debtcare.ca

Tag: mortgage refinancing

  • The Complete Guide to Credit Repair for Real Estate Investors

    The importance of a good credit score should never be overlooked or taken lightly. This is more trying for real estate investors. A high credit score means better offers, deals, and money-saving options, which would provide a real estate investor many options to finance properties and manage the mortgage lending process.

    In this blog, we will talk about the impact of credit reports on real estate investors, as well as what to do if you have bad credit, how to maximize credit repair, and how to utilize credit repair service. 

    Why credit score matters

    One of the first few things a lender looks at is a person’s credit report. This is vital to them as the report determines the risks of their investment. A credit report is essentially a statistical method to identify a person’s chances and ability to pay back the money that they borrow.

    The average credit score for a normal real estate loan is 752. Anything about 760 is already considered top tier, which ensures they get the best rates and most choices from lending companies. It’s also inevitable that they get prioritized during the lending process. 

    However, credit scores that fall below 620 are considered subprime accounts, making it more challenging to find a loan provider that could – or would – provide individuals with a good deal for their loan. This is where credit repair comes in.

    Reasons why you need credit repair

    A credit score doesn’t only matter when it comes to real estate or property investment. Here are some valuable information and other reasons that will inspire you to have or maintain a good credit score:

    Better Interest Rates

    Low credit scores often result in higher interest rates, which would mean property loans would have higher interest charges. Having good credit would give you the chance to enjoy competitive interest rates, as well as save on the interest you need to pay.

    Avoid Debt Collector Harassment

    One of the most stressful parts about being in debt is the harassment from debt collectors that come with it. This is inevitable as these agents will do everything they can to get you to clear your debts, such as balances on credit cards. There’s a good chance that if you don’t clear out the issue, your account will be passed on from one collector to another, multiple agents will have your information, and you’d go through the entire collection process all over again.

    Less (or No) Reliance on Co-Signers

    When you apply for a loan but have bad credit, creditors would often require you to provide a co-signer, such as a family member or friend, before you can proceed with your application. But keep in mind, by doing so, you’re putting financial—and perhaps even legal—pressure on them.

    Fund Your Startup Business

    A lot of entrepreneurs looking to start their new business often rely on small business loans to get their venture off the ground. Like with any other loan type, having bad credit can hinder you from getting the funds you require for your startup.

    Rent or Lease an Apartment

    For people who are not yet ready to buy real estate, renting an apartment is the better—and more common—option. However, more landlords are now becoming more particular with who they take on as tenants. Because of this, they’re now performing credit checks to determine the odds of possible late payment from tenants.

    Buy a New House

    Now to the big one—home ownership. This is the dream for most people. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the chance to achieve this due to bad credit. Most banks will reject applicants with disappointing credit, and in the case that they will give these borrowers a chance, they might find the high-interest rate difficult to deal with. However, for those who are looking to sell their homes to buy a new one, getting the help of Trusted House Buyers is a must to ensure better prices and hassle-free processes.

    Credit repair tips for real estate investors

    A good credit report is one of the most important things a real estate investor can ever have. This information can amplify an investor’s chances of getting excellent deals when seeking a loan, such as an attractive mortgage and refinancing fee.

    However, not every optimistic future homeowner has a that can easily be approved for loans. There’s a big chunk of real estate investors who currently need help with credit repair. To help resolve this, we’ve listed down a few essential credit repair tips that every real estate investor should look into:

    Get a Copy of Your Credit Report

    Before anything else, you must first get a copy of your credit report from at least three credit bureaus. The biggest credit reporting bureaus in the United States are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Doing so will allow you to assess your score, compare conflicting information, and see how bad the damage is. By seeing and understanding your score, as well as your credit history, you’ll get a good grasp of where to begin to improve your credit.

    The reason why we recommend that you get a credit report from three different credit reporting companies is that banks usually use more than one credit bureau to review personal credit reports and make lending decisions. Unfortunately, not all credit bureaus have the same updated information. Hence, errors such as work history, date of birth, and paid but not removed debts could harm you.

