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Reasons a robust labour market could affect your mortgage interest rate

Blogs / Amy / 16 January 2023 / bankofcanada, homebuyer, interestrate, labourmarket, marketrend, mortgage, mortgagerates, rateofinterest, toronto

Reasons a robust labour market could affect your mortgage interest rate Over the past year, Canada’s job market has been red hot thanks to the country’s booming economy and the easing of pandemic lockdowns. Statistics Canada’s most recent data confirms this trend. In December, the national employment rate rose by 0.5% from November (representing an increase of 104,000 positions). Thus,+ totaling 3.7% growth over the course of 2022. ( a total of 701,000 new hires). So, the jobless rate fell 0.1% to 5%, surpassing the 4.9% recorded in June and July of last year for the first time ever. This metric reached its highest point since 1976 in May 2020. Thus reflecting how much employment has improved since the earliest days of the pandemic. While it’s great that there are so many job opportunities, rising inflation and interest rates might make life difficult for Canadians. This is especially for people who are already stretching their budgets to the limit. That’s because the Bank of Canada, the country’s central bank, wants to see economic activity cool before it can stop raising interest rates. A hot month for hiring isn’t helping the cause of keeping inflation in check. Economists expect an increase in interest rates Economists are predicting that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates by 0.25 percentage points on January 25. This is in response to this recent data and last month’s stronger-than-expected inflation report. The Overnight Lending Rate, the benchmark against which other interest rates are measured, would rise to 4.5 percent. If this happened, marking its highest point since July 2007. Desjardins Economics Principal Economist Marc Desormeaux writes in a research note that the December jobs report does “tilt the odds in favour of one final 25 [basis point] rate hike from the Bank of Canada later this month.” Further highlighting the fact that it was the seventh consecutive month in which gains in hourly earnings for permanent employees exceeded 5%. Despite other economic indicators showing signals of slowing growth, the apparent strength in hiring likely means the central bank’s job isn’t done yet, he says. The governor has been stressing the importance of rebalancing the labour market for inflation normalisation in recent months. In a speech given in November, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem attributed the country’s high inflation rate to the historically low unemployment rate. Desormeaux is alluding to this speech. Macklem said at the time to a crowd at Toronto Metropolitan University. He said that the inability of business owners to find and keep enough workers was a symptom of the general imbalance. This imbalance is between demand and supply that was fueling inflation and hurting all Canadians. Why does Canada’s central bank have to cut inflation rates? Similarly to the labour market, inflation picked up speed when the economy was opened back up. Geopolitical issues, such as the crisis in Ukraine, have put increased pressure on the oil and gas sector. Moreover, snarls in global supply chain operations have contributed to shortages of many of the items Canadians use. As a result, shoppers have felt the pinch at the supermarket and the gas station. However, “shelter prices,” which do include mortgage interest payments, are included in the “basket of goods.” Based on this the CPI is calculated. Mortgage interest rates increased by 14.5% in November. Thus contributing to a 7.2% annual increase in this metric. The 11.4% gain in October was the highest monthly increase since February 1983. As a result of these factors, the Bank of Canada reported inflation of 6.8% in November, which is much higher than the target range of 2%. The Overnight Lending Rate is raised by the central bank if inflation rises over the target level. Variable mortgage rates and other variable-based lending products, such as home equity lines of credit, are directly affected by this. Bank of canada increases the rate A rise in interest rates has the effect of discouraging expenditure by both households and businesses. This in turn reduces overall inflation. Since March of last year, the Bank of Canada has increased its rate seven times, from 0.25% to its current level of 4.25%. It’s the quickest rate of increase recorded since the mid-1990s and the highest level at which this trend-setting rate has been since December 2007. The best five-year variable mortgage rate today is 5.35%, up from a record low of 0.85% in January of last year. The direction of the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy has an indirect effect on fixed mortgage rates. This is because of how the bond market reacts to it. For example, bond yields have been steadily rising throughout 2022. This has pushed the best five-year fixed mortgage rates up into the 4.5% range from the 2.34% range in January. After reaching a 40-year high of 8.1% in June, inflation has dropped thanks to the Bank’s proactive approach to rates. However, the progress has been sluggish. The prospect of a rate cut remains further off as long as economic data keeps surprising to the upside. Conclusion If the Bank of Canada were to raise interest rates by another 0.25 percentage points by the month’s conclusion, the national borrowing rate would reach 4.5 percent. Borrowers should prepare their finances for the highest rates in 16 years. As this will be the most expensive time to borrow since July 2007. Five-year insured variable rates are now at 4%, but should rates rise again. The borrowers may expect to see those rates rise to the 5.6-6.7% area. Connecting with a mortgage broker who can clarify your alternatives and provide individualised guidance is essential. Related posts 21 January 2023 Denied mortgage renewal: What happens next? Denied Mortgage Renewal:What happens next? If you want to keep paying down your mortgage after the current… 19 January 2023 Canada’s Bank Regulator Wants Tighter Real Estate Risk Rules Canada’s Bank Regulator Wants Tighter Real Estate Risk Rules More stringent rules on mortgage borrowing… 16 January 2023 Reasons a robust labour market could affect your mortgage interest rate Reasons a robust labour

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Is it necessary to pay Toronto’s new vacant home tax?

