A Guarantor, when it comes to mortgages, is exactly what it sounds like—they “Guarantee” the mortgage for another person if they are unable to pay back the loan.

Guarantor’s or co-signers are often used if someone has:

• Damaged or poor credit
• Insufficient income

In most cases, someone with poor credit and/or insufficient income has a more challenging time securing a mortgage. Adding a guarantor can help get the file approved as the lender is assured that he or she will be paid, should the mortgage holder default.

Many people will assume that a co-signer and a guarantor are the same thing. This is not the case though…there are key differences that you should know before becoming a guarantor on a mortgage.

1. Whose name is on the loan?
This may seem like a small detail, but when it comes to loans, whose name is on it matters!
With a guarantor, their name will not be on the title of the property, but it will be on the mortgage. With a co-signor, this changes in that their name will be on the mortgage and on the title of the property. In addition to this, for a guarantor mortgage the guarantor must be a spouse. With a co-signer this is not the case, and you can utilize whomever agrees and meets the qualifications.

2. What’s the Risk?
For the people seeking a guarantor, a portion of risk is alleviated because they have the guarantee of the guarantor. However, for the guarantor, there is a heightened risk. They are responsible for the entire amount of the loan if the borrower defaults at any time. With this in mind, lenders require the guarantor(s), in addition to the borrower(s), to qualify for the loan they are looking to borrow. They must meet the following lending requirements which include:
. Credit Check
. Disclosure of income
. Disclosure of Liabilities
. Disclosure of Assets

It is also highly advisable that a potential guarantor seek legal advice before signing for the loan—and this should be a separate attorney from the one that is involved in the mortgage transaction. Seeking out proper legal advice can allow the potential guarantor to ensure they fully understand the contract, the loan, and any other details.

One final note that should be evaluated by any potential guarantors, is the relationship with the person you will be signing for. You are taking a risk and taking on a lot of responsibility for this person and it is advisable that you know the person well and trust them.

3. What other Variables are there to Consider for Guarantors?
There are a few other things that a guarantor will want to consider before finalizing anything. One of these is the fact that if you are a guarantor, you may not be able to qualify for a large loan or mortgage on your own. Look at your goals and future (or current) expenses before taking on this additional responsibility. As a final note to guarantors, they may want to consider creditor insurance (amount varies based on the loan) to protect themselves and their assets.

4. Can your relationship with your bank dictate if I need a Guarantor?
In some cases, yes! If you have a long-standing relationship with your current bank and they have seen your ability to responsibly handle debt-repayment, they may consider not requiring you to have a guarantor. This is not always the case, but it is an option that your mortgage broker may review with you.

These 4 facts along with your mortgage broker’s advice, can help you decide if you want to be a guarantor, or if you truly require a guarantor mortgage after all! If you have any other questions about guarantors or co-signers, we encourage you to reach out to your Jencor Mortgage Broker—we know they will be happy to help!

By: Geoff Lee DLC

Why you should consider buying now and getting ahead of the market correction:

Rates are going up. Fast. Why?

5 year fixed rates are up about 1.25% since last year this time.

The Federal Government. They have taken steps in an attempt to regulate our housing market in the last few years. Toronto and Vancouver housing markets have grown beyond economic norms due to a variety of factors. The government began its steps to manage this by implementing new mortgage guidelines and rules nation-wide. Many of these are direct to the consumer, such as the benchmark qualifying rules, restrictions on rental and investment mortgages, and foreign investor restrictions/taxes. In addition, there have been new rules that are indirect to the consumer, and unfortunately not as publicized. Intense OSFI regulations have affected all lenders, including the major banks, monoline lenders, trust companies, credit unions and private lenders. Perhaps most notable, is the drastically increased capital reserve requirements for mortgage lenders. The government mandated a 3-year time window for mortgage lenders to fund these capital reserve requirements. Much of this is being funded by increased mortgage rates for the consumer. In addition, there have been regulations implemented regarding back-end insurance for conventional borrowers. The cost for this is also funded by the consumer in the form of higher interest rates.

Canadian Bond Yields. Bond yields determine the discounted 5-year fixed rate. They have been trending upwards, especially in the last 18 months.

US Economics. (Aside from social-political views of course) the Trump administration has grown the US economy, and they are incurring the longest expansion in US history. Basic economics will tell us that a recession is due soon. When that occurs, it will likely drive our interest rates downward. The timing for this is difficult to predict, and I am by no means an economist.

Most Canadian Economists predict that 5 year fixed rates will rise another 0.5% by this spring, and another 0.50% through 2019. Mortgage holders and prospective buyers should expect rates to be around 5% in the next 2 years, at which point we predict a further stagnation in the market and then rates dropping again.

“Why Should I buy now, with all of this market correction business going on? I’m waiting for prices to drop.”

