Tapping into Home Equity: Why Choose a Reverse Mortgage Over a HELOC?

General Corinne Hutlet 1 Dec

Tapping into Home Equity: Why Choose a Reverse Mortgage Over a HELOC?

As the cost of living has increased, it may be challenging to meet your retirement income needs and access the cashflow you need to live a desired lifestyle. One advantage that many retired Canadians possess is home ownership. Tapping into some of the equity you have built in your home can help you obtain the additional funds you require.

 

Tap into your home equity 

If you wish to stay in your current home, there are two popular methods to tap into your home equity: a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) and a reverse mortgage.

 

HELOC lenders typically allow homeowners to access up to 65% of their home’s value. With a HELOC, you can borrow money as needed, based on an agreed-upon amount, and you’ll be required to make minimum monthly interest payments. Unlike a conventional mortgage, there are no fixed scheduled payments towards the loan’s principal, offering you the flexibility to repay the loan at your convenience.

 

A reverse mortgage is another common way homeowners tap into their home equity. Specifically, the CHIP Reverse Mortgage by HomeEquity Bank is designed for Canadian homeowners aged 55 and above. It allows you to access up to 55% of your home’s value and receive the funds as tax-free cash, all without the need to move or sell your property. While you continue to live in your home, there are no required monthly mortgage payments to worry about. The full loan amount only becomes due when you decide to move, sell the house, or through the estate after the homeowner’s passing.

 

Advantages of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage 

The CHIP Reverse Mortgage offers several benefits, one of the most notable being the absence of monthly mortgage payments. This feature is particularly valuable to Canadians 55+ when cashflow can be a concern. Here are some of the other benefits of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage:

  • Simplified underwriting. The CHIP Reverse Mortgage caters to Canadians aged 55+ who rely on a fixed income and might face challenges qualifying for a HELOC.

 

  • No need to requalify: Unlike a HELOC that requires continuous credit score checks, the CHIP Reverse Mortgage eliminates the need for requalification, ensuring access to funds without credit score barriers.

 

  • Death of a spouse does not impact a reverse mortgage. With a HELOC, the passing of a spouse may prompt the bank to conduct a credit score review of the surviving spouse. With the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, the loan doesn’t become due until after both homeowners no longer live in the home.

 

  • Fixed-term rate options:  The CHIP Reverse Mortgage provides fixed rate choices, allowing borrowers to lock in rates for up to five years. On the contrary, a HELOC’s interest rate floats and fluctuates with the Bank of Canada’s prime rate, leading to increased borrowing costs in times of rising interest rates.

 

Contact me to learn more about how you can use the CHIP Reverse Mortgage to tap into your home equity.

Q&A Reverse Mortgages – No negative Equity Guarantee

General Corinne Hutlet 1 Dec

No Negative Equity Guarantee

You may consider a reverse mortgage to turn your home equity into tax-free cash as part of your retirement solution. But, you might question, “With a reverse mortgage will I owe more than my home is worth?”

 

The answer to this is NO.

 

The CHIP Reverse Mortgage has safeguards built into products to ensure you are not at risk of losing your home or equity.

 

What is the No Negative Equity Guarantee? 

 

The No Negative Equity Guarantee* ensures 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 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.

Ultimately, the No Negative Equity Guarantee keeps you and your equity secure in your home. The peace of mind you get from leveraging a reverse mortgage is protected no matter the economic backdrop.

 

Does a home ever sell for less than the mortgage balance?

 

This is extremely rare. HomeEquity Bank never lends more than 55% of the home’s value for this reason. Over the past 30+ years, 99% of Reverse Mortgage holders have had equity left in their home; on average, this equity amounts to 60%. Escalating real estate value boosts the equity in the house, reducing the impact of interest charged to the mortgage principal. The homeowner keeps all the equity remaining in the home. That equity depends on the amount borrowed, the value of the house, and the time that has passed since the reverse mortgage was taken out.

 

Contact me if you have any questions about The CHIP Reverse Mortgage!

 

*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.

 

Is the CHIP Reverse Mortgage right for you?

General Corinne Hutlet 1 Dec

Is the CHIP Reverse Mortgage right for you?

