What to consider when purchasing a property

Ivan Cons

For many Canadians purchasing a home is the biggest investment they will ever make. The majority of most Canadians’ wealth is tied up in the equity of their homes. One of the advantages of owning a home is that the gains on a sale are tax free under most circumstances. There is much to consider when purchasing a property. Look for a qualified real estate agent, one with references who knows the neighborhood you are interested in.

It is important to understand how mortgages work. Talk to several financial institutions and/or a qualified mortgage broker. Pay attention to mortgage ratios (the ratio of your total mortgage payment to your total income). Do not forget to factor in your debt load.

Remember to get preapproved before you purchase. The process is quick and easy and facilitates the sale.

Make sure you are aware of your financial details.

Understand the impact of your credit history.

Create a budget that incorporates your mortgage expense plus any other unforeseen expenses that may arise including your existing financial commitments

Have questions ready regarding the property you wish to purchase.

Verify what similar properties have sold for in your neighbourhood of choice. There are many resources online that can provide this type of information.

Once you find a property that you feel is acceptable, determine your offer. Be prepared to negotiate and try not to go over budget.

Purchasing a property can be a very emotional time. Seek counsel from others that you trust.

For non-residential property or for rental or commercial properties, one must be aware of the impact on disposition that capital gains may trigger. In addition there may be recapture of depreciation that will add significantly to the amount of tax that must be remitted on disposition. One is best advised to speak to one’s accountant or tax professional in order to clearly understand if this investment is suitable.

Finally, it is recommended to insure the mortgage so that in the event of sickness or death, the obligation to the lender is taken care of. There are many ways to procure this insurance, either through financial institutions or through simple term life insurance which offers guaranteed rates of 10, 20, or 30 years. There are many advantages to purchasing the insurance with an independent life insurance broker:

• You choose the beneficiary.
• The premium does not change for the term of the insurance.
• If you elect to refinance your mortgage with another institution, your insurance is portable and there is no need to reapply.
• Policies are available that insure well beyond the age of 70.
• The amount of the insurance will never decrease.

Ivan Cons can be reached online at imcfinancial.ca.