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BEST MORTGAGE RATES IN Halifax
Before you start your Halifax house hunt, exploring the available mortgages and applying for pre-approval first makes sense. The best mortgage rates in Halifax will help you pay down your mortgage faster while enjoying more affordable payments over the life of your mortgage. Use this overview to learn more about Halifax’s current fixed and variable mortgage rates to help make finding a lender easier.
MORTGAGE RATES HALIFAX
BMO 5-year Fixed Mortgage Rate
Rate Type5-Year-Fixed
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 20%
5.64%
HSBC 3-year Fixed Mortgage Rate
Rate Type3-Year-Fixed
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 15%
6.09%
5.59%
CIBC 5-year Variable Mortgage Rate
Rate Type5-Year-Variable
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 20%
6.70%
5 Year Fixed Rate
(High Ratio)
Rate Type 5-Year-Fixed
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 15%
4.69%
3 Year Variable Rate
(High Ratio)
Rate Type 3-Year-Variable
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 20%
6.15%
5 Year Variable Rate
(High Ratio)
Rate Type 5-Year-Variable
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 15%
6.05%
Current Mortgage Rates in Halifax
Here is a quick overview of current mortgage rates in Halifax:
TERM LENGTH
BANK RATES
CITADEL MORTGAGES RATES
Halifax’s Housing Market
Luckily home prices in Halifax are some of the lowest in cities across Canada. In Halifax, you’re looking at a difference of tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to cities such as Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. For example, in April 2023, average prices were $1.1 million in Toronto, $1.6 million in Vancouver, and $548K in Calgary compared to just $497K in Halifax.
Comparing the Best Mortgage Rates in Halifax
When comparing the best mortgage rates in Halifax, you can explore different options to take advantage of opportunities you might not realize are available. Mortgage rate comparisons are not 100% apple to apple, but allow you to spot the best rates, and then look into the conditions that apply. You can also learn how you can qualify for that specific rate, as lenders don’t offer a flat rate to all clients.
Instead, they use your credit score and history to determine how much risk you pose. The better your credit score, the less risk you present, and the lower your interest rates. Higher interest rates are used to help the lender cover their losses should you default on your mortgage.
Halifax Closing Costs
Typical closing costs in Halifax include:
- Home Inspection Fee, which averages between $400-$600
- Well and septic inspections/tests, if required, which average between $1000-$1500
- Radon Test either via a DIY kit for about $60 or the safer professional option, which can range between $200 and $300
- Legal fees averaging about $800 – $1000
- Deed Transfer tax which is 1.5 % of the purchase price
- Tax adjustments based on how much the seller has paid and what will be due on closing and paid by you, which can range drastically depending on your home and area
- Fuel adjustment for oil or propane to cover filling the tank at closing, which can cost between $800-$1000 for oil and $400-$500 for propane
You should also calculate another $1,000 for incidentals such as utility setup, moving expenses, new window treatments, etc.
Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in Halifax
If you are a first-time buyer, these tips will help you save money and avoid disappointment:
Rebates:
There are a few rebates you can access when buying a home in Halifax, including:
- First-Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit of up to $750 when you file your taxes the year you buy your home
- Government of Nova Scotia’s First-Time Home Buyers Rebate to receive up to $3,000 on newly built homes
Down payment:
Try to put as much money down on your home as possible. This helps reduce the amount of loan you require while instantly building home equity. There are also a few options to assist with down payments, including:
- RRSP Home Buyer’s Plan: If you need a down payment, you can borrow up to $35,000 from your RRSP, which must be paid back within 15 years.
- Nova Scotia Down Payment Assistance Program: A first-time home buyer interest-free loan of up to 5% of your home’s purchase price.
Mortgage pre-approval:
Make sure you qualify for a mortgage by applying for mortgage pre-approval. This helps you establish a budget based on what the lender is willing to offer you while also providing leverage when negotiating your purchase.
Inspection:
Never skip the inspection. This step will ensure you avoid buying a money pit with costly repairs you can’t afford.
Contingency:
If possible, try purchasing a home with a contingency savings plan that ensures you put aside about 3 to 5% of your monthly purchase price. In addition, it would be best if you also tried to save at least three to six months of your income should you lose your job. This will ensure you can continue covering your expenses and reduce mortgage default risk.
Real estate agent:
Work with a qualified real estate agent who knows the area and can help you find the best deals for your home. They will also negotiate your purchase agreement’s best conditions, price, and terms.
