How Much Home Can I Afford?

To determine affordability you will first need to know your taxable income along with the amount of any debt outstanding and the monthly payments. Assuming it is your principal residence you are purchasing; calculate 32% of your income for use toward a mortgage payment, property taxes and heating costs. If applicable, half of the estimated monthly condominium maintenance fees will also be included in this calculation.

Second, calculate 40% of your taxable income and deduct all of your monthly debt payments, including car loans, credit cards, lines of credit payments. The lesser of the first or second calculation will be used to help determine how much of your income may be used towards housing related payments, including your mortgage payment. These calculations are based on lenders usual guidelines.

In addition to considering what the ratios say you can afford, make sure you calculate how much you think you can afford. If the payment amount you are comfortable with is less than 32% of your income you may want to settle for the lower amount rather than stretch yourself financially. Make sure you do not leave yourself house poor. Structure your payments so that you can still afford simple luxuries.

If you have any questions on what you can afford you can contact your toronto mortgage broker today and they can help you with figuring out what you can afford.

Minimum down payment needed for a home
A minimum down payment of 5% is required to purchase a home, subject to certain maximum price restrictions. For instance, in the Greater Vancouver area the maximum purchase price with 5% down is $250,000. Any purchase price in excess of $250,000 requires a minimum of 10% as a down payment. In addition to the down payment, you must also be able to show that you can cover the applicable closing costs (i.e. legal fees and disbursements, appraisal fees and a survey certificate, where applicable).

Regardless of the amount of your down payment, at least 5% of it must be from your own cash resources or a gift from a family member. It cannot be borrowed.

Lenders will generally accept a gift from a family member as an acceptable down payment provided a letter stating it is a true gift, not a loan, is signed by the donor. Where the mortgage loan insurance is provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the gift money must be in the your possession before the application is sent in to CMHC for approval.

Mortgages with less than 25% down must have mortgage loan insurance provided by either CMHC or GE.

By: Alona Rudnitsky

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Amanda Cluett is an experienced Toronto Mortgage Broker Also specializing in Bad Credit Mortgage in Toronto for more articles and information visit Ontario Mortgage