Blogs / Amy / 13 January 2023 / greatertorontoarea, homeprice, hometax, homevacancy, pricing, tax, toronto

Is it necessary to pay Toronto’s new vacant home tax? The new Vacant Home Tax in the City of Toronto has begun to be levied against homes in the city. Unless exempted, the tax is levied on dwellings that were unoccupied for more than six months in the preceding calendar year. Many unwary homeowners may be whacked with the 1% annual tax unless the current exemptions are made clearer. It is common practise, for instance, for big apartment and condominium complexes to designate a residentially zoned unit. This unit is mainly within the structure as the property management office. Unless the unit does not have a kitchen, it will be subject to taxation. A certificate from the chief building official is required. It should state that the work is being done without undue delay is required for another exemption for homes, condos, and apartments currently under construction or repair. Prior to submitting the vacancy declaration, you must first receive this certificate. It’s unclear how soon such certificate might be made available. A property that has been rented out for at least 30 days under a documented tenancy agreement is considered exempt on the city’s website as of press time. The thousands of Toronto apartments that do not have a signed lease are treated in a manner that is not specified. This seems to encompass Airbnb and other short-term rental properties. They may be fully booked throughout the year while having month-to-month agreements. A vacancy tax is another possible charge against them. A person’s primary residence is defined under the bylaw as the place where they sleep, eat, and go about their everyday lives. However, municipal ordinance restricts residents to a single primary house. Expats, students, and those who leave their primary residences for long periods of time to study or travel temporarily are exempt from this tax. However, home studios or offices that are part of a larger residence are subject to taxation if they include a kitchen. The tax will apply to dwellings that are zoned for residential use but are not the owner’s primary residence. Evidently the reader’s apartment will not be subject to the vacancy tax during his lengthy absence. However, the exemption appears to run counter to the spirit of the extremely narrow exemption. It is for empty dwellings when the primary occupant is temporarily hospitalised or residing in a long-term care institution for up to six months a year. Those people don’t have to worry about it. However, it appears that a person’s residence will be subject to the tax if they are in long-term care for more than six months. Related posts 21 January 2023 Denied mortgage renewal: What happens next? Denied Mortgage Renewal:What happens next? If you want to keep paying down your mortgage after the current… 19 January 2023 Canada’s Bank Regulator Wants Tighter Real Estate Risk Rules Canada’s Bank Regulator Wants Tighter Real Estate Risk Rules More stringent rules on mortgage borrowing… 16 January 2023 Reasons a robust labour market could affect your mortgage interest rate Reasons a robust labour market could affect your mortgage interest rate Over the past year, Canada’s… 13 January 2023 Is it necessary to pay Toronto’s new vacant home tax? Is it necessary to pay Toronto’s new vacant home tax? The new Vacant Home Tax in the City of Toronto… 13 January 2023 Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval The terms pre-qualified and pre-approved are often… 12 January 2023 Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes Growth Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes Growth There has been a dramatic… 11 January 2023 Refinancing my car loan: bad for my credit? Refinancing my car loan: bad for my credit? Refinancing your auto loan can help you get a lower rate…

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Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval

Blogs / Amy / 13 January 2023 / difference, lender, mortgage, mortgagepayment, mortgagerates, preapproval, prequalification

Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval The terms pre-qualified and pre-approved are often used interchangeably but mean essentially the same thing. There is a subtle but significant distinction between the two concepts, even though they share some common meaning. Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage is typically a lot simpler and quicker procedure. However, getting pre-approved will give you a far more definite and trustworthy estimate. It will determine what you can afford to spend on a house because it is a more comprehensive procedure. Thus, it usually takes longer than being pre-qualified. However, neither of these things is a guarantee that you will be approved for a mortgage. What Does it Mean to be Pre-Qualified? You can acquire a ballpark figure for how much house you can buy after getting pre-qualified mortgage. To be clear, this is in no way a guarantee that you will be approved for a mortgage. Since becoming pre-qualified simply provides you with a ballpark figure, you won’t have to prove much of anything. This is done until you actually apply for a loan. Do You Have to Get Pre-Qualified to Get a Guarantee? Pre-qualification for a mortgage does not assure you of getting a loan. Even though getting pre-qualified is the first step in getting a mortgage, it’s not the only one. Lender due diligence requires verification of the applicant’s and borrower’s financials, credit history, down payment, and the property’s condition. At the mortgage approval stage, your application could be denied if any of these things alter or cause an issue. You may receive a ballpark figure for how much house you can afford by being pre-qualified for a mortgage. However, if you’re truly committed to purchasing a home, you should go the next step and get pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-qualification: Is it possible to be turned down later? Pre-qualification for a mortgage doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the loan. It only offers you a ballpark figure for how much house you can afford. Things like your income, credit history, and down payment won’t be scrutinised to any significant extent by the lending institution. It’s possible that your mortgage application could be denied if your financial condition changes between the time you are pre-qualified and the time you make an offer on a home. For instance, if you were to suddenly lose your job, accumulate considerable debt, or see a significant drop in your credit score. Your maximum budget for a home purchase may be affected by all of these factors Can a Pre-Qualification Help Me Submit a House Offer? In theory, you could make an offer on a house with just a pre-qualification, but that’s not a good idea. Because getting pre-qualified does not require verification of your income, financial situation, or credit score, the amount you are pre-qualified for is merely a ballpark figure. The validity of your pre-qualification is likely to expire if your financial status has changed since you got pre-qualified, or if there are problems validating the information you submitted. Making an offer on a house when you are only pre-qualified is a big gamble. Even if you’re pre-qualified, it’s best to wait until you know for sure that you can afford the home before making an offer. The only exception is if you found your dream home that day and had to make an offer right away. In order to make a more confident offer, it is recommended that you get pre-approved for a mortgage before beginning your search for a new home. Sellers will want to know that you aren’t just looking to buy a home for the sake of it. Thus, relying on a mortgage pre-qualification alone could end up hurting your prospects of securing the loan and buying the house. Pre-approval for a mortgage is a plus in the eyes of the seller since it demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and are serious about making an offer. What Proof of Income and Other Information Does the Lender Need? To get pre-qualified for a mortgage, the lender may ask for several papers, but often you won’t need to submit many. No paperwork is required if you use an online pre-qualification calculator. Simply plug in your annual income and any other pertinent financial data, and the calculator will spit out a ballpark figure representing how much you may reasonably spend on a property. Similarly, you often won’t need to present any documentation if you’re performing a pre-qualification over the phone. Your income and current debt load are two examples of the kind of information that may be requested. You will probably just need to show your most recent pay stub and a letter from your employer. A credit check is not part of the mortgage pre-qualification process, so you won’t need to submit your credit report. Will Pre-qualification negatively affect my credit score? A mortgage pre-qualification inquiry will not lower your credit score. A mortgage pre-qualification is not the same as a pre-approval because it does not require a credit check. Therefore, it will not affect your credit rating. Related posts 21 January 2023 Denied mortgage renewal: What happens next? Denied Mortgage Renewal:What happens next? If you want to keep paying down your mortgage after the current… 19 January 2023 Canada’s Bank Regulator Wants Tighter Real Estate Risk Rules Canada’s Bank Regulator Wants Tighter Real Estate Risk Rules More stringent rules on mortgage borrowing… 16 January 2023 Reasons a robust labour market could affect your mortgage interest rate Reasons a robust labour market could affect your mortgage interest rate Over the past year, Canada’s… 13 January 2023 Is it necessary to pay Toronto’s new vacant home tax? Is it necessary to pay Toronto’s new vacant home tax? The new Vacant Home Tax in the City of Toronto… 13 January 2023 Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval The terms pre-qualified and pre-approved are often… 12 January 2023 Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes Growth Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes

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Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes Growth

Blogs / Amy / 12 January 2023 / Canada, growth, immigrants, immigration, record, recordrates, toronto

Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes Growth There has been a dramatic increase in population in the Greater Toronto Area, but that growth may be levelling out soon. According to Stat Can data from the year 2022, the population of the Toronto CMA was soaring. When we look at the data more closely, we see that immigration was the sole cause of the expansion. The unprecedented migration away from the area is hidden by the tendency of artificial expansion. Although the basic statistics look promising, investors may be looking elsewhere for higher returns. Greater Toronto’s Population Added Over 138,000 People In 2022 Growth in the population of Greater Toronto mirrors that of the rest of Canada. In 2022, the population of the Toronto CMA is projected to reach 6.69 million, up 2.1% (or +138,240) from the previous year. Even if only half of that expansion had occurred in the City of Toronto, it would have been a remarkable figure. The majority of Toronto’s growing population is the result of immigrants As Canada works to catch up on its backlog, immigration is the main factor driving this development. Increased by 103% (+80,830), the number of immigrants to Greater Toronto in 2022 was 159,670. The rate of growth and the sheer number of people are two key indicators. There has been a surge of immigrants to the Greater Toronto Area The tendency of the region’s immigrant population doubling was odd. As was indicated earlier, due to a backlog, last year saw a multi-year low in immigration. There is some base impact in the expansion, but the total is still enormous. The second possible observation is that the rate of immigration was higher than the rate of overall population growth. This is not because of a death toll; on the contrary, people in Toronto are packing up and leaving at an unprecedented rate. A Total of 78,000 People Left Greater Toronto for Other Parts of Ontario. The number of persons that moved out of the Greater Toronto Area and settled in another Ontario region is the net interprovincial migration. After a net outflow of 73,500 persons in 2021, the number jumped to 78,100 in 2022. More people left the area for other parts of Ontario, hence the population decreased. in the tens of thousands, which is the highest number in at least a generation. A dramatic increase in the number of people leaving the Greater Toronto Area Do you remember when people from all around Canada would congregate in Toronto? No longer is there a positive net migration across provinces; in fact, it has become strongly negative. People who move from outside the Greater Toronto Area to the GTA are counted as INTER. More than twice as many people left in 2022 as had left the year before, totaling 21,400. Until the low-rate bubble took off in 2019, the region actually experienced a positive flow. One-quarter or more of Canadians who have emigrated have lived in Toronto Leaving Canada permanently, or emigrating, is a big decision. The Greater Toronto Area, however, contributed thousands of people who were up to the challenge. The number of persons leaving the Toronto CMA to live elsewhere rose to 12,625 in 2016, a 38.1% increase from the year before. About a quarter of all Canadian emigration was concentrated in Greater Toronto. The number of people leaving the Greater Toronto Area has increased to its highest point since 2017. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that application delays exist in other nations as well. You shouldn’t be too shocked if the number of people leaving your country keeps going up in the next few years. The meaning of this is unclear. This is largely a mood gauge, as we note when talking about people moving to the suburbs. The expansion of Toronto’s population bodes well for the city’s economy in the long run. However, by simply adding more economic units, aggregate boosts can mask a decline in quality of life. The human capital stock is the proper political term, we apologise for the confusion. The mass exodus of a community’s residents is a major issue that often goes unnoticed. The opportunity statistics that immigrants rely on are often years behind the actual situation. As a deterioration in opportunities or quality of life takes place, locals will notice it. People in their field are beginning to follow them as they leave for greener pastures. Immigration reform will eventually be implemented in other countries. Related posts 13 January 2023 Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval Difference between Pre-qualification and pre-approval The terms pre-qualified and pre-approved are often… 12 January 2023 Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes Growth Toronto Residents Are Leaving At Record Rates, Immigration Overtakes Growth There has been a dramatic… 12 January 2023 test template MOST CANADIAN REAL ESTATE MARKET BEYOND AFFORDABILITY FOR MIDDLE CLASS You did it! Your family has an… 11 January 2023 Refinancing my car loan: bad for my credit? Refinancing my car loan: bad for my credit? Refinancing your auto loan can help you get a lower rate… 10 January 2023 How to determine the mortgage I can afford? How to determine the mortgage I can afford? Real estate purchases financed by mortgages typically represent… 09 January 2023 Quick tips for first-time homebuyers Quick tips for first-time homebuyers How will someone know when it’s “the proper moment”… 09 January 2023 Mortgage broker or Lender: which is the best? Mortgage broker or Lender: which is the best? Because they are already familiar with the bank and do…

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Refinancing my car loan: bad for my credit?

Blogs / Amy / 11 January 2023 / bankcarloan, bankloan, carloan, carloanfinance, carpayment, credit, creditscore, loan, loanpayment, refinance

Refinancing my car loan: bad for my credit? Refinancing your auto loan can help you get a lower rate of interest while also lowering your monthly payments – or both! But what effect does refinancing have on your credit score? The answer is determined by the initial loan’s impact on your credit score. If it was minor, the impact of refinancing may be minimal as well. However, if the loan was one of your major credit commitments and you already had a significant amount of debt, refinancing it could have a significant influence on your credit score. Find out how a car loan refinancing could affect your credit. Moreover, what to think about before refinancing. What Effect Does Refinancing a Car Loan Have on Your Credit Score? Depending on your current financial condition, refinancing could have a favourable or negative impact on your credit score. A hard credit inquiry may lower your score Whenever you apply for a car loan for the first time, the lender will most likely run a thorough check of your credit. A hard inquiry occurs when a lender checks your credit report. It is done to assess your eligibility for a loan or other kind of credit. Your credit score may suffer as a result, but it should rebound after a few months. If you decide to refinance, the bank will likely pull your credit report again. This might cause your score to drop even lower. If you’re looking for lenders, you should aim to get them all to make queries at the same time. As a result, the credit agencies may treat the multiple checks as a single hard credit draw. An extended loan term may be beneficial to your credit score It’s possible that reducing the length of your loan and thus the number of payments you have to make each month won’t improve your credit score. The reason for this is that creditworthiness increases as the length of time you pay on time increases. While paying off your loan fast may show that you are financially responsible, it may not significantly boost your credit score. When you refinance, your credit report considers it a new loan A auto loan refinance is typically treated as a new loan. The interest rate, term length, and other essential components of the new loan will differ from the original loan. Because of the additional inquiry on your credit report, applying for and receiving a new loan may temporarily reduce your credit score. Making on-time payments and keeping your debt-to-income ratio low will assist and boost your credit score. How Long Does a Refinance Have an Impact on Your Credit Score? As previously stated, refinancing a loan may result in a modest drop in your credit score. The decline in your credit score should be small and should rebound within a few months. The effect may be greater if the refinanced loan is one of the borrower’s main liabilities. Moreover, it can be affected if the borrower has a high overall debt load. As a result, before making a decision, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of refinancing. Is It Worth It to Refinance a Car? It could be! However, it is dependent on your specific situation. Examine the terms of your current loan in comparison to prospective refinancing possibilities. Will I Be Able to Lower My Monthly Payments? Obtaining a cheaper interest rate or a longer payback period, refinancing an auto loan can cut your monthly payments. However, this is dependent on the terms of the existing loan and the new refinancing possibilities. Will I be able to get a lower interest rate? In general, refinancing an auto loan allows you to qualify for a lower interest rate. This is because the lender sees it as less of a risk. Moreover due to these fluctuations, waiting to refinance the loan until the market is in your favour may allow you to secure a lower rate. Furthermore, if your credit score has improved after taking out the first loan, you may be able to qualify for a reduced interest rate. Will refinancing make my financial situation better? Refinancing a car loan might benefit your finances in a variety of ways. It may assist you in lowering your monthly payments or saving money over time with reduced interest rates. In addition, prepayment of the debt could provide welcome financial breathing room for use in other areas. Is There a Risk in Refinancing? Yes, there are some dangers involved with refinancing a car loan. Prepayment fines, higher rates of interest if the loan’s terms are extended, and other lender fees are all possible outcomes. If you miss payments that are more expensive or harder to make, your credit score will suffer. Consider how long you intend to retain the vehicle. If you do the statistics, you might find that it’s preferable to stick with your current loan if you’re not planning on keeping the vehicle long term. How Do I Know If I’m Getting a Good Deal? Compare the offerings of several lenders and look into any potential fees or penalties. The refinanced loan’s interest rate should be lower than your present rates, of course. Compare any potential long-term savings from the refinanced debt to your current loan. Finally, before making a decision, make sure that the potential benefits outweigh any potential concerns. How Long Should I Hold Off on Refinancing My Car? The optimum time to refinance a car loan is when your credit has improved and you can qualify for better terms. It is advised to wait at least six months before contemplating refinancing, but it may be advantageous to wait even longer. The current interest rates also influence whether it is worthwhile to refinance. If you bought your automobile when interest rates were low, refinancing may not make sense if rates rise. However, if interest rates were high when you purchased, consider refinancing to take advantage of reduced rates as they become available. How to Reduce

