Mortgage Intelligence

Oshawa's Mortgage News Desk!

Monthly Archives: June 2019


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10 Money-Saving Tips for Summer

The lazy days of summer are here and with them come plenty of ways to spend. Here are some easy tips that can help you maximize enjoyment while minimizing how much you spend!

1. Budget it. set a budget for what you plan to do this summer and stick to it. If you have a plan and write it down you are less likely to go into unexpected debt by overusing your credit card.

2. Head to the library. Get your summer reading material at the library. Reading is a great cost-effective way to fill the hours! Libraries also often have free programs for families.

3. Shop second hand. Going to garage sales or flea markets in the summer can be a fun way to explore and spend your morning. If you need to buy something this summer start your search here.

4. Perfect the potluck. Make your your own signature dish and get guests to bring a favourite of their own, allowing them to share in the cost and effort of your backyard meal.

5. Pack a lunch. Make it part of the experience of a car trip or excursion Find a picnic spot to enjoy your home Ade goodies, and bring your snacks instead of buying expensive convenience store items. Also plan brown-bag it at work.

6. Drop it. Spend more time outdoors and drop your cable and gym membership for the summer..

7. Cut cooling costs. Set the temperature just one degree higher, and be mindful if electricity costs are higher during certain parts of the day. Open the windows at night, and close the blinds during the day. On hot days, skip the hot stove. Replace your AC filters.

8. Find free local fun. Check out your local events calendar. There are plenty of free or low-cost local offerings that you are sure to enjoy.

9. Snap up those souvenirs. The best summer souvenirs are often the photos. Skip the souvenir shops; take more pictures instead.

10. Create breathing room. If you have enough equity, take advantage of your low cost funds to refinance your mortgage if you have a large upcoming expense. Or perhaps you need to roll large amounts of credit card debt into your mortgage, a simple strategy that can save you thousands, give you one manageable payment and help you be mortgage free sooner.

For more information on your mortgage needs, contact the team at Mortgage Intelligence-Oshawa at 1.866.452.1100 or visit us at www.mimortgage.ca. Now kick back and really enjoy your summer!


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Happy Father’s Day!

 


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Why early payout penalties matter now more than ever.

We are deep in the competitive spring real estate market! And we’re seeing a very interesting rate anomaly. Fixed-rate mortgages are very competitively priced and gaining in popularity, while variable-rate mortgages are looking overpriced. We’re even seeing ten-year mortgages at good rates back in the news. If the market is telling us that fixed-rate mortgages have an advantage, then be sure to look at the fine print because the devil is in the details and early payout penalties matter. 

Why? Sometimes you just need to get out of your mortgage! It’s impossible to plan for many of the things that will happen in our lives, like job loss, illness, divorce, relocation, or another personal matter. Or when much better mortgage rates become available. Your needs and the market can shift easily during the term of your mortgage and the last thing you want is a painful penalty to get out early. That’s why it’s important to consider what your early payout penalty might be before you get your mortgage. We all want to believe that none of these scenarios will transpire, but when they do, it’s a relief to have a cost-effective option to get out.

Generally, to break your mortgage, you can expect to pay the greater of either a) three months’ interest, or b) the interest-rate differential (IRD). With the IRD, your mortgage lender will want you to pay the equivalent of what they will lose by releasing you from your mortgage and lending the money at current rates.  Not all lenders calculate IRD the same way, and the differences can amount to thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. 

Early payout penalties are particularly important to consider if you are looking at a 10-year mortgage. If you break a 10-year mortgage before 5 years, the penalty with most lenders can be substantial. If there is a chance you could break the mortgage in the first 5 years, you may not want to consider a 10-year term. 

Don’t let anyone tell you early payout penalties are “all the same”. They’re not. When choosing between mortgages, be sure to compare how the early payout penalty will be calculated. If you ever need to get out of your mortgage early, having the right mortgage could save you stress and big money. Get in touch with the team at MiMortgage.ca at 1.866.452.1100 to speak an expert now. Advice on how to avoid painful penalties is part of the service we provide to our clients every single day!