At Landmark, our mortgage brokers are independent licensed mortgage specialist with the OACIQ. Unlike a bank, a mortgage broker has access to a number of products offered by most financial institutions.
While a bank simply offers their products, a mortgage broker can shop around and find the best products that will suit your personal financial needs.
Furthermore, a mortgage broker works for you rather than a specific financial institution. Plus, he/she only gets paid once the mortgage is disbursed.
With the option of a wide variety of products, the services a mortgage broker offers are much more flexible than the few choices a bank specialist can provide you.
Moreover, mortgage specialists have access to unadvertised rates and they offer unbiased knowledgeable financial advice.
We have created a simple tool to help you. Our calculator will help you determine how much you can afford to determine your buying power and monthly payment for your home.
In most cases, you need a minimum of 5% of the total loan amount for a down payment.
In addition to the down payment, you must be able to demonstrate that you have at least the total of 1.5% of the purchase price to cover other closing costs of the mortgage such as (legal fees, taxes adjustment and insurer sale tax of 9% on the insurance premium fee).
For any down payment that is less than 20% of the total value, loan insurance is required. Here is how you could increase your down payment.
A fixed rate mortgage has a pre-determined interest rate at the beginning of the loan term. The advantage of this type of mortgage is that the rate stays the same throughout your full mortgage term which in turn lets you plan accordingly for your monthly payments.
A variable rate mortgage has a fluctuating interest rate (which depends on the market conditions) throughout the loan term. If the rate drops, more of the payment goes towards reducing the principal. If the rate goes up, a larger portion of your monthly payments funds the interest.
Along with our credit application, the following documents are usually required for the lender:
* Please note other documentation may be required.
A mortgage pre-approval provides you with a guaranteed interest rate and loan amount from lenders. They may provide the pre-approval up to 120 days for you to shop for your dream home with the pre-approval.
The amount a client is usually qualified for on a mortgage pre-approval is based on the information provided by the client. It must be verified once more if the mortgage is carried on. Conditions, which would need to be verified, would include employment information, proof of down payment, property information, etc…
Funds given to a client as a gift from immediate family members are acceptable as a down payment from most lenders. A gift lender signed by the donor and receiver of the funds is always required to confirm that the funds are actually a gift and not a loan.
Note: you will need 1.5% of personal funds for property purchase
Most lenders send out their mortgage renewal notices 90 days in advance, with the posted mortgage rates. However, the rate provided to you is not the lowest rate on the market. That is why mortgage brokers are better to work with to receive the best offers from various lenders.
There are many options when it comes to paying off a mortgage sooner. Here are some options to choose from:
You could also choose a shorter amortization length at the renewal date. However, it is not advisable on the financial aspect.
As a first time buyer, you can use up to $25,000 of your existing RRSP’s to help you make the down payment in accordance to your most recent federal notice of assessment and revenue.
For further details, check our video.
Mortgage loan insurance is provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC), the official government, Genworth Financial, and Canada Guaranty.
This insurance is required by law to insure lenders against defaults on mortgages with a loan to value ratio which is greater than 80%.
The insurance premiums can range from 0.60% to 6.60% and are paid by the borrower. They are usually added directly to the mortgage amount.
Some lenders still consider you eligible for a mortgage although you have faced bankruptcy. This decision varies from lender to lender and ultimately depends on the circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy. If you believe this will be a problem, please consult us for more information.
A home inspection is a visual examination of a property by a professional to determine the overall conditions of the property. The inspector gives the results of the inspection in writing to the new buyers within 72 hours.
Yes, it is recommended to have a home inspection done. It is also advisable to present the promise of purchase with the inclusion of the inspection clause.