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How to determine the mortgage I can afford?

Blogs / Amy / 10 January 2023 / affordability, mortgage, mortgageaffordability, mortgagepayment, mortgagerate

How to determine the mortgage I can afford? Real estate purchases financed by mortgages typically represent the single largest investment most people ever make in their lifetimes. What you can afford to borrow is based on a number of factors beyond just what a bank is willing to lend you. You should take stock of your values, as well as your financial situation. Most would-be homeowners can afford a mortgage equal to about two to two and a half of their annual gross income. Knowing what the banks and other lenders are ready to offer is one thing, but knowing how much house you can afford is another. While the TDS and GDS ratios are certainly helpful, they are focused on averages rather than specific individuals or households. If you want to know what you can afford each month without feeling like a pauper, it’s best to make a precise budget. You need to add up all of your monthly expenses, from groceries and cell phones to entertainment and gas. There are a number of other considerations that must be made before settling on a particular piece of real estate. To begin, it’s helpful to have an idea of the lender’s estimate of your financial capability. Second, you need to do some soul-searching to determine the type of house you can acceptably live in. It is also important to know the types of consumption you are willing to forego (or not forego) in exchange for staying in your home. How Do Mortgage Lenders Figure Out How Much to Loan? Every mortgage lender has its own set of affordability guidelines. The following are the most important considerations when determining whether or not you will be approved for a loan. Moreover, what conditions you will be granted. In the end, a mortgage lender will consider the borrower’s income, debt, assets, and obligations. This will determine whether or not they are able to finance the purchase of a property. Lenders are interested in knowing not just how much money an applicant makes. They also want to know how much pressure will be put on that income in the future. Base eligibility for financing is determined by income, down payment, and monthly expenses. The interest rate for financing is determined by credit history and score.

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Quick tips for first-time homebuyers

Blogs / Amy / 9 January 2023 / buyhome, firsttimehomebuyers, Homebuyers, homepurchase, mortgage, mortgagerates, newhome, tips

Quick tips for first-time homebuyers How will someone know when it’s “the proper moment” to buy a house? maybe a question you have if you’ve been considering it. Is it still ok to think about buying if you don’t have a 20% down payment saved up? Like any major undertaking, the secret to a smooth home purchase is to pay attention to every last detail. You can navigate the procedure, save money, and complete the transaction with the aid of these first-time house purchase recommendations. Determine the cost of your home Before you start looking, determine how much you can afford to spend on a house. The house affordability calculator can assist you in determining a price range based on your income, debt, down payment, credit score, and the location of your intended residence. Examine and improve your credit If you are eligible for a mortgage, your credit score will help lenders decide what interest rate to give you. Generally speaking, a better score will result in a lower interest rate, so follow these recommendations to improve your credit score in order to purchase a home. Get free copies of your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, the three credit bureaus, and challenge any errors that could lower your score. Maintain the lowest possible credit card balances while paying all of your bills on time. Keep your active credit cards active. Closing a card will increase the amount of credit you are already using, which could harm your credit score. Monitor your credit rating. Research for first-time home buyers programmes First-time home buyer programmes are available in many states, some cities, and counties, and frequently include low-interest mortgages, down payment help, and closing cost aid. Additionally, tax benefits are offered by several first-time home buyer programmes. Costs and rates of mortgages To compare costs, including interest rates and potential origination fees, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises receiving loan estimates for the same type of mortgage from many lenders. Discount points, which the borrower pays up in advance to reduce the interest rate, may be available from lenders. If you have the cash on hand and intend to live in the house for a long time, buying points may make sense. To make your choice, use a discount point calculator. Get a letter of pre-approval An offer from a lender to lend you money up front and on particular terms is known as a mortgage preapproval. A pre-approval letter can provide you with an advantage over other home shoppers who haven’t taken this step yet by demonstrating to home sellers and real estate agents that you’re a serious buyer. When you’re ready to begin looking for a home, submit an application for preapproval. To confirm your income, assets, and debt, a lender will check your credit and look over your paperwork. If you apply for a preapproval from multiple lenders to compare rates, as long as you do it within a set time period, such as 30 days, it shouldn’t adversely affect your credit score.

