What factors should you consider when applying for a cottage mortgage? First of all, cottage properties in well-developed areas that are occupied all year round (resembling traditional homes), have more options for financing than other types of cottages. Persons who seek to purchase such a cottage will have a pool of mortgage products to choose from. Applicants who want to buy a vacation property will not be offered as many mortgage products. The reason is that the underlying security of vacation homes is not as valuable to financial institutions.
The location of the cottage is, of course, important. If the location is not attractive, the property will be more difficult to resell. It may not be easy for financial institutions to determine the property’s resale value. Mortgage lenders are not willing to extend financing for properties that are found in less developed areas.
Another aspect of cottage mortgages is the borrower’s ability to pay off the debt, particularly in case of an existing mortgage. In many cases, a cottage mortgage represents an additional mortgage, which is held by the same person or family. The borrower’s income may not be sufficient to repay a second mortgage while making payments toward the first mortgage.
Some financial institutions offer mortgage loans only for owner-occupied, single unit cottages. Depending on the LTV, you may be offered fixed or variable rate. Mortgages are available for refinance and purchase, advertised with low mortgage rates. The amount of financing depends on whether the property is classified as a secondary home, or it is a vacation property intended for seasonal access. You may be offered up to 100 percent financing for a secondary home. If the cottage you want to buy is a vacation home, the lender may require a down payment of 10 percent or more. Vacation homes for seasonal use do not have to be winterized. Second homes are classified as type A for the purpose of financing while vacation homes are type B. With type A, borrowers may obtain funds for purchase or refinance, and with type B, only funds for purchase may be available. The maximum mortgage financing for type A properties is usually 95 percent of the value for purchases and 90 percent for refinance. The same is between 75 and 90 percent with type B properties. Regarding maximum loan amounts, these vary depending on the location. If the cottage property is located in Metro Calgary, Metro Vancouver, or Metro Toronto, the maximum loan amount will be $700,000. If the property is situated anywhere else (rest of Canada), it will be $600,000. Up to $350,000 is offered for type B properties. However, exceptions can be made, depending on different factors.
Qualifying rates and terms differ from one lender to another. Mortgages with a term from 6 months to 25 years are offered with capped variable, standard variable, and fixed interest rate, as well as adjustable mortgage rate. The greater of the 3-year posted rate and contract rate applies to mortgage loans with a term of less than three years.