Now is an opportunity to get ahead of the housing market with a 5 year fixed rate.
For example:

If the monthly payment is your concern:

• Buy a home at $400,000 today with 5% down @ 3.69% and your payment will be $2012.96
• If you wait for a year, and rates are 4.69% and you want to have that same payment, you’ll have to buy a house for $361,000. You would be looking at a monthly payment of $2229.26 on a $400,000 purchase
• This is a huge range in the Calgary market. Depending on the area you’re looking at, this can be the difference between condo or freehold, or attached or detached. Housing prices are not going to drop that quickly, these things take time. Also, if you work with us on a pre-approval, we can hold your rate for 120 days while you shop.

If longer-term interest savings is your concern:

• Buy a home today at $400,000 with 5% down. 3.69% and monthly payment at $2012.96
• After 5 years your principal paydown will be $53,045.00
• Buy a home next year at $400,000 with 5% down. 4.69% and monthly payment at $2229.26
• After 5 years your principal paydown less payment differential will be: $34,168.00
• That’s $18,877.00

If qualifying is your concern:

• If your annual household income is $92,000 today, you would qualify for the above loan scenario ($400,000 with 5% down) assuming you have good credit and do not have excessive loans/debts.
• If rates are 1% higher next year, with 5% down, you would only qualify to buy at $366,000.

Whatever your scenario may be, you can feel free to call me for mortgage advice.

Think of your credit score as a report card on how you’ve handled your finances in the past. A credit score is a number that lenders use to determine the risk of lending money to a given borrower.

There is always someone willing to lend you money, however, higher risk = higher rates!

Step 1 for good credit – you need to know your credit history
• In Canada, there are two credit bureaus – Equifax and TransUnion.
• You can receive a FREE copy of your credit report from both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada once a year
• You can pay Equifax or TransUnion for a digital copy, which is much faster, BUT you have to pay, which sucks.

I recommend you order a copy of your credit report from both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, since each credit bureau may have different information about how you have used credit in the past.

Ordering your own credit report does not affect your credit score.
• Equifax Canada refers to your credit report as “credit file disclosure”.
• TransUnion Canada refers to your credit report as “consumer disclosure”.

Once you have obtained your free credit report, check it for errors:
• Are there any late payments that have been erroneously attributed to your credit history?
• Are the amounts owing in your credit report accurate?
• Is there anything missing on your credit bureau
o Sometimes the credit bureau has more that one file with your name, which can be merged, but it takes time.

If you find any errors on your credit report, you need to dispute them with your credit bureau.

How can I get a copy of my credit report and credit score?

There are two national credit bureaus in Canada: Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. You should check with both bureaus.

Credit scores run from 300 to 900. The higher the number, the higher the likelihood a request for credit will be approved.

The “free-report-by-mail” links are not prominently displayed since credit bureaus would love to sell you instant access to your report and credit score online.

Equifax, the instructions to get a free credit report by mail are available here.

For TransUnion, the instructions to get a free credit report by mail are available here.

The bottom line: when it comes to financing your life, through credit cards, mortgages, car loans or any other kind of debt – your credit score has a BIG impact on what kind of terms you can negotiate.

Keeping an eye on your credit score is essential — if there’s a problem or an error, you want to know and have time to fix it before you apply for a loan. If you have any questions, contact a Dominion Lending Centres mortgage professional near you.

Orriganlly Posted by: 

Kelly Hudson
Dominion Lending Centres – Accredited Mortgage Professional
Kelly is part of DLC Canadian Mortgage Experts based in Richmond, BC.

As we all know, recreational marijuana is now legal in Canada. The law is set, but implementation and how policies and guidelines will impact our industry are yet to be determined. Generally, 30 grams for personal possession, up to 4 plants at home.

For realtors, mortgage brokers and their clients we are facing many months of the lenders sorting out their guidelines. If a borrower or seller voluntarily discloses they have been growing four legal marijuana plants, which should produce more than 30 grams, as a point of interest, how will the lenders, mortgage insurers and home insurers react?

Lenders:

As of today, many lenders do not have a policy. Some say yes four plants will be OK, some say case by case, and some say four plants will be a hard no. For the common existing house stigmatized as a “grow-op”, there are still very few lender options. We do have a couple of lenders for fully remediated grow-ops, and CMHC does consider those applications.

 Mortgage Insurers:

CMHC says they will carry on the same as they have been. Genworth and Canada Guaranty are saying either, case by case or the policy will be determined shortly.

Home Insurers:

As or right now we have not been able to get any consistent information on this subject. However, home buyers and homeowners are encouraged to check with their provider for their policy information.

For those folks growing up to four plants and looking for financing, expect your clients to get mixed results from banks and many lenders. Some lenders are considering air quality tests, home inspections, statutory declarations and other means to determine if the home has been impacted or damaged by four plants. For now, we have identified willing lenders. CMHC will consider the applications.

Please contact me if your clients have any questions on how the new legalization laws affect their options or to avoid complications with four plant files.  

Originally Posted by: Croft Axsen – Jencor Mortgage Corporation