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Why You Should Buy a Home in the Ottawa Glebe

Are you considering buying a home in the Ottawa Glebe area? If so, here are some of the main reasons you might want to do that: 

For starters, the Glebe is ideal for families. This vibrant uptown neighbourhood offers everything from large, century-old houses with expansive front yards to modern, sleek condominiums on Bank Street. 

Located on the vibrant Wellington Street, you’ll find everything from waterfront homes to walkable neighbourhood stores and restaurants. The Glebe has something for everyone with great schools, a thriving arts community, and abundant real estate options. 

Why not consider one of the many houses for sale in Glebe, Ottawa?

1. Fantastic History and Character

Like much of Ottawa, the Glebe is an older neighbourhood with a history you’ll be proud to call home. The first settlers were farmers and trappers who farmed the land until the early 19th century. 

The area became a popular Ottawa suburb in the last decades, as the city grew from a small town to a bustling capital city. Homes in the Glebe Ottawa were hot property and people flocked to the neighbourhood.

Now one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in the city, the Glebe has witnessed some incredible homes. The neighbourhood’s original character is still evident in the many historic homes for sale in the area, and the city has preserved many of these homes for the future.

The Glebe is also home to the oldest church in the city, St. James Catholic Church, which opened its doors to worshippers in 1819. The churches and other houses of worship in the area testify that religious diversity is a unique characteristic of the neighbourhood.

2. A Diverse Community

Many Glebe residents are immigrants, representing a wide range of cultures. Over 44 percent of the population is foreign-born. Along with the many churches, the neighbourhood is home to several different synagogues, temples, and mosques. 

Given how diverse the area is, it’s no surprise that the Glebe is a cultural hub with many festivals, galleries, and community centres.

3. Gorgeous Architecture

On top of everything else, the Glebe is also home to some beautiful homes. Several historic homes are for sale in the neighbourhood, and the architecture is stunning. 

If you’re interested in buying a condo, the Glebe has some new buildings with incredible architecture. These homes and buildings are a perfect blend of historic and contemporary architecture, and you’ll be proud to call them home.

4. Has Convenient Transportation

The Glebe is a great place to own a home with galore public transportation and bike routes. Car2Go has stationed several cars throughout the neighbourhood, making it a great place to rent a car on an as-needed basis. 

If you like the idea of getting around on a bicycle, the area has plenty of bike lanes, and there are bike paths that run throughout the city. Walking is also a great option because the neighbourhood is super walkable.

Conclusion

The Glebe is a great neighbourhood to consider if you’re looking to buy a home in the city. It’s one of the oldest and most culturally diverse neighbourhoods in the city, and it has a history that’s second to none. 

If you’re buying a home for the first time, you must take the time to get to know the neighbourhood and make sure that it’s a good fit for you.

Ottawa Mortgage Services provides mortgage agent services for first-time homebuyers, self-employed individuals, commercial clients, and more. We also help clients with refinancing, pre-approvals, and debt consolidation. If you’re a first-time home buyer in Ottawa, we can help you find the right mortgage in the right neighbourhood. Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help!

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Got a Mortgage and Student Loan? Here’s a Guide to Help You

The current COVID-19 economic crisis has reshaped how people deal with their finances. Case in point: Canadian graduates who once used college loans before financing a home are now forced to manage a student loan and home mortgage. While it may seem ideal, these may be burdens too great to bear fresh out of college.

Can an individual handle a mortgage and student loan simultaneously without the help of Ottawa mortgage services? Read more to find out!

Mortgage Structure

The amount you can borrow and accompanying interest rate are dependent on the following factors that compose a mortgage:

  • Income: Lenders and financial institutions must determine your gross income to see if you can afford a loan. This due diligence protects their investment from late payments, non-payments, and possible defaulting.
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio: Lenders will also screen this to know further if you can take on another loan when you already have one or two in place. It ensures your income can take the monthly installments without depriving you of finances for your basic needs.
  • Credit Score: Your credit rating indicates to lenders that you’re good for the cash you plan on borrowing. How punctual your payments are can affect your credit score. If you miss out on one month without paying your mortgage, that translates to higher interest, higher monthly installment, or a decline in your loan application. 

In a nutshell, you’ll get lousy loan conditions if you don’t pay on time, including some of the best mortgage terms if you fail to repay promptly every month.

These structures apply to a mortgage and student loan, so individuals can still live within their means while paying off any remaining debts. 

Next, we will see how possible it is to manage two loans simultaneously based on the same structures above.

How to Juggle Your Home and Student Loan

There are three simple steps to handling two loans at once:

  • Repay Other Unrelated Loans: It is of the utmost importance to prioritize when it comes to mortgages. There are loans you must take on, while others you can truly live without.

