We aired a new #FamilyFridays episode with a special guest on our Instagram page – did you watch it? OPUS founder and mom-of-three Andrea DeGasperis-Ronco interviewed RBC Mortgage Specialist Robert Kavanagh and broke the news of a special promotion happening RIGHT NOW! (Click here to watch the video)
First, let’s fill you in on what we learned during this interesting #FamilyFridays episode! At OPUS, our clients often ask questions about mortgage approvals. A mortgage is a type of loan often used to buy a home or other type of property.
Our clients often ask us questions like:
– why do I need to apply now , our closing is 18 months from now, can a simple pre-approval do for now?
– where do we get a firm mortgage approval?
– who can help us get a firm mortgage approval?
– when should we get the mortgage approval?
– as first-time homebuyers, when should we get a mortgage approval?
This inspired us to create a #FamilyFridays episode all about firm mortgage approvals and why they can be helpful when purchasing a new home.
The mortgage approval process can be confusing and it’s helpful to have someone you trust, who can answer questions and guide you through it. From filing paperwork to signing on the dotted line, there is a lot of information, applications and documentation to compile and various steps to complete.
You may have already used a tool called a mortgage approval calculator to evaluate the potential loan amount based on your income. You may also be wondering what the difference is between a pre-approval process and a firm mortgage approval. Perhaps you’re wondering what type of home you can afford and how to find that out.
For many years, we have relied on the knowledge of RBC Mortgage Specialist Robert Kavanagh and with his help, home buyers can secure a firm mortgage approval. This type of mortgage approval process is especially advantageous for buyers of new homes and can be important for clients who are buying a home with a long closing.
HOW DOES THIS MORTGAGE APPROVAL WORK?
Robert explained some of the aspects to us. He said RBC will evaluate the property with an appraisal, and it’s free for customers as part of the package. This type of mortgage approval for new build and pre-construction homes is beneficial because a firm approval guarantees the current value right up until closing. At the same time, RBC will complete three important verifications: an income, asset and down payment verification, and it’s done at the beginning of the process.
Having a mortgage commitment until closing date is a huge benefit to new home buyers. Often the time between purchasing a new pre-construction home and your closing date can be up to a year or more. Life can change in that time, and knowing this, RBC also provides free life and disability insurance, or free life and critical illness insurance with the firm mortgage approval package. This coverage is free and protects customers from loss of life, disability or illness right up until closing.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE?
We are often asked what is needed to qualify for a mortgage, and we usually connect them to Robert, who will use financial information to calculate your total monthly housing costs and total debt load to determine what you can afford.
Here are some items considered when you go through the mortgage approval process:
- your income (before taxes)
- your expenses (including utilities and living costs)
- the amount you’re borrowing
- your debts
- your credit report and score
- the amortization period
When you’re deciding, here are some items you can ask about:
- the interest rate
- the term
- the amortization period
- the fees you have to pay
- your payment options
- your prepayment options
- penalties if you sell your property before the end of your term
- options if you want to pay your entire mortgage off early
Buying a home and applying for a mortgage is a big milestone in life. It does take some work to qualify, but with the right experts in your corner, it can go a lot smoother than you think.
THE BEST PART
Here’s the BEST part! Andrea shares during this recent #FamilyFridays episode some BIG news! This is a special promotion happening RIGHT NOW and it will help new home buyers from the early stage of securing a mortgage approval right through to selecting beautiful finishes to personalize your home!
When you do these two things:
1) Become an OPUS client – buy your family’s new home!
2) Get a RBC firm mortgage approval
Then OPUS will provide you with $2,000 more to spend in our OPUS Décor Studio!
What an amazing opportunity!
You will receive guidance from RBC Mortgage Specialist Robert Kavanagh while purchasing your new OPUS home, including assistance securing this amazing firm mortgage approval package AND then you will receive an extra $2,000 to spend in the Décor Studio!
LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRM MORTGAGE APPROVAL
To find out more about RBC’s Firm Mortgage Approval, contact Robert by phone at 416-414-6815 or by email at Robert.kavanagh@rbc.com
To learn more about OPUS homes for sale, click on our Communities tab on our site’s top navigation bar, or email us to book a virtual appointment with a sales consultant so we can help you find the best one for your family!
ALL ABOUT #FAMILYFRIDAYS
We’ve created a brand new digital series called #FamilyFridays and we are going to cover all things real estate, design and making your house into a home. OPUS founder and mom-of-three Andrea DeGasperis-Ronco hosts the series and she shares her knowledge about buying a new home, other fun facts and stories surrounding home ownership.
We always say it’s important to have good information about buying a home and we are excited to share some with you through this series! We were inspired by our Family Collection of Homes at Richlands in Richmond Hill, where we enjoyed engaging with you and your families, so we want to make it a regular feature.
Follow us @opushomes on Facebook and Instagram, where you can find all of our #FamilyFriday episodes.
YOU COULD BE FEATURED ON #FAMILYFRIDAYS!
We know you’ve got some questions about how to find the right home or neighbourhood, how to make those tough décor decisions, how to save for a down payment and more! If you’re an OPUS homeowner, we would LOVE to feature you too! Send us an email about the favourite part of your home, or what you learned during the homebuying process. Any questions and entries could be featured in a future Family Friday video. Here’s what to do:
* Send us an email to: info@opushomes.com a question about purchasing a new home.
* Send us photos or videos of something you love about your home. It can be of your family, your pet or even your favourite room in your house.
* Your submission could make it into the series.
We can’t wait to see your pics, videos and questions soon!
Don’t forget to follow us @opushomes and watch for #FamilyFridays on Facebook and Instagram.
