Skip to content
Posted Mortgage News

RBC announces ’employee pricing for mortgages’.. and it’s April Fools day.

RBC-BankRBC is coming out with their employee pricing program for mortgages… yet again.   And like last year’s promotion, it deserves a closer look.. or at least some exposure.

Last year, the program promised to “break through the clutter of price wars within the mortgage marketplace”, to quote Sean Amato-Gauci, Senior VP at RBC.    It was a twist on the auto industry.

And like last year, they aren’t putting their actual interest rate isn’t going to be advertised in any print.  They are hoping Consumers will be intrigued enough to call or walk into a branch to get the actual rate.   Well, I’ll save you the suspense.  Rumors say it could be as low as 2.69% for a 5 yr fixed rate product.  Hey, that’s a good rate.  It’s a competitive rate.  But it’s not the best mortgage out there!   Check out these facts… Continue reading “RBC announces ’employee pricing for mortgages’.. and it’s April Fools day.”

Posted Interest rates

News Flash! BMO and TD’s 2.79% is great but it ISN’T the lowest rate!

Bmo wide thumbs downIt’s become an annual tradition.  Every year around this time, BMO announces, what appears to be a great mortgage for a 5 year fixed rate.   Last week, BMO announced they were lowering their 5 yr Fixed rate to 2.79%.  TD jumped in and did the same thing.  Wow!  That’s the lowest advertised rate by a BIG SIX BANK, in history. (excuse me while I yawn..pause for long yawn here)

Hey! Guess what?  It’s NOT the best rate available!  Read on….

HERE’S 7 FACTS BMO AND TD DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW, BUT I’LL TELL YOU: Continue reading “News Flash! BMO and TD’s 2.79% is great but it ISN’T the lowest rate!”

Posted Debt

Historical low mortgage rates mean RECORD HIGH penalties for BIG SIX BANK clients!

greedy bankerMortgage penalty calculations continue to mystify Canadian consumers.  For years, I’ve posted numerous articles on penalties…  how they affect us… how they are calculated…..why you need to understand them.. and most importantly, HOW TO AVOID THEM!!

Today, I’ll give you explicit details on the great mortgage penalty mystery…

I’ve shared dozens of horror stories about average Canadians being hit with mortgage penalties of $12,000, $15,000, $20,000, $30,000 and more.   These examples aren’t from some obscure small financial institution. It’s your BIG SIX BANK.   Yet, the attitude from Consumers is that it won’t or doesn’t affect them….until it’s too late.

I’ve also shared the solution on how to avoid this… and I’m going to share that with you once again..  If you want to know how to avoid monster penalties, then take a few minutes and read this.. It could save you untold $$thousands…. Continue reading “Historical low mortgage rates mean RECORD HIGH penalties for BIG SIX BANK clients!”

Posted Money saving tips

$22,500 savings by breaking mortgage and getting into today’s low rates!

break your mortgage A few weeks ago, I posted an article about one of my readers that had the potential to save $15,000 by breaking the mortgage and getting into a new 5 year fixed rate.   This was a net savings.  The actual savings was just over $20,000 less the penalty of $5,000.

This week, we had an even bigger savings.  My clients are in a 10 yr term at 3.59%, with a $710,000 balance and 8 yrs to go.   The penalty to break is $6500.   The savings is $29,000.   Result is a net savings of $22,500.   Wow!  $22,500 savings over the next 5 years!  That’s $4500/ year in savings! 

This type of savings opportunity is extremely rare.  I’ve only seen this level of savings a few times before.  We can thank the record low interest rates for that.

If you are in a mortgage with a rate that’s above 3.20%, then you could be missing an opportunity to save $$thousands.  You should at least consult with a Mortgage Broker to do the math.   Remember, I haven’t even listed the lower rate product options available, such as Variable rate, or a 3 year fixed rate.   It’s worth looking into.

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 Bank News

Collateral Mortgages… a different 50 shades of grey!

handcuffs In 2010, TD announced they would begin registering ALL new mortgages as a collateral charge.  The sale pitch was that it was good for the consumer.  It would allow TD clients to borrow more, in the future, without having to incur new legal fees.  Yes, that part is true.

But they’ve left out a lot stuff, too!   For years, Mortgage Brokers and other unbiased financial professionals, cautioned the public about collateral mortgages.    And in 2013, CBC Marketplace did an expose on TD and their retail branch’s lack of knowledge and disclosure.   Is this where you want to go for your mortgage?TD

By the way, TD wasn’t the only Bank to go with collateral charge only.   ING made the same move in Dec 2011.  And they used a similar sales pitch.   But my readers have been hip to this and aren’t getting fooled.

The federal govt was pressured into taking action to protect consumers.  In Sept 2014, the federal govt announced ‘more disclosure.  But have the Banks really given us more disclosure?   Continue reading “Collateral Mortgages… a different 50 shades of grey!”