As a Canadian 55+, there are a variety of financial options available for you in retirement. However, this does not mean that every financial option is right for you, so it’s essential that you reflect on your retirement needs and choose a financial solution that best meets those needs. For example, the CHIP Reverse Mortgage by HomeEquity Bank is a versatile financial option that can help solve several financial challenges faced by Canadians 55+.

If you are retiring with debt and want to consolidate and avoid payments, if your investment portfolio has not performed as well as you had planned, or if you require additional cash flow to deal with rising expenses because of inflation, then the CHIP Reverse Mortgage may be the right financial solution for you. From helping you pay bills and cover unplanned expenses to having the freedom to travel more or purchase a second home or vacation property, the CHIP Reverse Mortgage is a versatile and flexible financial solution for retired Canadians at least 55 years old.

We have found that Individuals who use the CHIP Reverse Mortgage usually fall within four groups based on their financial needs:

  1. Alleviate the stress of debt.

You fall within this group if you need help making mortgage payments and paying your credit card bill. If you prefer not to use your savings or investment portfolio for cash and are incurring more and more debt over time due to unavoidable expenses, then you likely require a solution to ease your financial stress.

  1. Pay for unplanned expenses.

If you are facing unexpected expenses, such as fixing a broken window, retrofitting your home for mobility reasons, or even incurring costs associated with in-home care, you fall into this group. Essentially, you are facing a short-term financial strain and need quick cash to take care of the costs.

  1. Want to live life to the fullest.

You fall into this group if you want to take advantage of your free time now that you have retired but need more funds. It would help if you had increased cash flow to live out the retirement you have always dreamed of.

  1. Maintain a standard of living.

Many individuals may be forced to adjust their lifestyle once they retire to accommodate a lack of income. If you want to maintain your preretirement lifestyle but require extra funds, you fall into this group.

 

If you belong to any of these groups, it may be time to consider the CHIP Reverse Mortgage as your financial solution. The CHIP Reverse Mortgage allows Canadian homeowners 55+, such as yourself, to access up to 55% of their home’s value in tax-free cash. It offers flexible withdrawal options, including a lump sum, in stages, at regular intervals over a set period, or a combination. Furthermore, you are not required to make monthly mortgage payments and continue owning your home. You are only required to repay the loan when you decide to move out, sell, or no longer reside in your home. HomeEquity Bank also offers a No Negative Equity Guarantee[1], which means you will never owe more than the value of your home as long as you keep the property in good maintenance, pay property taxes and insurance, and the property is not in default.

Contact me to see if the CHIP Reverse Mortgage is a fit for you and how to use it to help you in retirement.

 

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

10 Money Saving Tips.

General Corinne Hutlet 31 Mar

10 Money Saving Tips.

When it comes to saving money, there are a lot of little things you can do that add up to make a big difference! Here are 10 of our favourite money-saving tips:

  1. Automatic savings are one of the most effective ways to save because you can’t spend what you can’t access! Instruct your employer to transfer a certain amount from your paycheck each pay period into an RRSP or savings account (or both) or set up automatic transfers in your banking account to coincide with your payday.
  2. Consolidating debt will result in a single monthly payment and lower interest costs! Many people don’t realize just how much money they are wasting on interest each month, especially if you have multiple loans or credit cards. Consolidating debt can help you gain control and maximize spend on the principal amounts to pay off loans faster.
  3. Budget with cash ifyou have trouble with overspending or find it too easy to use your card. After your bills are paid, take out the remaining cash (spending money) and only use that. Once the cash is gone, you’re out of money until next payday! Having physical cash in hand can also help you think twice when making purchases.
  4. Buying in bulk is a great way to save a bit here and a bit there when doing your regular grocery shop or purchasing other items. Know you’ll need more? Stock up at once for bulk savings, which will help you in the long run!
  5. Before Buying there are two things you should always do. The first is to wait at least 24 hours and the second is to shop around! If you still want to buy something the next day, make sure you get the best price available!
  6. Plan Your Meals.Most of us don’t have time to make breakfast (let alone lunch!) before we fly out the door for work. But what if I told you that getting up an hour earlier could save you over $100 a week!? Just think about how much you spend going out for breakfast AND lunch each day? Groceries are a lot cheaper and you can even prep a few days worth of meals on Sunday while you get ready for the week.
  7. Think in Hours versus Dollars every time you are looking to make a purchase, especially large ones to help you understand the TIME value of money. A new $24 Blu-Ray = 1 hour of work. A brand-new mattress = 41.67 hours of work. Understanding the time that went into earning money for a purchase can help with reconsidering frivolous items, or encourage you to look for the best deal on necessary products.
  8. Utility Savings can help you save each month! Don’t blast your A/C with all the doors in your house open, don’t pump the heat without sealing cracks and consider things like installing water-saving toilets and running cold-water wash cycles to save energy (and money!) every day.
  9. Master DIY – While sometimes you can spend $120 to make a $20 item yourself, there are some things that do benefit from DIY, such installing dimmer switches, that can help save you money in the long run.
  10. Save Windfalls and Tax Refunds for a rainy day. A good rule of thumb is to put 50% of bonuses, tax refunds or other windfalls into your savings account and put the rest against loans owing. While you might want to go on a shopping spree or plan a vacation, paying off your debt NOW will free you up in the future.

