What is the First Time Home Buyer Incentive?
For first time home buyers, saving up a down payment is one of the biggest challenges keeping people from achieving their goal of home ownership – but we have good news!
Dear First Time Home Buyer,
Saving up a down payment can be one of the biggest challenges keeping you from achieving your goal of home ownership – but we have good news!
There is a new program recently introduced by the Government of Canada, First Time Home Buyer Incentive Program, or FTHBI, that will assist you and others looking to buy their first home!
What is the First Time Home Buyer Incentive Program?
First Time Home Buyer Incentive Program is a Government of Canada plan intended to help first time buyers purchase a home, by making it more affordable by reducing their monthly mortgage payment without increasing their down payment.
The FTHBI is a Shared Equity Mortgage where the Government of Canada has a shared interest in the borrower’s property value. This program is available through the default insurers; CMHC, Genworth and Canada Guaranty.
Borrowers will receive an incentive in the form of an interest-free loan towards the down payment:
5% for the purchase of a resale property OR 5 or 10% for the purchase of a new construction home.
In addition to the interest free down payment loan, the Government of Canada has also increased the eligible RRSP withdrawal amount from $25,000 to a maximum to $35,000 (link to Home Buyers’ Plan Website).
How do you know if you qualify for this program?
To be eligible for this program, the borrower must be:
To apply for this program the borrower will have to complete the following requirements:
For the repayment of the loan (amount borrowed from the FTHBI) the following conditions will apply:
There are a few additional conditions a borrow must meet in order to be eligible for this program:
What does this mean for you?
| WITHOUT Incentive (Mortgage Calculator) |
WITH Incentive (FTHBI Calculator) |
||
| Purchase Price | $400,000 | Purchase Price | $400,000 |
| 5% down payment | $20,000 | 5% down payment | $20,000 |
| Mortgage Insurance of 4% | $15,200 | Mortgage Insurance of 2.8% | $9,520 |
| Additional 10% as shared equity | $40,000 | ||
| Required a Mortgage | $395,200 | Required a Mortgage | $349,520 |
| Your Monthly payment | $1,788 | Your Monthly payment | $1,634 |
* This example is for illustrative purposes only. Buyer will need to repay the incentive at 10% of the fair market value when they sell the property or after 25 years, whichever comes first. Monthly payments are based on 2.89% Interest and 25 year amortization.
The Bottom Line:
If you are eligible for the program you will have the opportunity to lower your monthly mortgage payments. From the example above this would be a savings of $154 per monthly mortgage payment.
In addition to reducing your monthly mortgage payments the FTHBI will help in reducing your Mortgage Insurance Premiums. In the example above this would be a savings of $5,689!
How do I learn more about this program?
A great source for more information about this program is The Government of Canada – National Housing Strategy website.
National Housing Strategy – First Time Home Buyer Incentive
Also available on the The Government of Canada – National Housing Strategy website is a fantastic calculator to help you with a quick overview of your potential savings and if you quailfy for the program!
If you’re considering using the FTHBI program, one of our preferred lenders will be happy to assist you and discuss your options. Please contact them for more details.
The First Time Home Buyer Incentive program is a great way to get your foot in the door of home ownership. Getting the down payment you need for your first home may not be as challenging after all!
