| |
| |
|
Mortgage & Refinancing Information |
|
|
|
Choosing The Right Mortgage For You
This article will help you understand the differences between a variety of mortgage options. There are many different mortgage products offered by the various lending institutions in Canada, so you may not know what features to look for. As you'll see, each type of mortgage has slightly different features which appeal to a variety of different preferences. For example, some home buyers take comfort in knowing that the amount of their mortgage payments will be the same throughout the entire term of their mortgage. Other home buyers may be willing to accept some fluctuation in the amount of their mortgage payments in exchange for the potential long-term savings or the change to pay off their mortgage faster. The right mortgage for you in the one that best matches your overall comfort level and fits with your income and lifestyle. Conventional or High Ratio A conventional mortgage is a loan for no more than 75% of the appraised value or purchase price of the property, whichever is less. The remaining amount required for a purchase (25%) comes from your resources and is referred to as the down payment. If you have to borrow more than 75% of the money you need, you'll be applying for what is called a "High-Ratio Mortgage". Here's how it works: You must have at least a 5% down payment when you buy a home. Any down payment between 5% and 24% is considered a high-ratio mortgage, and the mortgage must be insured by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) or GE Capital Mortgage Insurance Company (GEMICO). The insurer will charge a fee for this insurance. The amount of the fee will depend on the amount you are borrowing and the percentage of your own down payment. Typical fees range from 0.5% to 3.75% of the value of your home. This amount can be paid up front or added to the principal amount of your mortgage. A Mortgage Specialist or Mortgage Broker can help you determine the exact amount of the fee. Fixed Rate or Variable Rate Mortgage When you take out a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate will never change throughout the entire term of your mortgage. As a result, you will always know exactly how much your mortgage payments will be and how much of your mortgage will be paid off at the end of your term. With a variable rate mortgage, your rate will be set in relation to the lending institution's Mortgage Prime Rate at the beginning of each month. In other words, it will vary from month to month. Historically, variable-rate mortgages have tended to cost less than fixed-rate mortgages when interest rates are fairly stable. When rates change, your payment amount remains the same. However, the amount that is applied toward interest and principal will change depending upon the interest rate that month. If interest rates drop, more of your mortgage payment is applied to the principal balance owing. The can help pay off your mortgage faster. However, if interest rates rise, more of your monthly payment is taken up by your interest payment. Short-term or Long-term The "term" is the length of the current mortgage agreement. A mortgage typically has a term of six months to 5 years. Usually, the shorter the term, the lower the interest rate. A "short-term" mortgage is usually for two years of less. A "long-term" mortgage is generally for three years or more. Short-term mortgages are appropriate for buyers who believe interest rates will drop at renewal time. Long-term mortgages are suitable when current rates are reasonable and borrowers want the security of budgeting for the future. The key to choosing between short and long term is to feel comfortable with your mortgage payments. After a term expires, the balance of the principal owing on the mortgage can be repaid, or a new mortgage agreement can be established at the then-current rates. Open or Closed Open mortgages can be paid off at any time without penalty and are usually negotiated for very short terms, They are suited to homeowners who are planning to sell in the near future or those who want the flexibility to make large, lump-sum payments before the end of the term. A closed mortgage has a locked-in interest rate for the full term of the mortgage. Most first-time home buyers prefer a closed mortgage because they want to enjoy the comfort of steady, predictable mortgage payments. If you want to re-negotiate your interest rate, or pay off the balance, you will need to wait until the maturity date or pay a penalty. About The Author John Carle & Sharon Gregresh are Realtors with Royal LePage - ArTeam in St. Albert, AB. They pride themselves on providing more than just real estate sales and listings. Their clients benefit from a much larger spectrum or real estate services. Contact them any time at information@workingtogether.ca or through their website at www.workingtogether.ca. They can be reached by phone at (780) 458-5595
MORE RESOURCES:
