The number one question for any potential homebuyer or someone new to the mortgage process is “what does this process entail?”. The following is a simple outline to give you an idea of the process and help you understand what to expect as you embark on your home buying journey!

STEP 1 – BE PREPARED

Having the following information on hand before meeting with your mortgage professional will help them determine what you qualify for and help them determine the best mortgage product for you:

• Contact information for your employer and your employment history
• Proof of address and your address history
• Government-issued photo ID with your current address
• Proof of income for your mortgage application
• Down payment proof (amount and source)
• Savings and investments proof
• Details of current debts and other financial obligations

STEP 2 – GET PRE-APPROVED

One of the best things any potential homeowner can do when starting the home buying process is to get pre-approved. Mortgage pre-approval requires submission and verification of your financial history and can help you determine your price range, understand the monthly mortgage payment associated with that price range and provide the mortgage rate for your first term.

It is important to note that pre-approval does not mean that a lender has fully reviewed your documentation and you may still need the approval of a mortgage insurer. However, it does have a lot of benefits that can give you a “leg-up” in your search!

BENEFITS OF PRE-APPROVAL

Getting pre-approved not only makes the search easier by helping to determine your price range and budget, but pre-approval also guarantees the interest rate for 90-120 days while you search for that perfect home. Plus, the rate will automatically be adjusted down with any market reductions. Another benefit to pre-approval is that, when it comes time to purchase, pre-approval lets the seller know that securing financing should not be an issue. This is extremely beneficial in competitive markets where lots of offers may be coming in.

Quick Tip: Being entirely candid with your home-buying team throughout the process will be vital! Hidden debt or buying a big-ticket item during your 90-120 day pre-approval can change the amount you are able to borrow. It is best to refrain from any major purchases (such as a new car) or life changes (such as changing jobs) until after closing and you have the keys to your new home!

STEP 3 – HIRE A REALTOR

In today’s competitive real estate market, it can be very difficult to acquire property WITHOUT the help of a realtor. One of the reasons realtors are integral to the home buying process is that they can provide access to properties that never even make it to the MLS website. Realtors also gain access to information about homes that may come onto the market before a listing is even signed.

Most importantly though, a realtor understands the ins-and-outs of the home buying process and can tell you how to be successful in your endeavors to purchase a home by guiding you through the process from the first viewing to having your bid accepted.

STEP 4 – SHOP THE MARKET & MAKE AN OFFER

Once you have found the property that meets your needs, you’ll put in an offer that’ll be accepted or countered. This may go back and forth until you reach an acceptable price with the vendor. To start home shopping today, check out the listings on Rew.ca!

STEP 5 – OFFER IS ACCEPTED

Once your offer is accepted with the condition of financing, you will need to do a few things to finalize the sale:

• Ask for a realtor intro between your mortgage professional and realtor.
• An appraisal may be required, which will be determined and arranged by your mortgage professional.
• Send in any remaining documents required for financing (income confirmation, down payment confirmation, etc).
• Arrange a home inspection.
• Receive the lender’s approval on property and final approval letter.

STEP 6 – REMOVE CONDITIONS

At this point, your financing is in place and you’re ready to proceed with the purchase of the property.

STEP 7 – LAWYER’S OFFICE

You’ll be asked to provide any money that’s to be used as your down payment, which is not already on deposit with your realtor. Typically, you’ll go in 1-2 days prior to the completion date.

Before you start on your home buying journey, be sure to take advantage of the expert advice that DLC Mortgage Professionals can offer. As experts in mortgages, brokers can help walk you through the process and find you the best mortgage product to suit your unique needs! The best part? It won’t cost you a penny! Mortgage professionals are paid out by the lender when they register a new contract. Therefore, all that matters is finding YOU, the client, the best possible mortgage.

Written by my DLC Marketing Team

Posted by James Wynters

When in the process of buying a home, there is nothing worse than having your mortgage broker or lawyer call and say “there is a problem”.

If you have found your dream home and negotiated a fair price, which was accepted, and you have supplied all the documentation to your broker, you probably assume everything is fine. The reality is that your financing approval is based on the information the lender was provided at the time of the application. If there have been any changes to your financial situation, the lender is within their rights to cancel your mortgage approval.

To ensure that you don’t encounter any last-minute issues on your home buying journey, there are five major approval roadblocks to be aware of and avoid for a smooth transaction:

EMPLOYMENT

When submitting a request for financing, whether a mortgage or car loan or to handle personal debt, one of the most important aspects the lender looks at is employment. If you were working at Company X for five years at $50,000 a year and – just before your deal is finalized – you change jobs, the lender will now require proof from the new job. This can include proof that probation for this new job is waived, or new job letters and pay stubs at the very least. If you change industries, they will want to see more proof that you are capable of keeping this job. For any employment involving overtime or bonuses, the lender often requests a two-year average, which you would not be able to provide at a new position. Another employment change that could hurt your financing approval would be if you decide to change from an employee to a self-employed contractor.