    Dispute Wrong Information

    It’s important to note that everything on your credit report may not entirely be accurate. Compare your report to your financial accounts, documents, and receipts, and go through everything thoroughly. If there are inconsistencies or wrongful late charges, you must address them right away. Don’t be afraid to dispute anything that you think might be an error. Credit bureaus are required to investigate claims and get back to you within 45 days of your notice as part of their dispute process. 

    Avoid Late Payments

    One late payment can have a huge impact on your score, so you must avoid them at all costs. However, if you’ve recently had delays with bills, you can contact the biller and ask that they remove it. Not all companies would agree to this, but you can try offering a regular payment setup in exchange for their consideration on the matter. Strive to avoid this issue altogether by doing your best to pay your bills on time from the get-go.

    Settle or Pay Down Existing Debts

    As we’ve established, your credit history and existing debt make up your score. Paying off credit card loans and other financial backlogs would greatly help your credit repair process. If you can’t pay these off in one go, you can at least ensure that they’re minimized as much as possible to give you a good chance before you apply for financing in real estate.

    Benefits of using a credit repair company

    Credit repair is not a walk in the park. It’s time-consuming and quite stressful, especially if you’re no credit expert. However, the benefits are all worth it. That’s where credit repair companies come in. These credit repair companies are experts in the field of the credit report, credit repair process, and credit repair organizations act.

    Here are the top reasons why using credit repair services are recommended:

    Expert Advice

    A credit repair company can give you expert credit consultation from the very beginning, as well as guide you through the entire credit repair process. Their objective is to get you out of the financial tangle you may be in. They would look into your credit reports, your accounts, and finances to effectively identify the root of your financial problems. Doing so would allow the credit repair company to provide you with tailored solutions, resulting in more productive consultation.

    Professional Approach

    Credit repair companies have no emotional attachments to you or your situation. However cold that sounds, it would allow them to efficiently guide you on how to make payments. It’s also part of their duty to draft policies and strategies to aid you in managing your expenses to ensure you can fix your credit.

    Connection with Creditors

    Credit repair experts often have better relationships with lending companies. This allows them the flexibility to negotiate on a client’s behalf and makes the entire process easier for real estate investors.

    Comprehensive Knowledge of Laws

    In-depth knowledge and understanding of policies and laws allow credit repair companies to help clients get the best chances. A professional credit repair company is well-versed and compliant with laws, such as:

    • The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
    • The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA).
    • The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA).
    • Other consumer financial protection statutes that follow policies of the Federal Trade Commission.

    For those who have good credit, ensuring that it’s maintained at a good standing is important. But for those whose credit reports are at a disadvantage, then focusing on credit repair is a must to ensure you can have the best chances when investing in real estate. Using every strategy to repair your credit is essential that includes trusting a legitimate credit repair company with extensive experience.

    DebtCare Canada has a brand new program that places a representative in your corner – someone with the ability to deal with TransUnion and Equifax and have old items removed from your credit report. When it comes to repairing bad credit, call us for help: 1-888-890-0888.

  • Should I Refinance My Mortgage in Response to the Low Interest Rates?

    You may be thinking of refinancing your mortgage given that the interest rates are unprecedentedly low.

    Refinancing your mortgage can help you preserve your credit score by using the equity in your home to consolidate high interest debt.

    This is often a great option because not only can you reduce interest, you can also reduce your overall monthly payments.

    Here’s a list of pros and cons that will help determine if mortgage refinancing is the right option for you!

    Should I refinance my mortgage? How exactly should I go about refinancing? Would the changes in mortgage regulations impact me?

    These are questions that a lot of people, who are considering refinancing, are wondering about. The answer is actually not that complicated – it simply means that you have to reach outside of the CMHC lender pool.

    Recently, CMHC changed its underwriting policies for new applications for insured mortgages.