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Mortgage broker or Lender: which is the best?

Blogs / Amy / 9 January 2023 / bank, bank of canada, directlender, lender, loan, loanprogramme, mortgage, mortgagebroker, mortgagerates, payment

Mortgage broker or Lender: which is the best? Because they are already familiar with the bank and do business there, some first-time house buyers decide to apply for a mortgage there. There is nothing wrong with this strategy. Some people or couples like to keep all of their financial connections, so to speak, under one roof. However, if you check prices online and/or engage with a broker, you will undoubtedly have more options and can save money. A mortgage broker is a specialist who can connect you to a network of lenders. They can assist you in finding the best mortgage for your requirements. Both brokers and lenders can help you obtain the funds you require for your real estate loan, but they each employ different strategies to do so. Who is a mortgage broker? A mortgage broker is a real estate industry professional, much like your real estate agent and real estate attorney. He may access a network of lenders. They provide the best mortgage and rate for your unique needs while a bank only offers its own range of products and services. That behaviour would be comparable to a bank going to its rivals to get a better offer. It would simply not occur. Who are lenders? The direct lenders, such as banks or credit unions, work with you directly to authorise and fund the loan. Once you’ve found that lender, you may start the application procedure with them. How does a mortgage broker work? A broker acts as a go-between for the lender, you, and the borrower. Remember that the broker does not directly provide loans; instead, they assist you in comparing potential lenders who are suitable for your financial condition. The fact that a broker is such an appealing choice for borrowers is due to the last sentence. In the initial meeting, the broker goes over the client’s needs with regard to the desired amount and the borrower’s financial situation. The borrower’s income, tax returns, pay stubs, credit reports, investments, and all other factors that give a clearer picture of their finances. These are all gathered by the mortgage broker along with all necessary information and documentation. How does a lender work? A bank or credit union is a direct lender. The application and approval processes, as well as everything else related thereto, are all handled directly by the borrower and one of the lender’s loan officials. Since there is no middleman involved, this certainly streamlines the process of obtaining the necessary funding. The borrower’s financial status continues to be scrutinised to the same extent. If denied, the process must be started over with a different lender. Although there are many loan programmes given by direct lenders. These may be limited in terms of the kind of loan that best suits the applicant and his or her circumstances. The lender will determine the borrower’s eligibility for the available programmes. They will explain which meets the lender’s requirements. This implies that a borrower may be eligible for one or more of the lender’s programmes. They may even be eligible for other, more advantageous loan programmes that are available on the market but that the lender does not provide. Which one suits is the most suitable? A bank is probably your best option if you have strong credit and your finances are in order. This is applicable especially if you have been a client in good standing with that institution for a long time. They may want to reward your company with favourable loan terms and rates because they know you and you know them. A broker, on the other hand, can be the best option if you are having trouble providing a complete and accurate picture of your financial condition due to poor credit or other issues. There are more considerations besides only your financial status. The kind of property you want to buy is similar. Some lenders won’t work with customers who want to buy apartment buildings or co-ops. They’ll only work with people who want to buy single-family houses. A broker will already be aware of which lenders collaborate with borrowers to buy particular kinds of properties. This contributes to the fact that brokers occasionally charge more for their services. Before choosing a broker or a direct lender for your loan, it is up to you, the borrower, to assess all of these possibilities. The advantages and disadvantages of each, the expenses and fees to be expected, as well as the desire to do more of the work yourself should be assessed.

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What is mortgage stress test?

Blogs / Amy / 6 January 2023 / Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, mortages, mortgage debt, mortgage lenders, mortgage rates, mortgagepayments, mortgagerates, new mortgage

