One of the important factors in home ownership is understanding things like your credit score. Some people don’t pay much attention to this metric until they begin the mortgage discussion! However, you will find that your credit score is one of the most important factors when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage at the best rate – and with the most purchasing power.

Credit scores range from 300 to 900, the higher your credit score the better. Ideally, you should be aiming for a credit score of 680 for at least one borrower (or guarantor), especially if you are putting under 20% down. If you are able to make a larger down payment of 20% or more, then a score of 680 is not required.

This score is based on spending habits and behaviours including: –

– Previous payment history and track record of paying your credit accounts on time is the number one thing that your credit score considers.

– Your current level of debt and whether you’re maxed or not is the second most important factor.

– How long you have had your credit in good standing is the third most important factor.

– Attaining new credits is the fourth factor and can be a red flag if you’re opening several credit cards, accounts, or loans in a short period.

– Your credit mix is the final aspect of your credit score to determine whether you have a healthy mix of credit cards, loans, lines of credit, etc.

If you want to improve your credit score, you can! It is a gradual process, but it is well worth it. Here are some tips to help you get started!

Pay Your Bills: This seems pretty straightforward, but it is not that simple. You not only have to pay the bills, but you have to do so in full AND on time whenever possible. Paying bills on time is one of the key behaviors lenders and creditors look for when deciding to grant you a loan or mortgage. If you are unable to afford the full amount, a good tip is to at least pay the minimum required as shown on your monthly statement to prevent any flags on your account.

Pay Your Debts: Whether you have credit card debt, a car loan, a line of credit, or a mortgage, the goal should be to pay your debt off as quickly as possible. To make the most impact, start by paying the lowest debt items first and then work towards the larger amounts. By removing the low-debt items, you also remove the interest payments on those loans which frees up money that can be put towards paying off larger items.

Stay Within Your Limit: This is key when it comes to managing debt and maintaining a good credit score. Using all or most of your available credit is not advised. Your goal should be to use 30% or less of your available credit. For instance, if you have a limit of $1000 on your credit card, you should never go over $700. NOTE: If you find you need more credit, it is better to increase the limit versus utilizing more than 70% of what is available each month.

Credit and Loan Application Management: Reduce the number of credit card or loan applications you submit. When you submit too many credit card applications, your credit score will go down, and multiple applications in a short period can do more damage. Your best to apply for one or two cards and wait to see if you are accepted before attempting further applications.

Prepared by the DLC Marketing Team

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If you want to check your credit score, Equifax will provided your a free credit report. Please note, a credit card is required for the free credit score option, but you are not charged. It is only used to help confirm your identity. https://www.equifax.com/personal/products/value-product-comparison/

5 Tips to Manage Financial Stress

With the continued rise of inflation, interest rates and the overall cost of living, the uncertainty can be unnerving for many individuals. But don’t fret! We have some tips and suggestions to help you manage your financial stress and help you to power through these latest economic changes:

1. Prioritize What You Can Control: It can be easy to feel like you have no control over your financial situation, especially with the economy in flux. However, dwelling on things you cannot fix will only cause more stress. Instead, we recommend focusing on what you CAN control within your situation. For instance, take a looking at your phone bill and services to see if you can reduce the cost (even temporarily), reviewing your grocery bill and looking for places to switch to cheaper brands or alternatives, perhaps buying in bulk. You’ll not only save money, but you will feel like you have more control and help reduce stress.

2. Pay Essential Bills: If you are struggling to pay your monthly bills, prioritizing them can help you gain some control. Knowing which bills are most important to pay first can help reduce anxiety as you’re not scrambling to decide what to do. In some cases, prioritizing your bills can also help you uncover unnecessary spending and you may find something that can be eliminated entirely (even temporarily).