    Though, the rules haven’t changed for refinancing, reaching outside the CMHC lender pool can provide you better refinancing options.

    Basically, CMHC is a high ratio insurance that banks are required to have on high ratio mortgages. High ratio mortgages are those where mortgage financing above 75% of the value of your property is required.

    The good news is that there are many lenders who extend mortgage financing to you and don’t require CMHC insurance. In fact, they can extend the financing for 80% of your home’s value (or even higher if you have good credit).

    There are quite a few trust companies, mortgage investment companies, credit unions, finance companies, private lenders, and even insurance companies that offer mortgage refinancing options.

    The prevalence of these lenders may not be that obvious to you because many don’t deal directly with the public and exclusively lend through brokers.

    Each broker has a market of consumers that they cater to and lenders who they work with to provide specialized financial products. For example, if the goal is to purchase a home, a broker who specializes in purchase mortgages is advantageous. Similarly, a broker who specializes in debt consolidation and restructuring is the right choice for someone who wants to consolidate debt.

    The trick is choosing the right broker to help you manage your financial restructuring.

    You’d be surprised to see how many different types of mortgages and refinancing options are available on the market (for people with all types of credit and income) – many of which don’t require CMHC.

    At DebtCare, we specialize in helping people with financial problems. We have an extensive network of higher risk lenders, who can help you save your home, when banks may not be able to.

    In addition to mortgage refinancing, we can help present you all other options you have to ensure that you can effectively manage your debt. If you’re looking into refinancing options or want to speak to a debt consultant, contact us today for a free consultation. Call 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca

  • Mortgage Refinancing Tips for Reducing Debt

    If you own a home and struggle with debt, you may have considered mortgage refinancing.

    As we’ve written before, if mortgage refinancing is on your mind, you may want to start the process now, before Canadian interest rates increase any further.

    But before you begin you need to make sure that you understand the process and are picking the mortgage refinancing option that is best for you.

    Below are some common refinancing options you may be considering.

    1. Refinancing First Mortgage

    First mortgage refinancing can be a way to assess your monthly mortgage payments and ask if they are still working for your lifestyle. Do you find you’re struggling to make mortgage payments? Or perhaps you have other forms of high-interest debt (credit cards, lines of credit, etc.) and are having trouble repaying those. If you have equity available in your home, then first mortgage refinancing may be for you.

    Consider the following scenario:

    You have a mortgage for $350,000 with Lender A at an 8% interest rate, and you have $25,000 in high-interest debt. You find that you can get a mortgage of $375,000 from Lender B with a 6% interest rate. You use the $350,000 to pay off Lender A, and the $25,000 to pay off your other debt, and then you repay Lender B over the long-term with a lower interest rate.

    But there are downsides to refinancing your first mortgage, too. If you’re breaking your current mortgage in the middle of the term, you might be subject to penalties. Your lender may charge you a prepayment penalty. For fixed mortgage rates this penalty is the greater of three months’ interest or the interest rate differential payment (IRD). For variable mortgage rates this is the equivalent of three months’ interest.

    You will also incur legal fees as a lawyer must change the financing on the title.

    1. Second Mortgage

    A second mortgage is an additional loan taken out on a property that’s already mortgaged. It doesn’t affect your first mortgage, so you won’t be charged for breaking your mortgage early. If you have good credit and more than 20% equity in your home, you may be eligible.

    A second mortgage often carries a higher interest rate than a first mortgage, but the interest rate is still lower than other forms of debt you might be paying off, like credit cards, car payments, or unsecured lines of credit.

    If you use a second mortgage to consolidate debt and make your payments on time, it could help increase your credit score.

    The big downside to a second mortgage is that most lenders will want to know you have good credit and a reliable source of income. A second mortgage is inherently riskier as you’ll now have two mortgages, so a lender will want to make sure you won’t default. And while you won’t be subject to fines for breaking your mortgage early, there may be other fees incurred during the set up.

