FAQ's
Can I borrow against my home for personal reasons?
If you have a minimum of 10% equity in your house (based on a current appraisal on your property), we may be able to renegotiate your mortgage so you can take out equity to buy a new car, home renovations, consolidate your debt etc. Some restrictions apply. In some cases a broker can arrange financing up to 100% of the value of your home.
What can a Mortgage Broker do for me?
A mortgage broker works for you to provide you with information about many lenders products and policies. He/She is aware of market trends and present mortgage interest rates and can provide you with a mortgage product that is best suited to your individual needs.
How much does a Mortgage Broker charge for their service?
Usually in todays environment a mortgage broker is paid by a lender for a mortgage that meets prime underwriting guidelines. The cost of his services should be minimal, if not zero.
Why should I use a mortgage broker?
A broker can often save you thousands of dollars in interest over the term of your mortgage. He/She can also save you time and a lot of heartache. A broker can help make shopping for a mortgage less stressful. With the experience and knowledge gained by specializing, the broker will ask you all the right questions to present your application in its best possible light.
What is a preapproved mortgage and what is the benefit of applying in advance?
A preapproved mortgage tells you exactly how much you can afford to spend on your home and what your payments will be. Your rate is fixed for a certain period (usually 120 days) which means that if rates go up during that period, you keep your fixed rate but if they go down at the time of your purchase, you get the lower rate.
What is CMHC OR G.E. CAPITAL insurance?
If your down payment on you purchase is less than 25% of the value of the property, your mortgage must be insured against payment default by Canada Mortgage and Housing or G.E. Capital Insurance. You will have to pay a one-time premium which can be added to the principal amount of your mortgage you do not have to come up with this cash extra.
How can I pay off my mortgage faster?
Here are a few options which will help you:
- try to take advantage of all prepayment privileges allowed by your lender
- make accelerated payments as weekly instead of monthly
- choose the shortest amortization period possible