debtcare.ca

Category: Consolidate Debt

  • Toronto Housing Market Cooling? Now’s the Time to Get Mortgage Financing Locked Down

    Back in April, after much discussion and prompting from outside sources, the Ontario government instituted several measures to cool a continually hot Toronto housing market. These measures are an attempt to temper rising prices which are becoming more and more prohibitive for the average Canadian and to reduce the impacts of a potential crash.

    As noted in a recent CTV News article, “the 16-point Fair Housing Plan to tame the Greater Toronto Area’s expensive real estate market, including measures such as expanded rent control and a foreign buyers’ tax,” has already had an impact.

    Furthermore, back in June, the Toronto Real Estate Board reported that “active listings in the GTA surged 42.9 per cent from a year ago and sales plunged 20.3 per cent in May compared to the same time last year. Although the average selling price for all properties for the month of May was $863,910, up from $752,100 last year, it was still down from $919,614 in April, according to the real estate board.”

    The data suggests that a cooling has already started and is likely to continue. With the market cooling, now’s the time to think about getting mortgage financing locked down.

    Why? As it currently stands, the Toronto housing market supports high home values. However, if it continues to cool and home values fall, homeowners will have less home equity to take advantage of.

    This is a particularly sensitive issue for those considering refinancing to consolidate debt – an option which has become very popular with the current housing values. More equity typically means more access to funds in order to consolidate, and often a better interest rate.

    Moreover, if Canadian interest rates continue to rise, and thus mortgage payments rise, more equity may not necessarily cover what you need it to.

    If you want to borrow money, borrowing while the market is high is your best bet. As mentioned, if the market cools significantly and that equity is no longer available, or the interest rate increases again, you may have fewer options to deal with the debt.

    A second mortgage is a great way to borrow against your assets without the penalties associated with breaking your first mortgage. If you’ve been considering a financial move to strike while the iron is still hot, don’t take too long to do so.

    At DebtCare, we can help you discover how to make your home work for you.

    Get in touch with us today by calling 1 (888) 890-0888.

    Source: CTV News, “Cooling measures already affecting hot Toronto housing market: survey,” http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/cooling-measures-already-affecting-hot-toronto-housing-market-survey-1.3473582.

     

  • What a 1% Increase in Interest Rates Would Mean to Canadians

    We’ve been hearing reports for months now that the Bank of Canada is likely to raise the Canadian interest rate in the coming months, and just a few weeks ago it finally happened. As it stands, Canada’s interest rate is sitting at 0.75%. The previously low rate made it possible for many Canadians to enter a turbulent housing market that continues to grow. However, amidst speculation that the rate could be set to rise again in the near future, many are questioning their ability to hold steady financially.

    What many Canadians don’t realize is that a 1% rate increase, for example, does not signify a 1% increase in payments. The reality is far more troublesome. In fact, a 1% rate hike could actually result in a 10%+ increase in mortgage payments. For instance, if you have a $200000 mortgage, at 3% interest, you’re paying $6000 in interest per year. However, if that rate increases to 4%, the interest grows to $8000 per year, which means you’re actually paying 33% more.

    A recent study done by Manulife Financial highlights how worrisome an increase to interest rates could be for a large portion of Canadian homeowners. According to the study, nearly 75% of Canadian homeowners interviewed said they would have difficulty making their mortgage payments if those payments were to increase by more than 10%.

    A further 38% said they could handle a mortgage payment increase of between 1 and 5% before they would have financial difficulty, while 20% said they could sustain an increase between 6 and 10%, and an additional 14% said that any hike would be a problem.

    As you can see, the study highlights just how unprepared many Canadians are if their debt repayment responsibilities were to increase.

    Furthermore, the Manulife survey found that millennial homeowners would be in the most trouble. This group would have the most difficulty, with 45% saying making their mortgage payment would become impossible within three months or less if the primary income-earner in the family were to suddenly become unemployed.

    If these numbers are cause for concern, perhaps you’re best served by examining the options to reduce or realign your current debt. For example, refinancing your mortgage to consolidate debt while interest rates are still low can significantly reduce your monthly payments and make even a 10% increase far more manageable. With housing prices high, this results in significant equity, meaning refinancing is usually far more feasible. If housing prices drop, this equity will also drop.

    With interest rates already going up, there’s no telling what’s to come. If you’re worried that a further rate increase could drastically impact your financial situation, don’t wait – get things sorted now while the market is still in your favour.

