Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Denied a mortgage? These are alternative paths to financing homeownership

Share

Canadians denied a mortgage from big banks still have a path to homeownership, says one expert covering alternative lenders.

The pressure on mortgages comes as the Bank of Canada increased rates to 4.25 per cent, a level not seen since 2008. It is the seventh rate hike in nine months as inflation remained high .

In the aftermath, some trying to buy a home are being turned away from traditional banks, no longer qualifying for mortgages. That leaves private lenders as an option for people hoping to buy a home soon.

Big Canadian banks are often referred to as "A-lenders"

"B lenders are trending these days as the number one option for getting a mortgage if you're turned down by your bank," Grant Powell, a mortgage expert from British Columbia, told CTV's Your Morning on Thursday. "They are smaller lenders, but many are still national. Many have been in business for decades (and) they work with you on a case-by-case basis."

B lenders are smaller companies with lower standards to qualify for a mortgage. Powell says this is attractive for people who need more flexibility and may have inconsistent credit, debt, or employment.

"The downside is they do require at least a minimum 20% down payment," Powell said. He noted they often have higher interest rates than traditional banks and have a "lender fee" of 1 to 2 per cent.

Private lenders can be family members or businesses.

"These lenders are flexible, but the interest rates are a lot higher," Powell said of private lenders. "And it's usually…with a short-term basis, it's not a permanent solution."

Powell advises anyone turning to a private lender to have an "exit strategy."

"You are paying higher interest rates and you're charged the fee for placing the loan from two to 5 per cent of the mortgage amount," he said. "So make sure you do have an exit strategy because you only want to be in this kind of loan for I'd say one, two — maximum three years."

Vendor take-back mortgages are popular in commercial spaces and deals, Powell said. They allow the seller to give the buyer a two- to five-year loan for the partial purchase price.

"It's good for the seller, because they can actually sell the place and (it's) good for the buyer because they can get into a place sooner because they don't have to come up with as much down payment," Powell said.

The downside is that the seller needs to be a part of the purchase to ensure they receive their money back.

Powell said prospective homebuyers need to verify the agreement by a mortgage broker when interacting with other lenders.

 

Click the video at the top of this article to hear more alternatives from Powell.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A Nova Scotian YouTuber has launched a mini-truck bookmobile.

Infectious disease physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch says whooping cough is most risky for unvaccinated infants, children and older people.

Local Spotlight

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.

Stay Connected