Nine out of ten Canadians would rather own than rent, according to a new Genworth Canada study.¹ But the down payment often stands in their way.
A recent Vancity poll found that 60% of first-time buyers in B.C., for example, find down payment requirements to be a barrier to home ownership.
Nationally, 53% of homebuyers are worried they might miss their dream home because they’re short on the down payment.
With the average home costing $406,372, amassing even 5% down can be a chore for newbie buyers. That’s especially true with only 38% of Canadians having been able to save money in the past year, says Genworth.
It may surprise some, however, that half (50%) are saving a down payment in just 1 to 2 years. We suspect a lot of moms and dads are helping out in that department.
By contrast, almost 3 in 10 (29%) are taking 3 to 4 years to save their down payment. And a sizable minority are taking longer still.
Some just don’t want to wait that long, so they’re borrowing their down payment (sometimes from riskier sources). Vancity found that 16% would consider taking cash advances from a credit card or credit line to fund their down payment. (Please, if you have to pay 20% interest to finance a down payment, keep renting.)
With some Canadians willing to go to these lengths, it’s no wonder that Vancity launched its “Down Payment Helper Mortgage” last week. The product gives home buyers half of their 5% down payment (up to $12,500).
Details on the Down Payment Helper Mortgage:
- Lending area: Greater Vancouver and Victoria, B.C.
- Maximum mortgage size: $475,000
- Available terms: 5-year fixed only
- Mortgage features: Standard Vancity features (e.g., 20% annual lump-sum prepayment privileges)
- Current rate: Best member rate (3.29% today) + 55 basis points (assuming 2.5% cash back for the down payment)
- Offer dates: Must apply by June 30, 2014
- Qualifications: The standard Vancity qualifications for CMHC or Genworth insured mortgages apply
- Bonus offer: Vancity is giving people up to $1,500 extra cash back to offset closing costs
- Available through: Vancity branches, mobile mortgage specialists and brokers
Unlike most cash-back mortgages, Vancity doesn’t charge a premium above the effective rate, which includes the cash back. The rate people pay reflects Vancity’s regular 5-year fixed rate plus a 55-basis-point surcharge. That surcharge is just enough to repay the bank for the “free” 2.5% down payment it gives people.
And a great feature of this — and all Vancity 5-year fixed mortgages — is that you can break the mortgage two years early and not pay an interest rate differential (IRD) charge. You just pay a 3-month interest charge. That said, early termination does require pro rata repayment of any cash back you received.
¹ Environics Research Group ran the poll, which included an online survey of 1,507 Canadians.
Rob McLister, CMT (email)
Last modified: April 25, 2014
Is there anything like this in Ontario?
and because they are a credit union, they dont run afoul when presenting to cmhc?
CMHC doesn’t care. It allows borrowed down payments. It is OSFI that prohibits cash back as a down payment. Fortunately OSFI doesn’t dictate the rules for CUs.
I’m sure Vancity can do better with full 5% down payment helper next time. These kids need all the help they can get and why wait when you can have it all now.
Time for CMHC to prohibit borrowed down payments directly.
it is an absolute bubble. 4 years to get 5% for downpayment. And 80 years to pay off the mortgage
It is amazing what clients can do with a little guidance and help with a budget. Generally when they want to buy a house they can save the money. Lifestyle changes, no more Starbucks, Tim Hortons, bring a bag lunch, stop buying shoes. Personally taking the time to save a downpayment is a good exercise in managing money. Houses are not keep to own and someone who has not managed to save at least 5% before they have the cost of home ownership is just headed for trouble. Purchase price is kind of irrelevant as they are going to have to have more income to carry bigger mortgages thus they should have more income to save. Using the RRSP Home buyers plan can really help. My biggest challenge is to get people to take the time to do it right. Jamming clients into mortgages and house is not how we should behave as professionals. Let the credit unions and banks do that, I for one care too much about my new life long clients.
Very well stated Mike. Budgeting is more important than ever in preparation for home ownership.
Anything like this in Alberta??
CIBC has a spring cash back offer:
3.59% rate and 2% cas back… 3% cash back on mortgages over $400,000
The effective rate for the jumbo offer on mortgages over $400k is 2.85% on a 5yr fixed
island advisor..
What’s the calculation for effctive rate on a cash back offer?
Its hard to imagine how cash back down payment can be a good thing. Its a sign that you are unable to manage money effectively. Of course 9 out of ten people would rather own… did we really need a poll from a mortgage insurance company to clarify that?
Well I personally believe that this is a great offer. I myself am great at saving money but there is a property I am looking at acquiring, that I can more then afford and over the last 2 months have saved 2% which is a very fair amount having a new family. Now I can wait another 3 months and risk missing this great opportunity or I can boost myself and get my dream with one payment, without borrowing an amount of money with such high interest that I risk not being able to afford the two payments.