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Posted Interest rates

Should you look at 10 year fixed rate mortgages?

Fixed rate mortgageToday, right now, we are experiencing all-time record low fixed mortgage rates.  Great news if you need a mortgage.  And some of you may be thinking of locking into a longer term mortgage.   Let’s take a look at that option.

Going longer could be an option for some.  The Best 5 yr fixed  is around 2.59%.. some special deals exist for larger mortgages or faster closings… but let’s use 2.59% for now.   Does it make sense to pay 0.30% more for the first 3 years of your mortgage, just for the benefit of knowing what your rate will be for the last 2 years?

(a warning… you’ll see lower rates advertised.. but be careful.  There are so many NO FRILLS products or products that carry inflated penalty calculations, limited repayment options and other hidden fees.. stay away from those)

Continue reading “Should you look at 10 year fixed rate mortgages?”

Posted Debt

I have 2.39% for 5 yrs fixed available…but I wont sell it.

percentageIt’s true.  I have access to this great rate.  It’s around 0.20% lower than the best rate today.   And you won’t see me recommending it to my clients.

That’s right, I’m recommending they don’t take it.

Why?  It’s simple.  No, I don’t want my clients paying more on their mortgage. I want to see them PAY LESS to own their homes.  This is one of those products that carries an inflated prepayment penalty. Should the homeowner need to get out of their mortgage early, they will be hammered with a ridiculous exit cost.   We’re talking 10, 12, even 16 months worth of interest penalty.

Statistics clearly show we are paying or changing our mortgages every 3 years.   So, chances are, you will have to pay this penalty.   On a $300,000 mortgage, your penalty could be $9,000 or more.  Compared with $1,943.  That’s a $7,000 difference.

That 0.20% savings on the rate equals $600 per year..   You still think that 2.39% rate is great??

The next time you hear or see something that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  If you aren’t sure, call me or an experienced Mortgage Broker for unbiased advice.

Your best interest is my only interest.   I reply to all questions and I welcome your comments.  Like this article?  Share with a friend.

Steve Garganis 416 224 0114 steve@mortgagenow.ca

Posted 5 Comments on Variable rate is out, Fixed rates are in…. But, which term…? Interest rates

Variable rate is out, Fixed rates are in…. But, which term…?

Variable rate mortgageFor more than a decade, I’ve been recommending Variable rate mortgages, as the product of choice. My clients have saved $thousands.  It’s been a great 11 year run..   But now, the strategy has changed slightly.   Read on, to see my newest recommendations..

QUICK VARIABLE RATE HISTORY.

First, you need to understand the history..  Variable rate had lots of pluses.   It had a lower rate of interest, the penalty can never go over 3 months interest, and you have the option to lock into a Fixed rate at any time.

Being in a Variable meant paying lower rates.  In fact, the difference, compared with Fixed rates, ranged between 1.00% and 3.00%.  This translated to several $$thousand in less interest each year. Continue reading “Variable rate is out, Fixed rates are in…. But, which term…?”

Posted 1 Comment on Negative interest rates by the Bank of Canada… No, not likely. Interest rates

Negative interest rates by the Bank of Canada… No, not likely.

stephen polozYou gotta love the media.  Yesterday, the Bank of Canada Governor gave a speech and announced a change in contingency plans should we fall into another financial crisis… like the US-made global recession in 2008.

But if you read the headlines, you would think the sky has fallen.  All I kept seeing were headlines claiming “Canada could see Negative interest rates.  Below zero interest rates.   Canada would consider negative interest rates…  ”   Wow, talk about misleading the public.

Okay, so here’s what he really said, and this is straight from the Bank of Canada website…I quote… “We don’t need unconventional policies now, and we don’t expect to use them. However, it’s prudent to be prepared for every eventuality,” Governor Poloz said in a speech today to the Empire Club of Canada.

He went on to say that he believes that our economy is on target to rebound for 2017.. and here’s another direct quote.  “The Bank is forecasting increasing annual growth in 2016 and 2017, with the Canadian economy expected to reach full capacity around mid-2017.”

I think this is pretty clear.   The ‘worst case scenario’ plan has changed..  and the BOC govr expects our economy to rebound in the next 12 to 18 months.   Hope this helps to clarify the message.  Keeping it real.. and keeping it simple.

Your best interest is my only interest.   I reply to all questions and I welcome your comments.  Like this article?  Share with a friend.

Steve Garganis 416 224 0114 steve@mortgagenow.ca

Posted 4 Comments on Mortgage rates went up…. but why? And will they continue to go up? Interest rates

Mortgage rates went up…. but why? And will they continue to go up?

fearup down graph

A month ago, I said Fixed mortgage rates probably hit the bottom.   A week later, fixed mortgage rates started to go up… around 0.20% over the past 3 weeks.  Variable rate mortgage pricing has gone from Prime less 0.65% to Prime less Prime less 0.40%.

Now, here’s the thing….  I don’t think rates will skyrocket over the next 6 or 12 months, like the pessimists would have you believe.  I think mortgage rates hit the bottom….BUT, they probably won’t go up very quickly.

In fact, the forecast now is for the Bank of Canada rate to stay the same until 2017.   This is just another example of how the world has become a smaller place.  If someone sneezes in Germany, we catch a cold.  With most of the global economies just getting by, there isn’t much reason for mortgage rates to go crazy.   They should remain low.

The key driver for rates going up recently is nothing more than profit taking.  Banks have had a great year… In case you didn’t know.  That’s right.. we seem to forget that 2015 was one of the best years on record for real estate and mortgage volume…  and house prices have never been higher.    Funny how that seems to get lost in the media reports.

Look for Variable rate pricing to fall in the new year…  Fixed rates could also come down slightly, but don’t count on them hitting the record lows that we saw this summer.   Hey, that’s not to say rates are bad.   We are still well under 3.00%.   These are ridiculously low mortgage rates.    Enjoy them while you can.

Your best interest is my only interest.   I reply to all questions and I welcome your comments.  Like this article?  Share with a friend.

Steve Garganis 416 224 0114 steve@mortgagenow.ca