    If you have equity available in your home and a plan to pay for your second mortgage debt, it could be a good option.

    How to Decide What is Right for You

    If you have good credit, at least 20% equity available, and a plan to pay off the debt long-term, a second mortgage can be a great option for debt consolidation. But you need to know how you will repay it. If your credit has been harmed because of excessive debt, a second mortgage can help you rebuild it so long as you make your payments on time.

    If your mortgage payments are too much, or you have equity available on your current mortgage that you want to access, then refinancing your first mortgage may be the best option. This can be a long-term solution that helps you get out of debt and save more money over time, but it depends on the interest rates you are eligible for.

    Both options include fees. A second mortgage includes appraisal fees, legal fees, a lender’s self-insured fees, and mortgage fees, plus interest on the loan. Refinancing your first mortgage includes legal fees and a potential pre-payment fee if you are breaking your mortgage early. Plus, if you change lenders, you may be subject to another fee.

    If Your Bank Says No

    If you have equity available, but your credit is bruised, you might not be able to get mortgage refinancing or a second mortgage with a prime lender. However, there are many non-mainstream financial institutions that may still lend to you, but you will need a good mortgage broker to get to them.

    Deciding what option is best for you comes down to your debt consolidation needs, your credit score, and your available equity. You don’t have to decide alone. DebtCare’s financial experts can help you take stock of your situation to determine what debt management method is best for you, or if there’s another option that may be even better.

    DebtCare offers one of the most competitive financial programs to help people no matter their credit or income. Bad credit? No problem. Self-employed? No problem. We can assist with first mortgages, second mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and more.

    Call us today for a free consultation: 1-888-890-0888.

  • Will You Wait for the Canadian Interest Rate Surprise on July 11?

    Most years, July 11 is just another day. But in 2018 it could mean a change to the Canadian interest rate.

    The Bank of Canada has scheduled its next interest rate announcement for July 11, 2018. This is when they will publicly say if interest rates are going to increase again or not. If they do increase, unsecured debt will be affected. Could you handle a hike?

    If you’re not sure, it may be time to think about other options.

    One of those options might be mortgage refinancing. If you’re saddled with a lot of high-interest, unsecured debt, such as credit cards, student loans, or other consumer debt, refinancing your first mortgage could give you a lifeline out.

    Essentially, a first mortgage refinance would give you money based on equity available in your home. You could then use that money to pay off your outstanding, high-interest debts. You will then be left with a single monthly payment with a significantly lower interest rate.

    Even if you’re not struggling with debt, you may be considering refinancing your first mortgage for other reasons – perhaps there’s a home renovation project you’d like to undertake, or you’re planning for a big purchase, or you have a lot of equity available in your home and want to take advantage. Whatever the reason, if you’re considering refinancing, it’s better to do it now than after interest rates increase even further.

    Why would you want to refinance before an interest rate change? For one thing, if you’re on a variable-rate mortgage, you may want to lock into a fixed-rate mortgage so your payments won’t fluctuate with the interest rate.

    If you’re thinking about refinancing your first mortgage, doing so will get more expensive as interest rates rise, which means you could be saving less over the long run.

    Take the following example:

    You have a mortgage for $200,000 with Lender A at a 7% interest rate, and you have $20,000 in credit card debt. You find that you can get a mortgage of $220,000 from Lender B with a 5% interest rate. You use the $200,000 to pay off Lender A, and the $20,000 to pay off your credit cards, and then you repay Lender B over the long-term with a lower interest rate.

    But if interest rates keep rising, you might not be able to secure as low of an interest rate for your refinancing, which could make the loan harder to pay off.

    If mortgage refinancing is on your mind, but you’re not sure if it’s the right move, we can help. DebtCare Canada can assess your situation to determine whether refinancing your first mortgage is a good idea, or if another debt consolidation method would work better.

    Don’t wait until July 11. Get in contact today to go over your options.

    Call us for a free consultation: 1-888-890-0888.

