Change Presents Opportunity

Michael Hallett • June 1, 2022

Now that the Bank of Canada (BoC) has increased the overnight lending rate another 50-basis point (0.50%) the lenders will (likely) increase the prime lending rate by the same 50 basis points. For lenders with mortgage product that calculate the borrower’s payment based on prime there may or may not be some changes coming to your payment.

 

  • Variable-rate mortgage (VRM) consumers your payment remains static, no change coming unless you manually amend the payment which will assist with maintaining the life of the mortgage/amortization.
  • Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) consumers can expect a payment increase of ~$26 per month for every $100,000 borrowed. If a static payment variable-rate mortgage is more desirable, then we should discuss switching your mortgage to a provider that can accommodate.
  • Fixed-rate mortgage consumers, nothing changes with the recent BoC announcement.

 

We discussed ARM vs ARM in our previous article posted on May 24, 2022, LIFE IS VARIABLE. If you missed it, have a read.

 

Fear and uncertainty provoke change which will present opportunities.

 

With the market is shifting it might be time to take advantage of a slightly slower pace. But do not wait too long, many others are thinking the same thing.

 

The equity in your home can unlock an opportunity to increase your net worth by adding to your real estate portfolio. The equity can be used to purchase other real estate properties. That equity, your asset, can be set up to access in the future through a secured line of credit or home equity line of credit (HELOC). Once established it does not cost you anything to keep it at $0, but given an opportunity to purchase, you have instant access to funds.

 

Here is some additional content regarding HELOCs, Financing Solutions – Home Equity Line of Credit. It was published January 2017, but the concept is still relevant today.

 

Below is a random scenario to illustrate how equity can be accessed from your home in the form of a (HELOC).

 

MV of your home based on appraisal            $1,500,000

Max. 80% equity based on MV                        $1,200,000

Current mortgage (non-HELOC)                       $   500,000

Equity                                                                 $   700,000

 

MV = market value

 

New HELOC mortgage structure

 

Registered mortgage                                            $1,200,000

Existing mortgage                                                 $   500,000*

Line of Credit                                                         $   700,000** 

 

*Mortgage payment is calculated either on a variable or fixed-rate mortgage based on the applicable interest rate and amortization.

 

**If you do not draw any funds from the line of credit the there is no monthly cost/payment. Once funds are drawn there is a minimum interest-only payment required based on an interest rate of PRIME plus 0.50%. Prime is current equal to 3.70%. You will also be able to make any principal payment amount without any limits.

 

Now that you have unlocked $700,000, what’s next? Buy another property. Most serial investors employ a simple yet effective concept – BUY (real estate), RENOVATE (it, if it needs it), RE-FINANCE (leverage out the maximum equity), RENT (it out for market value) and REPEAT (the previous 4 steps).

 

If you want to discuss any of what was written above in greater detail or anything else, please feel free to reach out to me anytime, 604-616-2266 or michael@hallettmortgage.com

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