Last year 30,000 couples in the UK sought help from the medical profession regarding infertility issues, for some women the cause is biological/medical, requiring professional medical treatment, for the remainder the problem is often psychological, with the barrier to conception being found to be primarily stress-related, psychological infertility.
Stress and the role it plays in conception, is the subject of considerable ongoing medical research; existing data shows that the body responds to stress by triggering the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenalin (HPA) system. This in turn releases a number of neuro transmitters, including the primary stress hormone, Cortisol, which is known to affect the delicate balance needed for ovulation, fertilisation and implantation of the fertile egg in the womb.
The use of CBT to overcome various stress related disorders is widely accepted and for the majority it has become the treatment of choice. Whilst waiting times for CBT treatment on the NHS are still prohibitive in many regions, they are slowly improving as more and more therapists are being trained. Private treatment is often available and offered by organisations such as the Priory Clinics and BUPA.
Now medical research has confirmed the expected positive results achieved when CBT is incorporated in the treatment of infertility. At a small British complimentary health clinic in Southern Spain they have taken the treatment a step further by the careful combining of CBT with Hypnotherapy, which is of course a highly effective mind-body technique, increasingly being accepted by the medical profession.
They initially use a very detailed set of diagnostic questionnaires, cleverly constructed to quickly direct the therapist towards any areas of stress, whether conscious or sub-conscious or unresolved life issues that may exist, this information is incorporated into the CBT. Later they incorporate a form of Hypnosis that promotes very deep and natural levels of relaxation, and very focused visualisation techniques are introduced that completely eliminate any remaining stress or anxiety.
Often women who have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive will be adamant when interviewed that they are not aware of any stress in their lives, which is often the case on a conscious level, but the treatment identifies the many subconscious blocks that can often interfere with conception. In a relaxed, therapeutic environment, the therapist and the individual work together to introduce permanent long-term levels of positive attitudes and feelings.
At the clinic they have spent three years perfecting their methodology; their viewpoint on stress and conception is in line with many other organisations, in that women trying to conceive consciously do everything in their power to keep their bodies in peak condition, taking notice of diet, rest, exercise etc., yet subconsciously they allow unhelpful and negative habits and thoughts to sabotage their efforts. Add to this the anxiety usually experienced by women trying to get pregnant, and the all too familiar negative loop takes hold. Going through infertility treatment, and experiencing the invasive nature of the procedure can be extremely stressful, and when this anxiety is added to the negative effect caused by the situation on the couple's relationship, then stress levels often go through the roof, which dramatically reduces the chances of conception. Stress, of course, can also affect the quality and mobility of a man's sperm.
The therapy method used at the clinic is, in comparison to alternatives, inexpensive, non-invasive and, many confirm, a surprisingly pleasant experience, clients are predominately British couples who fly over for a few days specifically for treatment. Additionally of course they have the chance to spend a few quality days together on the Mediterranean coast, enjoying the sunshine, in a relaxed environment, which can only compliment the therapy and help achieve the perfect recipe for success.
So how do I get a down payment if I want to purchase a home?
A down payment can arise from many sources, some very obvious and others which I have discovered through years of experience as a mortgage consultant.
There are three types of down payments - hypotheque:
1. Funds from your own assets 2. Funds from a gift from relatives 3. Funds from other people or in another way
Your own money
The most common form of down payment is funds that the borrower himself already has and can put down on a property. In other words, the person who is requesting the mortgage and who will own the property will supply the money for the down payment himself. This can be from various sources:
• The savings of the borrower. This money may come from a bank account, from investments that are not locked in as retirement funds, or even from a bank account a company that you own has (taux hypothecaire).
• RRSP If you use a HPB (Home Buyer’s Plan), a government initiative founded in 1990, you can combine it with your RSSP to create a down payment for the purchase of a home. You have to understand these regulations to see if you do qualify for such a plan - pret hypothecaire.
• Life insurance cash value: There are life insurance policies that have a savings piece as a part of them that permit the policy holder to borrow against the cash value of the policy. These funds can then be used as a down payment on a home - pret hypothecaire.
• Refinancing: If you own a property already, you may be able to refinance it and generate the funds for a down payment on another property purchase. In this case, the down payment would not be a loan because it is basically your own funds that you are drawing against.
• Collateral guarantee: It is a bit complicated, but it is possible, in certain situations, to pledge the equity in a different property (mortgaged or not) as a guarantee for the purchase of another property. It is in fact a deposit with a collateral guarantee on another property that you own - taux hypothecaire.
The vast majority of lenders require that the down payment be in your possession for the prior 90 days. It is one of the methods that they use to comply with government regulations aimed at preventing money laundering.
All of this says that if you have your money in cash (under the mattress) you will risk your lender not being comfortable with your down payment.
A gift as a down payment
Many times a gift is given to a potential mortgage applicant to be used as a down payment on a home. This is okay, as long as the gift is from a relative. That relative can be a spouse, a parent, a grandparent, a brother or sister, a child or even an aunt or uncle - hypotheque.
This kind of a gift has to be accompanied by a “gift letter". This is a letter that explains that the money is a gift and not a loan that has to be repaid. (see this link for a blank gift letter you can use).
Most lenders insist that the gift funds are deposited into the bank account of the purchaser of the property prior to the processing of the loan application.
Down payments from other people or sources
Besides the above methods of your own or relatives money for a down payment, there are other less well know sources for a down payment:
• A gift from the bank In other words, a no down payment loan. The bank is in essence giving you a gift to use as a down payment on your mortgage. Of course, the bank takes this into account, and the rate on such a loan will be a bit higher so that the bank makes sure it’s get paid back for the gift in the form of more interest - taux hypothecaire.
• Loan There are products available under CMHC programs that permit a down payment to come from a loan. This is very unusual.
• RRSP loan following an HPB: Using your HPB, you can create a small down payment for your home deposit, even if you do not have an RRSP at this time. You have to keep out the RRSP loan for 90 days and then the loan is reimbursed by the HPB. You will get a tax refund because of the RRSP contribution, and you use this refund to make the down payment on your home loan. This strategy is a bit complex, so I would advise you to contact an RRSP loan specialist to work on it with you. You have to start the RRSP loan before February, you have to already be in negotiations for your purchase, and you have to complete the purchase by spring or early summer.
•Sales price balance: The real estate market has been a “seller’s market" over the last few years, and so properties have been selling quickly. This means that a down payment in the form of a sales price balance is not needed. A sales price balance is a mechanism whereby the seller loans funds to the buyer (to encourage the purchase of the home). Banks generally accept a down payment that comes from a sales price balance. - hypotheque
CONCLUSION: The down payment is one of the most important conditions that a lender may have for mortgage loans. There are many strategies to get a minimum down payment for your mortgage. We would be very pleased to help you plan the down payment for your next purchase.
Both Brain & Gregory Van Duyse are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Brain has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Pregnancy Problems and Abortion. Read out . Also check out for. Brain's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.
Gregory Van Duyse has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mortgage, Finances and Your Online Business. Gregory is an Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP). To get more information on please visit:. Gregory Van Duyse's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.