    At DebtCare, we can help you discover how to best situate yourself for financial stability.

    Call us today to discuss a solution: 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

    Source: The Huffington Post, “Canadian Homeowners Would Be Screwed By 1% Interest Rate Hike: Poll,” http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/24/canadian-homeowners-rate-hike_n_16782802.html.

     

  • Consumer Proposal or Debt Consolidation – Which Makes More Sense?

    rsz_consumer_proposal_debt_consolidationIn our experience, for those looking to get rid of their debt, there is often a lot of confusion surrounding the various options available. With so many different types of debt solutions available, it can be difficult to determine which option is the best. Today, in the hopes of providing some clarification, we discuss two such options: the consumer proposal and debt consolidation.

    A consumer proposal is a negotiated settlement with your creditors. This means that you offer to repay a portion of your debts and your creditors agree in order to receive at least a portion of what is owed. There are several benefits to this option. In a consumer proposal, all debt is consolidated into a single, monthly payment, there is no interest and often the debt is reduced.  The downside here is that your credit will be impacted. That being said, if you are in a position to seek a consumer proposal, your credit has probably already been affected.

    With a debt consolidation, you borrow money to pay off all of your debt. You then repay whomever loaned you the money, with interest, with a single, monthly payment. For example, many people choose to leverage their homes by refinancing their first mortgage or taking out a second mortgage to consolidate debt. With a debt consolidation, the monthly payment will usually be larger than it would be in a consumer proposal (since you are paying back all of what is owed as well as interest), but your credit is less negatively impacted.

    Which option is best? We can’t accurately answer that question here. Every person’s situation is unique and your personal circumstances will dictate which option is best for you.

    Buyer beware – when you’re struggling with financial decisions such as these, it is best to speak with a financial consultant for guidance to eliminate potential issues.  Remember, if you go to a bankruptcy trustee, they will usually offer up a consumer proposal as the best answer because that is what they sell. If you go to a bank, they will offer a traditional consolidation because that is what they sell. A financial consultant can advise you on the best option and negotiate the process for you. There is nothing being sold, so the bias just is not there.

    At DebtCare, our goal is to help you get out of debt – that could mean a debt consolidation, a consumer proposal or any number of other options. Our priority is your financial security.

    Get in touch today by calling 1-888-890-0888.

     

  • DebtCare Services May Be Covered Under Your EAP Program

    debtcare-services-ftDid you know that DebtCare Canada is a service provided through many Employee Assistance Programs?

    If you are having trouble rehabilitating your credit report or are struggling with debt and only getting by on minimum payments, you know that these things can take their toll. Financial issues have long been known to impact productivity levels at work, put stress on one’s family, not to mention cause trouble sleeping and constant anxiety which can both lead to overall health issues.

    It is for this reason that DebtCare exists – to help you deal with those financial issues that are keeping you up at night.

    At DebtCare, your consultation and information is completely confidential. Your coverage may include up to 3 hours per year for the following issues:

    Debt Relief Program

    The accumulation of debt usually happens over time, and by the time we finally start to realize the trouble we’ve gotten into, it is too late to turn things around on our own. Thankfully, there are programs out there that can help get rid of that debt and get you back on a strong financial foundation.

    Debt relief programs will:

    • Consolidate your payments into a single monthly payment
    • Reduce your debt up to 70%
    • Stop interest
    • Stop collection action
    • Stop enforcement like frozen bank accounts, wage garnishments and more…

    Loans & Financial Products

    If your credit isn’t quite where you’d like, it can be tough to obtain financing for various items. Even if the bank says no, that shouldn’t be the end of the line – and with DebtCare, it isn’t.

    If you want to consolidate debt, pay off taxes or even finance home renovations or your child’s education, DebtCare offers some of the most competitive financial programs, even when credit is less than stellar.

    Programs:

    • First mortgages
    • Second mortgages
    • Home equity lines of credit
    • GIC loans – credit rebuilder
    • Secured credit cards – credit rebuilder

    Credit Fix Program

    When you have errors on your credit report, these can be major inhibitors to your ability to obtain financing and can significantly impact your credit score. Having them removed can be a hassle, but DebtCare’s credit repair program deals with the following credit issues:

    • Errors on your credit report
    • Old items continuing to report
    • Duplicate items reporting
    • Disputes
    • Past bad credit – late payments, defaults, bankruptcies
    • Rebuilding credit after bad credit history and more…

    If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs or to find out if they are covered.