  • Bank of Canada Mortgage Rates Stay at 1.25% After May 2018 Announcement

    The Bank of Canada mortgage rate is remaining at 1.25% for now.

    In an announcement on May 30, 2018 the Bank of Canada (BOC) said that the overnight interest will stay at 1.25%, at least until the next statement scheduled for July 11, 2018.

    The BOC said it is proceeding with caution, but that it still believes higher interest rates will be needed for the future.

    Since July of 2017, the BOC has raised Canadian interest rates (and correspondingly Canadian mortgage rates) from a record low of 0.5% to the current 1.25%. There have been three increases during that time, with the most recent hike happening in January of 2018.

    Despite the May 2018 hold, economists are predicting that the BOC will raise interest rates at least once more in 2018 — and it could be during the July 11 announcement. Currently, the predicted chances of a July interest rate increase are sitting at about 55%.

    What does this mean for your mortgage, or other debts?

    As you’re likely aware, the BOC interest rate affects all forms of unsecured debt. This can include the amount you owe on your credit cards, unsecured lines of credit, variable-rate mortgages, or any other forms of debt with a changing interest rate.

    Even if you have a debt with a fixed rate, such as fixed-rate mortgage or a fixed-rate loan, if you have a renewal coming up, the increasing interest rates might mean that your lender will renew your debt at a higher rate.

    Although Canadian interest rates are staying steady for now, it’s still important that you look at the overall picture. Consider the following:

    1. Don’t Rush into Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals

    Recently, some Big 6 banks have been offering heavy discounts on variable-rate mortgages. To recap, a variable-rate mortgage is one that changes with interest rates. If interest rates go down, your mortgage goes down. But if interest rates go up, your mortgage goes up.

    If you’re shopping for a mortgage, you’re up for a mortgage renewal, or you’re considering mortgage refinancing, these deals can look very tempting. But you need to consider the rest of the implications. If interest rates increase, as they are predicted to do, could you afford the hike? How much other debt do you carry and how would that be affected by an increase? You need to assess all the variables.

    A variable-rate mortgage could still be the best choice for you, but make sure you are comparing it to a fixed-rate mortgage and understanding that there is a greater chance of a variable-rate mortgage becoming unaffordable.

    1. Make a Plan for Your Debt

    The good news about the BOC keeping interest rates at 1.25% is that you have more time to pay down existing unsecured debt before rates increase again. So, if you haven’t yet made a plan to deal with your debt, now is the time to do so.

    Look into your debt consolidation options. It might be in your best interest to consolidate your debts into one fixed, monthly payment. This way your payment rates will remain the same no matter what happens with the interest rates, and your debt won’t rise any higher.

    1. Be Extremely Cautious About Taking on New Debt

    These interest rate increases aren’t going anywhere. In fact, this is just the beginning. The BOC has stated they still feel interest rates need to be higher. One of the reasons they kept interest rates low for so long was because Canadians needed to spend money to fuel the economy. Lower interest rates encouraged more Canadians to take out more loans, put more on credit cards, etc. But now the economy is relying less on consumer spending, which means that it will get more expensive to take out new debt and more expensive to pay back existing debt.

    If there’s a debt you’ve been considering taking out, really ask yourself if you can afford it. Take a look at your whole financial picture. Now might not be the right time to look into a new line of credit or to open up a new credit card. If you are already living paycheque to paycheque and making ends meet through loans, adding more debt is likely to only make the situation worse, especially as interest rates rise.

    Don’t wait until the next BOC interest rate increase to get your debt under control. Whether you’re affected by Canadian mortgage rates, interest rates, or just want to understand your financial picture, DebtCare Canada can help.

    We offer debt relief solutions, financing programs for loans and mortgages, and much more.

    Contact us today for a free consultation: www.debtcare.ca or 1-888-890-0888.

