Mortgages for First Time Home Buyers
Should you get a pre-approved mortgage?
Definitely. Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval is an important initial step in securing a mortgage to buy a home. The lenders will analyze your current income, debt situation and credit history in order to qualify you for a maximum loan amount. This will give you a clear picture of your financial parameters and an idea of your purchase price range. More importantly, with a pre-approval, we can hold your interest rate for up to 120 days. So, if rates go up from now until you buy a property, you are protected.
What is the minimum amount of money needed to buy real estate ?
In most situations, you only require 5% of the purchase price as your down payment. In some instances, you may qualify to purchase a home by borrowing your 5% down payment and obtaining a mortgage for the remainder. We are committed to providing our customers with creative resources in order to obtain the financing they desire.
How can you determine how much of a mortgage you qualify for?
Several factors are involved in determining your purchase potential or how much you Qualify for. Please contact us to get a fast and accurate estimate.
How can a cash back mortgage assist a first time homebuyer?
Institutions have developed a product called the "Cash back Mortgage" so a buyer with the down payment but no cash to cover closing costs can still purchase a home. As long as you have the minimum down payment required, institutions are now giving you a cash reward to assist you in paying for your closing costs. You can also use this money to purchase furniture or appliances.
What are the additional mortgage costs to consider when purchasing a home in BC?
If you buy a newly constructed home you must pay the GST, which is now at 5%. There is a 36% rebate if you buy a home less than $450,000 and you are a first time home buyer. The link below is to CCRA's webpage on GST rebate information.
In BC you must also pay the Property Transfer Tax when purchasing any property. There is a full exemption for first time buyers that purchase property up to $425,000. Here is a link to the BC Government's Property Transfer Tax info.
