Sterling Homes Preferred Lenders: 

For professional advice on the mortgage options available to you, please see our list of preferred lenders. These specialists have been hand-selected and are available to help you purchase your new dream home.

RBC:

Faith Ogundipe, Mortgage Specialist

Email: faith.ogundipe@rbc.com Phone:  587-372-0421

Nikita Patel, Mortgage Specialist

Email: nikita.patel@rbc.comPhone:  587-340-0644

BMO:

Vivek Ahuja, Mortgage Specialist

Email: Vivek.Ahuja@bmo.com Phone: 780-232-2573

CIBC:

Reema Kaushik, Mobile Mortgage Advisor

Email: reema.kaushik@cibc.com Phone:  780-264-2606

Reasons to Use A Builder’s Preferred Mortgage Specialist

When buying a home, having the right lender can make a big difference. Many home shoppers use a lender based on a recommendation from a friend or real estate agent, and don’t bother shopping around. But that won’t guarantee you’ll get the best rate or get the best service. If you need a loan, it’s best to compare your options to find the best loan for you so that you’ll be able to choose the right lender – and right loan – for you.

Because most builders have mutually beneficial relationships with the lenders they recommend,  there are numerous perks available to you as a new home buyer. 

Here are few reasons why your builder’s mortgage specialist might be the best choice: 

1. A Locked-In Interest Rate

Your interest rate has a significant impact on your monthly payment. In most cases, whenever you request a fixed-rate mortgage, the loan provider locks in an amount for a specific period.

With standard lenders, this period ranges from around one to two months. And while that’s sufficient time if you’re moving into an already-finished home, it’s not much time at all if your home still has to be constructed.

Working with your builder’s lender is actually better in this case as they can secure your mortgage interest rate for a longer time period – a full year in certain situations. Additionally, once you’re ready to confirm your mortgage and occupy your new home, they can compare existing interest rates and implement the cheapest rate if there have been any fluctuations.

2. An Easier Pre-Approval 

With regards to developing neighbourhoods, many loan providers are hesitant to approve mortgages due to the difficulty in appraising new homes in new Edmonton communities. That’s understandable since there are very few (if any) other properties to compare against to get an idea of the home’s actual value.

Your builder’s lender, however, will have no qualms about appraising your new house at full value. They’re already familiar with the quality of the builder’s work, the neighbourhood’s value, and can give self-assured mortgage appraisals, whether there are other properties to compare with or not. They’re also able to anticipate the future worth of your home, confident it will increase in value as new community amenities crop up. 

3. A Faster Process 

Buying a new home differs from buying a resale. If you’re building your home from the ground up, money must be deposited at certain points during construction.

A key benefit to working with a preferred lender is their familiarity with the procedure and your developer’s time schedule. They will have any required forms handy and will be prepared to make deposits during every phase of the build.

Builder-recommended lenders tend to have faster response times as well, and will even answer questions at night and on weekends so the mortgage approval process moves quickly. They also use property appraisers who have experience with the builder’s properties and know their standard assessment values. If you go with a creditor who’s unfamiliar with the calibre of the builder’s work, the process is likely to take longer. 

4. Flexible Down Payment Options 

If you’d like to sell your old house before you buy your new one, builder-recommended lenders can streamline this procedure. For example, you can get a loan on your present property and use it as a deposit, while continuing to stay there until your new home is completed. When that time comes, you’ll be able to sell your old house and pay off the loan with the proceeds.

5. Potential Savings 

It’s no big secret that there are a few new home costs that come with closing on a mortgage. These charges must be paid in advance when the contract is signed. However, most builders will forgo the legal costs involved with mortgages when working with the lender they prefer, which can easily save you a couple thousand dollars in closing costs. 

These are the key advantages of using your builder’s lender. Remember, builders generally don’t profit financially from you using their preferred lender; they recommend them because they’re easy to deal with and are able to initiate fast, hassle-free closings for homeowners. Most of the time, a preferred lender’s rates can be compared to those offered by other institutions, and the ease of dealing with these creditors can outweigh any modest savings gleaned from using other providers.

In short, no matter how dead-set you are on using a certain mortgage provider, it’s a good idea to at least check out what your builder’s preferred lender has to offer. You could be enjoying a much faster, easier, and possibly cheaper mortgage process as a result.

