A great discounted rate on your mortgage is worth nothing if it’s going to cost you thousands in penalties down the line. As seen in REW.ca.
More often than not, borrowers are fixated on their mortgage rate because it’s the one aspect of their home financing they know to ask about. But it’s important to look beyond the mere rates and look into the bigger picture surrounding what is significant when it comes to your specific mortgage needs. It is important to compare apples with apples.
If we dollarize the difference between 2.99 per cent and 3.04 per cent, for instance, it works out to an additional $2.66 in your monthly payment per $100,000 of your mortgage. Over the course of a five-year term, this culminates into just $159.60 per $100,000.
While “no-frills” mortgage products typically offer a lower – or more discounted – interest rate (like the 2.99 per cent used in the example above), when compared with many other available products, the lower rate is really their only perk.
The biggest problem with looking at rate alone is that you may end up paying thousands of dollars in early payout penalties if you opt for a five-year fixed-rate mortgage, for instance, and then decide to move before the five years is up.
No-frills mortgage products won’t let you take your mortgage with you if you purchase another property before your mortgage term is up – for example, portability is not an option with this product. Portability is an important option that could save you money over the long term if the home of your dreams is within your reach before your mortgage term is up and rates have risen, which they have a tendency to do over a five-year period.
This type of product is only plausible for those who have minimal plans to take advantage of benefits that will help pay off your mortgage faster – such as pre-payment privileges including lump-sum payments and increase your mortgage payments between 15 and 20 per cent without penalties.
Other things to consider is whether you are getting into a collateral mortgage or a conventional mortgage. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have a collateral mortgage until it comes time to renew and they don’t have the flexibility they need.
It’s understandable why these products may seem appealing. After all, not everyone feels they have the extra cash to put down a huge lump-sum payment. And who needs a portable mortgage if you’re not planning on moving any time soon?
But it’s important to remember that a lot can change over the course of five years – or whatever term you choose for your mortgage. You could get transferred, find a bigger house, have children, change careers, separate from your spouse, etc. Five years is a long time to be anchored to something.
Many people won’t sign a cell phone contract for longer than two years that they can’t get out of, so why would they then sign a mortgage for five years that they can’t get out of?
The thing is, you can still obtain great mortgage savings without giving up the perks of traditional mortgages. For starters, many lenders are willing to offer significant discounts if you opt for a 30-day “quick close.”
And there are many other ways to save money. For instance, by switching to weekly or bi-weekly mortgage payments, or by obtaining a variable-rate mortgage but increasing your payments to match those of the going five-year fixed rate, you will be ahead of the typical discount of a no-frills product before you know it and you won’t have to give up on options.
Banks don’t give anything away for free – they are there to make money. That’s why it is essential to discuss the full details surrounding the small print behind the low rates. It’s also important to take into account your longer-term goals and ensure your mortgage meets your unique needs now and into the future. As mortgage experts will help you find that balance by finding the best mortgage for you.