30 Jan

The Top 7 Misconceptions About Reverse Mortgages.

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Posted by: Ingrid Kutzner

How much do you really know about reverse mortgages? Maybe you know that reverse mortgages can help Canadians 55+ access the equity in their home, tax-free. Maybe you know that tens of thousands of Canadians are using a reverse mortgage as part of their financial plan. But did you know that there are 7 common misconceptions when it comes to understanding reverse mortgages in Canada. As Canada’s leading provider of reverse mortgages, HomeEquity Bank can help set the record straight.

common misconceptions about reverse mortgages

1. If you have a reverse mortgage, you no longer own your home

Nothing could be further from the truth. You always maintain title, ownership and control of your home – HomeEquity Bank simply has a first mortgage on the title.

2. You will owe more than the value of your home in the end

Also, untrue. Every CHIP Reverse Mortgage from HomeEquity Bank comes with a No Negative Equity Guarantee(1) which states that as long as you – the homeowner – have met your obligations, the amount you will have to pay on the due date will not exceed the fair market value of your home. In fact, over 99% of HomeEquity Bank’s customers retain equity in their home when they decide to sell, with over 50% of the home’s value remaining after the loan is paid back (on average).

3. Only people younger than 62 can apply for a reverse mortgage

In Canada, the CHIP Reverse Mortgage is available to Canadian homeowners aged 55 and older. In fact, as you age you are more likely to qualify for a higher amount on your loan. A reverse mortgage is a lifetime product and as long as the property taxes and insurance are in good standing, the property remains in good condition, and the homeowner is living in the home full-time, the loan won’t be called even if the house decreases in value.

4. Failure to make payments can result in eviction

This myth is one of the most common when it comes to reverse mortgages. The CHIP Reverse Mortgage does not require any monthly payments, meaning you can’t miss payments in the first place.

5. Arranging a reverse mortgage is very expensive

This is also untrue. Much like a conventional mortgage, an appraisal of your property and independent legal advice is required, and your responsibility to pay for. The only remaining cost is a one-off closing and administration fee. When you compare this to the costs of “rightsizing” to another home, you will find a much more affordable option in a reverse mortgage.

6. Reverse mortgages have much higher interest rates than conventional mortgages

While it’s generally true that interest rates are a bit higher than a traditional mortgage, the difference is not excessive. Plus, making monthly mortgage payments is simply not a viable option for many retired Canadians, and – even if it were – many would struggle to qualify for a traditional mortgage in the first place. For these reasons, many retired Canadians are choosing reverse mortgages over conventional solutions.

7. You won’t be able to pass on your home to your children

The idea that your children won’t be able to inherit your home is a complete myth. Your heirs will always have the option of keeping the property by paying off your reverse mortgage after you pass away. Plus, HomeEquity Bank’s No Negative Equity Guarantee, (1) states that if the home depreciates in value and the mortgage amount due 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. Therefore, you will never owe more than the fair market value of the home.

To find out how much you could qualify for, try our reverse mortgage calculator, or contact your DLC Mortgage Professional.

[1] The guarantee excludes administrative expenses and interest that has accumulated after the due date.

Written By: Agostino Tuzi
Published by HomeEquity Bank

28 Jan

What will the real estate industry look like in 2021?

Mortgage Tips

Posted by: Ingrid Kutzner

If there is one word that defines life in 2021, that word is change. How much and for how long is uncertain. And while some changes may be temporary, many may be here to stay.

How will all of this change impact the real estate industry? Some key trends have emerged that bear closer scrutiny.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

With more and more people working from home and the potential of many continuing to do so in a post-pandemic world, there is an increased need for more space. Enter suburbanization. Residents living in major urban centers are steadily moving to suburbia. Will suburbs become 18-hour cities? Who knows? One thing is certain, living cheek to jowl with thousands of other people is no longer a viable option for many.

OFFICE SPACE

For a while now, open-concept office space was the trend. That trend is now dead. While it allowed companies to downsize to smaller properties since less space was needed, after COVID-19, once workers begin to return to the office, we may see a return to traditional working spaces and the need for larger office buildings to accommodate them.

RETAIL SPACE

Bricks and mortar businesses have been hit hard and have seen a sharp decline in sales. Many big-name brands that previously anchored large retail spaces have permanently shut their doors. What does this mean for shopping malls? Will they survive? Experts suggest that to do so, they will have to be creative and embrace change. Think more medical clinics and multi-family residential homes rather than clothing stores with multi-user fitting rooms.

PROPTECH (PROPERTY TECHNOLOGY)

The real estate industry was on the brink of widely embracing proptech before the pandemic hit. That acceptance has accelerated like a rocket. In order to stay engaged with customers, service their needs and remain in business, companies have been forced to innovate in order to survive. This embrace of innovation will help to stabilize many sectors once the pandemic is behind us.

