Going Through a Divorce or Separation?

Learn what comes next
for your home

Whether you are going through a divorce or ending
a common law relationship, separation is never easy… especially when most individuals feel as though they have no choice but to sell their home and split the equity. Fortunately, there is another way.

The Spousal Buy-Out Program is backed by all three of Canada’s mortgage insurance providers (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Genworth Financial and Canada Guaranty) and was designed to allow one party to refinance the shared home up to 95 percent of its appraised value!

With your needs in mind, this program will not only allow you to bring on a cosigner to assist with the buyout, but it can also be used to pay additional debts noted in the separation agreement. However, it is important to note that both you and your ex-partner must currently be on the deed to the property in order to qualify.

If you are separating from your spouse or partner and would really like to hold onto your shared home, there are a few things you will need:

An Appraisal

This may have been obtained with the Equalization of Assets, but some lenders require these to be ordered by a third party. It must also have been produced within 90 days (less with some lenders) to ensure accuracy.

A SIGNED SEPARATION AGREEMENT

The lender must be provided a signed copy of the separation agreement, which outlines the allocation
of assets

EMPLOYMENT LETTER OR RECENT PAY STUB

This is required so the lender can verify your ability to manage your mortgage payments

DEBT PAYOUT LIST

This is a one-time optional feature that allows you to buy out the other owner’s share of equity and/or to pay off joint debt as explicitly noted in the separation agreement.