Everything You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Mortgage Lender

As you set out on your search for the perfect match in a new home, you’re also looking for a partnership with an experienced mortgage lender. As we all know, mortgages last a long time so you want to choose a lender that will suit your needs, both now and for the years to come.

Here are some things you’ll want to think about prior to choosing your lender so you can feel confident in your decision.

Do Some Online Research 

You can access rate comparisons of different lenders online. Just be careful not to give out your personal information to get a quote. Often, in order to see the different rates, you have to give your email and phone number which can lead to potentially aggressive sales correspondence. If you’re looking for a secure place to research lender options, take a look at Ratehub and LowestRates for more information.

Once you’ve got an idea on interest rates, check out online calculators to help you find an average for your mortgage payment.

Another option is to call mortgage lenders directly and ask questions. Even if you’ve checked them out online, this will give you a better feel for how they operate and what’s involved.

Get a Referral from Family and Friends

Has anyone you know had a standout experience with a lender or mortgage broker? If a friend or family member has had an excellent experience, it’s worth your while to check them out too! Just be sure to research the lender’s reputation within Edmonton as it may differ in experience from city to city, especially with larger or chain companies.

You can ask your real estate agent if they can provide some insight. A good agent will recommend who they actually think would be best for you, not just the ones linked to their office.

Using The Builders Preferred Lender

Another option you can consider is using your home builder’s preferred lender. These lenders are very easy to work with since they have worked with your builder many times before. They understand how the mortgage process differs with a new home build versus a resale home.

This can mean a quicker approval process – and getting you into your home that much faster.

Consider a Mortgage Broker

Another smart option that will save you a lot of time is using the services of a mortgage broker. They do the work for you, searching out the best possible rates from lenders you may not have thought to look at before. The rates may be lower than you can find on your own, too.

A mortgage broker does not charge to do this either, because they are paid by banks and lenders when you lock in on a loan they find for you.

Check With Your Bank

If you do most or all of your banking with one company, it’s a good idea to ask what kind of rates they can offer you. They will consider your brand loyalty and may be able to offer you a better rate than their competitors.

It’s also easier for you to have your mortgage with the same bank because you can manage your payments online and see all of your accounts in one place.

Variable or Fixed Rate?

Think about your future and where you see yourself in five years as you compare different mortgage types. If you want to buy a home soon, but see yourself moving in a few years then a variable rate is the better option. It is a higher rate but gives you the freedom that a fixed rate won’t.

When you move into a new home and start making mortgage payments, most of the money goes towards interest, at least for the first few years. This is why you should be looking at staying in your home for at least five years and locking in at a lower, fixed rate. If you want to relocate, this is something to think about a year before you need to refinance so you can go for the variable rate next time.

Promising Rates and Service

Choosing a lender is more than just getting the best rate. You deserve good service so be sure to choose an institution that returns your calls and answers your questions.

Here are some things you should ask about when meeting with a lender:

• Does this rate come with fees or mortgage points?
• Can you put these fees into the overall mortgage cost?
• What are the closing costs?
• When can I lock in the interest rate?

Mortgage Pre-payments 

If you run into some spare cash from a bonus at work or a lucky lotto ticket, it’s nice to know if you can pay some mortgage payments before they’re due to save on interest. Some lenders will charge a penalty for paying extra, so be sure to ask their policy before you make your decision. A good lender shouldn’t be penalizing you for being ahead of the game with your mortgage.

Make a List and Compare

Make a list of all the lenders you’ve researched and compare the key points about each. We recommend looking at the rate, overall experience and ease of contact for simple questions. From there you can choose which one you think will be best to meet with.

Get Pre-qualified and Pre-approved 

Pre-qualification and pre-approval are both helpful to the home buying process. When you pre-qualify you’ll have a better idea as to what you can afford but you still have a chance to change your mind on whom you use as a lender.

A pre-approval, on the other hand, offers a more solidified mortgage loan amount you can actually use as leverage to buy a home. Since pre-approvals are considered a “hard” credit inquiry, you’ll want to do this after you’ve chosen your lender.

Keep the above in mind while shopping for a mortgage and you’re sure to find a lender that best suits your needs. Remember, a little research goes a long way in helping you find the home (and mortgage) of your dreams.