October/November 2016 - Edition 30

Scott Ko - Mortgage Broker

MortgagesLab

scottko@mortgageratesbc.net
778 869 8638

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Life on the Shore

CMBA-Press-Release-Oct-4th-2016-005
Foreclosure October

It has been a busy month, hence the late edition of the newsletter.

As you all know there has been significant changes to the mortgage qualifying rules, I've attached a link to a PDF that would better explain how the new rules apply and how it affects borrowers moving forward.

Foreclosure link above, courtesy of Eldon Whelan

Check this link out for listings in West & North Vancouver (http://www.stanstanchev.com/vow-mls-listings-search



I Don't Need a Home Inspection. Why would I?

 

Home Inspection Nightmares

Why would I need a home inspection? I can't really see the reason why anyone would.



The 6 Crucial Factors of an Amazing Tenant

 

The most important decision you make that will determine the success or failure of your rental is the person you put in the property. A bad tenant can potentially cause years of stress, headache, and financial loss, while a great tenant can provide years of security, peace and prosperity. 

Don't underestimate the importance of renting to only the best tenants. While it's not possible to know with 100% certainty what type of tenant your applicant will be, there are some tell tale signs and traits that will give you a pretty darn good indication that they are a great tenant. Here's what you should be looking for.

1. Their Ability to Afford the Rent Payment

The first and foremost quality of a good tenant is their being financially responsible to afford the rent. Many tenants believe that they can afford more than they really can - so it is the job of the landlord to set the rules to protect the investment

2. Their Willingness to Pay on Time

A late paying tenant is most likely to stop paying altogether at some point and the stress involved when the rent doesn't come in is not pleasant and can be avoided  by only renting to tenants who have a solid history of paying on time.

3. The Long-Term Outlook for Their Job Stability

If your tenants are of the type who switch jobs often or have long periods of unemployment, you may find long periods of missing rent

4. Their Cleanliness and Housekeeping Skills

No tenants stay forever - and when they leave, you want the property back in good condition. As such, it is important that the tenant's day to day living be clean and orderly. They must take good care of the property you have entrusted with them

5. Their Aversion to Crime, Drugs, and other Illegal Activities

A person who has no regard for the law will also likely have no regard for your policies. Tenants who engage in illegal activities will cause nothing but stress and expense.

6. The "Stress Quotient" - How Much Stress Will They Cause You?

The final quality of a great tenant is something we call their "stress quotient", or in other words, the amount of stress a tenant will cause you, the landlord. Some tenants are very high maintenance and constantly demand time and attention. Others simply ignore the terms in their lease and need constant babysitting, reprimanding, and discipline (late fees, phone calls, etc.) This type of tenant will only be a thorn in your side.

Just remember, it's much better to have your unit vacant a little longer while you wait for the right tenant than to rent to the wrong person.

So, how exactly do you weed out the bad ones and find those quality tenants? The answer involves setting strict qualifying standards and screening applicants to verify whether or not they meet those standards.



MUST READ - NEW MORTGAGE RULES

 

If you were planning on purchasing your home with less than 20% downpayment (meaning you are putting down as little as 5%)….. the mortgage amount you could qualify for has significantly decreased.

This new rule was imposed by the Federal Government to ‘ensure a stable housing market’.

What it really does…..limits the borrowing power of the regular person.

EXAMPLE: Assuming 5% down

If you earn $50,000/ year salary….you could qualify for a mortgage of approximately $333,000. Purchase price of $348,000

As of October 17, 2016……the max mortgage you can qualify for is approximately $262,000. The purchase price is approximately $275,000.

This decreases your purchasing power by 21%.

This might work in the rest of Canada, but in Vancouver with the non-existent rental supply now making it harder for the regular person to own their home……it is only to get harder and harder to put a roof over your head.

If you have 20% downpayment, no worries…….

BUT….if you have been sitting on the sidelines with 5% downpayment….you should jump into the market.

CALL or EMAIL us if you would like to know what you can qualify for and how this federal law will affect you!

Details here:  

http://www.fin.gc.ca/n16/data/16-117_1-eng.asp



Only Freak Out With Less Than 20% Down

 

Everyone and their dog has probably read about the crazy real estate market...folks, it's just another roller coaster.  The media makes it sound like an earthquake had hit the real estate market.  In reality, it's just another bump and in 8-10 years from now, this will happen again.

The only thing that remains constant is change.  We will all adapt and life goes on.

For now, here is the low-down on what's happened and how it may affect you:

If you have less then 20% down, you are going to lose 20% of your purchasing power. 

This means the following:
If you wanted to live in Vancouver, you are now living in Burnaby.
If you wanted to live in Burnaby, you are now living in Coquitlam.
If you wanted to live in Coquitlam, you are now living in Langley.
If you wanted to live in Langley, you are now living in Abbotsford.
If you wanted to live in Abbotsford, you are now living in Chilliwack.  
and so on...

Overall, if you do not have 20% down, you are moving East.

You have till November 30th to have an offer on a property to bypass this.  

For everyone else with access to 20% down, we have lenders that will not be affected by these rule changes.   Call, text or email me if you want some assurance on your situation.



Michael Campbell Commentary

Click to Listen to Michael Campbell's Commentary

The new mortgage rules put in place by the Federal Government have the potential to cripple the real estate industry Canada wide. The timing couldn't be worse as BC's new tax has triggered Vancouver's serious real estate slowdown.




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