How can mortgage prepayment charges be avoided?

 

You have a number of options available to prepay your mortgage and avoid prepayment charges:

Portability

If you’re selling and buying a new home, your mortgage may have a portability option that allows you to Port your existing mortgage term, outstanding principal balance and maturity date to a new property.

Assumption

If you’re selling your home, the purchaser may have the option of applying to assume your mortgage with the existing terms and conditions on closing.

Open mortgage

Enjoy the flexibility to pay off as much of your mortgage any time without paying a prepayment charge.

Subject to approval and eligibility based the terms of the mortgage.

Contact me to learn more about assuming someone else's CIBC mortgage, or having a potential purchaser assume your CIBC mortgage.

There are also ways to save thousands of dollars in interest payments breaking your mortgage early, paying the discharge penalty, and not being "out of pocket" for the expense.

Steven Porter, Mortgage Advisor - CIBC, 1-888-885-8962, steven@stevenporter.ca

When does a mortgage prepayment charge apply?

 

• Renewing your mortgage before the maturity date
• Prepaying more than the amount of your annual prepayment privilege
• Refinancing your mortgage and selecting a new term
• Transferring your mortgage to another lender
• Paying off your mortgage before the maturity date

In all of the above scenarios, the mortgage balance is being prepaid before the maturity date, which may result in a prepayment charge.

How are prepayment charges calculated for a fixed rate closed mortgage?

If you have a fixed rate closed mortgage, your prepayment charge will be the greater of the following:

• three months' interest on the amount you are prepaying. Interest will be calculated at your annual mortgage interest rate, plus any discount you received
• the Interest Rate Differential on the amount you are prepaying

What is interest rate differential (IRD)?

If you prepay your mortgage, you may be charged a prepayment charge. There are different methods for calculating prepayment charges. In some cases, the amount charged is the Interest Rate Differential amount. At CIBC, the Interest Rate Differential amount is the difference between the following two amounts:

• interest over the remaining term of your mortgage, calculated at your current mortgage interest rate, plus any interest rate discount you received.
• interest over the remaining term of your mortgage, calculated at CIBC's current posted interest rate for the comparison mortgage identified in your mortgage documents.

For a full prepayment, the prepayment charge is calculated on the full amount of the prepayment. For a partial prepayment, the prepayment charge is calculated on the amount of the prepayment that is more than your annual prepayment privilege amount.

How are prepayment charges calculated for variable rate closed mortgages?

If you have a variable rate closed mortgage, your prepayment charge will be three months interest on the amount you are prepaying. Interest will be calculated at CIBC Prime Rate.

Examples of prepayment charge calculations

The following illustrates how prepayment charges are calculated. To estimate your prepayment charge, use the CIBC Mortgage Prepayment Charge Calculator.
Example of estimating the prepayment charge for a variable-rate closed mortgage
Martin has a variable rate mortgage. If Martin wanted to pay off the entire principal amount, the prepayment charge would be equal to three months' interest on the entire amount he is prepaying, calculated at the CIBC Prime Rate in effect on the date the mortgage payout statement is prepared.
Martin still owes $60,000.00 on his mortgage. If the mortgage payout statement were prepared today, and if the current CIBC Prime Rate is 5.000%, here is how Martin estimates the prepayment charge to pay off the entire mortgage.

Step 1:

The total amount of the prepayment.

$60,000.00

Step 2:

The CIBC Prime Rate in effect on the date of the mortgage payout statement is prepared (written as a decimal). Thus, 5.000% becomes .050.

0.050

Step 3:

He multiples the total amount of the prepayment by the interest rate. This is equal to an estimate of one year's interest.

$3,000.00

Step 4:

He divides the annual interest cost by twelve to get an estimate of one month's interest.

$250.00

Step 5:

He multiplies one month's interest by three to get an estimate of three months' interest. This is an estimate of the prepayment charge.

$750.00

When Martin pays off his mortgage, he will need to pay an estimated additional amount of $750.00 to pay for the prepayment charge. This is only an estimate. Martin should call CIBC Mortgages or his current lender to find out the exact amount of her prepayment charge.

