Taking Bold Action on Housing - New Program for First Time Homebuyers
Sabeena Bubber • December 15, 2016
Today the BC government introduced an innovative new program designed to assist first time home buyers with their downpayment. BC is now offering interest-free loans up to $37,500 to first-time homebuyers. The following is from the government website!
Every British Columbian deserves a place to call home. That is why we are taking action by controlling the cost of housing, increasing access to affordable rental units, and partnering with families to help make their dream of home ownership come true.
Achieving that dream can be challenging for first-time home buyers. With the launch of the B.C. HOME Partnership program, first-time home buyers have more options than ever to help them get their foot in the door.
Learn about the Housing Action programs you may qualify for today. Whether you are renting, buying or renovating, B.C. is working to keep housing affordable for you.
B.C. HOME Part nership
From middle class families to young professionals, first-time home buyers are looking to invest in a secure and stable future.
For many British Columbians dreaming of buying their first home, the hardest step is saving for a down payment. That is why the Province is partnering with British Columbians to help make that dream come true, through the B.C. Home Owner Mortgage and Equity (HOME) Partnership program.
Through the B.C. HOME Partnership program, the Province is helping first-time home buyers by contributing to the amount they have already saved for a down payment with a loan that is interest-free and payment-free for the first five years.
Here is how it works:
- The B.C. HOME Partnership program will meet the buyer’s contribution up to 5% of the home’s purchase price, to a maximum purchase price of $750,000.
- After five years, buyers can either repay their loan or enter into monthly payments at current interest rates.
- Loans through the program become due after 25 years – the same length as most mortgages.
The B.C. HOME Partnership program will start accepting applications Jan. 16, 2017. To apply, click here .
British Columbians buying their first home can also get help through other Housing Action programs like the First Time Home Buyers’ Program and the Newly Built Homes Exemption .
Housing Action
As B.C.’s economy and population continues to grow, it is important that we take bold action to ensure that all British Columbians have access to affordable and appropriate housing.
The Province’s commitment to Housing Action is driven by six key principles:
- Ensuring the dream of home ownership remains within the reach of the middle class
- Increasing housing supply
- Smart transit expansion
- Supporting first-time home buyers
- Ensuring Consumer Protection
- Increasing rental supply
Below you will learn how the Province is putting these principles into action.
Controlling the Cost of Housing
- As B.C.’s economy has grown, our housing market has attracted increased investment,. This has raised the overall cost of housing.
- To ensure that the dream of home ownership remains within reach of the middle class, the Province is taking action to control the cost of housing:
- 15% tax on foreign home buyers in Metro Vancouver
- 3% luxury tax on the purchase of homes over $2 million
- Property Transfer Tax revenue tied to a new Housing Priorities Initiative Fund used for investments in rental and social housing
Increasing Access to Affordable Rental Housing
- In 2016, B.C. committed to investing $855 million in to affordable rental housing – the largest housing investment in a single year by any province.
- This will support the construction of 4,900 new units of affordable housing across B.C.
- These units provide affordable housing options for those that need it most, including renters with low-to-moderate incomes, women and children, seniors, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities.
- The Province has also taken action to enable the City of Vancouver to increase the supply of rental units.
Protecting Consumers from Risk
- Following a review of the B.C. real estate industry’s self-regulation practices, it was determined that the sector had failed to adequately protect consumers.
- The Province took action to improve transparency, accountability and consumer protection, including:
- Ending self-regulation of real estate industry
- Increasing the power of the superintendent of real estate
- Increasing penalties and fines for offences
- Requiring higher standards for licensees
Helping Home Buyers
- The Province offers a number of Housing Action Programs and Services to help British Columbians save money when purchasing or renovating a home.
- The Newly Built Home Exemption Program can save buyers up to $13,000 when purchasing a newly built home.
- The First Time Home Buyers’ Program can save buyers up to $7,500 when purchasing their first home.
- Through the new B.C. HOME Partnership program, the Province is partnering with British Columbians to provide about $703 million in loans over the next three years, to help around 42,000 B.C. households enter the housing market for the first time.
To learn about B.C.’s strategy for smart transit expansion, check out our 10-year transportation plan BC On The Move .
BC Government Program FTHB by Mortgage Resources on Scribd
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
RECENT POSTS
Missed a Credit Card or Line of Credit Payment? Here’s What to Do If you’ve missed a payment on a credit card or line of credit and you’re worried about how it might affect your credit—or your future mortgage—this is for you. First things first: 👉 If you currently have an overdue balance, log in and make the minimum payment now. Seriously. Do that first. Everything else can wait. If You’re Only a Few Days Late Here’s the good news: Credit bureaus don’t record late payments until they reach 30 days past due. So if you missed a due date by a few days and paid it as soon as you noticed, it typically won’t show up on your credit report as a late payment—as long as you’re under the 30-day mark. That said, it never hurts to double-check. You can call your credit card company, explain what happened, and confirm the account is back in good standing. If you normally pay on time, they may even reverse the interest charged. It doesn’t hurt to ask. If You’re 30, 60, or 90 Days Behind If payments have gone past 30 days, your credit has likely been impacted—but the situation is still fixable. The most important step is to: Bring all accounts current as soon as possible Make at least the minimum payment on every account The faster you catch up, the more you limit the damage. Ignoring missed payments only makes things worse. If Cash Flow Is Tight If you’re struggling to make payments, communication matters. Contact your lender and keep them informed—even if you can’t pay right away. Lenders are far more willing to work with you when you’re transparent. What hurts your credit most is silence . If lenders don’t hear from you after repeated missed payments, they may write the balance off as bad debt and send it to collections. Collections can significantly impact your credit and stay on your report for years. How This Affects Mortgage Qualification Repeated missed payments can make qualifying for a mortgage more difficult—but timing matters. Once you’re back to making regular, on-time payments: Your credit can improve over time The impact of past mistakes becomes less significant If you’re planning to buy a home in the next couple of years, addressing credit issues early gives you far more options later. Final Thoughts Missing a payment doesn’t mean you’re “bad with money,” and it doesn’t mean homeownership is off the table. What matters most is how quickly you respond and how consistent you are going forward . If you’d like help reviewing your credit report or understanding where you stand from a mortgage perspective, feel free to connect. I’d be happy to walk through it with you and help you create a clear path forward.
