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How To Save For A Residential Mortgage Down Payment

You have finally decided that it is time to stop the renting and start owning. To do that, you will need money and a mortgage most likely. At the very least, you will need enough to cover the down payment. Today, we will help you learn how to save for your residential mortgage’s down payment.

Down Payment Requirements

In Canada, many lenders may allow you to put a downpayment of 5% at the minimum. Typically, a 20% down payment is required. However, banks have gone as little as 5%, with certain provisions of course.

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Special Provisions

If you pay only 5% as a down payment, there will be additional items of which you should be aware. First of all, you will have to purchase mortgage default insurance. This insurance is to protect the lender if you default on the mortgage.

Paying this insurance can be done at closing, or you can arrange it to be tacked on to your monthly mortgage payments. Remember, this insurance only protects the lender against default on your end. No other benefits come with this insurance.

Gathering Information From Lenders

What you want to get from the lenders are:

 

  • Rates for fixed and adjustable mortgages
  • Mortgage terms and options available
  • Monthly payments for either type of mortgage
  • Fees and the amounts
  • When payments are due
  • How payments will adjust if variable rate

Ways to Save

There are many ways you can save more money to put down for your new home. For starters (if your schedule allows), you can get a part-time job to make some extra money. The money from this second job should only be used to save toward your down payment.

If you have a spouse or partner, you should get help from him or her as well. After all, the two of you are working together to build a life.

Even if you are not saving for a home, making and sticking to a budget should be a high priority for you. A budget lets you know what you have coming in and what you have going out. From your expenses, you can see where you could and should cut back to save more.

How to Save Up

Saving up for your down payment for your residential mortgage can be tough. However, it is not impossible as so many people have done it before. You should know that the more you can put as a down payment, the cheaper your mortgage will be overall.

It is tough sometimes to save up when you are still paying rent, but it can be done. Most likely, reaching your goal will require some amount of personal sacrifice.

Ensure you understand everything before you sign your name anywhere on those papers. Reading all the terms of the mortgage protects you from being unpleasantly surprised down the road.

What Comes Next

After you have carefully read the lease terms, understand them, and agree to them, all that’s left is to sign the papers. When the time for closing comes around, you pay the closing costs and any other fees due at closing.

After that, it’s up to you to get moved into your new home. After that, the final step is just to make your payments every month. Failure to do so will result in you losing your home and everything you put into it, financially and otherwise.

More Saving Tips

As mentioned in the section above, you really should have a budget, so you are aware of how much you are making and spending.  Here are some savings tips for you:

 

  • Cut back on eating out and other entertainment
  • Buy off-brand items whenever possible for most items
  • If you fancy a drink, do it at home rather than at the bar
  • Make meal plans and find ways to stretch meals out
  • Open a savings account and dedicate a certain amount each time you get paid