Example of estimating the prepayment charge for a fixed-rate closed mortgage
Maria has a 5-year fixed-rate closed mortgage. When she arranged the mortgage, she received an interest rate discount of .500%. Her existing annual interest rate on her mortgage is 6.500%.
The principal amount she still owes is $100,000. She has two years (or 24 months) left in the term of this mortgage. However, Maria has just inherited some money and wants to pay off the mortgage.
In Maria's case, the prepayment charge will be the higher of the following two amounts:

• three months' interest at her interest rate of 6.500% plus the discount she received of .500%, which is equal to 7.000%; or
• the interest rate differential amount

The following shows an estimated prepayment charge for prepaying the full amount of Maria's mortgage:

Estimate of 3 Months' Interest

Step 1:

The amount Maria wishes to pay off is $100,000.00.

$100,000.00

Step 2:

Maria’s current interest rate plus the discount she received equals 7.000%. Written as a decimal, this becomes 0.070.

0.070

Step 3:

The amount Maria wishes to prepay multiplied by her interest rate plus the discount ($100,000.00 x 0.070) equals the estimated annual interest costs.

$7,000.00

Step 4:

The estimated annual interest costs divided by 12 equals an estimate of one month's interest.

$583.33

Step 5:

1 month’s interest costs multiplied by 3 equals an estimate of 3 months’ interest.

$1,749.99

So, an estimate of 3 months’ interest would be $1,749.99.

Estimate of the Interest Rate Differential Amount

Step 1:

The interest costs over the term of a mortgage with Maria’s current principal balance of $100,000.00, with her monthly payment amount of $693.47, a term of 2 years (which is the remaining term of Maria’s mortgage) and her interest rate plus the discount that she received, which is 7.000%, would be $13,603.92.

$13,603.92

Step 2:

In Maria’s case, we determine that the comparison mortgage is the CIBC 2-year fixed-rate closed mortgage. On the date we prepare the mortgage payout statement, the posted rate for this product is 5.000%.

0.050

Step 3:

The interest costs over the term of a CIBC 2-year fixed-rate closed mortgage, with the same principal amount as Maria's remaining balance of $100,000.00, the same monthly payment amount of $693.47 and our current posted rate of 5.000%, would be $9,567.59.

$9,567.59

Step 4:

The interest costs calculated in Step 3 is subtracted from the interest costs set out in Step 1. This is the interest rate differential amount.

$4,036.33

So, an estimate of the interest differential amount would be $4,036.33.

The Estimated Prepayment Charge

Maria's prepayment charge is the higher of the estimated three months' interest costs of $1,749.99 and the estimated interest rate differential amount of $4,036.33.
So, if Maria's mortgage payout statement was prepared today, an estimate of her prepayment charge would be $4,036.33.
Maria should call CIBC Mortgages or her current lender to find out the exact amount of her prepayment charge. The amount above is only an estimate.
 The timing of your prepayment, changes in the interest rate and changes in your payment amount can have an impact on the IRD calculation. You can use the CIBC Prepayment Charge Calculator to see how these changes affect your prepayment costs.

What additional charges may apply when prepaying a mortgage?

There are sometimes additional charges that may apply when prepaying a mortgage in full before the maturity date:

Cash Back Repayment:
• If you received a cash back amount, when you entered or renewed your mortgage, you may be required to repay the cash back. Below are examples of situations where cash back repayment may be required. When you:
• Prepay the mortgage in full
• Ask us to transfer the mortgage to another lender (a "switch")
• Renew the mortgage with an effective date that is before your current mortgage matures
• Refinance the mortgage
• Transfer title to the property and arrange for the mortgage to be assumed by the new owner
• Port the mortgage

Mortgage Discharge Fee/Assignment Fee
• A discharge fee and/or assignment fee for document preparation and registration when the mortgage is prepaid in full.
• If you ask us to transfer your mortgage to another lender, an assignment fee will apply.

How can prepayment charges be avoided? Call me to find out, Steven Porter -1-888-885-8962

Steven Porter, Mortgage Advisor  CIBC, 1-888-885-8962, steven@stevenporter.ca
www.FreeMortgageInfo.ca

Different Mortgage Options - What to Choose?

 

What is an open mortgage?

An open mortgage can be prepaid, in part or in full, during the term of the mortgage without paying a prepayment charge. The interest rate on an open mortgage is often higher than the interest rate on a closed mortgage. An open mortgage can provide flexibility until you are ready to lock into a closed term.

What is a closed mortgage?

A closed mortgage is one that cannot be prepaid, renegotiated or refinanced before the end of the term without paying a prepayment charge. However, most closed mortgages contain certain prepayment privileges, such as the right to make a prepayment of 10-20% of the original principal amount each year, without paying a prepayment charge.
A closed mortgage often has a lower interest rate than an open mortgage.

What is a fixed interest rate mortgage?

