Competition = Low Mortgage Rates

Should I Purchase a New Home or a Re-Sale?

First-time home buyers have many decisions to make after deciding to purchase a new home. These decisions can be overwhelming and even frustrating if they do not have all the facts.

A common question for many first-time home buyers is whether or not to build brand new or to purchase a re-sale. Let our professional mortgage brokers at Alberta Equity Mortgages ease your frustration by offering solid advice while providing both the pros and cons of building brand new or purchasing re-sale.

How Much Can I Afford to Spend on a New Home?

When trying to figure out how much you can afford to spend on a new home, it is important to decide how much of a down payment you are willing or able to put down. For example, many first-time home buyers only put 5% down because coming up with the extra money is sometimes difficult. However, the more money you put down, the less money you have to borrow and pay back. Your personal income will also be a factor in how much you can spend, so why no let our professional mortgage brokers work with you to determine exactly what you can afford to spend?

Find out your Credit Rating

Before looking at a mortgage, it may be a good idea to find out if you have a good credit score rating before approaching a lender, especially if you have any doubts.

Credit bureaus should provide a credit rating report to you at no charge. You can obtain a free copy through the mail by calling Equifax at 1-800-465-7166. You must fax two pieces of government issued identification, social insurance number, date of birth, current address as well as any address you have had in the last five years, and the name and number of your current employer.

Expect to wait at least ten days to receive your report by mail. Once you have your report you will know if there are any roadblocks in the way of your mortgage. Any mortgage broker can assist you with your credit report, but will also need to verify it by a credit check once you are ready to proceed with your mortgage.

Watch out, although any credit information you request personally has no effect on your rating, the number of credit checks you have banks or credit institutions perform will show up on your report and may lower your credit score.

Why deal with a Mortgage Broker?

Mortgage Broker represent you, the customer, not the lender. Because they are not employees of a lending institution, Brokers are not limited in the product they can offer you. Brokers seek out the best lender package to suit your specific situation, whether it's with a Chartered Bank, Trust or Insurance Company, or Private Funds.

There is a wide assortment of options and features available to homebuyers today. Shopping around takes a lot of time and effort. The mortgage process within today's very competitive marketplace intimidates many Canadian homebuyers. It pays to work with a mortgage professional who will represent you and ensure the mortgage you get is the one best suited to your needs.

Choosing the wrong mortgage can cost you thousands of extra dollars. Mortgage Brokers are trained professionals who can help you save on your mortgage dollar.