 

Published by DLC Marketing Team

What is an Uninsurable Mortgage?

General Corinne Hutlet 31 Mar

What is an Uninsurable Mortgage?.

When it comes to mortgages, insurance is necessary to protect the lender on these types of loans, which deal in large sums of money. There are three different tiers relating to insurance, which all have different minimum down payment amounts and varying premium insurance fees.

  1. Insured mortgages typically have a less than 20% down payment and are insured with mortgage default insurance through one of Canada’s mortgage insurers: CMHC, Sagen or Canada Guaranty. In these cases, the premium is based on a percentage of the loan amount, which is added to the mortgage and paid monthly.
  2. Insurable mortgages typically have a 20% or higher down payment and do not require mortgage insurance, though they can qualify for it. In these cases, the homeowner wouldn’t have to pay an insurance premium, but the lender can if they choose to.
  3. Uninsurable mortgages do not meet mortgage insurer requirements; some examples of these types of mortgages can include: refinances, mortgages with an amortization longer than 25-years or mortgage files where the real estate is more than $1M in value and/or purchase price. No insurance premium required.

While insured and insurable mortgages are more common and typically more cost-effective when it comes to lending money, therefore clients who opt for these mortgages often get better rates.

When it comes to an uninsurable mortgage, this means that the lender is providing their own funds to the client without the protection of insurance, and have to commit to the loan for the entire term. Due to this, uninsurable mortgages tend to have higher interest rates as they are a higher risk loan.

Typically, uninsurable mortgages require a minimum of 20% down on the loan and are available for up to 30-year amortization. It is also important to note that an uninsurable mortgage will often require a higher Gross Debt Service (GDS) and Total Debt Service (TDS) ratio to indicate that you can carry the loan without high risk.

While some lenders may offer more flexibility when it come to an uninsurable mortgage, if you are looking to refinance or change to a longer amortization period, it is best to discuss with your DLC mortgage expert before making any changes to your mortgage.

 

Published by DLC Marketing Team

Need an Appraisal? Tips for Success.

General Corinne Hutlet 31 Mar

Need an Appraisal? Tips for Success.

If you are looking to buy a home or want a current value of your property, you will need an appraisal.

Before banks or lending institutions can consider loaning money for a property, they need to know the current market value of that property. The job of an appraiser is to check the general condition of your home and determine a comparable market value based on other homes in your area.

While you may think “it is what it is”, we actually have a few tips that can help improve your home’s appraisal to ensure you are getting top market value!

