Parents want me to take on a mortgage for them?
EDIT: my parents promise to front all costs associated with this venture and basically just want my name.
Cross posting - I really need some advice. I'm tempted to say yes because I am scared for my parents, their health, and their future. Please help - I know this is a question that is asked frequently but I believe I have more context to provide which would affect decision making.
I know there's a lot of posts here from folks asking about their parents forcefully asking them to co-sign mortgage. In my case, they have now gone from doing that to asking me to be the main and only on the mortgage itself. They are entertaining buying a property in Alberta (we live in Ontario and have lived here all our lives) and their argument is that if they can pay off $40k down payment on a $100k condo there and get a property manager to rent the place out, it will be helpful to them as they deal with old age and chronic illness. Except they want the mortgage to be entirely in my name. They are both dealing with long term illnesses and work a gruelling job which has been taking a massive toll on their physical and mental health, and are anxious about their fast approaching old age. They believe this is their one chance at escaping poverty and having a steady stream of income which will not be affected by failing health.
I, myself, have unfortunately been very careless with my personal finances. I am currently in 40k credit card + LOC debt, and also have $25k student loans. My credit score is above 700. My gross income is 50k. I lost most all my "youth" to mental illness and trouble at home (not an excuse for poor financial management, I know). I hoped one day to pursue my dreams and move out of the country and build my own life, but I am the farthest from financial freedom at this time and am scared of being tied down by a mortgage as well. Any time I try to bring up my own research vis-a-vis rental income taxes, potentials for future loans for myself, etc. they simply counter it by saying that mortgage for a lesser costing condo will be paid off sooner and I will be financially free again. My father (rightly) pointed out even if I didn't agree to be the primary on the mortgage, I won't be making any progress in my life due to my poor GPA and overall...undesirability or lack of energy. I am also anxious about being able to support my parents and often times feel that I may as well agree to their demands given that I haven't lived much of a life despite being 30, and will most likely not live much of a life in the time to come anyway, so I may as well be their support in this manner.
I hope my post can convey the meaning and severity of the issues I am dealing with. Please do advise.
Posted Jul 9, 2025, 4:16 AM UTC · edited