     

  • Surviving Rising Interest Rates – Locking Your Rate May Be the Best Time to Refinance

    So far in 2018 Canadian homeowners have experienced several major changes that could affect finances — new mortgage rules and rising interest rates

    First, let’s look at the new mortgage rules. On January 1, 2018, new Canadian mortgage rules came into effect. These regulations require lenders to stress test mortgages based on higher rates to make sure that house hunters and those up for mortgage renewal can afford their house.

    Second, the interest rates. Interest rates have increased three times since July of 2017. They are currently sitting at 1.25%, the highest they have been in nine years. For homeowners carrying a lot of debt, rising interest rates could mean financial turmoil.

    The Bank of Canada has indicated interest rates are going to keep increasing in 2018 and beyond. And the new mortgage rules seem to back that up — if regulators are stress testing mortgages for increased rates, it stands to reason that rates will keep increasing.

    So, what does that mean for homeowners?

    1. If you don’t have a locked-in mortgage rate or are close to your mortgage coming up for renewal, you may want to think about locking in. A fixed mortgage has standard monthly payments that don’t change with rising interest rates, unlike a variable-rate mortgage.
    2. If you are already locked in, anticipate that when you renew, unless there is a major downturn in the economy, your rates could be higher. The sooner you start planning for this, the better off you will be.
    3. Know that your equity position may change. Real estate is driven by supply and demand. New mortgage regulations and higher interest rates mean that buyers will be able to afford less, which may lead to reduced valuations and less equity.
    4. If you are carrying debt, that should be a further motivator to act. If interest rates increase further, and you’re carrying a lot of high-interest debt, that’s going to mean higher payments for you. Can you afford that?

    One common way of dealing with excess debt is mortgage refinancing. Now could be the ideal time to look at mortgage refinancing before interest rates increase again.

    Ask yourself, what would a new first mortgage look like if you folded in all of your debt?

    In some situations, you may not be able to refinance your first mortgage, or it might not make financial sense to do so. If that’s the case, you may want to consider a second mortgage. If debt is excessive, a second mortgage could mean far less interest than you are likely paying on credit cards.

    If you’re thinking about mortgage refinancing or a second mortgage as a possible debt solution, it’s best to speak with an experienced debt consultant first — one who will assess you and present you with all of the financial options available to you, the pros and cons, and guide you to the best financial plan.

    For more information about mortgage refinancing or second mortgages, please contact DebtCare Canada today by calling 1-800-890-0888.

  • How to Combat New Mortgage Rules and Interest Rate Increases

    The past year has been a rocky one for Canadian homeowners. The Bank of Canada announced interest rate increases starting in July of 2017. Since then, the interest rates have increased three times, going from 0.5 per cent to 1.25 per cent. While all this was happening, Canada’s new mortgage rules also came into effect, starting January 1, 2018. These rules add an additional stress test onto uninsured mortgages (those with a down payment higher than 20 per cent) and also put added restrictions onto lenders.

    If you’re a homeowner, or were already struggling with debt, it can seem like a lot to take in all at once. Your financial security can play a large role in your well-being and if you don’t know your financial position or aren’t sure what to do about the interest rate increases or new mortgage rules, it’s understandable. However, there is a way that you can combat these changes and come out financially stronger.

    Let’s start by looking at the new mortgage rules. These are most likely to affect you if a) you’re a new homebuyer, or b) you are up for mortgage renewal or are considering mortgage refinancing.

    If you’re planning to buy or refinance a house, the new mortgage rules could mean that you have to spend less, even with a down payment of more than 20 per cent, if you’re going through a federally regulated mortgage lender.

    If you’re up for a mortgage renewal or considering a mortgage refinancing, it could also mean that you’ll be subject to the same “stress test” and other lender regulations, too — particularly if you were to switch to a different federally regulated lender.

    Under the new mortgage rules, lenders are encouraged to look at more than just the loan-to-value ratio (LTV), which is the amount of the mortgage lien divided by the appraised value of the property. Lenders will also be looking at two other factors — your gross debt service ratio (GDS) and your total debt service ratio (TDS). The GDS is the percentage of your income needed to pay all of your housing-related costs, including the mortgage, taxes, and utilities. Your TDS is the percentage of your income needed to cover all your debts. This can include student loans, lines of credit, credit cards, and more.

