Housing is the biggest investment most Canadians will ever make. Before you buy, arm yourself with the facts and figures you need to prevent your dream home from becoming a financial nightmare.
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New rules and incentives
Federal budget 2019: Ottawa targets housing affordability with zero-interest loans, subsidies
Ottawa is taking aim at housing affordability with billions of dollars in new incentives, including zero-interest mortgages for first-time buyers and subsidized loans for the construction of tens of thousands of rental units.
Canada’s mortgage stress tests just got a little easier
The interest rate used in Canada’s mortgage stress tests has fallen for the first time since 2016, making it slightly easier to become a homeowner.
Drawing Conclusions: Understanding the new stress test for uninsured mortgages
Still confused about how the buyer’s stress test works? This video does the math for you.
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How mortgage rates affect you
Fixed mortgage rates are diving
Fixed mortgage rates are following Canadian bond yields, which just hit a one-and-a-half-year low. The net effect: payment burdens are easing for borrowers. Here’s where to get the best deals.
Why you shouldn’t take the maximum mortgage you are offered
The urge to spend every penny of what a bank is willing to lend may never have been greater. However, exercising some caution can pay dividends down the road.
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Knowledge is power in negotiating your mortgage
Preparing to negotiate a mortgage involves a combination of factors – knowledge about how mortgages work, understanding the current market, some professional help and, at the right moment, good negotiating skills.
Four reasons why you might not get the great mortgage rate you saw online
Here’s a roundup of some of the most common reasons why the best mortgage rates you see online may not be available to you or have unexpected twists.
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Are you ready to buy? Try these calculators
Is your mortgage leaving you house poor?
Mortgage calculators offered by banks don’t really help you budget for life’s other expenses. That’s why we created the Real-Life Ratio Calculator.
The Down Payment Tool: Find out when you’ll be a homeowner
How soon will you be able to put in an offer? Our Down Payment Calculator will show how your savings add up.
Globe Real Estate House Price Data Centre
So which cities are the most affordable and which neighbourhoods have seen the biggest price gains? Scroll through our exclusive data showing how prices are trending nationally, by city and by neighbourhood.
Go to the House Price Data Centre
Preet Banerjee calculates how much land transfer taxes or fees could cost a home buyer across Canada
Reality check: Expenses new home buyers often overlook
What land transfer taxes and fees cost across the country
Don’t forget to consider the other expenses of home buying. This video explains land transfer tax and real estate fees.
Fred Lum
How not to get hammered by rising condo fees
If you’re considering a condo purchase, here’s what you need to know about maintenance fees, special assessments and the condo boards that set them.
The real cost of home ownership
First-time buyers may be familiar with additional costs such as property taxes, but there’s a whole range of other expenses to consider.
Still thinking of home ownership as an investment? Here’s proof you’re wrong
Rising real estate prices do not necessarily mean houses are a great investment. From property tax to maintenance, the expenses add up. Here’s a look at the costs of home ownership over the long term.
Should I buy a home now or wait till I’ve saved a 20% down payment?
A 20-per-cent down payment spares home buyers from requiring CMHC mortgage loan insurance, but is not the only option, says this financial adviser.
Still have questions about buying your first home? Send it to us and you may be featured in an upcoming Gen Y Money Q&A.
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