3. Automate Payments and Savings: If you’re struggling to keep up with your bills and payments, or are finding that you keep saying you’ll save money, but aren’t, considering automation for your finances can be a step in the right direction. Ensuring that your bills are paid on time will help reduce stress and protect you from wasting money on penalties for missed payments. Alternatively, you can also set up automatic money transfers on the days you are paid to move funds into a separate, savings account before you even see it. Thereby, reducing the likelihood that you’ll skip on adding to your savings that month or use that money elsewhere.

4. Find Ways to Earn More Money: When cashflow is a problem and you are feeling the strain of trying to afford your current lifestyle, looking for ways to earn additional money can be a lifesaver! Consider part-time work for the weekends, consulting in your area of expertise or picking up extra hours at your current place of work. Now is also a great time to discuss with your manager if you are due for a raise.

5. Talk to Your Mortgage Professional: For most people, their mortgage is their largest monthly bill. If you are feeling the financial crunch, now is a great time to talk to your mortgage broker about potentially changing your payment schedule or even looking for a different mortgage product with better rates (ideally if you are at the end of your term). Do not hesitate to be honest about your situation and ask what your options are.
Regardless of where you find yourself financially, there are often many solutions to help reduce and resolve your stress and ensure that you have healthy monthly cashflow.

Prepared by DLC Marketing Team

First-Time Homebuyer Benefits

Buying your first home is a significant milestone! While you’re thinking about your affordability and what type of home you want to own, we have some exciting updates around first-time homebuyer benefits:

New or Pre-Construction Homes: Did you know? First-time buyers looking to purchase a new build or pre-construction home are eligible for 30-year amortization. This mortgage commitment can allow you to have smaller monthly payments, versus a standard 25-year amortization.

Mortgage Default Insurance: The CMHC has recently made it so mortgage default insurance will cover up to $1.5 million homes (increased from $1 million), helping more Canadians qualify for insured mortgages.

The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP): The Canadian government has a program known as the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), which is designed to allow first-time homeowners to withdraw up to $60,000 from RRSP to buy a home!

Purchasing with your spouse? You can access a total of $120,000 from your RRSP’s.

First Home Savings Account (FHSA): The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is specifically designed to help first-time homebuyers save for their down payment without paying taxes on the interest earned on their savings. The maximum is $8,000 annually that you can add into this account to save, with a maximum of $40,000 lifetime contributions.

First-Time Buyer Exemption: First-time home buyers are eligible for an exemption, reducing the property transfer tax you pay. If the fair market value of the property is:

$500,000 or less, you can claim an exemption amount equal to the full amount of property transfer tax.
Over $500,000 but no more than $835,000, the exemption amount is $8,000.
Over $835,000 and under $860,000 then the exemption amount is proportionally reduced up to $15,200.
Land Transfer Tax Rebates: First-time buyers in Ontario, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and the City of Toronto are able to claim land transfer tax rebates.

Prepared by DLC Marketing Team

Smart Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs

In the last decade, climate change and energy efficiency have become top of mind for many Canadians. From wanting to do our part by recycling to making our home as energy efficient as possible, there are so many benefits to being environmentally and energy conscious.

If you are looking to cut costs or simply want to reduce your eco-footprint, here are some great ways to cut your energy costs:

– Get a Smart Thermostat: A pretty easy installation, a smart thermostat can help you better manage your in-home temperature. Whether you opt to install a basic programmable thermostat or try Google’s Nest, which learns from you and works to predict which temperatures you prefer and when, getting a read on your in-home temperature can help you better manage your energy usage.

– Look for Drafty Spots: When it comes to heating your home, it can quickly become a wasted effort and results in extra costs if you have drafts in your home. In addition to windows and doors, you should also seal any folding attic stairs, add a fireplace plug to seal the damper and install a dryer vent seal to reduce drafts in your laundry room.

– Swap to LEDs: Most of us are already using LED bulbs throughout our home. If you aren’t yet, now is the time to make the switch! LED bulbs use 15% less energy than an equivalent incandescent, which can save you a ton of money each month especially in larger homes.

