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Mortgage-Matters

The two primary type of mortgages available for vacation properties

Buying a vacation property

I am getting many requests for cabin or vacation home financing. Often these properties will be categorized into "type A" or "type B" in order to determine the available options for mortgages.

So are you dreaming of a summer cottage on the water or a cabin the woods for weekend getaways or to get away from the crowded city? The first step is always going to be a mortgage pre-approval but let’s take a look at some of the options for mortgage financing.

Many are accessing equity in their primary residences to make these purchases but there is also a great insured mortgage program available to make your dream of owning a vacation property a reality with a little as a five per cent down payment required.

Here are the types of properties that can be covered under this program.

Type A Properties:

  • Must be owner-occupied or occupied by an immediate family member
  • Located in good marketable areas with evidence of re-sale demand.
  • The property value must be less than $1,000,000
  • The maximum mortgage amount allowed is $600,000 for most of Canada
  • Maximum of one unit
  • For properties valued up to $500,000 a minimum down payment of five per cent is required.For properties valued over $500,000 and less than $1,000,000 – five per cent down payment is required up to $500,000, with an additional 10 per cent down payment on the portion of the home value above $500,000

As a side note, this program can also have other uses. Perhaps you are considering a place for your children to live while they attend university, a condo in the city to avoid the hectic commute or to help buy a home for your elderly parents who are on a fixed income. This is possible as long as the family members are living there on a rent-free basis.

Type B Properties:

The same details are required for these properties as above except for the following:

  • The property does not need to be winterized
  • Seasonal access is permitted (IE: road not plowed during the winter)
  • A minimum of a 10 per cent down payment is required for these types of properties.
  • Properties located on an island must have year-round bridge or ferry access.
  • The maximum mortgage amount is $350,000.

Most rural properties will require 25-50 per cent down payment so it is important to be aware of the amount required up front.

Up to 95 per cent financing is available for owner occupied properties all across Canada including hotel condo units but these units must be high ratio insured.

There are many financing options available through a wide range of lenders. The requirements for mortgages on secondary and vacation home properties can vary greatly from lender to lender so you will want to make yourself aware of all of the choices available in the mortgage marketplace. You’ll want the best possible financing options for your new real estate investment.

Instead of waiting many years to save enough to purchase a vacation home, you may be able to access the equity in your principal residence to finance the purchase. This involves a cash-out refinance of your property and there again are many options available. Other down payment options may include a second mortgage on your current property, personal savings or gifted funds (Type B property purchases do not allow for gifted down payments.)

Now might be the time to get serious about your dream to own a vacation property. If you would like to explore your options so you can enjoy a new vacation home this summer please give me a call to discuss at 1-888-561-2679 or you can book a time to chat about the possibilities here on my calendar.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

April Dunn is the owner and a Mortgage Broker with The Red Door Mortgage Group – Mortgage Architects. For over two decades, she has been helping clients to arrange their financing to purchase a home, refinance, or renew their mortgages. Drawing from her extensive experience as a Credit Union manager, a Residential Mortgage Manager with a large financial institution, and as a Mortgage Broker, April has the necessary expertise to design a tailored mortgage plan with features and options that cater to each client's individual needs. April offers a complete range of residential and commercial mortgage financing services to clients throughout British Columbia and the rest of Canada through her affiliation with the Mortgage Architects network.

Contact e-mail address: [email protected] or by phone at: 1-888-561-2679.

Website: www.reddoormortgage.com



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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