The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) are two savings products that each have their own objectives and[……]
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Five fun ways to help your preschooler learn about money.
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It’s never too early to help them make sense of money.
If your kids can count, they can start learning about money. At this young age, a great way to teach them is through multisensory experiences that include lots of play, songs, and arts and crafts. Here are five fun ways you can engage your little one in lessons about dollars and cents:[……]
One morning like any other, when you aren’t expecting anyone, there comes a knock at the door. It’s a bailiff who hands you a repossession notice from a financial institution for defaulting on your mortgage payments. But you already paid off your mortgage a few years ago. They must have the wrong person, right? Nope–the title on your home has been stolen.
Title theft, a type of mortgage fraud, isn’t common–but it’s been on the rise in recent years. It starts with stealing your identity. Fraudsters create fake documents so they can take over the title on your property and then remortgage your house or sell it and, in any case, make off with the proceeds.[……]
With the last days of summer drawing near, you are probably on the lookout for a new project. You are wondering what you could do or work on and suddenly it comes to you: your home. Whether you plan to buy, sell or renovate your home, National Bank has a range of financing products to help you out.
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Mortgage loans1
If you are looking for peace of mind, you may want to consider a fixed-rate mortgage with set monthly payments for the entire term of the loan. Not sure what is best for you? Try a madeto-measure mortgage, where part of your loan is financed at a fixed rate and part at a variable rate.[……]
Get to know these four people when buying a home. Assemble your dream team for a winning result.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or getting ready to buy your second or third place, making a move can be exciting. But, it also can be intimidating and a bit overwhelming when you consider the many steps you need to take before picking up your new keys.
Fortunately, it’s a lot easier when you work with professionals who know the ins and outs. So consider reaching out to these four individuals during the home-buying process.
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- Real estate broker: You may think looking for potential homes is something you can do on your own. However, first-time buyers and even more experienced buyers can benefit from hiring a real estate professional. They can help you find listings that specifically fit your criteria, including listings that may not be advertised, as well as provide insight into the market. Plus, they can help you negotiate things like price, the date you can take possession and any extras you want included like repairs, furniture and appliances.
- Lawyer or notary: A lawyer or notary may act as an advocate on your behalf throughout the home-buying process. They will help coordinate everything from drafting and negotiating the contract of the sale to examining inspection reports and mortgage documents. Hiring a lawyer or notary early in the home-buying process can save you time and risk.
- Home Inspector: It’s to your benefit to hire a home inspector to look over the home before you buy. A home inspection may cost an average of $450 (may vary by province). But it’s often money well spent, because a home inspector can alert you to issues you may not see on the surface, like problems with the roof, plumbing, electrical, heating or cooling, windows and doors and foundation. Make sure to hire a certified home inspector, ideally with a background in engineering and experience doing home surveys in the area where you are buying.
- Mortgage Specialist: Last, but not least, having a working relationship with a trusted mortgage specialist is essential during the home-buying process. He or she can help review your finances and determine a price range that is realistic for your budget, as well as help you decide what type of mortgage is right for your situation and how much you can afford for a down payment.
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Here are the answers to your questions about mortgage loans.
What is the minimum down payment?
You need to put down at least 20% of the selling price to qualify for a mortgage. If you don’t have 20%, you can take out mortgage insurance and you’ll only need to put down 5%. In both cases you need to prove you have 1.5% of the selling price to cover start-up costs.
How can some builders have properties for sale without requiring a down payment?
Some builders do offer Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)-approved programs that don’t require a down payment. However, the programs usually have very specific eligibility criteria and the down payment is often just delayed.
There are really only a few exceptions to the legal requirement to make a down payment when buying a property. The best way to lower your down payment is to insure your mortgage with CMHC or Genworth. Insurance can get your down payment to 5%.
As with traditional mortgage loan insurance, every down payment has to come from the buyer’s own resources or close relatives.
Debt-savvy buyers can put 5% down and access many resources, including a loan or lender incentives, as long as the down payment is from a source that is arm’s length to and not tied to the purchase or sale of the property. Contact your lender to see if they can offer you mortgage insurance and if you’re eligible.[……]
Six ways to make buyers go wild when they see your home.
Curb appeal and home decor can have a big effect on potential homebuyers.
If you’re planning to sell your place, consider “staging” it — prepare and showcase your property for sale.
From major renovations to relatively minor decorating tweaks, sprucing up your property before you list it just may help you sell it quicker.
Whether you have no spending limit ― or need to stage on a shoestring budget ― here are six tips that may just help you set the scene:[……]