    This is where the interest rate increases come in. If you are carrying a large amount of debt, your GDS and TDS will likely be affected as you may be paying more in interest on the amount owing.

    The way to combat both the new mortgage rules and the interest rate increases then is to assess your debt levels. Take stock of your finances: how much debt do you carry? How close to the limit are you with your monthly payments? How far away are you from being unable to manage? Once you know the answer, you can create a plan to make sure that you are in a secure financial position.

    If your debt is seeming overwhelming and that pain point is looming too close for comfort, there is help available. A debt consulting organization, such as DebtCare Canada, can help you assess your situation and find the financial solutions that are right for you.

    If you’d like to buy a house or are up for mortgage renewal, another option you can take is to explore other lender routes besides the federally regulated big banks. DebtCare Canada offers competitive financial programs to help people no matter their credit or income.

    Call DebtCare Canada to find out more at 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • What the Bank of Canada Increase Means for Mortgage Interest Rates

    If you’re reading this blog, you likely already know that the Bank of Canada interest rate increased again on January 17, 2018, going up to 1.25 per cent. You likely also know that the Bank of Canada (BOC) interest rate hike affects all forms of debt — credit card, student loans, and, of course, mortgages.

    But what you may not know is just what the BOC increase means for your mortgage interest rates. That’s where we come in.

    Exactly how much the BOC interest rate increase will affect your mortgage depends on several factors. The first of these factors is what type of mortgage you have.

    There are two types of mortgages: fixed-rate and variable-rate. Fixed-rate mortgages have a standard payment that is made every month. The payment amount stays the same for the duration of your loan agreement and you always know what you will pay and when. For those who already have a fixed-rate mortgage, the BOC interest rate hike likely won’t affect you unless it’s time for you to refinance your mortgage (more on that in a minute).

    The second type of mortgage is the variable-rate mortgage. This is the mortgage type that is most immediately affected by increasing interest rates as the amount you pay monthly changes based on current interest rates. So, if you have a variable-rate mortgage and the BOC interest rate goes up by 0.25 per cent, your mortgage interest rate will be going up by 0.25 per cent. If you have a variable-rate mortgage, you may want to consider locking into a fixed-rate term instead. It’s still up for debate among economists how much money switching to a fixed-rate mortgage will save over the long run, but if interest rates continue increasing (which the BOC governing council has said they likely will) switching could result in bigger savings and, at the very least, a lot less stress.

    There is, however, a scenario where a fixed-rate mortgage could still be affected by the increasing interest rates: mortgage renewal. When the BOC interest rate increases, banks follow by raising mortgage interest rates, so if you are renewing your mortgage, you may be affected by the increased interest rates. Canada’s new mortgage rules also affect mortgage renewals. If you’re renewing or refinancing your mortgage, you may be subject to a stress test to make sure you can afford your mortgage. One way you can prepare for the stress test is to create a cushion in your savings and budget to ensure you can afford these slight increases.

    The combined interest rate increases and new mortgage rules could make it more difficult for potential homebuyers to purchase a house and obtain a mortgage from traditional big banks. There are other options available, though.

    At DebtCare Canada, our financing programs offer financial help to people with all types of credit and income. When the bank says no, we say yes. We can help with first mortgages, second mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and more, even for those with bad credit. Learn more about our competitive financial programs by calling 1-888-890-0888 or visiting www.debtcare.ca.

  • Making Your House Work For You: Mortgage Refinancing to Get Out of Debt

    Mortgage RefinancingDebt: that one little word that elicits a number of intense feelings, usually all of which are negative. Debt is a fact of life, and unless you have been incredibly financially savvy and have managed to curb any spending that is outside your monthly intake, you are likely in some sort of debt. This may be manageable (automotive financing or a mortgage) or it could be overwhelming (numerous credit cards, personal loans, etc.). If you are in the latter position, ignoring a debt is the quickest way to get into further financial trouble.