Mortgage-Refinance - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Mortgage: Rehabilitation Of Financial Helplessness The term 'mortgage' is assumed really controversial by people when they are contemplating the idea of taking a loan. It is definitely a very simple procedure which is presumed complicated because your home is attached to the term mortgage. Reverse Mortgage Maximization Have your home's appreciation grow twice as fast.For Seniors over the age of 62 a Reverse Mortgage is a tool that, while new to many, is increasingly being used to maximize their retirement income. Before You Buy Before you start looking for a home, figure out what you can realistically afford to pay per month. Check out the market in the area you want to buy. Home Improvements Turn Average Homes into Dreams Come True If you're thinking about taking out a home improvement loan, there are several options to consider. First and foremost, your mortgage consultant needs to know why you want a home improvement loan. Mortgage Debt Elimination The prospect of mortgage debt elimination is something that many Americans are dealing with today. If you are concerned about your current debt situation, constantly trying to eliminate debt from your life, you are not alone. 2nd Mortgage Loan After Bankruptcy - Get Approved Online A 2nd mortgage loan after a bankruptcy is possible in as little as two years. Refinancing your mortgage can help you make needed home improvements or pay off high interest debt. Bad Credit? With Poor Credit You Can Still Refinance Or Get A Home Equity Line Of Credit Have you decided to refinance your home or apply for a home equity line of credit but worry about your credit rating? Even with poor credit it is possible to refinance your existing mortgage or obtain a home equity line of credit. New practices in the lending industry have made it easier than ever for you to refinance your mortgage or get a home equity line of credit. Home Equity Loans - There's Gold In That There House To paraphrase an old familiar quote that goes "there's gold in them there hills, you could say, there's gold in that house. As Martha Stewart would say, "it's a good thing". A Guide to Getting a Bad Credit Remortgage There are several reasons why you might be in the market for a bad credit remortgage. You might be wanting to try to lock in a lower interest rate, or perhaps you simply need to use the bad credit remortgage as a way to consolidate some of your debts. Interest-only Mortgages Have Their Pitfalls Rising home prices, particularly on the East and West coasts have put the costs of home ownership seemingly beyond the reach of many. And yet, home ownership is up nationwide, and the percentage of Americans who own their homes is the highest it has ever been. Home Equity Loans - How To Use Your Homes Equity to Consolidate Debt If you've got a wallet full of credit cards, and monthly payments on them that total more than 25% of your monthly income, chances are that you've considered debt consolidation loans or some other means of taming your credit card debt. But did you know that a home equity loan is another way to get the money that you need to pay off your creditors, reduce your monthly payments, and get out from under the weight of all those monthly payments?A home equity loan is essentially a second mortgage taken out with your house as the collateral. Private Mortgage Insurance Basics Will you be asked to pay Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI? Most lenders will require you to carry PMI if you cannot put 20% or more of your loan amount forward as a down payment. PMI protects the LENDER in case you default on your payments. Home Equity Loans Popular Scams Most borrowers fail to realize that when trading their much beloved home for cash, lenders can foreclose on their property in the case of default. Moreover, because of fly-by-night operators who are ready to strip unsuspecting borrowers of their most prized asset, it is doubly necessary that borrowers be familiar with some frauds that could be perpetrated on them. Remortgage - When Monthly Mortgage Payments are Touching New Heights Current economic scene has hinted towards a fall in the Bank of England base rate from a three and a half year high of 4.75%. No Deposit Home Loans A few years ago, many of us would have had a light chuckle to ourselves if someone mentioned that you could borrow money to buy a house with only the promise of solid future earnings. But today this is a regular occurrence. Home Equity Loan - Good Choice for Luxury Purchases? Home equity loans or lines of credit have increased dramatically in popularity in recent years. One of the reasons is that interest rates are at or near historic lows; borrowing money has rarely been more affordable. Shopping for A Mortgage? Do Your Homework First If you happen to be shopping around for a mortgage, it is very important that you first take the necessary time to do your homework.When I say homework, I am talking about research. Avoiding Foreclosure Scams If your mortgage company is threatening foreclosure, there are things you can do to avoid it (see my article titled "How to Avoid Foreclosure"). However, you should be aware of scams. 7 Credit Improving Steps You Must Take Before Applying For A Mortgage If you think you have good credit, think again. Chances are there is something on your credit report that can effect your credit rating; this type of news is particularly alarming if you are shopping for a loan or applying for credit. The Debt Test: Are You Making Out a Mountain Out of Your Mortgage? According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, first-time buyers are the most susceptible group of homeowners to debt, as they are more likely to have higher loan-to-value ratios and commit a higher proportion of their income to mortgage repayments. Despite their susceptibility to debt, there is evidence which indicates that insurance take-up and employee benefits provide recent first-time buyers with a safer foundation than the general population of mortgage borrowers.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |