Getting a Mortgage While on Parental Leave

Shawn Dreger • Apr 02, 2024

Chances are if the title of this article piqued your interest enough to get you here, your family is probably growing. Congratulations!

If you’ve thought now is the time to find a new property to accommodate your growing family, but you’re unsure how your parental leave will impact your ability to get a mortgage, you’ve come to the right place!

Here’s how it works. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, it won’t be a problem to qualify your income on a mortgage application while on parental leave, as long as you have documentation proving that you have guaranteed employment when you return to work.

A word of caution, if you walk into your local bank to look for a mortgage and you disclose that you’re currently collecting parental leave, there’s a chance they’ll only allow you to use that income to qualify. This reduction in income isn’t ideal because at 55% of your previous income up to $595/week, you won’t be eligible to borrow as much, limiting your options.

The advantage of working with an independent mortgage professional is choice. You have a choice between lenders and mortgage products, including lenders who use 100% of your return-to-work income.

To qualify, you’ll need an employment letter from your current employer that states the following:

Your employer’s name preferably on the company letterhead
Your position
Your initial start date to ensure you’ve passed any probationary period
Your scheduled return to work date
Your guaranteed salary

For a lender to feel confident about your ability to cover your mortgage payments, they want to see that you have a position waiting for you once your parental leave is over. You might also be required to provide a history of your income for the past couple of years, but that is typical of mortgage financing.

Whether you intend to return to work after your parental leave is over or not, once the mortgage is in place, what you decide to do is entirely up to you. Mortgage qualification requires only that you have a position waiting for you.

If you have any questions about this or anything else mortgage-related, please connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to work with you.

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Shawn Dreger

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Protect Yourself at Renewal

By Shawn Dreger • 30 Apr, 2024

It’s a commonly held belief that if you’ve made your mortgage payments on time throughout the entirety of your mortgage term, that the lender is somehow obligated to renew your mortgage. The truth is, a lender is never under any obligation to renew your mortgage. When you sign a mortgage contract, the lender draws it up for a defined time, so when that term comes to an end, the lender has every right to call the loan. Now, granted, most lenders are happy to renew your mortgage, but several factors could come into play to prevent this from happening, including the following: You’ve missed mortgage payments over the term. The lender becomes aware that you’ve recently claimed bankruptcy. The lender becomes aware that you’re going through a separation or divorce. The lender becomes aware that you lost your job. Someone on the initial mortgage contract has passed away. The lender no longer likes the economic climate and/or geographic location of your property. The lender is no longer licensed to lend money in Canada. Again, while most lenders are happy to renew your mortgage at the end of the term, you need to understand that they are not under any obligation to do so. So how do you protect yourself? Well, the first plan of action is to get out in front of things. At least 120 days before your mortgage term expires, you should be speaking with an independent mortgage professional to discuss all of your options. By giving yourself this lead time and seeking professional advice, you put yourself in the best position to proactively look at all your options and decide what’s best for you. When assessing your options at the time of renewal, even if the lender offers you a mortgage renewal, staying with your current lender is just one of the options you have. Just because your current lender was the best option when you got your mortgage doesn’t mean they are still the best option this time around. The goal is to assess all your options and choose the one that lowers your overall cost of borrowing. It’s never a good idea to sign a mortgage renewal without looking at all your options. Also, dealing with an independent mortgage professional instead of directly with the lender ensures you have someone working for you, on your team, instead of seeking guidance from someone with the lender’s best interest in mind. So if you have a mortgage that’s up for renewal, whether you’re being offered a renewal or not, the best plan of action is to protect yourself by working with an independent mortgage professional. Please connect anytime; it would be a pleasure to work with you!

A First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

By Shawn Dreger • 18 Apr, 2024

Dreaming of owning your first home? A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) could be your key to turning that dream into a reality. Let's dive into what an FHSA is, how it works, and why it's a smart investment for first-time homebuyers. What is an FHSA? An FHSA is a registered plan designed to help you save for your first home taxfree. If you're at least 18 years old, have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and have not owned a home where you lived for the past four calendar years, you may be eligible to open an FHSA. Reasons to Invest in an FHSA: Save up to $40,000 for your first home. Contribute tax-free for up to 15 years. Carry over unused contribution room to the next year, up to a maximum of $8,000. Potentially reduce your tax bill and carry forward undeducted contributions indefinitely. Pay no taxes on investment earnings. Complements the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP). How Does an FHSA Work? Open Your FHSA: Start investing tax-free by opening your FHSA. Contribute Often: Make tax-deductible contributions of up to $8,000 annually to help your money grow faster. Withdraw for Your Home: Make a tax-free withdrawal at any time to purchase your first home. Benefits of an FHSA: Tax-Deductible Contributions: Contribute up to $8,000 annually, reducing your taxable income. Tax-Free Earnings: Enjoy tax-free growth on your investments within the FHSA. No Taxes on Withdrawals: Pay $0 in taxes on withdrawals used to buy a qualifying home. Numbers to Know: $8,000: Annual tax-deductible FHSA contribution limit. $40,000: Lifetime FHSA contribution limit. $0: Taxes on FHSA earnings when used for a qualifying home purchase. In Conclusion A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a powerful tool for first-time homebuyers, offering tax benefits and a structured approach to saving for homeownership. By taking advantage of an FHSA, you can accelerate your journey towards owning your first home and make your dream a reality sooner than you think.