Son Of A Broker » Toronto Real estate

Files Of The Broker: What Is A Judicial Sale?

chris — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:52:43 +0000

In my last post I wrote about an astute investor who exploited the opportunity of a Judicial Sale when he bought a unique, mixed-use property, for a bargain price of under $100,000. Such opportunities come up frequently but are missed by most people because they don’t know where to look specifically. In addition, the term Judicial Sale is not part of the everyday vocabulary and opportunities are missed.

The term judicial sale is a legal notice informing the public of an intended sale of a property to the highest bidder, in an auction environment by a sheriff. The reason for a judicial sale is most commonly for arrears of property taxes owed to a municipality.

The action of resorting to a Judicial Sale occurs only after a municipality has failed to collect tax arrears from the owner, and all other methods of suasion have also failed. In other words, a Judicial Sale is the final legal act to obtain these arrears through a property sale to the highest bidder.

Such notices appear typically in the newspaper column under legal matters/auctions.

Notices of smaller communities and municipalities, especially in cottage country, offer greater opportunities for investors. The first reason is that due to population numbers, there is a smaller interested audience than in a city. Secondly, it requires special geographic knowledge. Finally, it takes a lot less money to be a successful bidder.

If you are patient and interested in cottage country properties, this may be an opportunity worthwhile exploring. One of our clients, a couple, purchased a property for summer vacations under Judicial Sale on Prince Edward Island, where they grew up.

Granted, the pursuit of Judicial Sales opportunities requires effort, but it can be a rewarding experience.

It is highly unlikely in these situations for a Bank to be your financial partner. More often than not, such situations require private mortgage financing and backing of an experienced mortgage broker.

From the Files Of The Broker: Arnold Molder 416.461.0204

Gifted Down Payment

chris — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:45:51 +0000

Mortgages are very dynamic transactions. There are areas of the mortgage approval that don’t warrant any kind of special consideration but if for whatever reason the lender’s guidelines cannot be satisfied one can compromise the successful funding of a mortgage. Proof of down payment is one of those areas.

Generally speaking proof of down payment is an afterthought for most borrowers as most of the attention is given to proof of income and other conditions. From a borrower’s point of view the down payment money is available and they don’t give it a second thought. However there are some very specific rules that the lender is required to adhere to in conjunction with the Anti Money Laundering & Terrorism Act regarding proof of down payment.

Since using laundered cash for a large down payment is probably the easiest way to launder money the Government relies on the lender as a gate keeper of sorts. For down payment money coming from your own sources you are required to show 3 months bank or investment statements showing that the money has always been there or the gradual accumulation of funds. Any large deposits must be documented. If you keep the money in a shoebox under your bed it is not going to meet the lender’s criteria and will not be accepted.

Gifted down payment is acceptable to the lender however a gift can only be made by a directly related family member including, mother, father, brother, sister or grandparents. The lender will not accept gifted down payment from spouses, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins etc…

Seems straight forward but if you aren’t aware of these rules before making an offer to buy and you commit yourself to buying and run into a problem with proof of down payment it can be very stressful and compromise your mortgage.

Chris Molder – Son of A Broker… dedicated to your financial sufficiency and prosperity 416.461.0204

Monday Mortgage Minute June 14th- Interest Rates

chris — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:26:01 +0000

World Cup fever is on in Toronto and mortgage interest rates are remaining low and stable. While a variable rate mortgage may not fit everyone’s needs it remains a good option in today’s market. Give me a call to discuss whether it is right for you?

Chris Molder – Son Of A Broker 416.461.0204

2.80% – 1 Year Fixed

3.75% – 3 Year Fixed

4.25% – 5 Year Fixed

3.13% – Merix 50/50 Mortgage (Fixed/Variable hybrid)

P-.65 3 Year Variable

P-.60 5 Year Variable

Prime Rate is currently 2.50%.

