21 Jul Thinking of Purchasing a Property? Know Your Options: Types of Mortgages & Government Grants
Thinking of Purchasing a Property? Know Your Options: Types of Mortgages & Government Grants
If you are thinking about purchasing a property, it is important to know all the financing options available to you. There are several different mortgage options as well as government programs and grants available to explore.
Mortgage Options
In an ever changing real estate market it is more important than ever to know all of your mortgage options. Although the traditional thought may be to obtain your mortgage from your bank, you should know all the options available as well as the perks with each one.
“A” lenders – these include the Big 5 Banks but also Credit Unions, Monoline lenders (mortgage only companies) as well as Trust companies. Monoline lenders can carry a lower rate offer as well as more favorable pre-payment penalties.
“B” Lenders – these lenders fall primarily under the Monoline lender category but are able to offer mortgage options for a client that may not fit in the standard “A” lender category. Such programs include options for self employed, bruised credit history, income property portfolios with over 5 properties (as many lenders “A” lenders are restricted to a maximum of 5).
“Alternative/Private lenders – offer great lending options for new construction, land only purchases, short term financing and for clients that are not able to fit within the guidelines for either “A” or “B” lenders. As mentioned, these lenders are used for a short term and require an exit strategy to help the client transition into “A” lending.
Each lender option will carry a different rate tier and on the “B” and Alternative side, a lender fee is charged as well. The rates and fees vary on a case by case basis depending on the property, credit rating and overall file strength.
We can put you in touch with Reni McNeil, a Mortgage Agent from Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, who can help you explore all your options to purchase or put you on a path towards a future purchase.
Vendor take back mortgage
Will the return of a vendor (seller) take back mortgage become popular again? The opportunity is there with higher interest rates and some sellers not needing all of their cash. It was popular in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The benefits for the purchaser are a lower down payment and possibly more favorable terms, and for sellers potentially a higher rate of return may be negotiated.
Government programs and grants
(Click on the titles below to learn more about each program)
Canada’s First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
As of April 1st, Canadians aged 18 or older who are purchasing their first home are eligible to enroll in a tax-free First Home Savings Account (FHSA). Introduced in the 2022 federal budget, the FHSA combines elements of a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), allowing users to make tax-deductible contributions and tax-free withdrawals from the account for the purposes of saving for a home.
First-Time Home Buyer Incentive
The program offers 5% or 10% of the home’s purchase price to put toward a down payment in a shared-equity mortgage with the government, making home ownership more affordable by lowering monthly payments.
Only first-time home buyers are eligible (if you’ve never purchased a home before, have not occupied a home you own in the past four years, or recently experienced the breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership).
Home Buyers’ Amount
You can claim a $5,000 non-refundable tax credit if you purchased a qualifying house (which could be a single-family house, semi-detached house, townhouse, condo or duplex, among other options) and you are considered a first-time home buyer.
Home Buyers’ Plan
This program allows you to withdraw up to $35,000 from your registered retirement savings (RRSPs) in order to buy or build a qualifying home. You have up to 15 years to pay it back.
GST/HST New Housing Rebate
If you purchased a new or renovated home as a primary residence, or renovated your home, you can recoup part of the tax you paid on the purchase price or build.
Canada Greener Homes Loan
You may be eligible for grants or interest-free loans (up to $40,000) to help make your home more energy efficient.
We are always happy to assist and answer your questions or discuss the Ottawa market with you. We are real estate agents in the greater Ottawa area with the expertise to help you find a home in the neighbourhood of your dreams!