating, plumbing, drainage, exterior weather proofing, etc.). The results of the inspection should be provided to the purchaser in written form, in detail, generally within 24 hours of the inspection. A pre-purchase home inspection can add peace of mind and make a difficult decision much easier. It may indicate that the home needs major structural repairs which can be factored into your buying decision. A home inspection helps remove a number of unknowns and increases the likelihood of a successful purchase.

How much can I afford to pay for a home?2019-03-26T12:30:46-04:00

To determine ‘affordability’ you will first need to know your taxable income along with the amount of any debt outstanding and the monthly payments. Assuming it is your principal residence you are purchasing, calculate 32% of your income for use toward a mortgage payment, property taxes and heating costs. If applicable, half of the estimated monthly condominium maintenance fees will also be included in this calculation. Second, calculate 40% of your taxable income and deduct all of your monthly debt payments, including car loans, credit cards, lines of credit payments. The lesser of the first or second calculation will be used to help determine how much of your income may be used towards housing related payments, including your mortgage payment. These calculations are based on lenders’ usual guidelines. In addition to considering what the ratios say you can afford, make sure you calculate how much you think you can afford. If the payment amount you are comfortable with is less than 32% of your income you may want to settle for the lower amount rather than stretch yourself financially. Make sure you don’t leave yourself house poor. Structure your payments so that you can still afford simple luxuries.

How long does it take to find out if my application is approved?2019-04-01T15:10:01-04:00

In the majority of cases, we will know within 24 hours whether your application has been approved by a specific lender.  If there was some kind of delay, we would notify you of this within the 24 hour period.

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