Canadian law recognizes that “closed means closed” when it comes to a transaction. You consented to the conditions of the mortgage, which state that the mortgage cannot be redeemed until the period of the loan has expired.
This provides the lender with confidence in the cash flow generated by the mortgage. The lender may “lock in” cash flow with a closed mortgage during periods of high-interest rates, which enables them to charge a lower nominal interest rate.
In fact, the case that resulted in the highest legal malpractice judgment in Canadian history included a mortgage that was meant to be closed, but the mortgage did not contain a provision for so.
Because the lender was utilizing the mortgage to support an annuity, the lender incurred a $7 million loss on the transaction. When the mortgage was paid off, interest rates had dropped significantly (because no one redeems a mortgage after interest rates go up).
If you fail on your loan, your lender may be able to accelerate your interest payments and get a judgment for the current value of the payment stream, rather than simply the amount of principal owed. If interest rates have declined, this might be quite costly.
The amortization of mortgages in Canada may be spread over a period of 25 or 30 years, but they are all due for renewal after 5 years, at which point you can choose to pay them off without penalty.
After 5 years, the mortgage company, on the other hand, has the option to adjust the interest rate. The rate must be one that has been publicized. There is no such thing as a point to throw a wrench into the works. Interest is computed on a six-monthly basis, rather than daily or weekly.
You are required to pay fees, but since you are not closing on a deal, you are not required to pay closing expenses. Lawyers’ fees, as well as property taxes and, in certain cases, sales taxes, would be included in closing expenses.
So, sure, there are costs, but they are not those specific ones. Inquire with your lender about the fees they charge and how much they cost. When I refinanced last year, the bank charged me an appraisal cost as well as an administrative fee (for doing all the paperwork). If you hire your own attorney, you may have to pay additional legal expenses as well.
Nonrecurring charges, as well as prorations and prepaid, are the two types of closure costs that might be encountered. The first group contains (as the name implies) one-time expenses such as title, escrow, and lender fees, appraisal fees, notary fees, recording fees, and so on.
Amounts included in the second category include your first year’s homeowner insurance premium, prorated interest, and (in most circumstances) the first payment to establish your escrow account for property taxes and insurance. Due to the fact that closing fees vary by region, local tradition, and time of year, there is no hard and fast rule as to how much they will cost.
The buyer’s ability to qualify for the increased payment, as well as the terms of the loan program, are the only restrictions. The maximum loan-to-value ratio for a conventional loan is 97 percent, but you should be aware that when the loan amount surpasses 95 percent of the home’s worth, the interest rate will rise by approximately 25 percent, so you should plan accordingly.
Buyers should also be aware that mortgage insurance is only in effect for a limited time. It will be automatically withdrawn whenever the loan total reaches 78 percent of the home’s original purchase price, but a borrower may request that it be removed sooner by presenting an appraisal to demonstrate the home’s increased worth prior to that point.
Lenders may impose conditions on how a borrower may get rid of mortgage insurance, such as requiring the borrower to have had the account for one or two years before doing so. Mortgage insurance will be eliminated after about seven years for a loan with a 90 percent down payment. It will take somewhat less than nine years to pay off a debt with a 95 percent interest rate.
