What to consider when getting a mortgage

Your lender or mortgage broker provides you with options as you shop for a mortgage. Make sure you understand the options and features. This will assist you to select a mortgage that suits your needs best.
This includes your:

• mortgage principal amount
• amortization
• payment frequency
  

Your Term

The period your mortgage contract is in place is the mortgage term. This consists of everything, including the interest rate, that your mortgage contract specifies. Terms can vary from only a few months to five years or more.
You must renew the mortgage at the end of each term if you can't pay the remaining balance in full. To repay your mortgage, you'll most likely need several terms.

Your mortgage term's duration has an impact on:

• Your rate of interest and the kind of interest you can get (fixed or variable)
• the penalties you have to pay if you break your mortgage contract before the end of your term
• How soon do you need to renew your mortgage contract?
  

How your mortgage amount is calculated

For the purchase of a home, the amount you borrow from a lender is the principal amount.
Normally, this amount includes the:

• The home's purchase price minus your down payment
• Mortgage loan insurance if your down payment is less than 20% or if your lender requires it.
  

How your mortgage payments are calculated

Factors are used by mortgage lenders to determine your regular payment amount. Your cash goes towards the interest and principal when you make a mortgage payment. The principal is the amount you borrowed from the lender to cover the cost of your home purchase. The interest is the fee that you pay for the loan to the lender. The lender adds the insurance fees to your mortgage payment if you agree to optional mortgage insurance.

Your amortization

The amount of time it takes to pay off a mortgage in full is the amortization period. The longer the duration of amortization, the lower your expenses would be. Keep in mind that the longer you take, the more interest you pay to pay off your mortgage.
If your down payment is less than 20% of your home's purchase price, 25 years would be the longest amortization you're allowed.

Your interest rate

The interest is the fee you pay for borrowing money from the lender. The greater your interest rate, the greater the mortgage payments are going to be. You renegotiate your mortgage interest rate each time you renew the mortgage term. This suggests that the mortgage payments in the future will be higher or lower.
Your lender gives you an interest rate when you apply for a mortgage. To see if they can give you a lower rate, you can negotiate this rate.
The interest rate offered by your lender will rely on:

• the duration of your mortgage term
• the type of interest chosen by you
• your credit history
• if you’re self-employed
• If you qualify for a reduced rate of interest
• The type of lender you choose, such as a bank, credit union, financing company, or mortgage investment company
• the specific lender

Shop around to get the best deal for you before you commit yourself to a lender. Thousands of dollars will be saved by this.

How your mortgage choices can affect your future

When you break your contract, mortgage lenders charge a penalty fee. This means you could owe the lender thousands of dollars in penalty fees if you sell your home.
You could also pay penalty fees if you pay off your mortgage early. Unless you are planning on owning your home until you pay it in full, your mortgage may need flexibility.
Options related to mortgage flexibility include if your mortgage:

• is open or closed
• is portable
• is assumable
• has a standard or collateral security registration