Shop for a mortgage: Make sure you invest time to shop around for the best mortgage. You want a mortgage that makes it easier to pay down your mortgage quickly, whether through the best Halifax mortgage rates, flexibility, or availability for your particular financial situation.
Is it Better to Get a Fixed or a Variable-Rate Mortgage in Halifax?
It depends on your financial situation. If you are not in a position to take risks, then a fixed mortgage is the best choice for you. The fixed-rate mortgage maintains the same interest rate and payments throughout the life of the mortgage term, so there are no surprises. However, if you can tolerate some risk, the variable rate mortgage fluctuates with the prime rate, which can save money when interest rates are low, but cost money when they are on the rise.
How to Find the Best Mortgage Rates in Halifax
Working with an experienced mortgage broker in Halifax can make your life much easier. Mortgage brokers are licensed professionals who specialize in finding mortgages for their clients. They offer an unbiased opinion on the best mortgages for your needs based on your financial particulars and preferences. You can discuss your needs, and they will access information from dozens of different lenders to find the best Halifax mortgage rates and conditions.
Instead of showing you limited products like a bank or other financial institutions, they explore products available from multiple lenders to broaden your search. It requires minimal effort on your part, and they will review each mortgage, discuss the pros and cons, and help you find the right mortgage for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mortgages in Halifax
Mortgage comparison can save you almost $12,000 for the first five years of your mortgage. Of course, it depends on the deals you can find and other factors, such as the ability to make prepayments without penalties.
Not really. Mortgage rate comparisons will show very little, if any, differences between towns and cities throughout Nova Scotia. It’s always better to compare rates to ensure you get the best possible rate for your mortgage. By comparison shopping, you can leverage negotiation potential, especially in a competitive market.
Using a free online mortgage calculator is the easiest way to determine how much you can afford before going to a mortgage lender. Calculators allow you to test housing prices and different mortgage rates and terms. They tally mortgage payments and develop the best strategy to make your Halifax mortgage more affordable. You can discover the sweet spot for the homes you can afford, the right payment frequency, and more. As a result, you can make smarter choices to help reduce your payments, pay your mortgage faster and reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of your mortgage.
You want to ensure you have the following bare minimum home insurance:
- Main Dwelling: This includes your entire home structure and provides the funding to repair and replace anything damaged due to fires, storms, lightning, and other potential calamities. Ensure you understand whether you are covered for replacement or a specific amount of money. If there is a limit, this will impact your ability to cover the costs of rebuilding your home.
- Personal Property; This covers your belongings stored in your home, including furnishings, electronics, clothing, valuables, etc. Be sure to carefully record your valuables, preferably with receipts or records of authentication, to ensure you are covered for less conventional items such as art or home theatre equipment.
- Liability Protection: Liability protects you against damage caused to someone’s property or personal injuries that occur on your property. This is important; for example, if a tree on your property falls on a neighbour’s car or worse on a neighbour, they can sue you for the cost to cover repairs or medical treatments.
- Additional Living Expenses: If you cannot live in your home due to fire or other calamities, you will want coverage that provides temporary housing and related expenses until you can return home.
Before shopping for a home in Halifax, find the best mortgage rates from Citadel Mortgages. Get yours approved today!
BEST MORTGAGE BANK RATES IN halifax
BMO 5-year Fixed Mortgage Rate
Rate Type5-Year-Fixed
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 20%
5.64%
HSBC 3-year Fixed Mortgage Rate
Rate Type3-Year-Fixed
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 15%
6.09%
5.59%
CIBC 5-year Variable Mortgage Rate
Rate Type5-Year-Variable
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 20%
6.70%
Best Mortgage Rates in Canada
5 Year Fixed Rate
(High Ratio)
Rate Type 5-Year-Fixed
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 15%
4.69%
3 Year Variable Rate
(High Ratio)
Rate Type 3-Year-Variable
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 20%
6.15%
5 Year Variable Rate
(High Ratio)
Rate Type 5-Year-Variable
Mortgage TypeClosed
Prepayment 15%
6.05%
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DISCLAIMER
Citadel Mortgages operates an information-based website that displays mortgage rates from its partners. While the company strives to provide the best possible rates, it cannot guarantee their accuracy at all times. Therefore, Citadel Mortgages accepts no liability for the precision of the information presented and is not accountable for any damages resulting from its use. Terms and conditions apply, and it is necessary to speak with a mortgage broker for further details. Please note that the rates displayed in this article are for article use only.
