Skip to content

CategoryMortgage Trends

Posted 3 Comments on Variable or Fixed? an update on how to choose. Interest rates

Variable or Fixed? an update on how to choose.

Variable rate mortgage

FIXED OR VARIABLE?

The debate over fixed vs variable never seems to end.   For the past 5 years, the Federal govt and the BIG SIX BANKS have been doing everything in their power to force us into choosing a 5 year Fixed rate.    The govt says it gives us security and protection against the anticipated interest rate hikes.   BANKS jumped on this bandwagon because 5 yr fixed is the most profitable mortgage product.. and with fixed rates hovering at 3.00% for the last 3 years, it’s been an easy sell.

On the surface, it’s not bad advice.    Fixed rates were supposed to go up.   The spread between Fixed and Variable has been less than 1.00% over the last 3 years.     My rule of thumb is that Variable rates should be 1.00% lower than 5 yr fixed in order to benefit from the possible rate fluctuations.   So naturally, 5 yr fixed was a better choice.

DO YOU TRUST YOUR GOVT AND YOUR BANK? Continue reading “Variable or Fixed? an update on how to choose.”

Posted Money saving tips

Mortgage renewal opportunities missed.

Banksters

DON’T SIGN THAT RENEWAL AGREEMENT BEFORE SPEAKING WITH YOUR BROKER!

Summer is a great time.  Vacations, time off, no school, sun and fun.  It’s also a time when most of our mortgages come up for renewal.   This year, things are a little different.  The loooong winter is really making us cherish the precious few months of summer.   We want to soak up as much of this warmer weather as possible.

This relaxed mindset appears to be making us easier prey for the BANKS mortgage renewal departments.  Mortgage renewals will typically follow the same process.   You get a renewal offer anywhere from 120 to 30 days prior to maturity.   The BANKS will offer you a rate that may be lower than their posted rate but, it’s much higher than the market rate, and some of us will go back and negotiate, some will call a mortgage broker to get unbiased and true market rates, and some of us will just sign that renewal and send it back in.

In the old days, most of us would just sign and return that renewal to our BANKS.   But that trend started to change over the last 10 years.  Consumers were shopping, calling mortgage brokers and seeking out better products.   Until this summer…. Continue reading “Mortgage renewal opportunities missed.”

Posted Mortgage News

The Star article on private lenders

Some comments I made about the changing lending landscape.  Click on the link below.

Private lenders step into Mortgage void left by banks.

The article was good and shed some light on just how much the federal government has tightened the Mortgage rules in Canada.  But the article excluded one very important fact.

loan sharkYes, I agree that the govt has gone overboard with their rule changes, and has forced qualified mortgage borrowers to pay higher rates and fees by having to go to alternative lenders.  But, consumers don’t necessarily have to go from an “A” lender with the best rates (currently at around 3.00%),  to a “C” lender with rates of around 12% to 15%.

There are “B” lenders that offer mortgages with only slightly higher rates. Usually 1% to 2% higher than “A” lenders.   I think it’s important to point this out.

A recent example is where one client was self employed, had a slightly bruised credit score of 602 (a good score is between 680 and 720), and his net income was not high enough to qualify (remember, self employed show a lower net income because they can write off more expenses). We found this client an 80% loan to value mortgage at 4.00% with some fees.   His net annual rate was 4.25%.  

So the message is, ‘There are ‘B’ lenders to fill the void left by the BANKS’…. and their rates are only slightly higher..  There are also ‘C’ lenders that fill a need for even harder to place mortgages…. These products come with much higher rates and fees.. But most consumers will either fit into an ‘A’ or ‘B’ product.   Only a small handful of applicants need to go to a ‘C’ Lender..

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 Mortgage News

Darryl Sittler made his fortune in real estate, not hockey.

RRSP home buyers planLast week, I had the privilege of attending REIN’s (Real Estate Investment Network) monthly workshop.  One of my childhood idols was a guest speaker.  I’m talking about Darryl Sittler, the former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.   In case you haven’t heard of REIN, let me share some details about this group of professionals.

REIN is a group of real estate investors that get together to network and share valuable information that affects real estate in Canada.   The leader of the group is Don Campbell.   If you haven’t heard of him, you should.  His approach to buying investment properties has proven to be very sound and profitable.  His “top ten best cities to invest” is legendary. Continue reading “Darryl Sittler made his fortune in real estate, not hockey.”

Posted 2 Comments on Self-employed and can’t prove all income? There’s a new mortgage solution. Mortgage News

Self-employed and can’t prove all income? There’s a new mortgage solution.

approvedIT STARTED WITH 2008

In 2008, the world experienced the U.S. sub-prime mortgage crisis.  Financial markets and real estate values nose-dived around the world…. well, not everywhere.    Some countries, like Canada, held their own.   Most of Canada didn’t really suffer like the rest of the world.  Call it luck, govt intervention, maybe being 5 yrs behind the U.S. (that’s personally what I think it was),  or whatever.   Today, property values have never been higher!

Here’s the strange thing.  Our Federal govt has made several mortgage rule changes that makes getting a mortgage tougher.  Yet, those changes were made AFTER the crisis.  In fact, they have made annual changes since 2009, including 2013.   Somehow, our real estate market remains red-hot.  (That’s something to discuss another day).

The govt demanded higher credit scores, more proof of income, larger down payments, shorter amortizations and reduced how much your can borrow against your house.   Yes, all these changes were made AFTER the 2008 crisis and are as recent 2013.  And that’s what so amazing our current real estate market..  it’s resilient.  It’s continued to grow and climb even with all the govt tinkering.   Continue reading “Self-employed and can’t prove all income? There’s a new mortgage solution.”