Wondering where to start to save up for a down payment?

Buying a home is possibly the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. Beyond shopping for a great rate and figuring out what your new monthly budget could look like, you need to start thinking about how you’re going to save up for a down payment.

Don’t panic

It might seem pretty daunting to consider buying a home in British Columbia – especially Metro Vancouver. But don’t fear. Here are some things to consider while you save up for that down payment and make your dream of owning a home a reality.

A down payment usually ranges from 5% to 20% of the purchase price

The more you can afford to put down, the better. You’ll also want to take mortgage insurance into consideration too. As the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. points out, you’ll need mortgage loan insurance for mortgages with less than 20% of the purchase price.

How to save for a down payment

1. Keep the money you’re saving apart from your other savings by having a separate account. You’ll be less likely to spend it.
2. Make your savings automatic. Transfer the money you want to save each month to that separate account, along with unexpected things like expense cheques, tax refunds, or bonuses.
3. Look for ways to grow that money safely. Consider something with modest, but reliable interest that’s low risk – like a Term Deposit or a High-interest Savings Account.

Research first-time homebuyer programs

Federal and provincial governments offer multiple first-time homebuyer incentives  such as The Home Buyers’ Plan, First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit and even a GST/HST New Housing Rebate. Read more about them here or talk to your financial planner to get some help and together you can assess whether these programs could be a fit for you.

Set your savings goal and make a budget

Consider what lifestyle or spending changes you can make to achieve your goal.

Maybe bring a lunch to work, try carpooling to save on gas, or make your coffee at home in the morning. It’s amazing how quickly the savings add up.

 

The stuff we have to say.

Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union provides advice and service related to deposit, loan and mortgage products. Coast Capital Wealth Management Ltd provides investment and financial planning services. Coast Capital Financial Management Ltd. provides advice and service related to segregated funds, annuities and life insurance products. Worldsource Financial Management Inc. provides advice and service relating to mutual funds. Mutual fund values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be related with mutual fund investments. Important information about mutual funds is contained in the relevant fund facts and simplified prospectus. Please read the fund facts carefully before investing. Only deposits held in Canadian currency, having a term of five years or less and payable in Canada are eligible to be insured under the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.