What is mortgage stress test? The mortgage industry is currently undergoing a “stress test,” you may have heard about. It’s the guidelines that mortgage providers use to figure out whether a borrower is eligible for a loan, and if so, how much of a loan they can get. It’s still valid for purchasers with a 20% down payment. The mortgage stress test is utilised when getting a new mortgage, changing mortgage companies, opening a home equity line of credit, or refinancing. However not while renewing with the same company. The federal government first introduced the test in 2018, and on June 1, 2021, it was revised to reflect changes in the housing market. Significance of mortgage test If interest rates were to rise and your mortgage payments were to increase dramatically, the mortgage stress test might assist save you from falling behind or perhaps going into default. It was developed to aid homebuyers in making sure they don’t overextend themselves financially due to the purchase of more house than they can comfortably afford, even if interest rates rise. What does the test determine? Targets of the examination The mortgage servicer will use the following criteria to establish your eligibility for a loan: The Amount of the Mortgage Interest rates as of right now Payment schedule for a mortgage Money coming into your home Housing expenses, including rent or mortgage payment, and/or condo association dues Your Present Obligation How to determine what you can afford? Mortgage lender will perform two computations. The first is the ratio of total debt payments made each year. Your monthly mortgage payment, along with your utility bills and property taxes, will consume this much of your pre-tax income. We recommend no more than 35%. The second is the ratio of total recurrent interest payments to your total unsecured debt (total debt service, or TDS) (mortgage, car loans, credit card, lines of credit, etc.) It shouldn’t exceed 42% of your take-home pay. Tips for doing a mortgage stress test Suppose you were offered a mortgage for $400,000 at a rate of 1.78%, with payments of around $1,650 per month. If you want to stress test your mortgage, you’ll need to show that you can afford to pay the greater of. A $400,000 mortgage with a 5.25% interest rate would have monthly payments of $2,385. Your mortgage can pass a stress test if a $2,385 monthly payment is within your GDS of 35% or less and your TDS of 42% or less. The aforementioned scenario was provided for illustrative purposes only. As with any generalisation, specifics matter. The findings of the tests If your GDS and TDS ratios are quite high (very close to the maximum or over), you may still secure a mortgage. But you might have to reevaluate how much house you can afford. If your GDS and TDS ratios are low, you’ll likely get approval for a mortgage. Moreover you may even purchase a more costly home and still have money left over to maintain your current standard of living.

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Mortgage pre-approval and its requirements

Blogs / Amy / 6 January 2023 / approval, mortgage, mortgage broker, mortgagerates, mortgages, payment, preapproval

Mortgage pre-approval and its requirements To get pre-approved simply implies that all of the necessary paperwork has been completed. Basically, you need to organise your financial documents (credit report, proof of income, and a calculation of how much of your salary will go toward paying off debt) before you can even begin to shop for a mortgage. It also specifies that the down payment funds must have a 90-day history in order to prevent money laundering Mortgage pre-approval helps you look for a home within your financial means. House hunting can be a waste of time if you keep looking at homes that are $900,000 when you only have $750,000 to spend. Pre-approval for a mortgage simply entails taking the necessary steps to ensure that you are focusing on the right kinds of homes. This will also demonstrate to the seller that you are a serious buyer and can afford the property, two factors that can make or break an offer in today’s hot real estate market. To get pre-approved for a mortgage, a buyer must fill out an application and supply supporting evidence, such as bank statements, pay stubs, letters from employers, and tax returns. Requirement for pre-approval of mortgage The buyer’s FICO credit score and debt-to-income ratio (DTI), among other things, will be considered for pre-approval. Income Verification Homebuyers need to show two years’ worth of tax returns and W-2 statements, as well as recent pay stubs and year-to-date earnings, as well as evidence of any supplemental income received, like alimony or bonuses. The Documentation of Property Statements from the borrower’s checking, savings, and investment accounts demonstrate the borrower’s ability to make the down payment, closing charges, and other associated fees. This is because the down payment, stated as a percentage of the purchase price, differs from one financing programme to the next. If the buyer is not putting down at least 20% of the buying price, private mortgage insurance (PMI) is often required. Superior Credit The standard minimum credit score for a conventional loan approval is 620, while the minimum for an FHA loan is 580. Customers with credit scores of 760 or higher often qualify for the best rates offered by lenders. Verification of Employment In addition to checking a borrower’s pay stubs, lenders may also contact the employer over the phone to confirm the borrower’s employment and salary. Buyers who are self-employed must supply additional documentation, including information about the borrower’s income stability, the business’s location and nature, the company’s financial strength, and its projected ability to continue generating and dispersing sufficient income to allow the borrower to continue making the mortgage payments. Is There Any Plan If You Don’t Get Pre-Approved? Lenders will either pre-approve, refuse, or conditionally pre-approve a mortgage after assessing the application. To fulfil these requirements, the borrower may need to furnish more paperwork or lower existing debt. If a borrower’s application is turned down, the lender should explain why and provide suggestions for how to increase their chances of approval

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What is mortgage affordability?

