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AskRajiv.ca

September 2, 2026

Should I include a financing condition in my offer?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

Should a first-time buyer choose an insured or conventional mortgage?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

What is the difference between a purchase deposit and my mortgage down payment?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

Should I buy my first home with family or a friend?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

My mortgage approval is higher than my comfortable budget. How much home should I buy?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

What extra mortgage and closing risks come with a new-build home?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

What should a first-time buyer check before financing a condo?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

Do I qualify for Ontario’s first-time homebuyer land-transfer-tax refund?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

September 2, 2026

How is financing different for a 2–4 unit property versus a 5+ unit building?

Rental income may help, but the result depends on the property, occupancy, documents and the selected lender’s current calculation. A lender may add part of gross rent to income, offset rent against carrying costs or use another worksheet. Those methods can produce very different purchasing power. First confirm whether the property is the home being financed or an existing rental, then verify leases, market rent, expenses and legal use. The right answer comes from running the complete file—not applying one rental percentage everywhere.

September 2, 2026

How does a rental property held in a corporation affect mortgage qualification?

Rental income may help, but the result depends on the property, occupancy, documents and the selected lender’s current calculation. A lender may add part of gross rent to income, offset rent against carrying costs or use another worksheet. Those methods can produce very different purchasing power. First confirm whether the property is the home being financed or an existing rental, then verify leases, market rent, expenses and legal use. The right answer comes from running the complete file—not applying one rental percentage everywhere.