Chances are, you're not the first person to ask! Take a look at answers to some of our more frequently asked questions.
A
Agreement of Purchase and Sales
The legal contract a purchaser and a seller go into. We recommend that you have your offer prepared by a professional realtor that has the knowledge and experience to satisfactorily protect you with the most suitable clauses and conditions.
Amortization Period
The number of years it takes to repay the entire amount of the financing based on a set of fixed payments.
Appraisal
The process of determining the market value of a property.
Assets
What you own or can call upon. Often used in determining net worth or in securing financing.
Assumption Agreement
A legal document signed by a buyer that requires the buyer assume responsibility for the obligations of an existing mortgage. If someone assumes your mortgage, make sure that you get a release from the mortgage company to ensure that you are no longer liable for the debt.
B
Blended Payments
Equal payments consisting of both an interest and a principal component. Typically, while the payment amount does not change, the principal portion increases, while the interest portion decreases.
C
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
CMHC is a federal Crown corporation that administers the National Housing Act (NHA). Among other services, they also insure mortgages for lenders that are greater than 80% of the purchase price or value of the home. The cost of that insurance is paid for by the borrower and is generally added to the mortgage amount. These mortgages are often referred to as ‘Hi-Ratio’ mortgages.
Closed Mortgage
A mortgage that cannot be prepaid or renegotiated for a set period of time without penalties.
Closing Date
The date on which the new owner takes possession of the property and the sale becomes final.
Collateral
An asset, such as term deposit, Canada Savings Bond, or automobile, that you offer as security for a loan.
Conventional Mortgage
A mortgage up to 80% of the purchase price or the value of the property. A mortgage exceeding 80% is referred to as a ‘Hi-Ratio’ mortgage and the lender will require insurance for that mortgage.
Credit Scoring
A system that assesses a borrower on a number of items, assigning points that are used to determine the borrower’s credit worthiness.
D
Demand Loan
A loan where the balance must be repaid upon request.
Deposit
A sum of money deposited in trust by the purchaser on making an offer to purchase. When the offer is accepted by the vendor (seller), the deposit is held in trust by the listing real estate broker, lawyer, or notary until the closing of the sale, at which point it is given to the vendor. If a house does not close because of the purchaser’s failure to comply with the terms set out in the offer, the purchaser forgoes the deposit, and it is given to the vendor as compensation for the breaking of the contract (the offer).
E
Equity
The difference between the market value of the property and any outstanding mortgages registered against the property. This difference belongs to the owner of that property.
F
First Mortgage
A debt registered against a property that has first call on that property.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
A mortgage for which the interest is set for the term of the mortgage.
G
Gross Debt Service Ratio (GDS)
It is one of the mathematical calculations used by lenders to determine a borrower’s capacity to repay a mortgage. It takes into account the mortgage payments, property taxes, approximate heating costs, and 50% of any maintenance fees, and this sum is then divided by the gross income of the applicants.
Guarantor
A person with an established credit rating and sufficient earnings who guarantees to repay the loan for the borrower if the borrower does not.
H
High-Ratio Mortgage
A mortgage that exceeds 80% of the purchase price or appraised value of the property. This type of mortgage must be insured.
Home Equity Line of Credit
A personal line of credit secured against the borrower’s property.
I
Interest Adjustment Date (IAD)
The date on which the mortgage term will begin. This date is usually the first day of the month following the closing. The interest cost for those days from the closing date to the first of the month are usually paid at closing. That is why it is always better to close your deal towards the end of the month.
Interest-Only Mortgage
A mortgage on which only the monthly interest cost is paid each month. The full principal remains outstanding. The payment is lower than an amortized mortgage since once is not paying any principal
J
Joint Tenancy
A form of ownership where the owners share equal ownership and have the same interest, common for purchases by spouses and partners. With right of survivorship, if one party dies, the other becomes the sole owner.
M
Mortgage
A mortgage is a loan that uses a piece of real estate as a security. Once that loan is paid-off, the lender provides a discharge for that mortgage.
Mortgagee
The financial institution or person (lender) who is lending the money using a mortgage.
Mortgagor
The person who borrows the money using a mortgage.
O
Open Mortgage
A mortgage that can be repaid at any time during the term without any penalty. For this convenience, the interest rate is usually slightly higher than a closed mortgage. A good option if you are planning to sell your property or pay-off the mortgage entirely. *some conditions may apply
P
P.I.T.
Principal, interest, and property tax due on a mortgage. If your down payment is greater than 25% of the purchase price or appraised value, the lender will usually allow you to make your own property tax payments.
Portable Mortgage
An existing mortgage that can be transferred to a new property. One would want to port their mortgage in order to avoid any penalties, or if the interest rate is much lower than the current rates.
Prepayment Penalty
A fee charged a borrower by the lender when the borrower prepays all or part of a mortgage over and above the amount agreed upon. The Prepayment Penalty can vary from lender to lender, a usual charge is the greater of the Interest Rate Differential (IRD) or 3 months interest.
Prime
The lowest rate a financial institution charges its best customers.
Principal
The original amount of a loan, before interest.
R
Rate Commitment
The number of days the lender will guarantee the mortgage rate on a mortgage approval. This can vary from lender to lender.
Refinance
Refers to the replacement of an existing debt obligation with a debt obligation under different terms. The most common consumer refinancing is for a home mortgage.
If the replacement of debt occurs under financial distress, it is also referred to as debt restructuring.
A loan (debt) can be refinanced for various reasons:
1.) to take advantage of a better interest rate (which will result in either a reduced monthly payment or a reduced term);
2.) to consolidate other debt(s) into one loan(this will result in a longer term);
3.) to reduce the monthly repayment amount (this will result in a longer term)
4.) to reduce or alter risk (e.g. changing from a variable-rate to a fixed-rate loan)
5.) to free up cash (this will result in a longer term).
Breaking your mortgage contract to renew at a new rate and a new term, may include a prepayment charge to reimburse your financial institution for the lost interest income. As a rule, the prepayment charge is based on three months interest or the interest rate differential (the difference between your current mortgage rate for the balance of your term and the new rate you want to refinance at), whichever is greater.
This amount will tell you if you should refinance the mortgage. In most cases the shorter the remaining term – less than a year is best – the smaller the penalty. The longer the term left on your mortgage, the greater the prepayment penalties.
Renewal
When the mortgage term has concluded, your mortgage is up for renewal. It is open at this time for prepayment in part or in full, then renew with same lender or transfer to another lender at no cost (we can arrange).
When renewing your mortgage, the banks often only offer the posted rates. You have to push a little harder for them to give you a break. They know that most homeowners don’t want to have to shop around, so, they offer you a higher rate and hope that you will take it.
S
Second Mortgage
A debt registered against a property that is secured by a second charge on the property.
Switch
To transfer an existing mortgage from one financial institution to another. We can have this arranged for you at no cost to you.
T
Tenants in Common
A form of ownership where each owner has a separate and divisible interest in the property. Tenants in common are each issued a separate title reflecting their ownership, and they may hold unequal interests in the property. One party may sell without the permission of the other(s), and there is no right of survivorship.
Term
The period of time the financing agreement covers. The terms available are: 6 month, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10 year terms, and the interest rates will be fixed for whatever term once chooses.
Total Debt Service (TDS) Ratio
It is the other mathematical calculations used by lenders to determine a borrower’s capacity to repay a mortgage. It takes into account the mortgage payments, property taxes, approximate heating costs, and 50% of any maintenance fees, and any other monthly obligations (i.e. personal loans, car payments, lines of credit, credit card debts, other mortgages, etc.), and this sum is then divided by the gross income of the applicants.
Transfer Tax
A tax payable to the Provincial Government by the purchaser upon the transfer of title from the seller. Depending where you are, this is called a Land Transfer Tax, Property Transfer Tax, Land Transfer & Mortgage Registration Fee, or Deed Transfer Tax.
V
Variable Rate Mortgage
A mortgage for which the interest rate fluctuates based on changes in prime.
Vendor Take Back (VTB) Mortgage
A mortgage provided by the vendor (seller) to the buyer.