  1. Clean Up: The appraiser is basing the value of your property on how good it looks. A good rule of thumb is to treat the appraisal like an open house! Clean and declutter every room, vacuum, and scrub to ensure your home is as presentable and appealing as possible.
  2. Curb Appeal: First impressions can have a huge impact when it comes to an appraisal. Spending some time ensuring the outside of your property from your driveway entrance to front step is clean and welcoming can make a world of difference.
  3. Visibility: The appraiser must be able to see every room of the home, no exceptions. Refusal to allow an appraiser to see any room can cause issues and potentially kill your deal. If there are any issues with any spaces of your home, be sure to take care of them in advance to allow the appraiser full access.
  4. Upgrades and Features: Ensuring the appraiser is aware of any upgrades and features can go a long way. Make a list and include everything from plumbing and electrical to new floors, new appliances, etc. This way they have a reference as to what has been updated and how recent or professional that work was done.
  5. Be Prudent About Upgrades: While the bathroom and kitchen are popular areas, they are not necessarily the be-all-end-all for getting a higher home value. These renovations can be quite costly so it is a good idea to be prudent about how you spend your money and instead, focus on easy changes such as new paint, new light fixtures or plumbing and updated flooring to avoid breaking the bank while still having your home look fresh.
  6. Know Your Neighbourhood: You already know where you live better than the appraiser. Taking a look at similar homes in your neighbourhood and noting what they sold for will give you a ballpark. If your appraisal comes in low, you will be prepared to discuss with the appraiser the examples from your area and why you believe you property is worth more.
  7. Be Polite: The appraiser is there to get in and get out. Avoid asking them too many questions or making too many comments and simply be prepared should they have questions. Once they have completed the review of your home, that is a good time to bring up any comments you might have.

Don’t forget to contact me if you have any questions about your existing home or mortgage, or if you are looking to sell and relocate in the future!

 

Published by DLC Marketing Team

How to provide a tax-free gift to your children with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage.

General Corinne Hutlet 31 Mar

How to provide a tax-free gift to your children with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage.

The current economic landscape can be challenging for young Canadians to navigate as they face great uncertainty with heightened interest rates and inflation. It can be frustrating as they are just starting to build their career, considering buying a home or starting a family. If you are a parent, you may be thinking about how you can help your child during this period. The CHIP Reverse Mortgage by HomeEquity Bank is a sound financial solution that can help you support your loved ones by providing a tax-free gift.

The Gift of Early Inheritance 

As a parent, you may want to provide an early inheritance to see your adult children use the funds to improve their lives in a time of need. By giving an early inheritance, you can avoid probate fees (estate administration tax) and save money by bringing you to a lower tax bracket*. With an early inheritance, your children can pay for their wedding, start a business, pay off student loans, make a down payment on their home, and much more. Speak to your tax specialist for more details.

How the CHIP Reverse Mortgage Works

You may have heard of people using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or liquidating their investments to gift an early inheritance. However, there are disadvantages associated with loss of earnings or tax payable when it is time to sell their investments. The CHIP Reverse Mortgage by HomeEquity Bank allows you to unlock up to 55% of the equity in your home without any of these challenges. With the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, your investments remain intact, and no monthly mortgage payments are required. Therefore, your income is not affected, and best of all, the money you get from the CHIP Reverse Mortgage is tax-free!

If you want to provide a tax-free gift to your children, contact your Dominion Lending Centres mortgage expert for details on how the CHIP Reverse Mortgage by HomeEquity Bank can help you.

*HomeEquity Bank requires all clients to receive independent legal advice to review the mortgage contract and ensure they fully understand the terms and conditions.

 

Published by HomeEquity Bank

How to Stage Your Home.

General Corinne Hutlet 31 Mar

How to Stage Your Home.

Are you finding that your current home is no longer meeting your needs and are looking to upsize, downsize or simply relocate? I have some tips for you on staging your home so you can get the best results (and the best offer!):

  1. Utilize Mirrors: Mirrors can really help to open up a space to make it seem much larger and brighter, which are two aspects that really appeal to most buyers.
  2. Pare Down Your Furniture: Depending on your space and room design, it can be a good idea to pair down furniture (such as extra chairs in a living room) to help open up the space more and allow the buyer to see its potential – without it being bare!
  3. Bring on the Hotel Vibe: When staging your bedroom and bathroom, think HOTEL aesthetic; clean white sheets, a single fluffed pillow, white towels for a clean and welcoming look.
  4. Declutter Your Spaces: While clutter makes your home feel you and feel lived in, for potential buyers it distracts from the room and makes the home feel like there is less space.
  5. Remove Personal Items: It is important to remember that buyers in your home are looking at it to become THEIR home. Removing any personal photographs and other items will help give them a sense of the space and ability to picture their own life there without distractions.

By doing these five things, you can help your home standout on the market and make the best first impression possible!

Looking for mortgage advice before you sell? Want to ensure your new home has the best rate? Reach out to me today to discuss your goals and current situation!