When it comes to financing, it is best to wait to make any major employment or life changes until after the deal has gone through.

DOWN PAYMENT SOURCE

As mortgage financing is based on the initial information provided, you will most likely need to do a final verification of the down payment source. If it is different than what the lender has approved, it could spell trouble for your financing approval. Even if you said that your down payment was coming from savings and, at the last minute, mom and dad offer  you the funds as a gift, it could affect your approval. This is an acceptable source of down payment, but only if the lender knows about it in advance and has included this in their risk assessment, but it can end a deal.

DEBT

A week or two before your possession date, the lender will obtain a copy of your credit report and look for any changes to your debt load. Since mortgage approval is based on how much you owed on that particular date, it is important not to increase your debt before the deal is finalized. Buying a new car or items for the new home must be postponed until after possession; even if they are “do not pay for 12 months” campaigns because you will need to fulfil those payments, regardless of when they start.

BAD CREDIT

One of the biggest roadblocks to mortgage approvals is credit card payments. When you enter the financing process, it is important that your credit score remains positive. If your credit score falls due to late payments, this can cause major issues with your financing. Even if you have a high-ratio mortgage in place which requires CMHC insurance, a lower credit score could mean a withdrawal of the insurance and removal of any financing approval.

MISSING IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

Before a deal is finalized, the lawyer must verify your identity documents and see that they match the mortgage documents. You may not think it needs to be said, but it is important to use your legal name when you apply for a mortgage. Even if you go by your middle name or a nickname, all legal documents should match.

Keep in touch with your Dominion Lending Centres mortgage professional right up to possession day. Make this a happy experience rather than a heartbreaking one.

Written by my Marketing Dept

More and more Canadians are choosing to buy a second property in retirement. Reasons for doing this vary. Some want to reap the rewards of a lifetime of saving and treat themselves to a vacation home. Others, on the other hand, view their second property as an investment, intending to rent it out and use the rent to bolster their income.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to buy a second property, there are various ways you might choose to pay for it – let’s have a look at what those are.

PAYING THE DOWN PAYMENT

Just like your first property, you’ll need a down payment for your second property. This can be as little as 5% but ideally should be higher – try aiming for 20%.

CASHING IN INVESTMENTS

One way that you may choose to make the down payment is by cashing in on investments. When considering this, however, caution should be exercised. Cashing in on investments in a taxable account can trigger taxes and OAS clawback, as well as potentially pushing you into a higher tax bracket. Taking large sums from your investments will also reduce the size of your portfolio, which can have a knock-on affect on your retirement income. Outliving savings is something all retirees should be conscious of, so think carefully before making large withdrawals that may deplete your pension pot too quickly.

TAKING OUT A HELOC

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit secured against your primary residence which allows you to access up to 65% of your home’s value. Taking out a HELOC to pay for the down payment can be a good option to avoid cashing in on investments, but they’re not without their limitations. It’s recently become more difficult to get approval for a HELOC, and many retired Canadians without a fixed monthly income have seen their applications denied. If you manage to get approved for the loan, be aware that you need to service it each month, which will have an affect on your monthly cashflow.

USING THE CHIP REVERSE MORTGAGE

Another way to afford the down payment on your second property is with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage. The CHIP Reverse Mortgage allows you to access up to 55% of your home’s value in tax-free cash, meaning it won’t trigger taxes or OAS clawback, or push you into a higher tax bracket. Unlike a HELOC, with a reverse mortgage you don’t repay what you owe until you move out of your home or pass away, so there are no monthly repayments eating into your cashflow. What’s more, depending on how much equity you have built up in your home and how much your home is worth, you may be able to pay off a significant amount of your second property – perhaps even paying for it outright!

PAYING OFF THE MORTGAGE

Unless you were able to pay for your second property outright, chances are you’ll have a monthly mortgage to pay.

If your second home is an investment property, you likely intend to rent it out. In this case, the rent you charge should be enough to cover your mortgage payments (and hopefully a little extra for you each month).

On the other hand, if your second property is a vacation home, you’ll need to factor mortgage repayments into your monthly budget. One way to get the best of both worlds is by renting your vacation property out for short-term holiday lets. This will help you cover some, if not all, of the mortgage payments, while also giving you the flexibility to enjoy your vacation home whenever you want. Want to know more about how the CHIP Reverse Mortgage could help you afford a second property? Contact your DLC Mortgage Professional to learn more!

Written By: Agostino Tuzi