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Beyond the Rate: Mortgage Penalties

September 19, 2017

This is the first post in a new blog series, Beyond the Rate, in which our team will use detailed examples to show you why you need be thinking about more factors in your mortgage search than just locking down the best interest rate. A mortgage is more than just a loan. It could be the key to securing a home for you and your family. Or, it might be a way of refinancing your home to start the business you’ve always been dreaming of. Maybe it’s an option that you’re considering to help you deal with unexpected debts – because you never know what kind of curve balls life might throw in your direction. No matter how you say

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What are the penalties if you cancel early?

January 5, 2017

Most people feel their job is secure, their relationship is in great shape, and that they won’t need to move. And so they agree to crippling penalties if they choose to break their mortgage contract before its expiry date.

New mortgage rules change the game

November 16, 2016

In October 2016, the Canadian government announced sweeping changes to mortgage applications , aimed at protecting the financial security of Canadians, while supporting the long term stability of the housing market in Canada. The key changes are: Tighter insurance rules – when a home buyer has less than 20% down, the mortgage must be insured. This insurance provides security to the lender in the event of home buyer default. Stringent rules previously applied only to “high ratio” (lowest down payment) mortgages now apply to all insured mortgages. Stress Tests – banks pre-approve mortgage amounts based on the home’s carrying costs not exceeding a certain percentage of a buyer’s income. New “stress tests” on insured mortgages establish this amount based on the Bank of

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Are you signing a collateral mortgage?

September 28, 2016

We are experiencing the lowest interest rates in Canadian history. Although the cost of a house or condo is higher than ever, it has never cost us less to finance one. And so, banks are aggressively marketing low mortgage rates. As homeowners, we feel like we’re the winners – it’s a race to the bottom, and we’re happy to watch it happen. But amidst all of the low rate fanfare, we need to remember that banks are profit-focused corporations. If rates are lower, their profits on those mortgages are lower. Therefore, other strategies must be employed if banks are to meet the expectations of their shareholders. Borrowers who switch lenders at renewal time have always been a threat to banks. Therefore, they

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