Mortgages in Canada can be a murky subject – one that we hope to shed some light on with a series of highly informational articles.
Latest News
CMHC reports annual pace of housing starts dropped 17% in October Nov 18th
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts in October fell 17% compared with September..... More »
What mortgage professionals can expect at the upcoming MIC trade show Apr 30th
ONMICA is hosting its latest annual MIC Trade Show and Seminar in Toronto on May 8..... More »
Canadian home sales hit “speed bump” in July, despite rate cuts Aug 17th
Falling mortgage rates haven't yet had a a significant impact on real estate activity, according to recent data..... More »
What’s the best mortgage for first-time home buyers? + MORE Dec 8th
Q: I’m buying my first home—a starter home—that I plan to live in for the next five to seven years. How do I know which mortgage is right for me? — First-time Buyer, Toronto
Get the mortgage rate that works for you.Find the best rate for you in under 2 minutes at ratehub.ca. Let's ge.... More »
Could a line of credit impact my mortgage application? Nov 16th
Prospective house hunters and those looking to refinance an existing mortgage should consider the impacts of their lines of credit on their mortgage application. That’s because lenders take non-mortgage debt, including line of credit payments, into account when determining how much you can afford .... More »
Myths and facts of reverse mortgages
– moneysense.ca
A reverse mortgage is exactly what the name implies: accessing the existing equity you have built in your home by granting a mortgage to a lender without the need to make monthly payments.
And yet, there are many misconceptions about this financial product, which allows Canadians to borrow up to 55% of a home’s value, tax-free, on properties worth $250,000 or more.
With home property values soaring and the federal government tightening traditional mortgage qualification rules through a rigorous stress test, more homeowners are looking to reverse mortgages as a way to unlock the value tied up in their properties. Borrowers receive the money tax-free to use as they wish—to supplement their income and increase cash flow; to cover unexpected expenses or home renovations; and to help stay in their current home are just a few examples.
Unlike home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), which require monthly payments, reverse mortgages, such as those offered by Equitable Bank, are ideal for cash-strapped homeowners who want to stay put without increasing their living expenses…
And yet, there are many misconceptions about this financial product, which allows Canadians to borrow up to 55% of a home’s value, tax-free, on properties worth $250,000 or more.
With home property values soaring and the federal government tightening traditional mortgage qualification rules through a rigorous stress test, more homeowners are looking to reverse mortgages as a way to unlock the value tied up in their properties. Borrowers receive the money tax-free to use as they wish—to supplement their income and increase cash flow; to cover unexpected expenses or home renovations; and to help stay in their current home are just a few examples.
Unlike home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), which require monthly payments, reverse mortgages, such as those offered by Equitable Bank, are ideal for cash-strapped homeowners who want to stay put without increasing their living expenses…
Should you hold your mortgage inside your RRSP?
– moneysense.ca
Q. I currently own a house in Edmonton that is mortgaged, and looking to purchase a property in Vernon, BC, that I will eventually retire to. Until then, I am liking the idea of renting out that property to help support the additional mortgage.
I am wondering if it’s possible to transfer my existing mortgage into my RRSP and access the cash there by reducing the amount of additional mortgage I would need to purchase the Vernon property? Otherwise, is there a way to purchase the Vernon property using my RRSP funds?
–Yvonne
A. I am often asked about buying a home to retire to eventually, and renting it out in the meantime. I question the approach because a home you want to live in is not necessarily a good property to rent out to a tenant. A property that is easily rentable to tenants may be close to transit and jobs for example, whereas a property you may want to retire to could be more rural or have different attributes.
In addition, there are things that could change in your life by the time you retire…
I am wondering if it’s possible to transfer my existing mortgage into my RRSP and access the cash there by reducing the amount of additional mortgage I would need to purchase the Vernon property? Otherwise, is there a way to purchase the Vernon property using my RRSP funds?
–Yvonne
A. I am often asked about buying a home to retire to eventually, and renting it out in the meantime. I question the approach because a home you want to live in is not necessarily a good property to rent out to a tenant. A property that is easily rentable to tenants may be close to transit and jobs for example, whereas a property you may want to retire to could be more rural or have different attributes.
In addition, there are things that could change in your life by the time you retire…