Can’t Find the Right Home After You’re Pre-Approved? There’s Another Option The best place to start any home purchase is with a mortgage pre-approval. It gives you clarity around your budget and lets you shop with confidence. But what happens when you’ve been pre-approved, you know where you want to live—and nothing suitable fits your price range? This is a common challenge, especially for first-time homebuyers. Before buyer fatigue sets in, it may be worth considering a different approach: buying a home that needs work and financing the renovations as part of your mortgage . What Is a Purchase Plus Improvements Mortgage? A purchase plus improvements program allows you to buy a property and include the cost of approved renovations directly in your mortgage. This can be a great solution if: You can’t find a move-in-ready home within budget You’re open to renovations You want to customize the home from the start It opens up more options and can help you get into a location or property that would otherwise be out of reach. How the Process Works While the idea is straightforward, the process itself is structured and requires planning. Here’s a high-level overview: Renovation quotes are required upfront You’ll need detailed quotes for the work you want completed before final mortgage approval. Renovations must add value The lender must be satisfied that the improvements will increase the property’s value accordingly. Funds are reimbursed, not advanced You pay for the renovations initially. Once the work is completed and verified by an appraiser, the lender reimburses you and adds the cost to your mortgage. With the right guidance, this process is very manageable—but it’s important to understand the steps before committing. Is This Program Right for You? Purchase plus improvements isn’t for everyone. Buying a home is already a big undertaking, and adding renovations can increase stress—especially if timelines, budgets, or contractors become challenging. That said, if you’re financially prepared and like the idea of shaping the home to fit your needs, this program can be an excellent way to get more value and flexibility from your purchase. Final Thoughts If you’re struggling to find the right home after being pre-approved, you may not need to lower your expectations—you may just need a different strategy. If you’d like to explore whether a purchase plus improvements mortgage makes sense for you, feel free to connect. I’d be happy to walk you through the process and outline exactly what this option would look like in your situation.
What Lenders Mean by “Good Credit” When You Apply for a Mortgage Credit is simply the ability to borrow money today based on the trust that you’ll repay it in the future. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders want proof that you’ve consistently honoured that trust by managing credit responsibly. But what does a good credit history actually look like to a lender? The 2 / 2 / 2 Rule Explained If you’re newer to credit or want a simple way to remember minimum mortgage credit requirements, think of the 2 / 2 / 2 rule: 2 active trade lines Established for at least 2 years With a minimum combined limit of $2,000 This is a common baseline lenders use when assessing credit for mortgage financing. What Counts as a Trade Line? A trade line is any account where credit is extended to you, such as: A credit card A line of credit A car loan A personal or installment loan Each trade line reports your payment history to the credit bureau and contributes to your credit score. For a trade line to be considered active , it must: Have been used at least once, and Show activity at least once every three months Why Time Matters Lenders want to see that you’ve managed credit responsibly over time , not just recently. Using two trade lines consistently for at least two years helps demonstrate stable financial habits and reliability. Understanding Credit Limits vs. Balances The credit limit is what matters—not the balance. For example: A $1,000 credit card + a $2,500 line of credit = $3,500 total limit This meets the minimum requirement You do not need to carry a balance to build credit. In fact, the best approach is to: Use your credit regularly Pay it off in full each month (for credit cards) Make all loan payments on time If your lender offers a credit limit increase and you’re managing credit well, it’s often a good idea to accept it. Higher limits—used responsibly—can strengthen your credit profile. A Simple Way to Build Credit Automatically One effective strategy is to: Put recurring bills on your credit card Set up an automatic transfer to pay the balance in full every month Automation helps build positive credit history without requiring constant attention—just be sure to monitor your accounts to ensure everything runs smoothly. What About Credit Scores? Yes, credit scores matter—but they’re not the whole story. If you: Have two active trade lines Established for two years With at least $2,000 in total limits And no missed payments …your credit score will generally take care of itself. That said, it’s still wise to review your credit report occasionally to check for errors or unfamiliar accounts. Final Thoughts If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next couple of years, now is the perfect time to review your credit and make sure you’re on track. Small adjustments today can make a big difference when it’s time to apply for a mortgage. If you’d like help reviewing your credit or understanding how it affects your mortgage options, feel free to connect anytime. I’d be happy to walk through it with you and help you plan with confidence.
