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What Is A Mortgage?
A mortgage is a loan agreement between a borrower and a lender specifically for the purpose of buying a property. The property in question is used as collateral against the loan meaning the mortgage holder can repossess it if the borrower fails to make repayments.
The property is then sold, and the proceeds are used to cover the capital and any outstanding interest. A mortgage has a set term, capital amount, negotiated interest rate and resultant repayment amounts.
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What Is The Difference Between A Closed And An Open Mortgage?
One of the decisions that you will have to make when you enter into a mortgage agreement is whether to take a closed or open mortgage repayment plan. It is important to understand the difference between the two because the wrong choice could ultimately cost you a lot of money.
An open mortgage repayment plan
An open mortgage repayment plan places no restrictions on paying off your mortgage early. For this flexibility, they charge a higher interest rate. Open mortgage plans are typically shorter than closed plans, running for six to twelve months on fixed interest rates and one to five years on variable interest rates.
A closed mortgage repayment plan
Although most mortgages do come with acceleration clauses, a closed mortgage repayment plan restricts the size of your repayments. If you choose to pay the mortgage early you will pay penalties. The interest rates on a closed mortgage are however lower.
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What Are The Advantages Of Getting Mortgage Pre-Approval?
Mortgage pre-approval is the process of calculating what size mortgage you will qualify for. During the quick and easy process (it shouldn’t take more than a few days) you’ll find out exactly the size of the mortgage you qualify for, what your repayments will be. You will also lock in the interest rates for between 60 and 120 days.
The benefits of getting mortgage pre-approval are:
- You can save time and effort by looking only at properties that you can afford
- You may have a better chance of negotiating with the seller because he knows that the money is pre-approved
- Pre-approval will give you a better picture of what you can afford and can help you to budget.
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Should I Opt For Fixed Or Variable Interest Rates?
Whether you choose to go with fixed or variable interest rates for your mortgage depends very much on your personal circumstances and your appetite for risk. Here’s how they differ;
Fixed interest rates
Fixed interest rate mortgages are by far the most popular choice in Canada. The interest rates on a fixed term mortgage will not change for the full term of the mortgage. A fixed term mortgage makes it possible to budget with certainty for the monthly repayments, which for some people is very important. Although fixed interest rates are higher over the longer term, many of these rates are highly competitive.
Variable interest rates
Variable interest rates are tied to the prime interest rate and move up and down in tandem with prime. Over time variable rates are lower than fixed rates, but if you need the comfort of knowing exactly what your monthly repayments will be over an extended period, this option may not be for you.
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How Much Will I Need For The Down Payment On The Mortgage?
The down payment is the amount that you contribute to the payment of your home. How much you put down can have a big influence on the property that you can afford, the size of your repayments and on whether you will have to pay mortgage default insurance or not. It is always best to put down as much as you can afford.
In Canada, depending on the value of the property you buy, the minimum down payment permissible is 5%. If you put down less than 20% you will have to purchase mortgage default insurance. This insurance is calculated as a percentage of your mortgage. It protects the lender against default.
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What Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are costs incurred in the purchase of a house. They are paid over when the property is transferred from one buyer to another. These costs can be substantial and you should budget for them. Typically, they come to between 2% and 4% of the mortgage. These costs include;
- Land transfer taxes
- Home owner’s insurance
- Property appraisal fees – the lender will require an appraisal to verify the value of the property you plan to buy
- Legal fees
- Home inspection fee – required to satisfy yourself the home you plan to purchase is structurally sound
- Pre-paid utility bills
- Property insurance.
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Understanding The Terms Associated With Mortgages
Amortization – The period over which you will make regular payments to pay off your mortgage.
Appraisal – the formal assessment of the value of the property that you plan to buy.
Deposit – the amount of money that you pay to the seller to signal so that he will hold the property for you. For your protection the money is paid into a trust and will form part of the down payment.
Down Payment – the portion of the funding that the buyer supplies for the purchase of the house. It represents the buyer’s equity in the home.
Home equity – the difference in the market value of your home and the amount that you own on it. It represents the part that you own.
Home Inspection Fee – The cost of having the property inspected by a professional to ensure that there are no structural or other faults.
Property Transfer Tax – when you buy property, you will pay tax when the property is transferred from the current owner to you
Mortgage default insurance – this is a requirement for Canadians who are unable to put at least 20% down payment on a property that they buy. The insurance covers the lender in case of defaults in payment.
Term – every mortgage has a set term. This is almost always shorter than the amortization period and will have to be renewed at the end of the term.