– Turn Down Your Water Heater: While sometimes nothing beats a good scalding shower, you don’t want to be burned with a high energy bill. Did you know if you knock down that temperature gauge by just 10 degrees, you can save 3% to 5% on your bills each month!?

– Examine Your Appliances: Since 1992, ENERGY STAR® has been backing energy efficient appliances and products, helping consumers make the right choices. Some of the least green appliances in your home are your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and refrigerator and, if you don’t currently have Energy Star certified versions of these machines, swapping to them is a surefire way to reduce your monthly expenses.

Can’t afford new appliances? Here are some other tips and tricks to help make them more efficient in the meantime: –

– Dishwasher: Use a citric acid-based cleaner in an empty cycle to rid your dishwasher of excess soap and calcium buildup that may be causing your machine to work harder.

– Washing Machine: Maximize energy by stuffing your machine to the brim whenever possible as washing machines typically use the same amount of energy regardless of load size.

Dryer: For starters, ensure you are always cleaning out your lint filter to increase air circulation. In – addition, keep an eye on the outside exhaust and clean when needed to reduce drying time and save energy.
Refrigerator: While most of us are more concerned with the food inside our fridges than the parts, it is important to check your condenser coils. Over time, dirt, food particles and dust can collect and reduce the efficiency. Another tip is to set your refrigerator to 2-3 degrees Celsius.

– Close The Blinds: When the temperature starts heating up, it is important to close the blinds and drapes to prevent the sun from beating in and warming up your home. The excessive heat makes your air conditioner work overtime causing your energy bills to skyrocket.

In addition to the cost savings and environmental benefits of improving your energy efficiency, CMHC also has a rebate available! The CMHC Eco Plus refund can provide a 25% partial premium refund if you’re CMHC insured and buying or building an energy-efficient home! Click here for more details.

Prepared by DLC Marketing Team

Closing Costs

Buying a home is one of the most exciting ventures in life! To ensure it goes smoothly, you need to have a proper budget in place to protect your financial security and help you make the best decision for your future location. However, the cost of the home is not the only cost that you need to budget for! The temptation will always be to start looking at the very top of your budget but fees, such as mandatory closing costs, can easily put you over the top. Knowing the real numbers will make it that much easier to stay within your budget and maintain your financial comfort.

Closing costs are a one-time fee associated with the sale of a home and are separate from the mortgage insurance and down payment. Typically, these costs range from 1.5-4% of the purchase price, depending on your location. This means, for an $800,000 home, you would be looking to budget around $22,000 on average.

Here are a few closing costs to keep an eye out for:

– Land Transfer Tax: This is calculated as a percentage of the purchase price of your home, with the amount varying in each province. Some cities, such as Toronto, also have a municipal LTT.

– Legal Fees and Disbursements: You can expect to incur a minimum of $500 (plus GST/HST) on legal fees for the preparation and recording of official documents around your purchase.

– Title Insurance: Most lenders require title insurance to protect against losses in the event of a property ownership dispute. This is purchased through your lawyer/notary and is typically $300 or more.
PST on CMHC Insurance: Though CMHC insurance itself is financed through the mortgage, PST on the insurance is typically paid at the lawyers and sometimes deducted from your advance.

– Home Inspection Fee: A home inspection is highly recommended as a condition of your Offer to Purchase to prevent any future surprises. This can cost around $500.

– Appraisal Fee: An appraisal is performed to certify the lender of the resale value of the home in the case you default on the mortgage. The cost is usually $400 – $600 but is typically covered by the lender.

– Property Insurance: Property insurance covers the cost of replacing your home and its contents, and must be in place on closing day. This is paid in monthly or annual premiums.

– Prepaid Utility Bills: You may need to reimburse the previous owner of your property for prepaid costs such as property taxes, utilities, and so forth.

– Property Taxes: Property taxes are due on an annual basis and are calculated as a percentage of the home value and vary by municipality. You also may need to reimburse the previous property owner if he/she has already paid property taxes for the full year.