Case in point: credit card debt and personal loans. There is no need to partake in the plastic economy or borrow cash for bare necessities since it is well within your capability to budget correctly and pay only for what you need to survive. Indeed, dealing with mortgage services is more important than buying the latest gadget.

This also lessens your debt-to-income ratio, leaving you with more breathing room to take on a home loan.

  • Regularly Pay Your Student Loan: Once your other debts are squared away, you can apportion more of your income to paying off your student loans and handling a mortgage. 

Remember what we discussed about credit scores earlier? Early, consistent payments improve your credit rating since lenders also look at your track record as part of the screening process. If they see you’ve been paying punctually, it shows responsibility and could improve your chances of getting a home loan.

  • Apply for Pre-Approval: You can also apply for pre-approval as a buffer for taking on a mortgage with your student loan. You should keep paying off your student debt to show that you are responsible enough to handle additional loans. Pre-approvals usually offer you a suitable mortgage amount you can borrow and their interest rate.

Conclusion

The answer to the question, “how do you take on a student loan and mortgage at the same time?” is, “with great responsibility.” First things first: make on-time repayments for your student loan to boost your credit score and show lenders you can handle another loan. Live simply as well, so you are well within your budget to pay off both and finance your essentials.

But if you genuinely need help getting your affairs in order, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ottawa Mortgage Services. We provide mortgage agent services for first-time homebuyers, self-employed individuals, and commercial clients and assist you with refinancing, pre-approvals, and debt consolidation. Apply now!

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Effective Ways Self-Employed Individuals Can Get a Mortgage

When you’re self-employed, securing a mortgage can seem daunting at first. It won’t be a typical path you’ll take, but with the help of a skilled mortgage agent and the correct plan, it can be as simple as it gets.

If you’re self-employed, it simply indicates you’re not on a traditional employee payroll, which deducts CPP/EI and income tax every two weeks. Alternatively, you may operate a company and pay yourself a salary, but your wage is contingent on your company earning enough money to pay you.

While securing a mortgage as a self-employed person can be difficult, it is feasible. A dependable mortgage agent can provide related services to guide you on the right practices you should follow. If you’re not ready to commit to an agent yet, below are some useful ways that you can get financing for your mortgage. 

You Can Qualify for a Mortgage with Prime Mortgages

This is calculated using your actual earnings. You may be able to qualify for a mortgage based on how much you actually make provided you have strong credit, manage your debt well, and have at least a 12-month credit history.

Check to see if you’ve paid yourself, stated enough income for the past two years, and submitted your taxes. This is essential to obtaining a Prime Mortgage (A-Lender mortgage). Also, you owe no money to the CRA and are current on all payments.

You Can Qualify for a Mortgage with Stated Income

When you have a solid gross income but have expenses that bring your income below what you need to qualify under the 5x rule, a Stated Income mortgage can help. To qualify for a Stated Income mortgage, lenders add your gross and net incomes together to create an Income Reasonability number.

You Can Get Financing through Alternative Lenders

If you have terrible credit and are self-employed, working with an Alternative Lender (B-Lender) is a possibility. It’s also a good option if you don’t make enough money to qualify the usual way or through stated income.

Because the contracts are usually fixed for one to three years, this type is good as a short-term solution. You’ll be able to work up your finances and credit during this time and then move on to a more regular mortgage after that.

You Can Opt for Credit Union Financing

If you’re self-employed, credit union financing may be the best solution for you. Consider credit unions as a bridge between traditional lenders and alternative lenders. Credit unions are willing to lend on houses worth more than $1 million and do not levy fees. Their interest rates, however, are higher.

You Can Consider Private Lending

After you’ve explored all other options, private mortgages should be your very last resort. It’s advisable to use these only in an emergency. A private lender’s primary purpose is to make money. They are unconcerned with your earnings, taxes, or debt, so they’ll charge you a lot of money for lending, and they’ll be able to close swiftly if you have an emergency.

Conclusion

Speaking with a mortgage agent first is best if you’re self-employed and want to buy a house or condo. It will be best if you can find a fantastic team of mortgage agents and brokers who specialize in self-employed people and are well-versed in all types of lenders. They can help you find the ideal option for your specific situation.

If you’re self-employed and a first-time home buyer in Ottawa, you can trust Ottawa Mortgage Services to guide you through every step of the home-buying process. We are best in providing mortgage agent services for first-time homebuyers, self-employed individuals, and commercial clients. You can also depend on us if you need help with refinancing, pre-approvals, and debt consolidation. Book us for a consultation today!