MortgageHelp.ca FAQs

A pre-approved mortgage locks in an interest rate for a specific period, usually 60 to 90 days. This offer will be made based on the information you supply, and it will almost always include restrictions that must be met before the mortgage can be finalized. Written proof of job or income, as well as a down payment from your own funds, are usually required. A competent real estate expert will ensure a lender has approved their client before showing them any properties they might be interested in. This ensures that all details are looked into ahead of time, so there won’t be anything holding up future talks.

A down payment of 5% is required as a minimum, subject to specified maximum price constraints. Regardless of the down payment amount, at least 5% of it must come from your own cash or a gift from a family member. It is not possible to borrow the money for the down payment.

The amount of money needed for a down payment on a home varies. The CMHC, on the other hand, advises buying at least 5%. A higher percentage will result in a high-ratio mortgage, which will incur additional fees from the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC). The CMHC does not impose any requirements on a conventional mortgage, making it easier for buyers to finance 20% or more upfront.

Yes, but there are some prerequisites. For mortgages with less than a 20% down payment, mortgage loan insurance through CMHC, Genworth, or Canada Guaranty is required.

Individuals will be obliged to pay particular fees when purchasing a new property. The total of these fees includes down payments, prepaid property tax and homeowner’s insurance premiums, survey charges, land transfer taxes, attorney fees, and other incidental expenses such as garbage disposal fees or GST. Make sure you check this out before signing anything because you’ll want someone competent who knows everything there is to know about real estate deals.

The number of years it will take to pay off a mortgage’s principal sum is known as amortization. Despite the limitations, you can set your maximum payback period to 35 years if that works best for you and how much time you have available.

The difference between term and amortization is that the former is limited to five years, while the latter is much longer. For example, if you have a mortgage, you will have the chance to renegotiate your interest rate after five years, but there are no such alternatives after 25 years.

A mortgage broker is an excellent choice for individuals who want to borrow money but don’t know where to start. When a bank lender is working with your application, they take care of you, but not if you use someone else! Hiring a professional will save you time and ensure that you don’t make any mistakes during the process.

There are many options available to help you pay off your mortgage faster. You will be able to save a lot of money if you:

  • Choosing a payment plan that isn’t monthly or quick
  • Increasing your mortgage payments monthly
  • Making important prepayments
  • Making large Payments before the deadline
  • At renewal time, select an amortization with a shorter term

You’ll need an excellent credit score to get the best interest rate. Because of the increased risk, having negative credit can result in a higher interest rate. On the other hand, if your credit is good or better, you will undoubtedly get better rates than folks who have never paid a loan on time or managed their money wisely.

The security of our clients’ information is critical to our success. At DPS Mortgages, we take the security of your personal information extremely seriously. We adhere to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to ensure that the data is protected, secret, and never sold.

The answer is contingent on the number of checks and the interval between them. Within two weeks, you should have your credit checks completed. Applying regularly throughout the year may indicate that you’re looking for new lines of credit or other financial services, which may cause concern with creditors. Stick to three applications per year at most.

Private mortgages do not report to credit bureaus, but they will supply you with your payment history if you ask for it. Before considering whether or not this is a vital issue to consider when deciding which lender to approach next, it’s wise to speak with a specialist. But, before you make that decision, have an open discussion with your mortgage specialist!

A variable-rate mortgage has interest rates that fluctuate with the market. When the Bank of Canada increases prime lending, your monthly payments also increase in tandem.

Fixed-rate mortgages have interest rates fixed for a set period, which is usually the life of your house loan.

A solid rule of thumb is to never renew a mortgage without first consulting with your lender. Yes, if you’re confident you’re obtaining the best rate from your lender and have been satisfied with their service. If you have any doubts about either of these features, consult an Accredited Mortgage Professional before signing anything, or wait 3-4 months to allow them to evaluate rates to see what would work best for you (and not theirs)

A co-signer might provide some assurance to the lender that your mortgage will be paid if you default. When co-signers sign on to a loan, they are liable for any debt and must have adequate money to meet their monthly obligations; otherwise, this may not be a possibility.

High-ratio mortgages are loans that require the purchase of default insurance to mitigate the risk. If something goes wrong, this can result in higher monthly payments and more costs associated with preserving your property, so make sure you discuss it before closing on this high-risk loan.

There are numerous alternatives for paying off mortgages faster. If you’re searching for a solution, try increasing your payment frequency and using the prepay option to pay down the amount by allocating every penny towards paying the principal. This will save you thousands of dollars and reduce the number of years it takes to pay off your loan!

A minimum of one year of credit history is required, and $1,000 in the bank. It must, however, be well-rounded with experience revolving around credit (credit cards) and installment loans (a loan with repayment terms). If you speak with a mortgage professional, short credit history may not preclude you from qualifying for a loan.