 

Published by DLC Marketing Team

Selling Your Home in the Spring.

General Corinne Hutlet 31 Mar

Selling Your Home in the Spring.

Are you looking to sell your home? We have a few tips to help you make the most of the spring season!

  1. Hire an Experienced Realtor: Before preparing your home for the Spring market, you will want to hire an experienced realtor! A good realtor will serve as your guide through the entire sales process, helping you get your home ready for listing, showing potential buyers and finalizing the eventual sale. This is even more important given the changing landscape in relation to additional safety protocols with viewings and even virtual viewing options. Now, more than ever, the expertise of a realtor will help you navigate the sales process.
  2. Prioritize Repairs and Improvements: Before listing your home, it is important to go through room-by-room and address any issues such as chipped paint, small holes in the wall, broken fixtures, old appliances, etc. Correcting these minor issues will help your home truly shine when buyers walk through.
  3. Clean and Stage Your Home: Now that you have made the necessary minor repairs, you can start staging your home! Start with the exterior of your home and ensure you tidy up the yard, remove any junk and wash your windows! When it comes to the interior of your home, you will want to declutter and do a deep clean (a professional cleaning service can come in handy for this!). Once your home is decluttered and clean, your real estate agent can help you stage it so that it appears spacious and inviting.
  4. Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection: Once you are ready to list your home, it can be a good idea to consider a pre-listing inspection. The inspector would conduct a complete visual inspection of all interior and exterior elements (including HVAC systems, wiring, ceiling, chimneys, gutters, etc.), which would help put prospective buyers at ease.
  5. Organize The Paperwork: There is a lot of paperwork when it comes to selling your home. Having all of these documents organized and together for potential buyers will help to speed up the process and allow them to address any questions before the deal is finalized. Permits, renovation or repair receipts, warranties, rental agreements and copies of your utility bills are all good records for potential buyers.

Whether you are looking to buy or sell, it is important to work with a trusted real estate and Dominion Lending Centres mortgage expert to ensure the best outcome for you and your family!

 

Published by DLC Marketing Team

What is the First Time Homebuyer Incentive?

General Corinne Hutlet 31 Mar

What is the First Time Homebuyer Incentive?

The first-time homebuyer incentive program is a shared-equity mortgage with the Canadian government that helps qualified first-time buyers reduce their monthly mortgage payments to better afford a home!

The Incentive: This program allows you to obtain an incentive from the government to assist with your down payment, thereby lowering your overall mortgage amount and, in turn, your monthly mortgage costs.

5% or 10% for a first-time buyer’s purchase of a newly constructed home
5% for a first-time buyer’s purchase of a resale (existing) home
5% for a first-time buyer’s purchase of a new or resale mobile/manufactured home
Qualifying for the Incentive: This program is designed to assist first-time homebuyers, therefore you must:

Have never purchased a home before
Have not occupied a home that you, your current spouse or common-law partner owned in the last 4 years
Have recently experienced a breakdown of marriage or common-law partnership
If you meet the above criteria, further qualifications are based on your income and status as follows:

Your total qualifying income is no more than $120,000 ($150,000 for homes in Toronto, Vancouver, or Victoria)
Your total borrowing is less than four times your qualifying income (four and a half times your income if you’re purchasing in Toronto, Vancouver or Victoria)
You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or non-permanent resident authorized to work in Canada
You meet the minimum down payment requirements
Additional Costs: With the incentive, there are a few additional costs to be aware of such as additional legal fees (your lawyer is closing two mortgages, the one on your behalf and that on the Government’s behalf), appraisal fees to determine the repayment value of your home when it comes due, plus other potential fees such as refinancing or switching costs if you decide to move or update your mortgage.

Repayment Process: When it comes to repayment of the incentive, the homebuyer is required to pay back after 25 years or when the property is sold, whichever comes first. They are also able to repay anytime prior to this without penalty. The repayment is based on fair market value at the time of repayment and you would pay back what you received. For instance, if you received a 5% incentive, you would repay 5% of the current home value at the time of repayment.

Keep in mind, if you choose to port your mortgage or go through a separation during the term and want to buy out your co-borrower, you will have to repay the incentive sooner.

 

Published by DLC Marketing Team

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