Home-buying 101: verifying the sources of your down payment (the what, why, and how)

This is one of the easiest sources to verify. Keep in mind these funds must be held in bank and/or investment accounts such as savings, chequing, GICs, or TFSA. Money that cannot be accounted for (I.e. large amounts of cash kept in sock drawers, cookie jars, under your mattress, etc.) is usually not an accepted source of down payment due to the risk of fraud or money laundering.

HOW to verify this down payment source:
Provide your lender with bank statements from the last 90 days with your name, account number(s), and balance history. Note that any large deposits made into your account(s) will have to be explained and the source(s) of the funds divulged (I.e. the sale of your car, a bonus from your school district, etc.). So be sure to have all supporting documentation on hand.

Many first-time homebuyers take advantage of the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), which allows you to borrow up to $35,000 from your Registered Retirement Saving Plan, tax-free—as long as the money is repaid within 15 years. You will also need to complete a form T1036 in order to avoid having to pay penalties upon withdrawing from your RRSP.

HOW to verify this down payment source:
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, most lenders require a copy of the completed HBP withdrawal forms, a bank statement verifying that the funds have been withdrawn and deposited into your bank account, along with 90 days of RRSP statements displaying the amount of funds available. Similar to verifying personal savings, statements must show your name, RRSP account number(s), and the amount of funds withdrawn/deposited. Many lenders also require the funds to have been in your RRSP account for at least 90 days.

An FHSA is a new registered plan that can help you save for your first home tax-free. You can contribute $8,000 per year to a maximum of $40,000. You are eligible to open an FHSA if you’re at least 18 (and no less than the age of majority in your province), have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and have not owned a home where you lived this year or at any time in the preceding four calendar years.

HOW to verify this down payment source:
Provide your lender with bank statements from the last 90 days with your name, account number(s), and balance history.

When you’re in the early part of your education career (and lower on the pay grid), it can be difficult to come up with the minimum down payment that you need. This is where many younger homebuyers tap into the special bank of mom and dad, or other generous family members to make up the difference. However, all good mortgage deeds aside, there are still rules surrounding cash gifts that you need to follow.

HOW to verify this down payment source:
Be sure to ask for a signed letter from the immediate family member gifting the money (in-laws and distant relatives do not qualify). Also make sure the wording in the letter clearly states that the funds are indeed a gift and not intended to be paid back—otherwise it could be misconstrued as a loan. In addition, you’ll need to supply a bank statement with your name, account number(s), and full transaction history as proof of the money being transferred to your account, which should be done at least 15 days prior to the closing date. Note that funds must be free of any holds (I.e. fully cleared by bank).

If all, or a portion of your down payment is coming from outside of the country, make sure those funds are deposited into your Canadian account a minimum of 30 days before the closing date to ensure they are free of any holds.

HOW to verify this down payment source:
You will need to provide a 90-day history of the origin(s) of the funds, copies of the wire transfer, and possibly additional account history such as statements of the foreign account(s). Be aware that some overseas banks may require sufficient lead-time to obtain the necessary information. So, it’s advisable to plan for verification of this down payment source well in advance. In addition, try and get into the practice of making regular deposits over time from your foreign account into your Canadian account (versus large, lump sum contributions) to avoid raising any red flags.

If you’re an existing homeowner with a good amount of equity built up, you have the option of using all or a portion of the proceeds from the sale of that property to put towards the down payment of your next home. This is a favourable option, especially if your current home has increased significantly in value over the years.

HOW to verify this down payment source
In this case, your lender will request a copy of the fully executed Agreement of Purchase and Sale that is signed and accepted by both you and the buyer. If you have a mortgage on your current property, you will also be asked to submit a copy of your most recent mortgage statement.