Blogs / Amy / 5 January 2023 / affordability, mortgage, mortgageaffordability, mortgagepayments, mortgagerates, payments, rates

What is mortgage affordability? After saving up for a sizable down payment, you should then determine how much of a mortgage you can afford, which is the amount you will pay back to the lender each month along with interest. Your mortgage will equal the purchase price of your property minus the amount you have already put down as a down payment. Lenders calculate a borrower’s maximum mortgage amount based on their gross debt service (GDS) ratio and total debt service (TDS) ratio when evaluating a mortgage application. The mortgage amount you are offered will be based on these figures, which are essentially a test of your income in relation to your debt and anticipated housing expenses. The distribution share (TDS) is the ratio of your gross annual family income to the total cost of owning and maintaining your home. This includes your mortgage, utilities, property taxes, and condo fees, if any. The debt service ratio (DCR) is calculated by adding all of your monthly debt payments (including mortgage, automobile, and revolving credit card payments) and then dividing that number by your monthly gross income. If your gross debt service (GDS) and total debt service (TDS) are less than 39% and 44% of your gross income, respectively, then a home is considered affordable by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Canada’s national housing agency. If your GDS or TDS is more than 32% or 40%, respectively, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada will require you to take corrective action. How to calculate mortgage affordability Let’s begin by discussing what it means to have an affordable mortgage. Although it is sometimes used to describe the ratio of a city’s cost of living to the average income of its residents, the term is better understood as the maximum loan amount from which you can expect to be approved by a financial institution, taking into account your income, debt, and living expenses. When determining whether or not you qualify for a mortgage, lenders look at: Your pretax yearly income Credit card, loan, and auto payments all add up to your monthly debt payments. Included in this are mortgage payments, utilities, and half of your condo or HOA fees (if applicable). Because condo fees might include expenses like property maintenance, insurance, and some utilities, which are not used in debt-service calculations for other types of properties, only half of the latter figure is used. A mortgage is considered affordable by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation if the borrower’s gross debt service (GDS) ratio, which includes housing costs, does not exceed 39%. Total debt service (TDS) ratios, which include mortgage payments and other debt payments, cannot exceed 44% to be considered affordable.

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Fixed mortgage rate vs. Variable mortgage rate: How do they work?

Blogs / Amy / 5 January 2023 / fixedmortgage, mortgage, mortgagepayments, mortgagerate, rate, variablemortgagerate

Fixed mortgage rate vs. Variable mortgage rate: How do they work? Canadian mortgage applicants can select either a fixed or variable interest rate. The overall interest cost of a mortgage will be affected by the interest rate structure chosen. Your interest rate will either be locked in (called “fixed”) for the duration of your mortgage or it will be variable (called “floating”). We can show you how the differences between fixed and adjustable mortgage rates over the course of five years stack up. Five-year fixed mortgage rates Five-year fixed mortgage rates guarantee that your interest rate and monthly payment won’t change for the length of your contract. Fixed rates are more stable than variable ones, but they also tend to be more expensive. Your mortgage contract will be in place for the whole five years, as suggested by the name, with a five-year fixed-rate mortgage. Mortgages in Canada typically run for five years, but can be taken out for as little as six months. Mortgage interest rates are fixed for the duration of a fixed-rate mortgage loan. This means that your mortgage payments will remain stable until your current mortgage contract expires and you need to negotiate a new one. This is why many people prefer fixed-rate mortgages over adjustable-rate mortgages for peace of mind. Mortgages with a variable interest rate have interest rates that may change periodically over the course of the loan’s duration. As the overnight rate set by the Bank of Canada fluctuates, so too do prime rates set by individual banks. Right now, the prime rate stands at 5.45%. Mortgages with a fixed interest rate can, at long last, be open or closed. When a mortgage is open, extra payments can be made on a regular basis or in a lump sum without incurring any fees or penalties. A general rule of thumb is that closed mortgage terms have lower interest rates than open mortgage terms since they limit the borrower’s options Five-year variable rate mortgage When market interest rates are low, as they have been for the last several years, five-year variable-rate mortgages in Canada are a great option. Variable-rate mortgages, which have historically been less common in Canada than fixed-rate mortgages, might save money for borrowers who are willing to deal with some interest rate volatility over the course of a five-year loan. A five-year variable-rate mortgage, as the name implies, is issued for a period of five years. You can get a mortgage for anything from six months to ten years in Canada, with the average being five years. Your interest rate on a variable-rate mortgage will change throughout the course of your loan’s term in response to fluctuations in the prime rate set by your lender. Contrast this with fixed-rate mortgages, which don’t fluctuate throughout the course of the loan’s initial five years. For instance, if you have a mortgage with a variable interest rate, you might see a phrase like “prime plus” or “prime minus” followed by a percentage. With a “prime plus 0.5%” mortgage, your interest rate will be 3% if the lender’s prime rate is 2.5%. Your interest rate is currently 3.5%, but it would be 3.75% if the prime rate were to climb to 3%. How this affects your mortgage payments is conditional on the specifics of your variable-rate mortgage. In the case of some mortgages with a variable interest rate, the monthly payment won’t vary even if the rate does. Instead, it calculates the interest and principal components of each payment. When the interest rate on a loan drops, more of each payment goes toward paying down the loan’s principal. As the percentage used to calculate interest on your balance changes, the impact of an increase in the variable rate grows. Even if your monthly payment remains the same, the length of time it takes to pay off your mortgage increases as interest rates raise. Other types of mortgages, known as variable rate mortgages, feature payment adjustments (these are sometimes called adjustable-rate mortgages). If you have a mortgage with a variable interest rate, your monthly payments will fluctuate as the interest rate does. The amount you owe is calculated by multiplying the lender’s prime rate by the margin you agreed to in your mortgage contract (often a percentage point or two)

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