Over the course of your amortization period, you may have many different
mortgages. The term is simply the length of time that interest rates,
payment schedules and obligations to the lender exist. When the
term comes to a close, you will have the option to renew your mortgage
(taking into account current market conditions) at your current
or new lending institution. You can also put a lump sum toward the
principal without restriction, or pay off your entire mortgage without
penalty. If you wish to change the structure of your agreement during
the term you may have to pay a substantial fee to the lender.
Mortgages are available with closed, open and convertible options,
with fixed or variable rates. The options you choose will reflect
your beliefs about the market -- is it going up or down? -- and
your short-term goals and desire for long-term security.
Amortization
This is the amount of time over which the entire debt will be repaid.
Most mortgages are amortized over 15-, 20-, or 25-year periods.
The longer the amortization, the lower your scheduled mortgage payments,
but the more interest you pay in the long run.
For payment comparison over various amortization periods, refer
to the schedule of payments.
There Are Ways to Reduce Your Interest Payments
1. Negotiate a shorter amortization period. (That's the number
of years over which you'll pay off the total amount of the mortgage.
Don't confuse this with the term of the mortgage, which can run
from 6 months to 10 years and must be renegotiated.) A shorter amortization
period will mean higher monthly payments, but you'll be paying more
principal with each payment. Consider this:
Let's say you borrowed $100,000 at 10% interest. (I'm using round
numbers for ease of illustration and assuming a constant bank rate.
You know that today, you'll certainly be able to get a lower rate.)
Amortization Period |
Monthly Payment |
Total Payments |
Total Interest Paid |
25 years |
$895 |
$268,500 |
$168,500 |
20 years |
$952 |
$228,480 |
$128,480 |
15 years |
$1,063 |
$191,340 |
$ 91,340 |
10 years |
$1,311 |
$157,320 |
$ 57,320 |
5 years |
$2,148 |
$128,880 |
$ 28,880 |
2. Accelerating your payments. Opt for a weekly or biweekly payment
schedule. More payments per month mean less overall interest.
Let's go back to our $100,000 loan at 10% for 25 years.
Payment Schedule |
Amount |
Total Interest |
Mortgage-Free |
Monthly payment (12) |
$895.00 |
$168,500 |
25 years |
Biweekly payments (26) |
$447.50 |
$118,927 |
18 years, 10 months |
Weekly payments (52) |
$223.75 |
$118,111 |
18 years, 9 months |
3. Put lump sum payments toward your principal.
When negotiating your mortgage, ask how frequently you can make
a lump sum contribution. Most financial institutions allow a percentage
of your overall mortgage to be contributed on your annual mortgage
anniversary date. Depending on the type of mortgage you select,
you may also be able to negotiate additional monthly, or even weekly,
payments. These payments will rocket you toward mortgage freedom.
OK, here's another illustration assuming you have an $80,000 mortgage
at 8% with a 25-year amortization, and you're able to put an additional
$2,000 lump-sum payment toward it every year.
|
No Lump-Sum Payments |
$2,000 Annual Payments |
Mortgage-Free |
25 years |
14.8 years |
Total Interest Paid |
$103,165 |
$55,549 |
Open Mortgage
This type of mortgage offers a great deal of flexibility, as it
can be repaid in part or full at any time without penalty. This
is a great mortgage if you believe interest rates are moving down
or if you plan to move in the near future. The term may be limited
to six months or one year.
Closed Mortgage
Here the interest rate is fixed for the full term of the mortgage,
and you will have to pay a penalty to change the agreement conditions.
This type of mortgage is ideal for buyers who suspect that interest
rates will rise and who are not planning to move in the near future.
This type of mortgage is usually available in a wide variety of
terms.
Convertible Mortgage
With this mortgage, you'll enjoy the same peace of mind as a closed
mortgage, plus the flexibility to convert to a longer closed mortgage
at any time without penalty. If you think rates will drop, this
will allow you to wait until you feel they have hit bottom, or if
rates rise, you can lock in.
Additional Costs
Before you calculate the amount of your down payment and determine
what you can afford, it's a good idea to set aside a few thousand
dollars to cover the extra costs that seem to spring out of nowhere.
Here is an overview of costs you could encounter. The good news
is that not all of them will apply.
Property Taxes
If the Vendor has paid a portion of the taxes in advance, you will
be responsible for reimbursing the Vendor on closing. Plus, if you
have a high-ratio mortgage, your lender may require that you have
your property taxes added to your mortgage payments.
Utility Fees
Utility fees are calculated through a meter so you will be responsible
for paying what you have used up on the meter.
Land Transfer Tax
This applies in most provinces and ranges from 1% to 4%. For instance,
in Ontario, you'll pay 1% of the first $55,000 - $250,000 and up
to 2% of any amount over $400,000.
Survey Fee
Your lender will require an up-to-date survey. You can make it a
condition of the Offer to Purchase that the Vendor provide a survey,
or you will have to have one done. If there is no survey available,
you may purchase "Title Insurance" in lieu of a survey
which saves you about $500 - 700.
Appraisal Fee
A basic appraisal usually costs under $250.
Property Insurance
Your lender will insist that you have insurance on your property
because your home is used as security for the mortgage.
Service Charges
You'll be charged for telephone, cable and a variety of other services
that you hook up at your new home.
Lawyer (Notary) Fees
Each real estate transaction requires the assistance of a legal
professional to review the Offer to Purchase, search the title,
draw up the mortgage documents and take care of the details on the
day of closing. Lawyers fees range widely depending on the complexity
of the transaction. Ask your RE/MAX sales representative to recommend a lawyer.
And remember, fees can be negotiated.
Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium and Application Fee
Mortgage loan insurance will be necessary if you have a high-ratio
mortgage (less that 25% down payment). The application usually costs
$75 with a valid appraisal, otherwise it's $235. The actual insurance
premium will range from .5% to 3.75% of the purchase price and is
added onto the mortgage.
Mortgage Broker Fee
Some brokers may charge as much as 2% of the total mortgage to find
you a lender. In most cases though, the broker is paid by the lender.
Buyers with good credit should not have to pay a fee.
Moving Costs
Whether you've decided to do it yourself or hire a moving company,
now is the time to budget for the costs involved.
Estoppel Certificate
If you're moving into a condominium (complex not necessarily a high-rise)
this certificate outlines the condominium corporation's financial
and legal state. It will cost you up to $50.
Condominium Fees
These monthly fees vary from complex to complex. The fees are applied
to everything from grounds keeping and carpet cleaning to security
personnel and health club maintenance. Depending on the type of
structure, these fees will usually be a few hundred dollars.
Home Inspection Fee
For around $300, depending on the size of your home, you'll receive
a complete written report about the condition of the structure.
Do your research and hire a reputable firm.
Renovation and Repairs
Your home inspection may indicate the need for some general repairs
or a major project. Have some money set aside, particularly if you
are purchasing an older home.
Redecoration
Your taste will be different from the previous owner. Set aside
money to paint and wallpaper. Prepare a list of things you can live
with, for now, and decorating faux pas that need immediate alteration.
Water Quality Certification
If you are purchasing a home with a well, you'll want to ensure
the quality of the water. This will cost approximately $50 to $100.
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