Enjoy this post sponsored by Streetwise Mortgages.
As mortgage brokers specializing in income property financing, we receive hundreds of questions
from Canadian real estate investors across the country in regard to financing multiple rental properties in Canada
A common question we get asked is:
How do you use an RRSP mortgage to invest in Real Estate?
If you are looking for passive tax-sheltered returns within your RRSPS (or registered funds) using Real Estate; then this strategy would be a great option as it is also a low-cost low maintenance option.
This method falls under what CRA calls “Arms-length “under the tax act.
How do RRSP Mortgages Work in Canada?
Your RRSP is like a basket with various investment types in it, such as stocks, bonds, and/or money market funds.
In order to utilize RRSPs in Real Estate under this method, a few things must hold:
The RRSPs must be set up as a mortgage against the Real Estate. Think about the mortgage as another investment type within your RRSP basket
The Real Estate cannot be owned by you or a corporation that you own
The RRSP loan must be administered by a Trust company approved by CRA, such as Community Trust, Canadian Western Trust, or Olympia Trust.
Due to the tighter lender guidelines, some borrowers are unable to obtain an 80% mortgage on a rental property from institutional lenders. This is where borrowers turn to alternative sources of funding to supplement the shortage and this is where they would turn to a client like yourself with RRSPs funds to invest.
Here's an example of an RRSP Mortgage deal for a rental property:
Let’s say that you have $50,000 in RRSPs + another $25,000 in a TFSA that you are looking to invest in Real Estate in a passive fashion.
Heather is a Real Estate investor looking to buy a rental property for $500,000 and renovate the property.
Heather unfortunately has been declined by her bank due to the condition of the property but has been approved by a B lender for 65% of the value through her mortgage broker.
Heather was not planning on injecting a 35% down into the deal as she would like to keep some funds aside for renovations.
Heather currently has 20% down (i.e. $ 100,000) but is short on $75,000 to close the gap on the 35% down needed.
The Good news is that the B lender would allow her to add a second mortgage behind the first to supplement the shortage, up to 80%.
On a deal like this, we can set up a registered loan from you for $75,000; combining your RRSPs and TFSA into a second mortgage to Heather.
The terms of the mortgage can be outlined through a mortgage agreement drafted by your mortgage broker or your lawyer. The terms would state, the duration of the mortgage, the interest you will charge on the loan, any lender fees payable to you, payment frequency, renewal fees, and much more.
At the time of closing, your lawyer would register the $75,000 RRSP/TFSA mortgage against Heather’s property (in second position in this case) and the Trust company of your choice would take care of the processing/collection of the interest payments payable on your mortgage into your registered account.
Upon the maturity of the mortgage term, Heather would be expected to return the $75,000 principal back into your RRSPs along with any accrued interest – calculated at the time of mortgage discharge –
Now that you are familiar with the setup, let’s summarize the advantages and disadvantages of this strategy:
ADVANTAGES (&HOW MUCH YOU CAN MAKE)
Most of the time, the borrower covers all of your expenses as an RRSP Lender; including Legal fees, and appraisal. In addition, you may receive a bonus lender fee (outside of your RRSPs) at the time of closing
Passive strategy. You are a lender against the property. Not a landlord and therefore no tenant management involved
Relatively healthy tax-sheltered returns that range from 7% - 16% (depending on the risk)
DISADVANTAGES
You are a lender against the property. Not an owner. So, your returns are capped to the interest and lender fees you receive on the funds lent out.
If the deal is not structured properly to hedge against Risk, you can potentially lose a portion or all of your capital (for example: lending money in a second position without understanding how the borrower will eventually exit the private mortgage)
If you are planning on utilizing this strategy, I strongly recommend that you work with a mortgage broker who is experienced with private lending and who can help you structure the deal in a way to help manage the risks involved in this strategy; including:
Understanding the exit strategy: It is key to manage risks if the borrower is unable to pay back the loan. Will the borrower refinance to pay back your loan or sell the property? What are the underlying assumptions relating to the exit strategy and have they been validated? What if the borrower cannot return the funds in time due to circumstances outside of their control? Will you be open to renewing the loan?
Ensuring the value is legitimate and that you have a cushion: As your funds are secured by the value of the property; it is important to ensure that an appraisal was done by a 3rd party reputable company and to ensure that the appraisal is addressed to you (the lender) at the time of closing; so you can legally use it if a Power of Sale takes place. On the topic of value, it is also important to get guidance from your broker in regards to the loan to value (i.e. ensuring that the property is not over-leveraged and that there is enough cushion in case you need to put it up for sale under a Power of sale scenario )
Dalia Barsoum is the president and principal broker of Streetwise Mortgages and a regular columnist for Canadian Real Estate Wealth. She leads an award-winning team of mortgage advisors offering strategic income property and portfolio advice to Real Estate investors across Ontario.
For a complimentary review of your portfolio finances & investing plans and for advice on how to utilize RRSPs as a tool within your financing tool kit and given your unique goals and plans, connect with the Streetwise Team at info@streetwisemortgages.com
Dalia Barsoum and her team can help you develop a financing roadmap and answer key questions pivotal to your growth:
1) Where will the money come from?
2) The best way to take out equity to grow?
3) How to structure your deals to enable growth?
4) What you can expect in terms of financing for the properties you are looking to purchase and much more!
Book your complimentary planning session and consultation at the link below and get a copy of the Streetwise Best to Invest 2021 research of the top 18 investment markets across Ontario.
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