Over the last couple of months I've had discussions with a number of SP's regarding their finances and thought it might make for an interesting thread.
Basically may of the questions revolve around establishing a credit rating. With that in mind, here are a few pointers. Others will undoubtably expand on these.
If one wants to establish a credit rating, the first thing to do is contact a credit agency (ie equinox, transcanada credit) and determine what your current credit situation is. Good or bad, make sure the information on your file is accurate. This should probably be done one a year or once over other year. In addition to the activities over a number of years, you'll also get a FICO score. By law the service is free via mail, but one can pay about $22 and get this information immediately.
https://www.econsumer.equifax.ca/ca/main?link=OPIEM&lang=en
Essentially credit is evaluated on the following: capacity, character, collaterial, consistency,
For those who want to qualify for mortgages, you should probably claim a portion of your income for tax purposes. (legally you should claim it all) but this can be offset with legit expenses (ie travel, supplies rental expense etc)
you can also use RRSP's to reduce your income and this might help you buy a place as you can borrow up to $20,000 of RRSP funds, if you qualify for the 1st time home buyers. Generally the banks want three years of tax returns and notice of assessments (NOA) although some lending institutions are less stringent than others.
Generally speaking the maximum one can borrow (ie debt payments/gross earnings) is about 40%. This includes all debt payments including mortgages. Normally the maximum for mortgages is 32%, which would allow for an additional 8% in other types of debts. (ie credit cards, car payments etc)
Anyway, this is a good beginning on this topic.
Basically may of the questions revolve around establishing a credit rating. With that in mind, here are a few pointers. Others will undoubtably expand on these.
If one wants to establish a credit rating, the first thing to do is contact a credit agency (ie equinox, transcanada credit) and determine what your current credit situation is. Good or bad, make sure the information on your file is accurate. This should probably be done one a year or once over other year. In addition to the activities over a number of years, you'll also get a FICO score. By law the service is free via mail, but one can pay about $22 and get this information immediately.
https://www.econsumer.equifax.ca/ca/main?link=OPIEM&lang=en
Essentially credit is evaluated on the following: capacity, character, collaterial, consistency,
For those who want to qualify for mortgages, you should probably claim a portion of your income for tax purposes. (legally you should claim it all) but this can be offset with legit expenses (ie travel, supplies rental expense etc)
you can also use RRSP's to reduce your income and this might help you buy a place as you can borrow up to $20,000 of RRSP funds, if you qualify for the 1st time home buyers. Generally the banks want three years of tax returns and notice of assessments (NOA) although some lending institutions are less stringent than others.
Generally speaking the maximum one can borrow (ie debt payments/gross earnings) is about 40%. This includes all debt payments including mortgages. Normally the maximum for mortgages is 32%, which would allow for an additional 8% in other types of debts. (ie credit cards, car payments etc)
Anyway, this is a good beginning on this topic.