NOTE: Rates are subject to change without warning at the lender’s discretion.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Monday Mortgage Minute – Toronto Interest Rates May 24th

chris — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:25:31 +0000

I didn’t manage to get this post up yesterday it was way too nice of a day! As explained in past videos, fixed rate mortgages are dependent on bond yields. Over the past 2 weeks the yields have suffered as a result of the economic turmoil in Europe caused by the Greek crisis. Even positive economic data like increased inflation and record breaking retail sales in Canada weren’t enough to bolster interest rates. This of course is good news if you are buying or remortgaging. A recent article in the Toronto Star “Rate Hike Not Guaranteed“ by Emily Mathieu argues that the Bank of Canada may not have the ability to increase the prime rate on June 1st. If you are stumped on how to position your mortgage in these unique times get in touch with me.

Chris Molder – Son Of A Broker

2.85% – 1 Year Fixed

3.85% – 3 Year Fixed

4.35% – 5 Year Fixed

3.10% – Merix 50/50 Mortgage (Fixed/Variable hybrid)

P-.50 3 Year Variable

P-.50 5 Year Variable

NOTE: Rates are subject to change without warning at the lender’s discretion.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Toronto’s Own

chris — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:27:40 +0000

My colleague Mark Savel is an interesting guy. Ask him what he does and he will say “real estate”. Ask him who he is and he’ll respond “Toronto’s own”. Mark loves our fair city of Toronto. His blog is not only an original source of freshly released information about Toronto’s newest and hottest real estate developments, it’s also a place where he shares his passion for the urban. Recently he covered the Banksy phenomenon in Toronto. In other posts he helps promote local community events and fundraisers. Mark also shows us the city through his eyes with the posting of a daily photo on his Posterous.com site.

Aside from all the contributions he makes to the online community through his participation in blogs, twitter, daily photos and event listings he is a value providing real estate agent who knows the city and puts the same amount of passion and detail into working with his clients. If you are thinking down town condo. Think “Toronto’s Own” Mark Savel.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What is CMHC Mortgage Insurance Good For?

chris — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:22:54 +0000

I have observed recently that both first time home buyers and seasoned owners alike struggle to understand CMHC insurance. From a borrower’s perspective the insurance premium paid up front for the benefit of a mortgage lender seems heavy handed and unfair. However, without CMHC you wouldn’t be able to buy or refinance your homes unless you had 20%, or more for the down payment. Even if a lender would entertain financing, without insurance, a mortgage lender would make you pay for their exposed risk through much higher interest rates.

Let’s just review why and what mortgage insurance is?

In Canada, it’s because of CMHC that lenders are willing to lend to borrowers who buy without large down payments. In the not to distant past (CMHC history), Canadian homebuyers had to purchase with much larger down payments. This is still the reality in many other countries today where there is no insurance available. Home buyers need to purchase with a 25% to sometimes 50% down payment making home ownership difficult.

CMHC insurance is a one time premium that is added up front to your required mortgage amount (you do not have to pay for it out of pocket) and insures the lender if default occurs. Although it seems like real estate is a forever increasing asset this is not always true. Markets can turn very quickly, as we recently saw in the U.S.. After legal fees, real estate fees and market corrections a lender can easily lose money if there is not enough equity or down payment.

The insurance premium is determined by a table depending on how much downpayment you bring to the purchase. You can find the rates here.

5% down- 2.75% premium

10% down – 2.00% premium

15% down -1.75% premium

In addition, there’s a 0.2% premium that is added for each additional 5 years of amortization above the traditional 25 year amortization. You should also be aware that included in your closing costs there is PST at 8% on the insurance premium.

It does seem a little discouraging and frustrating to have to pay this premium on top of all the other fees that you incur as a homebuyer. However, it serves a very important purpose to keep the mortgage interest rate low and give you the opportunity to own a home with less than 20% down. The couple thousand dollars that gets added on top of the mortgage makes a difference of about $20 each monthly payment. In retrospect it is a small price to pay for the satisfaction and pride of owning your own home.