Published by FCT

18 Jan

5 Things to Know Before Buying a Rural Property

Mortgage Tips

Posted by: Ingrid Kutzner

As cities continuing to grow bigger and busier, a rural home beyond those limits can seem like a dream come true! However, before you dive into country living, there are a few things you should know! Especially, how different it can be to qualify for a mortgage.

Buying a Rural Property

1. CHECK THE ZONING

When it comes to buying rural property, it is important to check how the property is zoned. This is vital! Zoning will determine how you are able to use the land, as well as the types of buildings that are allowed and where they can be located. Is the property zoned as “residential,” “agricultural” or perhaps “country residential”?

Zoning could affect the lenders available to you and what you qualify for, as well as what you can do with that property. Differences in lending and foreclosure processes, has caused some lenders to be hesitant with financing mortgages in agricultural/country residential zones.

2. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES

Once you have determined how a property is zoned, it is important to look at the land. Requisitioning a survey early in the process will help mark the exact boundaries of your property to avoid future disputes. This is also a good time to get an appraisal done on the land and its value.

3. CONSIDERING THE LAND AND YOUR MORTGAGE

What many borrowers don’t realize is that land has a drastic effect on mortgage qualification and what you can borrow. In fact, most lenders will mortgage: (1) house, (1) outbuilding and up to (10) acres of land. If you have a second building or extra land that is being purchased, you will need to consider additional funding on top of your typical 5% down payment.

4. WATER AND SEWAGE

When it comes to rural living, many people draw water from private wells and utilize septic tanks for sewage. To ensure everything is safe and in working order, it is a good idea to have an inspection done on the septic tank and water quality as a condition on the purchase offer. Due to the nature of these properties, be advised that inspections may cost more than it would in the city. However, it is important as lenders may request potability and flow tests!

5. COVERAGE MATTERS!

Coverage matters, especially when you are living away from the city. When it comes to rural properties, there are two types of insurance that you should consider:

  1. Home Insurance: When it comes to rural living, this can be more expensive than city homes due to the size and location of the land and distance from fire stations and hydrants.
  2. Title Insurance: This is vital for rural purchases and will protect you from unforeseen incidents with the deed or transfer. It will also alert you to any improper previous use of the property (such as dumping for waste).

If you are thinking about purchasing a home in a rural area, be sure to speak to a Dominion Lending Centres mortgage professional before you do anything. They can often recommend a realtor who specializes in rural properties and knows the area best. A DLC Mortgage professional can also help ensure you understand any differences in the mortgage process and qualifying that come with rural purchases.

Published by DLC Marketing Team

 

15 Jan

5 Expenses Most Canadians Don’t Expect in Retirement

General

Posted by: Ingrid Kutzner

According to a recent CIBC poll, nearly half (48%) of retired Canadians stopped working sooner than they expected. The result is that many retirees have saved less for retirement than they planned, making unexpected expenses all the more stressful once the income tap has run dry.

But you know what they say, preparation is the best protection against the unexpected. And with that in mind, here are some unexpected expenses that many retired Canadians experience that you might want to plan for.

Home maintenance and upgrades

Just like with our own bodies, homes require ongoing care and have unexpected breakdowns. That’s why it’s important to do regular check-ups and budget for the unexpected, as well as the expected.

Whether it’s replacing the roof, furnace, or appliances, or upgrading your home to be more accessible as you age, it’s important to plan ahead for how you will cover the costs of keeping the home you love safe, beautiful, and suited to your needs. Luckily, there are options like the CHIP Reverse Mortgage that can provide the funds to help you take care of your home without making monthly payments or affecting your OAS or CPP.

Personal and family emergencies

It’s sad to say, but most people at some point in their lives will have to deal with a sudden emergency. Whether it is needing to travel to see a family member who has had an accident or become ill, or people you love who may need some financial assistance during a trying time. The costs of dealing with such an emergency can be as draining on your finances as they are on your emotions.

Many financial institutions and advisors recommend setting up an emergency fund with 3-6 months salary. Of course, this means you would need to plan ahead and set up the fund before retiring and adding to it when possible in retirement. You can use the emergency fund calculator from Practical Money Skills Canada if you need to get started.

Frauds and scams

Between January 2014 and December 2017, Canadians lost more than $405 million to fraudsters. What’s more, these criminals largely target elderly citizens, with $94 million of that sum coming from Canadians aged 60 to 79. And with the growth of the digital age since then, there are now more opportunities for fraudsters than ever before.