    Contact DebtCare to find out what services we can offer you – your first consultation is always free. 1-888-890-0888.

     

  • How to Consolidate Debt and Start the New Year Fresh

    debt12016 is fast approaching, and that usually means setting goals for the year ahead and making plans to get certain things back on track. For many Canadians, this means taking a good, hard look at finances and often attempting to take control of unruly debt by consolidating it. Often the first thing people wonder when considering this option is how to consolidate debt to best suit their own needs.

    There are different ways to consolidate debt depending on your credit, assets and cash flow. Each offers its own pros and cons. If you are considering debt consolidation to help start 2016 on fresh financial footing, here are a few of the most popular options:

    Mortgage Financing

    Mortgage financing usually means taking out an additional mortgage alongside the one you currently have.

    • Pros: One low payment, lower interest than a loan or line of credit.
    • Cons: Expensive closing costs, uses up equity, stretches out debt repayment over a really long time, harder to get for those with bad credit, home ownership a prerequisite.

    Personal Loan/Line of Credit

    This option usually involves heading to the bank or a private lender and taking out a personal loan or line of credit to consolidate.

    • Pros: Usually easy to get compared to a mortgage, not a long process, no upfront fees to borrow.
    • Cons: Generally higher interest rates, and if revolving can become a temptation that is hard to resist for many.

    Consumer Proposal

    • Pros: One payment, no interest, stops collection action, reduces debt, often a lower monthly payment
    • Cons: Temporary impact to credit.

    Bankruptcy

    • Pros: One payment, significantly less debt, stops collection action, no interest
    • Cons: Reporting obligations to the trustee, impact to credit, the amount to be repaid in bankruptcy can change – for example, if you make more money or acquire something the trustee can ask you to repay more surplus income.

    When debt consolidation seems like the best route to take to re-establish your finances and achieve financial stability, these may be the options you consider. Each of these has some important advantages, and the choice will largely depend on your own circumstances and future goals.

    Our best advice – get professional advice. A financial consultant with experience helping people regain their financial footing is the best person for the job – take advantage of their knowledge and expertise and get a plan in place that helps you achieve your goals.

    Want advice you can trust? Call DebtCare Canada today at 1-888-890-0888. We can help you get ready for 2016!

     

  • Getting Prepared: Consolidate Your Debt Long Before the Holidays

    debt2With the end of September fast approaching, that means the seasons are officially changing. It also means that the holiday season is only 3 short months away. If you are in debt, this can become a stressful time, very quickly. People often rack up considerable debt over the summer months, with family vacations and the like – but once the summer is over, it comes time to face reality once again, and for many that means dealing with that mountain of debt.

    Instead of continuing to put it off, why not establish a plan to deal with the debt sooner, rather than later. Use these tips to help get yourself prepared.-

    -Start with a budget. Look at your monthly payments, where you spend your money on a regular basis. An easy way to do this is with a budget template – one that includes all incoming and outgoing costs. Then think about where you can cut back. Perhaps you can eliminate some of the unnecessary expenditures, instead using that money to pay off your debts.

    -Look at the debt you have. How long have you owed the money, who do you owe the money to, and how much interest are you paying versus what is going onto those balances? Are you only making minimum payments and not actually paying down the debt?

    -Once you’ve examined your debt situation, consider your debt repayment options. Restructure debt if necessary – minimum payments don’t pay down debt.

    -Get a professional financial consultation to learn your consolidation options – while focusing on long and short term financial goals. Consolidating all of your debts may be easier than you think – and the various options available may actually save you a lot of money in the long run.

    -Start saving. With the money that will be required for gifts, why not start putting away a little bit every paycheque? You might be surprised at how much this will take from your shoulders come December.

    With the holidays coming up fast, make this the year you go into the season debt free. Eliminate the stress that this time of year can bring, and instead use it as a time to enjoy family and friends, without having to worry about what the New Year will cost you.

    Rather than racking up holiday debt and crying over those bills in January, why not come up with a financial plan now? Call DebtCare Canada today at 1-888-890-0888.

