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What Is A Mortgage?
A mortgage is a loan made to buy a property. It is the legal document that carries the amount of the loan, the interest rate, repayment agreement and any other terms and conditions. The property is used to secure the loan. The lender may foreclose on the property and sell it to recover his money if the borrower defaults on payments.
The amount borrowed is known as the principal. Every time you make a payment, you pay the interest and a portion of the principal. In this way, the principal amount reduces over the term of the mortgage.
Types Of Mortgage Which We Offer
Mortgage Refinancing
Mortgage refinancing in Barrie has never been easier now that we’re here. We are the champions when it comes to getting you any kind of mortgage, and that includes refinancing. If you want someone who can get the job done, get it done right, and get it done while treating you like you are a real person, call us today. The process is just like any other for the services we provide.
Our fantastic staff is there for you, no matter what your needs might be. Although we probably don’t know you personally, it will seem like you have an old and trusted friend behind you when you work with us. Call us and know the difference between a good broker and great broker from first contact with us. Let us help you get what you’re after and leave you with extra time to get other things done.
Commercial Mortgage
Barrie is growing, and that means it is critical to get your business up and running quickly to capture a great market share. Our commercial mortgages are done just like our residential ones. When our agents are assigned to you, they get to work with you knowing you are in the best possible position. We move with the same speed, courtesy, and deal-making capabilities that allow us to give you a great house loan. Don’t lose out on potential customers and sales just because closing your deal is taking too long.
Private Mortgage
Waiting to move into your home should not happen at all, unless you just simply aren’t ready. Getting a residential mortgage in Barrie should not take forever, leaving you and your family in limbo until all the paperwork is done. Our experts are fully prepared to get your case done rapidly, correctly, and cheaply. We promise the rates you get with us cannot be beaten by anyone. In fact, we guarantee it.
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What Are My Choices When It Comes To Repayment Plans?
There are two types of repayment plan
An Open Mortgage Repayment Plan
If you have an open mortgage plan you can pay off your mortgage at any time without incurring penalties. You can also make large repayments whenever you want. These mortgages are usually short term, typically six to twelve months and the interest rates on these instruments are generally higher.
A Closed Mortgage Repayment Plan
The term of a closed mortgage is longer, running for periods of six months to ten years. Closed mortgages limit your options when it comes to making repayments. You will incur penalties if you decide to pay early, renegotiate or refinance your mortgage. The bank lender will also limit the lump sum payments that you make against the mortgage.
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Should We Seek Pre-Approval?
Pre-approval is a great option, as you can go property shopping in the certainty of receiving a mortgage that will cover the cost.
- Pre-approval can save you time and effort as you know ahead of the house-hunt exactly what property you can afford.
- It puts you in a strong negotiating position as the seller knows that you already have the funds available.
- With a pre-approval, you’ll also know what interest rates you can expect and what your monthly payments will be so it makes it easier for you to budget.
- When you obtain pre-approval, the interest rate is fixed for a period of between 60 and 120 days.
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What Is The Difference Between Fixed And Variable Rates?
There are several differences between fixed and variable rate mortgages. The correct one for you will depend on your risk appetite and view of the future direction that interest rates will take.
Fixed Mortgage Rate
If you opt for a fixed rate mortgage the interest rate that you negotiate will remain fixed for the full term of the mortgage. This type of mortgage is popular as it is a low-risk choice. On the downside, you are likely to pay more interest over the longer term.
Variable Mortgage Rate
The variable mortgage rate is connected to prime. In fact, your mortgage rate is quoted as prime less a percentage. As prime moves, so does the rate of interest on your mortgage. Many property owners are not prepared to take this financial risk even though, over time, the variable rate is lower than the fixed rate.
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How Much Will We Need For The Down Payment?
To secure a mortgage you will have to make a down payment. The size of the down payment that you can put down will have a major effect on the size of your mortgage and the repayments that will have to make. The more you have to put down the better.
If you can make a down payment of 20% or more, you will have a conventional mortgage. If you can’t afford a 20% payment, you may have to settle for a high ratio mortgage. A high ratio mortgage attracts mortgage default insurance. You can pay this in a lump sum or in monthly instalments. The insurance covers the lender in case of a payment default.
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What Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are all the costs that are associated with getting a mortgage. You can expect your closing costs to total between 2% and 4% of the mortgage. These costs usually include;
- Appraisal fees – an appraisal of the property is often a lender requirement
- Home inspection fees
- Legal fees
- Realtor fees
You should also take account of the cost of moving when budgeting and don’t forget the property tax.
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What Are My Choices When It Comes To Repayment Plans?
When first you take out a mortgage it may seem next to impossible to pay off your mortgage more quickly, but many have done it and reaped the benefits of reduced interest costs. Here are some strategies that you can use to pay off the mortgage
- Make Pre-payments – Some mortgages allow anniversary payments of as much as 20% per annum. If you have a bonus or tax refund paying it into your mortgage will help you to quickly pay it off.
- Make a Lump Sum Payment
- Make a Bigger Down Payment
- Make More Frequent Payments – Making payments weekly or fortnightly will save you interest.
- Amortize your mortgage over a shorter period – If you can afford higher repayment, paying your mortgage off in a shorter period will save you on interest.
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Terms That You Should Know When Closing A Mortgage
Amortization: The length of time that you will take to pay off your mortgage. It is typically considerably longer than the term of the mortgage.
Appraisal: a professional evaluation of the property value.
Deposit: payment made to ensure that the house is held for the buyer.
Down payment: a percentage of the cost of the property that the mortgagee must pay to close the deal.
Home inspection fee: the cost of hiring a qualified person to inspect the property for structural integrity prior to purchase
Loan to value ratio: the size of the mortgage relative to the property value. The lower the loan to value ratio the better.
Prepayment option: this option allows you to make certain specified pre-payment amounts of the principal amount. These options come with and without penalties.
Property transfer tax: a tax on the transfer of property from one owner to another.
Mortgage loan insurance: insurance for buyers who do not have the required down. payment. The cost of the insurance will depend on the size of the loan.
Term: the length of time that your mortgage will run before it requires renewal.