• With a fixed interest rate mortgage, in most cases your interest rate does not fluctuate during the mortgage term. Your regular mortgage payment amount does not change.
• You know exactly what your regular payments will be and how much of the principal balance will be paid off during the term.

What is a variable interest rate mortgage?

• With a variable rate mortgage, the interest rate changes with changes to the CIBC Prime Rate. In addition, your regular mortgage payment amount is fixed and does not change.
• When the CIBC Prime Rate decreases, the amount of interest you pay will also decrease. A smaller portion of your regular mortgage payment will be applied to pay interest, and a larger portion will be applied to pay down the principal amount of your mortgage.
• When the CIBC Prime Rate increases, the amount of interest you pay will also rise. A larger portion of your regular mortgage payment will be applied to pay interest, and a smaller portion will be applied to pay down the principal amount of your mortgage.

Why choose a short term mortgage?

A short term mortgage generally offers a lower interest rate than a longer term mortgage. When current rates are high and you think rates may drop, choosing a short term mortgage allows you to lock in for a shorter period. A short term mortgage may also be a good option if you plan to sell your home or pay off the mortgage early.

Why choose a long term mortgage?

A long term mortgage generally offers a higher interest rate than that of a shorter term mortgage. When current rates are reasonably low, choosing a longer term mortgage secures the interest rate for a longer period of time and makes budgeting easier.

Free On-Line Mortgage Pre-Approval

Steven Porter - Mortgage Advisor, CIBC - 1-888-885-8962, steven@stevenporter.ca
www.FreeMortgageInfo.ca

Today's Most Desirable Home Features

Housing trends and styles are changing constantly. Today, more than ever, buyers have a strong sense of what they want in a home. 

Today’s desirable home features depend greatly on the type of buyer.  Buyers can be divided into two main groups. The first group are first-time buyers which is pretty self-explanatory. The second group are the move up buyers, which are looking to move into a home that addresses the shortcomings of their existing home. They aren't necessarily second-time buyers but they are often people that have out grown their current home. Buyer age is also a main factor in deciding the desired home features.

This article focuses on what is hot in the housing market today. Whether you are planning on renovating, selling, or you are looking for a new home, this information will help you make choices that will contribute to both your real estate enjoyment and investment.

Home Exterior

Today, stone and stucco are very popular choices. Brick is the standard material used with mass builders, but the more customized and trendy homebuilders are using stone and stucco on a more frequent basis.

Floor Layout   

Bungalows are hot nowadays. Excessive floor level changes are no longer popular as people desire to live on one or two levels.

Room Sizes

Room sizes have been gradually increasing for a number of years. Buyers tend to place the most importance on three key rooms: the kitchen, family room and master bedroom. You can expect to see these three rooms continue to increase in size over the next 10 years while rooms such as the living and dining room are likely to get smaller or disappear altogether. Many new homes scrap the living room and instead incorporate that space into the family room or the 'Great' room.

Buyers still, ideally, desire four bedrooms in their home and would like, if possible, two living areas. One of the living areas can be the recreation room in the lower level (basement).
A master bedroom on the main floor is ranked very important for buyers 65 and older. A two-car garage with ample storage area and a main floor laundry area is desirable for move-up buyers.

Kitchen and Bathrooms 

The kitchen is becoming the hub of the house. The most desired features for the kitchen include: an abundance of counter space, a butler’s pantry, deep drawers and two sinks. Stainless steel appliances are also very popular today, and in the upper end market, appliances concealed as cabinetry are very chic.

Large kitchens with an island and counter tops made of granite or marble are very desirable for move up buyers. However, this must be matched with stylish kitchen cabinets.

Luxurious bathrooms with a separate tub and multiple shower heads; pedestal sinks and large mirrors; an overall spa like feeling; attached dressing rooms and a place to sit are all desirable features. Master suite soaker tubs and whirlpools are still desirable for many home buyers, but not as important as other features.

Energy Efficiency 

With the green movement becoming more popular, energy efficient appliances, high-efficiency insulation, eco-friendly treatments, and environmentally smart building plans are among the "green" features touted in homes.

Tech-readiness 

Satellite and internet wired along with multiple phone jacks are what people want in today’s technology world. With today’s busy lifestyles relaying heavily on technology, even a day or two without high speed internet could be a major inconvenience.

Home Office 

Today, many people would much rather have home office space than a formal dining room. Many employers are seeing the business advantages of allowing employees to work from home. As well, many people are using work from home opportunities to help supplement income because of work shortage or as an opportunity to make money online.

