Looking at getting a better mortgage rate
“With the Canadian economy set to expand at a moderate pace and mortgage rates expected to remain low, activity levels in 2012 in both new home construction and sales of existing homes will stay close to levels seen in 2011,” said Mathieu Laberge, Deputy Chief Economist for CMHC.
A home is most likely the most expensive purchase in your life and for most using a mortgage to fund the purchase is the only option. Mortgages come in all shapes and sizes and it’s very important to check the market carefully to ensure that you get the right one for you.
The current economic climate is an attractive one for buyers, with interest rates held at extremely low levels for the last few years and we have seen mortgage rates in Canada with Ratesupermarket dropping accordingly. This is an attempt by the Federal Reserve to kick-start the economy, and looks set to continue for at least another year.
Considering the fact that out-of-control lending was a main factor contributing to the global meltdown is it ironic that policymakers are choosing to promote cheap credit, but liquidity and spending is what the economy needs to get it going again. A loan to buy a house or car has rarely been such incredibly good value so make haste if such purchases are on the horizon.
“We’re seeing trends emerge in our market that favour buyers, such as in-creased selection and more stability in pricing compared to this time last year,” Rosario Setticasi, real estate board president, said. “Last month’s activity tells us that competition among home buyers was reduced in January”.
Mortgages are complicated products with endless lists of terms and conditions, but the most important ones are the interest rate, whether it is fixed or variable, the length of the term of the mortgage and what the financial penalties are associated with exiting the loan before it reaches full term.
The slump in the housing market see’s home prices at a historic low; a double-edged sword depending on whether you are new to the market or an existing homeowner. If you are a new homeowner this means that you may be to purchase a property previously outside of your budget and get a mortgage with a really low rate or perhaps even shorten the term of the mortgage to less than the traditional number of years.
If you are an existing homeowner, you may be facing negative equity or even foreclosure. Once again low interest rates are your friend, offering a solution to your situation with the refinancing of your home to obtain a mortgage with better conditions and a reduction in monthly payments.
The choice of fixed vs. variable rate mortgages is a personal one, influenced by your financial situation and attitude to risk. Mature buyers with an aversion to risk will want to know that the rate is fixed for a number of years and be able to budget to finance the mortgage accordingly. Variable terrible rate is the cheaper option, but leaves you have a mercy financial markets as your monthly payment is defined by the current interest rate. Interest rates look stay low for release next year, and some variable rate mortgages are as low as 2.9%, but it’s vital to do also research and consult a financial adviser.