  • Would You Go on Trial for Murder Without a Lawyer? Dealing with Debt

    Dealing with debtWould you go on trial for murder without a lawyer? We think it is safe to assume that the answer is no! Why? Because the stakes are high and the Crown attorney is a professional appointed by the Attorney General/Minister of Justice to enforce the law. Little old you can’t go up against a trained, seasoned trial lawyer!

    If you wouldn’t go on trial without a legal representative, why in the world would you ever go to a Trustee in Bankruptcy to seek help with your debt without financial representation?

    Like a Crown attorney, a Trustee in Bankruptcy is an officer appointed by a government official. Their duty is to administer bankruptcies and proposals under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Part of that duty is to ensure that your creditors get the fairest possible financial outcome.

    The law itself protects people when filing a bankruptcy or proposal, not the Trustee in Bankruptcy – they are simply administering legislation. While many advertise the benefits of contacting them about a bankruptcy or proposal, the law itself sets the stage for the benefits while the Trustee simply administers the process you are legally entitled to.

    Part of this process means evaluating your assets, investments, income and liabilities and determining how much money your creditors receive. In instances of consumer proposals, the Trustee receives payment based on a percentage of the proposal. Some have questioned whether this model poses a conflict of interest because a larger proposal = a larger fee.

    Also important is the fact that different Trustees administer files differently. While some deploy due diligence to verify the information in your application at the sign up stage, some have administration departments that do so after the fact. It is not uncommon, after a bankruptcy, for the bankrupt to receive communication from the Trustee that some information was incorrectly disclosed, meaning that you owe surplus income in your bankruptcy or that something that you thought would be protected won’t be!

    Where your financial future is concerned, the stakes are too high and that is why you should never go to a Trustee unrepresented. Do you need a lawyer? No, but you definitely need an experienced financial professional to guide you through the bankruptcy or consumer proposal process.

    Why is this different? Because you pay this professional directly! They are hired to represent and counsel you. Part of this counsel means working with you to structure your financial information and even bring it forward to a Trustee on your behalf. They will help you make sure that there are no holes in your application or unnecessary information that could cause you problems.

    If you are thinking about a bankruptcy or consumer proposal, do your due diligence. Both are effective solutions for dealing with debt, you just want to ensure that you end up with the fairest possible terms.

    For more about effective representation in the bankruptcy or consumer proposal process please contact DebtCare Canada today by calling 1-888-890-0888.

  • Debt Relief 101: Refinance Your Mortgage to Consolidate Debt

    Consolidate DebtWhen your debt begins to climb at a rate that seems to be spiraling out of control, or if you are just tired of shelling out money without seeing totals decrease, it might be time to consider a different approach. Making minimum monthly payments is not actually going to get you out of debt – and realizing this, many Canadians have chosen to refinance their mortgages as a way to consolidate debt – but is this the right option for you?

    There are several reasons why refinancing your mortgage to consolidate debt can be a smart option. Firstly, because you are consolidating you are getting rid of that laundry list of monthly payments and consolidating them into one, tidy payment. This can make keeping track of payments far easier – and less stressful. Secondly, you can save huge on interest. If you are carrying a number of different credit products, all with varying interest rates, all applied at different periods, you are paying out far more than if you have one larger total at a single interest rate.

    With these major positives, there have to be some negatives, right? Well, as appealing an option as mortgage refinancing may be, its benefits are only open to those who qualify. What do we mean? Well, since mortgage refinancing requires upping the lending limit on your current mortgage, you have to actually have a mortgage to qualify (so renters are out). You can’t get a mortgage to consolidate debt, so unless you own your home, this option is not available.

    Another issue that many have when attempting to refinance is the fact that your credit needs to be great – but if you are maxed out or have missed payments, the lending institution isn’t necessarily going to have much faith in your ability to repay your debt. Yet another deals with the fact that stricter CMHC lending guidelines have decreased the total refinancing limit to 80% of a home’s value, so if your debt will put you over this threshold, a total consolidation is not feasible.

    So, is mortgage refinancing to consolidate debt the best option for you? Despite the downsides associated with qualifying, if you can secure funding it may very well be the most intelligent option. It is also better for your overall credit versus a consumer proposal or bankruptcy – so that is also very attractive.

    When you are considering the various options available to get out of debt, mortgage refinancing is one that should be on your list – just be prepared if your credit isn’t stellar or if there is no equity in your home.

    For more about mortgage refinancing to consolidate debt please contact DebtCare by calling 1 (888) 890-0888.