Outdoor Living Space 

The popularity of outdoor spaces continues to grow. Patios, deck, exterior lights, fenced yard and fire pit extend the outdoor living space at home and make a great extra feature.

Other Notables

Some other notable features that home buyers consider very important when buying a home include central air conditioning, recessed lighting, hardwood flooring, energy efficiency and the potential to turn a profit should they decide to sell their home in the near future.

Today’s buyers are looking for a little luxury and features and treatments that are the highest quality their price range will permit.

Copyright 2014 Canada Realty News
Posted by, Steven Porter, Mortgage Advisor - steven@stevenporter.ca

Six Questions to Ask Before Refinancing

Breaking your existing home mortgage and refinancing to take advantage of low interest rates or special promotions from lenders may sound like a good idea in theory, but it may not always be possible or desirable.

For starters, lenders have tightened up the approval process, making it more difficult to get a loan.

Homeowners today need to be triathletes to qualify for a loan, with great income, great credit and great value in their home.

In addition, refinancing may not make sense financially, particularly for borrowers who plan to sell their homes in the foreseeable future.

Before taking the leap and opting to refinance, homeowners should ask themselves these six questions.

1. Do I Have Equity in My Home?

Homeowners need to have a minimum of  20% equity in their home to qualify for a new loan without having to pay creditor mortgage insurance. Adding the additional cost of mortgage insurance to a new loan could negate the benefit of a refinance.

Homeowners can still apply for a refinance even if they have low equity, because there are some lender programs they may be eligible. The best way to find out if you fit into a program is to go to ask you lender.

2. Do I Have Good Enough Credit?

Borrower credit scores play a big role in securing a good mortgage rate. In fact, you'll need a good credit score to qualify for any type of mortgage at all.

Mortgage rates operate on a sliding scale, with the lowest rates going to applicants with the highest credit scores.

Borrowers with scores below 620 may have trouble qualifying for a mortgage at any rate.

3. What Are My Financial Goals?

Many homeowners refinance to lower their monthly payments. A good mortgage calculator gives borrowers a sense of what their new payment would be after refinancing.

Others choose a shorter-term loan with higher monthly payments so they can reduce overall interest payments and own their homes faster.

Some people are restructuring their loan payments to pay their mortgages off quicker, which may work well for people with plenty of disposable income. But some folks may be too focused on paying off their mortgage and not integrating this decision with their overall financial plan.

Borrowers should also consider contributing to retirement savings and college savings, paying off high-interest debt, and saving 6 to 12 months of expenses before opting more expensive mortgage payments.


How Long Do I Plan to Stay in This Home?

Mortgage professionals generally tell borrowers to expect a home refinance to cost 1.5% to 3% of the loan amount. A simple calculation shows how long it will take to reach the break-even point when the savings outweigh the costs.

What Are the Terms of My Current Loan?

Borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages or interest-only loans should consider the potential benefit of switching to a fixed-rate loan.

Breaking your mortgage early usually incurs a pepayment penalty and other expenses which could reduce the financial gain of a refinance.

Do I Have a Second Mortgage or Line of Credit?

Borrowers with a second mortgage or secured line of credit will face additional complexity when refinancing.

Borrowers can either pay off the second loan / line of credit or combine the two loans into a larger first mortgage. Otherwise, the lender holding that second loan /line of credit must agree to stay in second position behind the lender of the first mortgage, which the lender may or may not be willing to do.

Steven Porter, Mortgage Advisor with CIBC, steven.porter@cibc.com

Retiring with a Mortgage?

Throughout our working careers the goal most often is to own our home, mortgage free at least by the time we retire.

Here are a few considerations for you if you have reached your retirement, still have a mortgage and want a little extra money to enjoy your retirement years.

Downsize
By selling you your larger or higher priced home with a mortgage you may be able to purchase a smaller or lower priced home in another area and eliminate or reduce the size of your current mortgage.

Refinance
If monthly cash flow is a concern, refinancing your mortgage to a lesser rate and.or extending your mortgages amortization period could reduce you monthly payment obligations.

Alternative Cash Flow
Your home may lend itself to creating an income suite to generate monthly rental income. The money required to complete such a project my be accessed through the equity in your home.

Reverse Mortgage
Switching your current mortgage to a reverse mortgage with no monthly payments may also be a beneficial consideration.

Changes like the ones listed above should not be taken lightly. Be sure to discuss these options with you financial professionals and your mortgage lender.

Steven Porter, Mortgage Advisor with CIBC. steven.porter@cibc.com