Let Your Home Work for You

General Lucas Desousa 5 Dec

If you are over the age of 55 or have parents over the age of 55 .. this is a great article from one of my lenders that has a mortgage product which has NO monthly payment

Let Your Home Work for You.

As Canadians approach their retirement years, many are exploring the potential of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage solution to allow them to enjoy the retirement they’ve worked so hard for. Many retirees face financial challenges with lower Canada Pension Plan payments, diminished or non-existent company pensions, inadequate retirement savings, and the ever-rising cost of living. However, there is a solution that allows your home to work for you – the CHIP Reverse Mortgage by HomeEquity Bank.

Understanding the CHIP Reverse Mortgage

The CHIP Reverse Mortgage is a financial solution specifically tailored to Canadian homeowners aged 55 and better. It is a loan secured against the appraised value of your home. This innovative approach enables you to convert up to 55% of your home’s value into tax-free cash while staying in the home you love. What sets this financial solution apart is its flexibility; you can choose how you’d like to receive your funds. Whether you prefer a lump sum or regular monthly deposits, the choice is yours. Moreover, you won’t be burdened with making regular mortgage payments or repaying the loan until you decide to move or sell your home.

Meeting Your Financial Needs

In retirement, a limited income and the escalating cost of living can cause stress. Thankfully, the CHIP Reverse Mortgage provides a lifeline by offering versatile funding options. The funds you receive can serve various purposes, such as:

  • Increasing Monthly Cashflow
  • Consolidating Debt
  • Purchasing Another Property
  • Covering Medical Expenses
  • Renovating Your Home
  • Fulfilling Your Dream Vacation
  • And More!

Embrace a Richer Retirement with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage

When your home has the potential to unlock financial security, it can help you live the retirement of your dreams. To tap into the power of your home’s equity and enhance your retirement, contact your Dominion Lending Centres mortgage expert today!

Written by a preferred lending partner HomeEquity Bank

Avoid Costly Mistakes When Building a New Home.

General Lucas Desousa 28 Nov

Avoid Costly Mistakes When Building a New Home.

Building a new home is a super exciting endeavor as you opt to create the perfect space for you and your family. However, building a home is not without its costs and potential surprises… to mitigate bumps on your homebuilding journey and avoid costly mistakes, consider the following tips:

Set a Realistic Budget

When building your own home, it is vital to be realistic about your budget and what you can afford. Making a list of wants versus needs can be a good way to determine what is required, and where you can spend extra money should your budget allow for it. When constructing your budget, don’t forget to include construction costs from materials to labour, as well as permits, inspections, landscaping and unforeseen contingencies. The contingency fund should be approximately 10-15% of your budget put aside to cover unforeseen issues or changes.

Hire Reputable Individuals

From your architect and your contractor to your landscaper and inspector, it is vital to have the right people in the right positions. This will ensure that you not only get the best advice, but experienced individuals will also help to steer you through the process and mitigate potential issues. Be sure to do your research, ask for references and ensure the individual(s) you hire are licensed and insured.

While you’re researching individuals, it can also be a good idea to get multiple quotes. While you may have a contractor you like, reaching out to other individuals can help ensure you’re getting the best rate.

Review Contracts Carefully

Read and understand all contracts and agreements thoroughly between your contractor and yourself, your designer, your home inspector, etc. Ensure that everything is in writing and that you and your builder are on the same page regarding expectations, timelines, and costs.

Make and Follow Your Plan

Once you have your budget and the right people on the project, it is time to make a plan. You must work with an architect or designer to ensure that your new home aligns with your needs, lifestyle and budget. This should also include future plans – do you want to have children? Plan on adopting a pet or two? Possibly need space for an older family member in a few years? Getting this right from the beginning will help to avoid potential changes to the plan down the line, which will reduce expansions to cost and timelines.

Choose Your Materials Carefully

Choosing to invest in energy-efficient features and materials can help you to reduce long-term utility costs. While initially these installations may be more costly, they will work to save you money in the long run. Whenever possible, make sure these materials are also as durable as possible to ensure longevity and low maintenance requirements.

Secure the Necessary Permits

Ensure that you obtain all required permits and approvals before starting construction. One of the most important reasons to do this is to ensure that the work being done is safe, but having permits and inspections is also vital to ensure you can get insurance on your new build. Non-permitted renovations or build additions, changes, etc. can result in trouble securing insurance, on top of fines and other potentially costly issues.

Invest in Inspections

Having inspections done throughout the process of building your home can save you issues down the line by ensuring that all the installations are done correctly and safely and that your house meets the proper codes for electrical, plumbing, etc.

By taking proper steps and being proactive throughout the home-building process, you can minimize the risk of costly mistakes and ensure that your new home meets your expectations while staying within your budget.

Written by MY DLC Marketing Team