Alternative Mortgage Lenders – Burlington Real Estate Blog

Alternative Mortgage Lenders 

Have you heard of Alternative Mortgage Lenders? In this blog post we hope to explore what you can expect when you choose this option for a mortgage lender. At this time the Bank of Canada continues to raise interest rates and this has had an impact on the mortgage market. The effect this is having means that some people are being turned away from even getting a mortgage and others are paying high prices. 

“The conventional five-year mortgage lending rate is inching closer to six percent again. This also means that the mortgage stress test, which determines if you qualify for a home mortgage based on income and expenses, is getting harder to pass since it is the interest rate plus two per cent. So, for example, if the national average price for a home is $700,000, and you are making the national median gross income of $67,000, you will be denied a mortgage.” – RE/MAX Canada

Another issue that was reported by RE/MAX Canada was that in some cases someone might be rejected because of the current real estate market. This might be due to the fact that the real estate prices are lower or other market factors. 

In the report released by RE/MAX Canada, they stated that due to these sorts of conditions applicants might choose to go with an alternative mortgage lender. The question now becomes, what is an alternative mortgage lender? We hope to help answer that question in this blog post, at the end of this blog we’ll provide you with information to get in contact with the VanDinther Team. 

What are Alternative Mortgage Lenders? 

We are very familiar with the typical way to get a mortgage, usually this is through a bank or credit union. In some cases, one might have to go about this in a different way, these are what we call alternative mortgage lenders. 

“Alternative mortgage lenders are financial institutions offering mortgage loans outside the conventional banking system. They serve as substitutes for traditional banks and credit unions, allowing individuals, whether they are self-employed applicants or borrowers with poor credit scores, who might not qualify for a loan.” – RE/MAX Canada 

The alternative lenders will still look at the same factors that the banks and credit unions would. Such as the property value and the applicant’s assets. There are some great benefits to choosing an alternative lender, as well as some risks. 

Benefits & Risks of Choosing an Alternative Mortgage Lender

There are always going to be benefits and risks associated with choosing an alternative mortgage lender. RE/MAX Canada listed these risks in a recent report to help us better understand. This is important because we want to be able to consider all of the options available before making a decision. Listed below are the risks and benefits according to RE/MAX Canada. 

Risks: 

1. Interest Rates 
2. Fees
3. Predatory Practices 
4. Regulations 

“Unlike the larger financial institutions, the alternative mortgage lending market is not as regulated or monitored by the government. Put simply, there is a lack of oversight, meaning fewer consumer protections exist. This will require borrowers to do their due diligence by studying the company’s compliance, legitimacy, and reputation.” – RE/MAX Canada 

Benefits: 

1. Flexibility 
2. Personal Finance 
3. Speed 
4. Housing Market 

“Amidst the once-in-a-century pandemic, the Canadian real estate market witnessed an unprecedented surge, thanks to the Bank of Canada (BoC) slashing interest rates to nearly zero. Numerous individuals capitalized on this lucrative opportunity by applying for mortgages to acquire residential properties. Although some applicants may have faced delays or insufficient income, alternative lenders provided viable options to leverage current market trends and maximize low interest rates and capital appreciation.” – RE/MAX Canada 

Now that you’ve learned about alternative mortgage lenders you have some decisions to make. Asking yourself if this is the right choice for you or if you might qualify for a more traditional mortgage lender. That’s the benefit of working with a professional real estate agent, they are able to offer you advice about the market and best practices. 

Contact The VanDinther Team 

The VanDinther Team consists of a group of highly qualified and experienced professionals. This means that you can rely on their expertise and advice when it comes to not only the real estate market, but also the right kind of mortgage lender. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the real estate market or are looking to list your property, please contact the VanDinther Team today. To contact the VanDinther Team please call us at 905-330-2002 or email us at info@loriv.com. All of us on the VanDinther Team look forward to helping you make the right moves.