    Wait. Stop letting that debt rule your life – it doesn’t have to, and letting it continue to do so will likely only make matters worse. You have some incredibly effective options available to you – one of which might be mortgage refinancing.

    Mortgage refinancing: simply put, mortgage refinancing involves swapping out an old mortgage for a new one (hopefully better), and then paying off the old loan with the new one. It is different from a second mortgage because, as mentioned, you are essentially paying off the first mortgage in full.

    If you are considering mortgage refinancing as a means to get out of debt, here are some important things to remember:

    1. You have to own a home to do this (obviously). Since you are increasing the lending limit on your current mortgage, a mortgage needs to exist in order to apply. You cannot obtain a new mortgage strictly to consolidate debt – to do this you need a personal loan or line of credit.
    2. Your credit needs to be in good standing. If you are maxed out or have several missed payments, and as a result your credit score is low and your report reflects this, your lending institution isn’t necessarily going to have much faith in your ability to repay your debt.
    3. Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation guidelines have set the total refinancing limit for mortgages at 80% of a home’s value, so if, once your mortgage is refinanced, you would owe more than 80% of that value, a total consolidation of your debts will not be possible.

    Considered these caveats and still think mortgage refinancing might be an intelligent route? That is great – now what? Your best choice is to visit a debt solutions specialist to discuss the process, one who can assist you in applying and eventually getting your finances back on track.

    If mortgage financing isn’t an option for you, that same debt specialist can sit down with you and discuss the other options available – you don’t have to do this alone.

    For more about mortgage refinancing or to learn about the various debt relief solutions out there, please contact DebtCare Canada today by calling 1-888-890-0888.

  • Debt Consolidation Through Mortgage Refinancing – The Right Choice for You?

    Debt ConsolidationWith the consumer debt levels in Canada reaching all-time highs over the last few years, money (or perhaps a lack of money) has been a common topic of conversation. As a result, debt relief is also a common subject, and it seems that no matter where you turn these days, debt reduction is the topic of the day. And one of the debt reduction solutions that is becoming increasingly popular is mortgage refinancing.

    If you are in debt and considering refinancing your mortgage to get out of it, it might be a smart choice. Many homeowners struggling with debt see mortgage refinancing as an attractive option for various reasons. Firstly, mortgage interest is usually far lower than credit card interest (one of the main types of consumer debt) – sometimes by as much as 20%. By paying off one with the other you can end up saving a ton in interest. Secondly, this works to consolidate all of those different monthly payments into one neat, tidy sum – far easier to track and pay (only past balances though, not charges made after the consolidation). It is really no surprise that mortgage refinancing seems enticing, is it?

    However, mortgage refinancing to consolidate debt isn’t the right option for everyone. Of course, if you don’t own a home, this option isn’t going to work for you. But even if you do, it may not work for several reasons. To begin with, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) guidelines have made it more difficult than previously for homeowners to refinance. Changes to these guidelines mean that CMHC will only insure a refinance of up to 80% of a home’s value, so if your debt means that you will exceed this 80%, the option may not be the one for you. Furthermore, in order to find approval for mortgage refinancing your credit has to be in great shape. Anything less than pristine is usually an automatic no.

    If you meet the requirements and can consolidate your debt by refinancing your mortgage, then by all means, get to it! As mentioned, for some people this is the most intelligent debt reduction strategy available. However, if you are worried that your current debts will exceed the maximum amount allowed by CMHC or if your credit is less than stellar, it might be time to consider some other options. A great place to start to discuss the various solutions that would exist – and how they would work for your unique circumstances – is a debt reduction company, one that has the experience and knowledge to help you get out of debt.

    For more information about refinancing your mortgage for debt consolidation, or to find out about the other debt reduction strategies available, please contact DebtCare Canada today by calling 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.