Your idea of home — the one you’ve been picturing for years — could be closer than you think. RBC has launched its new “Guiding You Home” campaign, running now through July 3rd, with one clear mission: helping Bahamians at every stage of life make homeownership a reality. Whether you’re buying your first home, building from the ground up, or looking to make the most of the equity you’ve already built, RBC is ready to walk with you every step of the way.
Area Vice President for RBC FINCO Dwayne Kemp puts it simply: “We are not just selling mortgages. We are offering home ownership and the desire to own a piece of the rock.”
Navigating the Home Ownership Journey
Recognizing that purchasing a home can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers, RBC pledges to make the process manageable. Mr. Kemp explained, “We are here to really assist home buyers – whether they are on their first purchase or their second home- to assist and walk them through the journey. We are here to hold their hand every step of the way.”
For those considering construction, he highlighted the extended timeline, balanced by the client getting exactly what they want in a home – compared to buying. Constructing, he said, can take about 18 months from start to finish — covering plans, ministry approval, contractor quotes, and the actual build — but the payoff is a home designed exactly the way you want it. “It all depends on where that person is,” he said.
Throughout the process, RBC aims to provide clients with a transparent understanding of applicable fees and costs laid out upfront. You can explore your options and get a head start right now at rbc.com/talkmortgages or speak with a mortgage professional at any RBC location or through RBC’s Advice Centre — however works best for you.
Even for those not in an immediate financial position, the bank offers assistance, said Mr. Kemp, with “putting a savings plan in place to help you save towards eventually owning your own home,” emphasizing a “delayed but not denied” approach.
Existing RBC FINCO homeowners or those with other institutions can also benefit from the mortgage campaign, added Mr. Kemp, “If you have a home, you could take advantage of the equity that you have in your home. Whether it would be for medical expenses, educational expenses, or even an upgrade – you may want to upgrade the bathrooms, the kitchen, change out your windows. Take advantage of the equity that you currently have built up in your home for any worthwhile purpose.” Clients with vacant property loans, he said, can also use the equity they have to minimize the upfront cost for a downpayment or legal fees, to begin construction on that property.
Significant Savings and Incentives
The campaign boasts substantial savings for clients, including low interest rates, a waived commitment fee, appraisal and insurance contribution, as well as switch mortgage incentives. “We are very excited about it. From start to finish, the client is going to benefit. We are offering competitive rates starting as low as 4%,” said AVP Kemp, noting that even a 0.5% reduction can lead to “a lot of savings over the life of the mortgage.” He pointed out that RBC is waiving the commitment fee, which is usually 2%, and that clients also receive “$1,000 back towards the appraisal and insurance cost.” RBC is also offering eligible clients switching their mortgage to the bank a cash-back incentive of up to 2% of the mortgage value, capped at $12,000.
As an example, on a $400,000 mortgage, clients could receive $8,000 in cash back, plus an $8,000 commitment fee waived, and a $1,000 appraisal contribution — representing approximately $17,000 in combined savings and incentives. “That’s not money we’re asking you to pay back,” said Mr. Kemp. “That’s money we’re giving towards the overall switch.”
Personalized Client Approach
Mr. Kemp emphasized that RBC takes a customized approach, understanding that “every client is unique, their situation is unique and everybody’s at a different stage in their life… So, we do a full review, a one-on-one conversation to find out what’s happening with the client, where they are, and then we provide them with sound financial advice… and assign them to a payment that they are comfortable with, for the long term.”
First Step to Homeownership
The most crucial first step, advised Mr. Kemp, is to “come in, visit any one of our convenient RBC locations and speak with mortgage professionals. It all starts with that journey.” Getting pre-qualified first means you know exactly what you can afford — so you’re shopping with confidence, not guesswork. “Find out how much you pre-qualify for, and know what your bargaining power is.”
To prepare for the visit, he also encouraged clients to explore the full details at rbc.com/talkmortgages or to call RBC’s Advice Centre. With the campaign running through July 3rd, now is the time to act.
What Sets RBC Apart
RBC FINCO has been serving Bahamians and the local mortgage market for over 70 years — and that experience shows in the advice, the relationships, and the commitment to clients that extends well beyond a single transaction. “We want to help you plan, and we want to invest in you and your future,” said Mr. Kemp. “We want to continue to reinvest in our community and reinvest in our clients to help them and their families for future generations to prosper.”
The response to the campaign so far has been strong — and RBC is committed to helping “as many Bahamians as we can to realize their dream of homeownership.”
