Home Buying Resources & Programs for Teachers in Canada

Buying a home is a huge undertaking and likely the largest financial investment you’ll make throughout your lifetime. That’s why nesto has compiled this special guide to help ensure teachers across Canada are aware of the various resources and programs available to help you make an informed decision and save money along the way. There are also helpful links included if you need some mortgage payment relief at any point during your time as a mortgage holder.

Government Discounts & Programs for Teachers 

• First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC). The HBTC is offered by the federal government to help offset closing costs associated with buying your first home. It allows you, as a first-time home buyer, to claim $5,000 on your personal tax return, resulting in a maximum $750 rebate. You must apply to receive the credit on the tax return in the same year in which you purchase a home.
• Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP). You may be able to withdraw money you’ve already contributed to your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) and use it towards anything related to your home purchase, including your down payment, closing costs or real estate fees. Under the federal government’s HBP, you can withdraw up to $60,000 ($120,000 for a couple) from your RRSPs tax- and interest-free to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself or a related person with a disability. See:What is the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)?
• What is the home buyers’ plan? 
• GST/QST/HST New Housing Rebate. If you’re purchasing a newly built home from a builder, custom-building your own home, or substantially renovating an existing home, you may qualify for a rebate of the provincial GST/QST or federal part of the HST that you paid on the home. Helpful link:GST-HST New Housing Rebate

Home Buying, Step by Step for Teachers

• Home Buying Guide. We’ve covered everything from getting a mortgage pre-approval to ensure you begin looking at homes you can comfortably afford and selecting the right mortgage, to special programs available for first-time home buyers and budgeting for closing costs.
• First-Time Home Buying Guide. Walks you through important programs and information catered specifically to your needs as a first-time home buyer.
• Home Buying Calculators. There are a variety of easy-to-use calculators available to help you better understand various costs associated with home ownership.Mortgage Payment Calculator
• Mortgage Default Insurance (CMHC Insurance) Calculator
• Mortgage Affordability Calculator
• Mortgage Refinance Calculator
• Land Transfer Tax Calculator
• Mortgage Penalty Calculator
• Debt Consolidation Calculator
• Mortgage Loan Insurance. Helps you get into a home faster without having to save a 20% down payment. With this insurance, you can put down as little as 5%.

Short-Term Relief & Solutions for Teachers

• Mortgage Deferral. The federal government introduced a six-month Mortgage Deferral Program – which officially wrapped up September 30th, 2020 – to help Canadians stay in their homes while the job market recovered from COVID-19. Fortunately, there may be other mortgage relief options available through your financial institution. It’s important to check with your lender for your options before you go into default on your mortgage. See: What Are Your Other Mortgage Relief Options?
• HELOC. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a type of revolving credit. This means that, once qualified, you can borrow money, pay it back, and borrow it again, up to a maximum credit limit. HELOCs typically allow for interest-only payments, which may seem like a good option but, as with any loan, you should have a plan in place to pay it off in full so that you don’t keep paying interest. Helpful links: 
• Helocs could be lifeline for cash strapped retirees;
• Conventional Mortgage vs Heloc;
• Home equity loan;
• Extending Your Amortization Period. An amortization period is the length of time it takes to pay off your mortgage in full. The most common mortgage amortization is 25 years. Extending your amortization period enables you to  lower your mortgage payment. Keep in mind, however, that the longer you take to pay off your mortgage, the more you pay in interest. Helpful link: Mortgage amortization strategies 
• Blend to Term or Blend & Extend Option. Your financial institution may offer various blended options where they calculate a new interest rate taking into consideration both your mortgage rate and the current rate. This lowers your mortgage payments if the current rate is lower than your mortgage rate. With a blend to term option, your new interest rate is in effect until the end of your term. Your mortgage term is the length of time of your current mortgage contract before it needs to be renewed (most common is five years, but 1-10-year options are available). You may be able to extend the length of your mortgage before the end of your term. This allows you to benefit from your new interest rate over a longer timeframe. Financial institutions call this early renewal option blend and extend. Helpful link:Break your mortgage contract
• Converting to a Fixed Rate. You may be able to convert your mortgage from a variable to a fixed interest rate. If you can find a comparable term fixed-rate mortgage that’s lower than your mortgage’s current variable rate, your payments will also be lower. This option can also protect you from future increases in interest rates. Check with your financial institution to see if this option is available to you. Helpful links:Locking in your mortgage could save you money but it depends on your plans;
• Switching from variable to fixed mortgage rate;
• Interest-Only Payments. Interest-only payments allow you to defer the mortgage principal while you continue to pay the interest on your mortgage. Your financial institution may allow you to defer your mortgage principal up to a maximum amount. You may also be required to repay the deferred principal over a specific timeframe. While this option offers temporary relief, it can also significantly increase the cost of your mortgage. Helpful link:Financial tools – Mortgage calculator
• Capitalization. Your financial institution may allow you to add late payments to your mortgage principal. This is often referred to as capitalization. Typically, you can only use this option once during the life of your mortgage. Your financial institution may allow you to capitalize: missed mortgage payments and interest; property tax payments; utility bills; property repair costs; condo fees; and other outstanding charges. This option can, however, significantly increase the amount you owe on your mortgage. With the capitalization option, your mortgage payments are modified to reflect the increase in your mortgage principal. This means your mortgage payments can be higher. Helpful link:10 things for lenders to think about when capitalizing interest; 
• Sale by Borrow Plan. With this plan, your financial institution allows you to sell your property for fair market value to a third party. You continue to live in your home while it’s for sale (typically 90 days or less). During this time, you agree to occupy and maintain the home. You may also be required to continue making payments or partial payments toward the mortgage.

Other Helpful Mortgage Links

• Borrowing Against Home Equity
• Choosing a Mortgage that is Right for You
• Dealing with Mortgage Payment Difficulties
• Getting Preapproved for a Mortgage
• Government of Canada Programs to Support Homebuyers
• How Much You Need for a Down Payment
• Mortgages: Right and Responsibilities 
• Preparing to Get a Mortgage
• The CHIP Program: A Canadian Solution for Homeowners