So, there’s a snapshot on the CMHC insurance. Of course, every situation is different and requires a full analysis. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to hear from you.

Chris Molder – Toronto mortgage broker
416.461.0204
chris@tridacmortgages.com

Monday Mortgage Minute & Interest Rates For April 19th

chris — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:07:14 +0000

A combination of positive economic data, the high Canadian dollar and probably the most important factor, the end of RRSP season in mid March when lenders artificially kept rates low to attract business, has caused two increases to fixed rate mortgages over the past 10 days. The difference between current fixed rates (4.59%) and current variable rate mortgages (1.75%) is 2.84% making variable a very attractive option today. Mortgages aren’t a one size fits all product, please call or write me if you would like to see what option suits you best.

Christopher Molder – Son Of A Broker

Fixed 1 year – 2.95%

Fixed 3 year – 3.95%

Fixed 5 year – 4.59%

SPECIAL Fixed 5 year – 4.44% (must close before May 31st)

3 or 5 year Variable P-.50 (1.75%).

NOTE: Rates are subject to change without warning at the lender’s discretion.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Monday Mortgage Minute For April 5th 2010.

chris — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:50:35 +0000

We all knew it was going to happen, we just didn’t know exactly when. Last Monday fixed rate mortgages increased. The fixed 5 year rate increased by a half of a percent from 3.89% to 4.39%. The following are current rates that I can offer but if you are feeling down that you missed an opportunity to capitalize on a low fixed rate mortgage consider my argument for opting for a variable rate mortgage at Prime minus 0.50 (1.75%). It appears that in the long run sticking it out with a variable may still be a good option. If you have questions or comments please feel free to write or contact me.

Chris Molder – Son Of A Broker

Fixed 3 year – 3.70%

Fixed 5 year – 4.39%

3 or 5 year Variable P-.50 (1.75%).

Click here to view the embedded video.

Monday Mortgage Interest Rate Minute – March 22nd

chris — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:36:51 +0000

Fixed mortgage rates are married to bond yields. As a mortgage broker I constantly look towards the 5 year Government of Canada bond yield to forecast where rates are heading to advise clients. Bond yields and fixed rate mortgages have a positive relationship. Put another way, when the yield on 5 year Canadian Bonds increases, the mortgage interest rate for a fixed 5 year mortgage also increases. Over the past 3 weeks we have observed an interesting trend. The bond yield has increased from 2.52% to 2.82%, an increase of +0.30% and yet lenders are not budging on their historically low interest rate offerings. If past trends are anything to go by a rate increase is just around the corner. In the mean time the following rates are still being offered.

Christopher Molder – Son Of A Broker

1 year fixed – 2.55%

3 year fixed – 3.35%

5 year fixed – 3.79%

SPECIAL * 5 year fixed – 3.69% (must close by April 26th 2010, purchase & refinance only)

3 year variable – Prime-.50% (1.75% effective rate)

5 year variable – Prime-.40% (1.85% effective rate)

Mortgage Interest Rates for March 15th

chris — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:53:53 +0000

Bond yields are up which would typically result in an increase to fixed rate mortgages however lenders are artificially keeping rates low in order to gain market share. This is good for borrowers currently in the market however don’t expect the low fixed rates to stay around forever as it only takes one bank to break the deadlock and we could see rates jump up by 0.50%. To secure a low rate give me a call or e-mail me for a quick consultation.

Chris Molder – Son Of A Broker

1 year fixed – 2.65%

3 year fixed – 3.35%

5 year fixed – 3.79%

3 year variable – Prime-.40% (1.85% effective rate)

5 year variable – Prime-.30% (1.95% effective rate)

RATE SPECIALS

5 year fixed – 3.69% (must close by April 26th 2010, purchase & refinance only)

NOTE: Rates are subject to change without warning at the lender’s discretion.

Click here to view the embedded video.