No one expects to get scammed, but many retirees experience significant financial hardship due to fraudulent crimes. To help you avoid, detect, and report fraud, HomeEquity Bank has recently launched Catch the Scam, a series of online classes led by Frank Abagnale, the former conman whose life inspired the Leonardo DiCaprio film Catch Me If You Can. Frank now works as a consultant with organizations including the FBI to help tackle fraud, forgery, and embezzlement. Watch Frank’s Catch the Scam video series to see how you can avoid Canada’s most common scams.

Living longer than expected

While a long life is truly a blessing and something to celebrate, Canadians are living longer than they ever have. One result of this is that some of the financial advice being given today may not account for the realities of tomorrow. Of course, any retirement plan needs to begin with when you plan to retire, and end with how long you can realistically expect to stay retired.

Many Canadians are realizing that they will live longer and experience higher health costs toward the end of their lives. In order to be fully prepared, it’s important to over-plan to ensure you are fully covered for the (extra) long term.

Investment losses

While everyone understands that investments have a cycle with peaks and valleys, toward retirement most people tend to shift towards safer assets such as government bonds and Guaranteed Income Certificates (GICs) – but there is always a level of risk for any investment. Make sure your investments align with the risk you’re willing to tolerate, and that you have a way to get extra funds if needed. For instance, a reverse mortgage is an ideal option for many 55+ Canadians, since it’s tax-free, unlocks up to 55% of their home equity, and requires no monthly mortgage payments.

Contact your DLC Mortgage Broker to find out more about how the CHIP Reverse Mortgage can help you prepare for the unexpected in retirement.

Written By: Agostino Tuzi

13 Jan

Ultimate Checklist for Selling Your Home

General

Posted by: Ingrid Kutzner

Selling your home can be an extremely stressful experience. Between thinking about moving logistics and financials, it’s easy to miss the small details in between the process.

With that in mind, we’ve built this checklist for selling your home to help you keep track of the things that will get a potential buyer interested. Turns out, it’s not as simple as just fluffing pillows or doing a light dusting. “Put your buyer’s hat on and walk through your home like it is the first time,” Marilou Young, an Accredited Staging Professional and an Associate Broker with Virtual Properties Realty in the metropolitan Atlanta area, told Forbes.

Below is the ultimate checklist for selling your home.

GET FAMILIAR WITH THE PAPERWORK

For home sellers interested in the history of the house, make sure you’ve got all the information handy; this can include paperwork on renovations, property tax receipts, deeds and transferable warranties.

GETTING THE PRICE RIGHT

According to HGTV, it can be helpful to do some market research on what homes in your area are selling for- then shave 15 to 20 percent off that. This way, you attract multiple buyers who can end up outbidding each other and bringing up the price. While that can seem like a risky move, it could work in the competitive markets of big Canadian cities.

DEPERSONALIZE AND DECLUTTER

You want potential buyers to see themselves in the space, which is hard to do if you have family photos on the wall or personal items around. This would be a good time to start putting items in storage or try to keep your personal items out of sight. At the same time, you’re also ensuring that you’re keeping your house tidy—a must if you want to make your home sellable. Check around the house for dirt, stains or small cracks you might be able to fix. And if you have pets, make sure their litter boxes and play areas are also clean and odour-free.

FIND A QUALIFIED REALTOR

Realtors can be helpful to take some of the processes off your plate, including marketing your home and arranging open houses. If you do go this route, none of this list will matter if you decide to work with a realtor that doesn’t know the market inside out. You can search their name on the Real Estate Institute of Canada to ensure that they’re qualified, and meet with them to see if you mesh and understand how they price your unit. At Proptalk, we also have this handy guide for more details.

DON’T SKIP THE HOME INSPECTION

While presenting an unconditional offer may win you the home of your dreams, it can also end up costing you more than you expected. If you’re mortgaged to the max, you can’t afford surprises like repairs or replacements that you haven’t already budgeted for. Consider a Home Protection Plan that includes an 18-month warranty and up to $20,000 in warranty coverage for major household features such as foundation, roof, heating and cooling.

Published by FCT

12 Jan

This is your Captain speaking…

General

Posted by: Ingrid Kutzner

Bringing a wealth of knowledge to help you navigate home financing, with 30 years of experience in the banks as a mortgage lender, investment advisor, and professional financial planner, I am also a professional pilot, with a goal to ensuring a safe journey and smooth landing!

My expertise ranges from helping first time home buyers, to more complex equity draws for investing, tax planning and estate planning.

In the bank I was a financial physician for my clients, with limited tools. Working as a mortgage agent for Dominion Lending Centre, I work for you, not the bank. I have access to a great variety of lenders, and this allows me to help you navigate your mortgage journey, and get you to your destination smoothly with customized solutions.

Sit back and relax knowing you’re in good hands, enjoy the flight!

Your Captain

Ingrid Kutzner