‘How low can you go?’ has been the mantra for interest rates for years since the start of the pandemic. However, when there is a chance of a possible interest rate increase to the prime lending rate, it is common to wonder whether now is the time to convert your variable interest rate and lock into a fixed rate. However, before deciding to lock in, there are three options you should consider that may better address your concerns and allow you to keep the savings you’re receiving from the variable. As an expert in the field, I, Cody Rowe, want you to be able to make a sound decision by equipping yourself with expert information and knowledge. Read on to find out your options.
When someone chooses a five year fixed mortgage term for their home financing, more often than not it is for one simple reason – security. A fixed interest rate provides the comfortability of knowing that your interest rate, and therefore your regular payment, will not change for the life of the mortgage term typically 5 years. For this simple reason, this is the default choice for many homeowners when shopping for a mortgage rate. But what if I told you that if you broke that fixed rate early you would be looking at a drastic penalty that will equate to around 4.5% of your mortgage balance? This would maybe make you wonder if there was another option that provided a stronger protection against the changes of life.
Unless you have a couple hundred thousand dollars or more to spend, you can’t just plunk down cash and buy a home. Instead, you need to go through a process that takes you from getting loan approval to sitting down at the closing table. This can be overwhelming, but if you break the procedure down into steps and take your time, you can be a homeowner one day, living in your dream home! To help first-time buyers like you understand the many steps involved in purchasing your first home, Cody Rowe - Mortgage Broker has written down a Beginner’s Guide to buying a home.
Once you’ve decided to buy your first home, there’s a good chance that you’re planning to obtain a mortgage to finance the purchase. Acquiring a mortgage can seem intimidating and complicated to most first-time homebuyers, but it doesn’t have to be. When you prepare appropriately and have the right professionals to assist you, applying for a mortgage is pretty easy.
Applying for a mortgage is never simple, but it’s even trickier when you don’t know what to expect. There are different aspects that you need to consider before settling on a mortgage product. You need to consider the mortgage term, conditions, down payment, etc. But most importantly, you need to consider what kind of interest rate to choose for the term of your mortgage.
Does consumer debt have you down about your hopes of buying your first home? When applying for a mortgage, your current expenses and debt will be considered before actually approving you for a mortgage. This is used to determine what you can afford and the level of risk that comes with lending to you. Having too much consumer debt during your pre-approval process can reduce the amount you qualify for, or in the worst case you may be declined for a mortgage entirely.
I wanted to take a moment and share some information with you about a product that is becoming increasing popular with the aging demographic in Canada: the CHIP Reverse Mortgage.
As a mortgage professional, I understand that purchasing a house for the first time can be quite daunting. Buying a home can be a stressful task, but you can quickly and efficiently handle your mortgage approval and legal requirements with a little preparation.
When buying a house, it is often believed that paying for the property is the only expense the buyer has to bear. However, that’s far from the truth. To complete the purchase of a property, there are several other costs that you need to shoulder, like legal fees, transfer tax, and closing costs. In addition to this, homeownership entails other expenses like renovations, repairs, maintenance, etc.