Navjot Narula

Reverse Mortgages

If you’re a homeowner over the age of 55 and want to tap into your home equity, a reverse mortgage can be the right solution for you. A reverse mortgage is also known as an “equity release”. With a reverse mortgage, you can access up to 55% of the equity in your home tax-free as a lump sum or monthly cash deposits. The maximum amount you are able to borrow will depend on your age, your home’s appraised value, and our lender. No mortgage payments are required and you maintain ownership of your home. Repayment of the loan and interest is only required once you move or sell the home. At the end of your loan term, you may have less equity in your home. If you don’t make any payments, which is fine, you may have a larger interest payment to make when the home is sold.

A lender will often ask you to consult a lawyer prior to giving you a reverse mortgage to ensure you understand the conditions of the mortgage. The lender can never force you to sell your home to repay the reverse mortgage. It is also important to note that all existing loans on the property, including a mortgage or a home equity line of credit must be paid off prior to getting the mortgage.

Whether you’re looking for a financial cushion to live comfortably, funds to cover monthly expenses, pay off debt, renovate or fund your children’s education, you can use the funds from a reverse mortgage in any way you want without restrictions! What’s more, is if the home goes up in value, it doesn’t affect the reverse mortgage, meaning that all equity gained is yours! Lastly, you can get out of a reverse mortgage at any time by paying off the loan and any interest accrued.

Have a discussion with your mortgage professional to find out if a reverse mortgage is the right solution for you.

Bad Credit

Your credit history is integral when it comes to the mortgage approval process because that history is a reliable indicator of how you will manage your mortgage and your finances in the future. Your credit score is calculated using information in your credit report including your payment history, how much debt you’re carrying and the length of your credit history. Lenders use the score to helps determine the risk and your creditworthiness when you apply for a loan. Credit scores above 660 are generally considered good, very good, or excellent. These individuals receive lower rates, and can get loans easier than those that do not fit into this range.

Those with less than average scores or with lower scores who fall into the “poor” credit range may face higher interest rates, difficulty getting better loan terms or qualifying when applying for a mortgage. Buyers with poor credit may have to put down a larger initial down payment or require a co-signer to be able to qualify for the mortgage they need to get into their dream home.

Your mortgage professional can review your situation and coach you on how best to improve your credit over time. That's why it's a good idea to talk to a mortgage broker as soon as you can. As your good credit history becomes established, your borrowing options will increase. If you wish to get a mortgage while you work on bettering your score, we can help!

At Mortgage Intelligence we are committed to helping Canadians realize their dream of home ownership. Our brokers have access to many lenders, from banks to private lenders, and a multitude of mortgage solutions. Even if you have poor credit, you have options and our brokers will work with you to find the right solution that best meets your needs. Call for a free consultation.

Alternative Lending

With the ever-changing market and a stricter stress test, many Canadians are finding it harder to qualify for a mortgage through traditional financial institutions “A-Lenders” and are turning to alternative lending solutions for their mortgage. At Mortgage Intelligence we work with many alternative lenders, who can offer excellent mortgage options with more flexible criteria and more lenient qualification requirements.

Alternative lenders are great for individuals who have non-traditional forms of income for example, capital gains, room rental income, child tax benefits and others or for self employed applicants who may not have the minimum required number of years being self employed.

These lending solutions are also a good option for those with lower credit scores. While the rate they offer is slightly higher than what you will see posted by an A-Lender, they are nothing out of the ordinary when compared to traditional rates posted in Canada. They also generally have shorter terms, meaning that you can get into the home of your dreams while being able to rebuild your credit at the same time.

Buyers who don’t qualify under the mortgage stress test can also take advantage of the expanded debt service ratios allowed by alternative lenders to qualify for a mortgage and get into the home of their dreams. If you have a very unique situation, we also have access to various private lenders who are even more flexible and lenient in requirements and may be able to offer you mortgage options that fit your situation. In today’s environment, we’re seeing more private lenders helping Canadians with their mortgages.

Call your Mortgage Intelligence professional to find out about the different options available to you. They are experts when it comes to mortgage products and different solutions and will provide you with unbiased advice. They work for you, not the lender.

Rental

Are you considering buying a multiplex property in the near future to enter the rental market? While this type of investment is a great way to diversify your income and put money aside, it is important to be well prepared. Buying income-producing real estate is more than an investment, it also means starting a business. But where should you begin? Before you get started, it is important to quantify and analyze the financial implications to ensure that your project is viable and profitable. The return on investment is calculated by subtracting the operating expenses from your income. This amount is then divided by the down payment on the building. The percentage obtained represents the annual return, which should ideally be higher than the mortgage rate.

Another aspect to consider is your ability to manage risk. Rental real estate does not guarantee constant profits, so it is important to assess your tolerance for risk and financial uncertainty.

The financial aspect is not the only aspect to consider. When entering the rental real estate market, you have to manage tenants and take care of the building maintenance. It is therefore important to be familiar with tenants’ rights in Québec and to have an interest for manual work. This will greatly help!

The down payment required for your project will depend on the number of units in your plex and whether you want to live in the building. Usually, you need a down payment equal to 20% of the property value. However, if you intend to live in one of the two apartments of a duplex, the required down payment is 5% and that will increase to 10% in the case of properties with 3 or 4 units.

Mortgage Intelligence brokers are there to help you make the right decisions. They can give you advise and guide you through the investment process. Contact us today to start making your project a reality.