Do you have what it takes to win a bidding war?

Bidding wars occur when multiple offers are placed on a house.  The seller can take any offer, based on the best conditions proposed.

Do’s and Don’ts

Be careful not to let multiple bids steer you into a spiral of “ignorant bidding”.  Do your financial homework and know your limits.

How to Determine if Your Bid Fits Your Budget

For argument’s sake, let’s pretend that you have a budget of $400,000.

Step One: Determine Your Monthly Payment

Let’s say the best five year variable closed low mortgage rate, amortized over 25 years is only 2.15%, making your monthly low mortgage rate payments $1722.98.  You may be able to bid higher up to $465,000, calculating your monthly payments to be $2002.87.

Step Two: Determine Your Cost in the Long Run

Using our Mortgage Calculator, you determine that with a $465,000 mortgage, at 2.15%, you’ll be paying a total of $600,860.46 over your 25-year amortization period. On the other hand, with a $400,000 mortgage, you’ll be paying a total of $516,869.11 in interest payments. Use our mortgage calculator to calculate your payment schedule.

Step Three: Determine What You Can Afford

Look at the possible shifts in interest rates.

For example, if you decide to put an offer for $400,000 at 2.15%, the rate could fluctuate. Those rates could shoot up to 3.75%, calculating your monthly Canadian mortgage rate payments at $1987.84. With a $465,000 mortgage, you’re payments would increase to $2,310.87 per month. Planning for the future is an important part of your mortgage strategy. Just because you can afford to place a high bid today (based on current interest rates), doesn’t mean that it’s s sustainable option for the long term.

Be sure you have a clear understanding of the maximum best mortgage rate you can afford BEFORE you start bidding. Remember to take both your current and future finances into consideration.