Knowledge is power and understanding the hidden costs associated with purchasing a home can help you create a realistic budget and ensure you remain within your financial means. Contact a DLC Mortgage Expert if you have any questions about your current purchase process or if you are looking to buy a new home now or in the future!

Tapping into Your Home’s Equity with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage

Curious about the CHIP Reverse Mortgage by HomeEquity Bank? If you’re a Canadian aged 55 or older, this financial solution could hold the key to tapping into your largest asset, your home. It’s a unique opportunity that allows you to use your home equity for various purposes, from paying off debts to funding home renovations or supporting your loved ones financially. But what exactly is the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, and how does it work? Let’s dive into the details.

What is the CHIP Reverse Mortgage?

Maybe you’ve wondered, “What is the CHIP Reverse Mortgage?” The CHIP Reverse Mortgage is a loan secured against the value of your home and is only available for Canadians 55+. It allows you to unlock up to 55%* of the value of your home without having to sell or move. The money you receive is tax-free, and you can use it towards any of your personal needs, such as:

– Pay off debts/Consolidate debt

– Home renovations and repairs

– Unexpected expenses (medical, emergency)

– Financially aid your children/grandchildren

– Improve or maintain your standard of living

– Pay for a vacation or a special purchase

Eligibility

To be eligible for the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, you must meet the following criteria:

Canadian Homeowner: You need to be a homeowner in Canada to consider this financial solution.

Age Requirement: Both you and your spouse must be at least 55 years of age.

Primary Residence: The property in question should serve as your primary residence.

Home Maintenance: You must maintain the property well, pay your property taxes and insurance, and ensure it is not in default.

Property Type: Property must be a single family dwelling, detached duplex, triplex, quadruplex, link home, semi detached, townhouse / row house, condo – townhouse/ stacked townhouse, or condo – apartment style

If you meet these criteria, you can unlock tax-free cash with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage in an initial lump sum or scheduled monthly advances when needed.

Why Tap into Home Equity with The CHIP Reverse Mortgage

1. Keep your home and maintain ownership of your property: Frequently, people think the bank takes ownership of their home when they get a reverse mortgage. This is not true. HomeEquity Bank lends you a tax-free cash amount based on your home’s value, but you retain ownership of the property. However, you’re responsible for paying property taxes and maintaining the home’s condition.

2. No regular monthly payments required: A key perk of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage is that there are no monthly payments. When you eventually move, sell, or pass away, the reverse mortgage, including interest and principal, is repaid from the proceeds of the home’s sale.

3. Choose how you plan to spend the money: One of the most significant benefits of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage is that you completely control the loan and can spend it on whatever needs you require.

4. The money borrowed is tax-free and does not affect your government benefits: Because you are unlocking home equity, the funds received from the CHIP Reverse Mortgage are not added to your taxable income and do not affect government benefits such as Old Age Security (OAS).

5. You will never owe more than the value of your home: The CHIP Reverse Mortgage has a No Negative Equity Guarantee,** which means that if you meet your property taxes and mortgage obligations, HomeEquity Bank guarantees that the amount owed on the due date will not exceed the fair market value of your home. If the house depreciates and the mortgage amount owing is more than the gross proceeds from the sale of the property, HomeEquity Bank covers the difference between the sale price and the loan amount.

The CHIP Reverse Mortgage offers Canadians aged 55 and better a flexible and secure way to access their home equity without selling or moving. With no monthly payments required and the ability to use the funds for various purposes, it provides financial freedom and peace of mind. If you’re considering unlocking the value of your home, contact your Dominion Lending Centres mortgage expert to learn more about the CHIP Reverse Mortgage solution.

* Some conditions apply.

** As long as you keep your property in good maintenance, pay your property taxes and property insurance and your property is not in default. The guarantee excludes administrative expenses and interest that has accumulated after the due date.

Prepared by HomeEquity Bank